Dominant/aggressive Malchi puppy?

Question

I have a 4-months old malchi (chihuahua and maltese mix) who is getting to be dominant/aggressive. When I try to get near her toys, she growls and doesn't let me any nearer. The same goes when she has food. I try to correct this behavior but I can never seem to get near her. I try to take her toy or food that is causing the dominance but she attempts to bite me. Many said to put her on the ground (to show I'm the leader) and hold her there till she quiets down but once more she bites me. She seems to have a bit of a biting problem for when I pet sometimes, she growls and she snaps at me. Any suggestions on what I should do? Please don't say obedience class for I already know that as an option.

I have done some bit of research and now I don't think putting a dog on its side would be a good thing. In my case, it makes my puppy angrier. And no, I did not buy her; she was a gift from an aunt for her dog gave birth. Malchi is not really a breed--this I have known for a long time--but it is used by many as a term for a mix breed. Or in many cases, a mut.

Answer 1

Maybe she's pissed you call her a Malchi since there's no such thing? She's a m-u-t-t! Let me guess... you paid $500+ for her at a pet store and they told you it was a "breed" - sucker!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Answer 2

When you hold her on the ground, hold her on her side, rear legs together in one hand, her front legs together with the other hand, and with your forearm of the arm holding her front legs, press down on her neck so she can't get at you to bite you(this is one way I was taught to hold dogs while in college). Or, buy a muzzle so she can't bite you while you are holding her down. I had the exact same problem with my male Saint Bernard when he was a puppy. We held him on his side like I described above. He squealed and yelped, growled, tried to bite.....yours may do this too. Don't let her fool you into thinking that you are hurting her just by holding her. And like you said in the paragraph above, hold her until she relaxes and accepts the situation. My dog was food aggressive and dominance aggressive.
As it sounds like you already know, she needs to view you as top dog. The side hold thing helps with this. Obedience classes DEFINITELY help with this. A couple other things I have read in a dog behavior book are:
1. You should always eat BEFORE you feed your dog (in packs, the alpha eats first). And if you are bound and determined to feed your dog people food, don't feed her while you're at the table.
2. ALWAYS make your dog do something to "earn" her food. Even if it's just making her sit, or lay down, she should "earn" every meal or treat.
Honestly, I think my dog would have gotten over his issues sooner if I could have taken him to obedience class, but my dad got sick and I had to take care of him. I think the side hold helped some, but I didn't get time to work on making him work for his food. My other, older Saint Bernard eventually cured his attitude problem when she got sick of him biting her and trying to keep her away from the food. Now he's 140 lbs and totally submissive, rolling on his back and peeing when you walk up to him.

Answer 3

You really need to take control and to do this, it sounds like you may need to muzzle her. It seems like the problem is that you are scared to get bitten, so you never really take charge and she gets away with it, which teaches her that aggression gets her what she wants.
Get a muzzle, there is a soft kind that won't hurt her at all, but it will take away the possibility of being bitten and allow you to do what is necessary.
When she acts aggressive you need to give a correction with a good firm shake of the scruff. If that doesn't do it, then roll her over and hold her.

Answer 4

Get a copy of Dr. Ian Dunbars book "AFTER YOU GET YOUR PUPPY". He goes into this in detail. In the meantime, keep a light leash on the pup so you have control. And no "freebies". She must sit before any food, treat, petting, toy, etc. You really need to work on this now, or you'll have a serious problem very soon.

http://www.siriuspup.com/about_founder.html

Answer 5

it called being alpha, she thinks shes an alpha, but you need to show her you are, my dog thinks shes alpha too, and she humps us .you need to saw NO in a firm voice if she is doing something wrong. and it is hard sometimes, but you have to try to get her to stop now when she littler(but i do her sometimes chihuahuas can be like that)

Answer 6

malchi,hahaha..




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