Five Month Old Chihuahua Biting Guests

[animallover12]

Hi everyone i've been trying to socialize my chihuahua since he was 14 weeks old he is now 5 months old, The training hasn't been very successfull he still will not allow strangers or other dogs unless its a golden retriever as he is brought up around my golden. Today we had family over and they tryed to pat my chihuahua Rascal and he growled and bit them, He was then told NO and put into a room. I want to knock this out of him now as i know it will cause problems later on. He is treated like a dog not a baby i walk him everyday and when were on walks he is not picked up or carried. I have been training him everyday for 10 minutes, I'm afraid if i don't stop him from biting people when they visit i'll get sued then have to put my dog down. Any help and information on this would be great.

Edited November 26, 2006 by animallover12

[sas]

Have you tried creating a positive association with the guests?

Can I ask where guests try to pat him? On his head?

[ellz]

He certainly sounds like he has "small dog syndrome".

BUT...how are the guests and/or other dogs approaching him? Think about it, if you were a little dog like that, would you want people rushing up to you or towering over you? You'd probably find it threatening and come out with your teeth showing as well.

Until he is comfortable with people in your home, I would probably suggest people ignore him and allow him to approach them. Then if/when he does that, have them offer a hand for sniffing and certainly don't try to pat his head from above.

[Muttaburra]

There is quite a lot to this, but it is acheivable. I would rather a professional trainer take you through some of the steps.

In the meantime, do not let anyone into the house unless the dog is on a lead. Allow the dog to sit on a mat beside you, on the lead, and drop him a reward if he is quiet calm and sitting or lying down.

This would be the starting point.

Its a pity you missed it but on "Its me or the dog" tonight they did a fair bit with small dog agression.

[honeychild]

I would say apart from a professional trainer which would definately be a good idea if the problem is serious enough, join an obedience club. It has done wonders for my chihuahua. It doesnt just teach the dog, it teaches you by giving you techniues to better deal with and manage your dog.

[Muttaburra]

A dog biting is serious enough

Today we had family over and they tryed to pat my chihuahua Rascal and he growled and bit them

, this kind of behaviour needs to be nipped in the bud (pardon the pun) as soon as possible.

After you have opened the door with the dog on the lead, take the guests to be seated, then sit down yourself with your dog next you on a small mat or rug.

Any attempt by the dog to snap at visitors try a NO or UH UH sharply spoken, then taken by lead to another room, left for a few minutes only, then led back in and settled beside you on the floormat again.

Ask your guests please not to pat the dog, explain the dog is in training. The dog is probably frightened to some degree. For the present it will be enough for your dog just to sit quietly (reward for sitting quietly) next to you when you have visitors. Continue to do this each time. That is enough for a while. Be patient.

Remember in doggy language they do a "play bow" first to show they are freindly and want to play. Most dogs will treat as hostile another dog reaching out to them without giving a signal first. Some dogs will also see such a direct approach from a human, without a prior signal, as a very forward move and they then try to defend themselves.

Consider that the average Chi is not much larger than the average human foot, people walking around as they arrive and leave can be stressfull for such a tiny animal. Also don't expect too much from your Chi in terms of socialising with other large strange dogs, be happy that it has a mate with your GR.

Edited November 26, 2006 by InDogWeTrust