Chihuahua Information Center
Your Subtitle text
Chihuahua Aggression Towards Other Dogs
Being as small as they are, an owner of a Chihuahua might be a little surprised when their little Chihuahua shows aggression toward other dogs. Since each dog has their own personality, this behavior does happen even with this little toy dog. Aggression, such as barking, nipping, biting and even preparing for a full on physical fight with another dog is a sign of territorial protection. A Chihuahua with this behavior can be trained to tolerate other dogs and at best, become friends with them.
When a Chihuahua shows aggression toward another dog, a cat or a person socialization training is needed. The dog is outwardly expressing fear that what they consider their territory is being taken over or they may feel threatened by the presence of the other animal or person. Because a Chihuahua is so small, instinct will take over and they will most often use what they have: their teeth!
How to Socialize Your Chihuahua With Other Dogs
Socialization must be done in small steps. You cannot expect a 4 pound Chihuahua to know how to react to a 70 pound German Shepard! This method works best if you have a friend, family member, neighbor or other who has a dog who is already well behaved and socialized with other dogs.
Set up a meeting! Prepare ahead of time, you want your Chihuahua to feel as comfortable as possible. Make sure your dog is not hungry and not in need to eliminating. Do not rev your Chi up by playing a lot or over exercising him or her. Put a leash on your dog and hold on to it tightly.
When the other dog is introduced, keep all voices calm and peaceful. Your Chihuahua will pick up on the tone of your voice. Allow the dogs to smell each other and have time to figure out just who the other one is!
If your dog immediately barks, nips at or goes for the other dog in an aggressive way, immediately pull back on the leash. Give a strong and firm command of "No!". Keep your Chi at your side with the leash tight so that he or she may not leap or run. If your Chihuahua continues to bark or jump up, give the command word of "Sit" or "Down". If they still continue, bring him or her into another room of the house or if outside, back up several steps.
When your dog has calmed down, in a happy and pleasant tone tell your Chihuahua that you are going to meet a new dog. Walk your Chi over to the dog and try again.
Whenever your dog is calm and behaving well with the other dog, give both of them a treat. Do not just give 1 dog a treat, as this may trigger a negative response in the dog who is ignored.
If the dogs are getting along well, try to not get involved. They need time to interact and "speak dog" to each other. If owners keep stepping in to pat the dogs and act excited that they are getting along, this will excite the dogs and confuse them. What are they supposed to do? Play with each other or pay attention to their owners?
It is important that negative behavior be dealt with immediately. This should always be the same actions. Your Chihuahua must be pulled back from the dog. They must hear your strong and commanding "No!" and they must be ignored for several minutes.
It is just as important that good behavior be rewarded. Your actions should always be the same. Small treats can be given to the dogs at random intervals when they are getting along, your voice should be showing approval and happiness and when the dogs are done with their meeting you should shower your Chihuahua with praise for getting along with another dog.
Bringing a Chihuahua into a Home With Dogs
This is a touchy situation. You will not know how your new Chihuahua will react to other dogs until you have them all together. If possible, it would be best to bring your current dog along to meet your potential new Chihuahua. This should be done several times. Take notice of how the dogs get along. If with training, you see that the dogs are ready to fight this is a big red warning sign that the Chihuahua you wished to bring home is not ready to tolerate a new dog.
Intense socialization training may be done; however do keep in mind that having 2 dogs in 1 home who do not like each other from the beginning equals a long and exhausting journey for you to train them.
If you are brining a Chihuahua home and you already have another dog but your Chi seems to tolerate him or her, do take steps to ensure that neither dog feels threatened.
Each dog should have their own personal retreat. While everyone wants their dogs to be best friends, each dog should have their own dog bed, their own area to go to the bathroom and their own area to eat and drink. Picturing 2 dogs lapping up water together and then cuddling in a doggie bed is a cute idea; but the reality is that the dogs will feel that they need to protect their water and they will become frustrated if they do not each have their own spot to lay down in peace.
It should go without saying, but each dog must be given the same amount of attention. It is easy to forget and lavish attention on the new dog while believing the dog you had for years knows how much you love them! Both dogs need the same amount of care, grooming, play time, hugs and kisses. This will keep jealousy at bay.
One last piece of advice: Never leave your Chihuahua alone with another dog, any other dog, until you are 100% positive that your Chi is completely tolerable to the dog and there is no chance of sparked aggression.
How to Socialize Your Chihuahua With Other Dogs
Socialization must be done in small steps. You cannot expect a 4 pound Chihuahua to know how to react to a 70 pound German Shepard! This method works best if you have a friend, family member, neighbor or other who has a dog who is already well behaved and socialized with other dogs.
Set up a meeting! Prepare ahead of time, you want your Chihuahua to feel as comfortable as possible. Make sure your dog is not hungry and not in need to eliminating. Do not rev your Chi up by playing a lot or over exercising him or her. Put a leash on your dog and hold on to it tightly.
When the other dog is introduced, keep all voices calm and peaceful. Your Chihuahua will pick up on the tone of your voice. Allow the dogs to smell each other and have time to figure out just who the other one is!
If your dog immediately barks, nips at or goes for the other dog in an aggressive way, immediately pull back on the leash. Give a strong and firm command of "No!". Keep your Chi at your side with the leash tight so that he or she may not leap or run. If your Chihuahua continues to bark or jump up, give the command word of "Sit" or "Down". If they still continue, bring him or her into another room of the house or if outside, back up several steps.
When your dog has calmed down, in a happy and pleasant tone tell your Chihuahua that you are going to meet a new dog. Walk your Chi over to the dog and try again.
Whenever your dog is calm and behaving well with the other dog, give both of them a treat. Do not just give 1 dog a treat, as this may trigger a negative response in the dog who is ignored.
If the dogs are getting along well, try to not get involved. They need time to interact and "speak dog" to each other. If owners keep stepping in to pat the dogs and act excited that they are getting along, this will excite the dogs and confuse them. What are they supposed to do? Play with each other or pay attention to their owners?
It is important that negative behavior be dealt with immediately. This should always be the same actions. Your Chihuahua must be pulled back from the dog. They must hear your strong and commanding "No!" and they must be ignored for several minutes.
It is just as important that good behavior be rewarded. Your actions should always be the same. Small treats can be given to the dogs at random intervals when they are getting along, your voice should be showing approval and happiness and when the dogs are done with their meeting you should shower your Chihuahua with praise for getting along with another dog.
Bringing a Chihuahua into a Home With Dogs
This is a touchy situation. You will not know how your new Chihuahua will react to other dogs until you have them all together. If possible, it would be best to bring your current dog along to meet your potential new Chihuahua. This should be done several times. Take notice of how the dogs get along. If with training, you see that the dogs are ready to fight this is a big red warning sign that the Chihuahua you wished to bring home is not ready to tolerate a new dog.
Intense socialization training may be done; however do keep in mind that having 2 dogs in 1 home who do not like each other from the beginning equals a long and exhausting journey for you to train them.
If you are brining a Chihuahua home and you already have another dog but your Chi seems to tolerate him or her, do take steps to ensure that neither dog feels threatened.
Each dog should have their own personal retreat. While everyone wants their dogs to be best friends, each dog should have their own dog bed, their own area to go to the bathroom and their own area to eat and drink. Picturing 2 dogs lapping up water together and then cuddling in a doggie bed is a cute idea; but the reality is that the dogs will feel that they need to protect their water and they will become frustrated if they do not each have their own spot to lay down in peace.
It should go without saying, but each dog must be given the same amount of attention. It is easy to forget and lavish attention on the new dog while believing the dog you had for years knows how much you love them! Both dogs need the same amount of care, grooming, play time, hugs and kisses. This will keep jealousy at bay.
One last piece of advice: Never leave your Chihuahua alone with another dog, any other dog, until you are 100% positive that your Chi is completely tolerable to the dog and there is no chance of sparked aggression.
