Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with chihuahua and dog

feisty bundle of teeth

arniec — Mon, 19 Sep 2011 16:45:09 -0800

I have a new chihuahua puppy who is a bit too aggressive and not sure how to train it out of him. Details inside, advice needed. We have two chihuahua dogs both 3 years old, bought as puppies, and both are very good natured and loving and not at all aggressive.

We got a third (and final) puppy earlier this year, he's now 7 months old, and we have noticed aggressive behavior. It increases as he got older, and we thought having him fixed (all our dogs are fixed) would help it, but it hasn't.

He normally is not aggressive towards either of us or our other dogs, but he becomes very territorial over food and toys. If he has a high-value toy or if he is eating, be becomes viscous if either of us humans or the other dogs try to take the item from him (note: we're not teasing him, but if he has something he shouldn't we take it, or if we're picking up toys, etc).

Also, if he is laying and sleeping he becomes aggressive if we try to move him or even pet him. I suppose there's a statement about "let sleeping dogs lie" but sometimes he'll fall asleep ON our laps, etc. and then becomes aggressive if we need to stand up.

He'll first growl, then snap/bite.

We've tried various forms of discipline, starting with sharp "no"s and then, from a puppy training book, gentle tugs on the loose skin on his neck, but we don't feel too comfortable with physical correction afraid of increasing aggression.

This puppy is in obedience training, on our 7th week of class, and he does quite well and obeys commands. We've talked to the trainers and they didn't have any specific advice, actually saying that the other, older dogs will learn to not get between the puppy and his food...

We also walk him regularly and he's very good on a leash, so I don't think i's really a dominance thing...

We want to ensure this aggression is mediated quickly lest he become more aggressive and, while he's only 4lbs, he can tear up fingers (and has).

Advice? Links? Books?

What should my friend name his dog?

learninguntilidie — Sat, 14 Aug 2010 21:43:50 -0800

What should my friend name his VERY SMALL, MALE, Chihuahua? He would like to have a "humorous" name for his dog. Something that brings out the comedic tension between his name and his tiny frame. Suggestions such as Thor, Xerxes, Caesar, are the type of names he is looking into.

Why is my dog obsessed with dryer sheets?

arniec — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 06:29:41 -0800

Why is my dog OBSESSED with dryer sheets? I recently got a chihuahua and she is OBSESSED with dryer sheets. She will root through laundry to get them and then run off as if she has an incredible treat, hiding from us so we don't take the sheet back.

We thought at first that it was the smell of the clothes on the sheet, but we recently learned she goes ape-shit for unused ones as well.

We use Downy dryer sheets if that makes a difference.

Also, are these in any way harmful for a dog? We get them from her as fast as we can, but don't want her poisoned.

How can I get my 2 new puppy chihuahuas to stop running under the sofa?

arniec — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 07:58:41 -0800

How can I get my 2 new puppy chihuahuas to stop running under the sofa? One month ago I got 2 new chihuahuas (they're one of the few breeds of dogs I'm not allergic to). The older one is 5 months old, female, the younger one is 3 months old, male. They are generally happy dogs and we are using positive enforcement (i.e. treats) to train them. So far in the month we've had them, we've taught them "Watch me", "Sit", and "Come" (the third of which they do if they feel like it). They're mostly housebroken at this point.

My concern is that we also just got a new, very expensive, leather sofa. While the sofa is low, the two dogs just love to crawl under it (she has to do so on her belly with her hind legs dragged behind). They use it as a shortcut rather than go around the sofa, and they also do it while playing together. They hide treats under there, and I'm afraid they might be: A) chewing tags under the sofa or B) going to the bathroom under the sofa.

The sofa has only a 3" hole in front of it, but once you get under it the dogs can stand up fully as there's no bottom until the bottom of the seat cushion.

The sofa is a sectional, about 20' in total length (10', then bend for 2', then 8'). We've thought about blocking it off, but the sofa is so long it would take a huge amount of boxes, and the dogs would likely push empty boxes out of the way. As the sectional is fastened together, it would be hard to put large boxes underneath as we'd have to literally dismantle the sofa to do so.

I have tried telling the dogs "no" in a firm, negative voice. They don't understand "no" and, ironically, if I say it loudly the boy runs and hides...under the sofa!

We know of the shocking static electric mats you can put down, but the cost to cover 20' of sofa in them would be high, plus we'd have cords running from the walls to under the sofa which the dogs might chew. Also my wife is afraid of hurting the dogs (he's only 4 lbs) so that's out.

We've heard we can take plastic floor mats, like those you roll your chairs on in offices, and put them upside down so the plastic spikes stick up and the dogs won't want to walk on it. But they have tiny paws which I think could go between the spikes, and my wife is afraid that with their tiny feet they'll be really hurt by the spikes.

Any answers in the hive mind?

Tips on Introducing a Big Dog and a Small Dog

ThePinkSuperhero — Tue, 24 Jul 2007 15:55:20 -0800

This weekend, I will be introducing a small dog to a big dog. I would rather they not kill each other. Help me. I'm going to my parents' house for a week and a half. I'm bringing my chihuahua Twinkie, who is, um, not the friendliest dog on the planet (she barks and growls at dogs on the street, visits to dog runs freak her out at first, although after an hour or so she calms down a little). Since our last visit, my parents have gotten a boxer (Smike) who is apparently very calm and good-natured. But I'm terrified Twinkie will get in Smike's face and Smike will go cucko and kill her. What's the best way to do the first introduction? What are some ways I can help everyone get along for a week and a half?

Dog for me?

teststrip — Tue, 08 Aug 2006 17:44:16 -0800

Should I get a dog? More specifically, should I get a small companion dog. I was thinking along the lines of a chihuahua... I would dearly love a dog as I am lonely (I do have friends and family but they're all rather busy!). So, here's the deal with my situation:

- It would be the first time I've owned/lived with a dog.
- I live in a 1brm apartment by myself. It's around 600sqf.
- But in the weekends I usually go to my parent's beach house, and they would be okay with the dog staying there too.
- I work 40hrs a week, but only 2 minutes walk from my building, and I usually have an hour lunch break.
- I'm 20. I don't intend on moving overseas or anything like that. However I imagine within the next 3 years I would like to go to Europe for 3 months for university.

Am I being silly? Should I repress my doggy desire for a while? Is there anything to get me off the "puppy crack", that people tell me I'm on? Or even another pet suggestion?