my chihuahua is 4yrs old she is mean to visitors and weights...

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Answer by chimama
Submitted on 8/21/2003
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1) She weighs 4 pounds. Yes, that's entirely possibly just fine. If she has lots of energy and eats normally, she's just fine. To make sure my little ones get enough to eat, I always keep dry kibbles out for them, they seem to eat 2 or 3 small meals a day. My 3 pounder is skinny as a supermodel, my 5 pounder is more sturdily built, both are healthy. 2) Her ears are up only at times. Do you mean her ears droop over, or do you mean that she lays them flat against her head? Droopy ears seem to remain that way, not go from erect to floppy. Ears held tight against her head when she's lying down relaxed or sleeping means she is unhappy, frightened, angry, etc. If she's going for a walk or playing fetch, she's just enjoying herself and keeping wind and bugs out of her ears. 3) She is mean to visitors. Well, that has got to stop. If you wouldn't put up with it from a big dog, don't put up with it from a little one. Chihuahuas are known to bond to one or two people, but they can certainly be socialized to accept attention by others. If she barks when strangers come to the door, she's doing her job. Praise her and tell her "That's enough". Pick her up and tell her again. If she doesn't stop Chuck her very lightly under the chin and/or put your fingers around her muzzle holding it closed. Keep her in your arms and let the person in. As alpha in the household, you decide who is and isn't allowed in. This may be a very long process, depending on when you got the dog. After 4 years, she's pretty set in her ways. Never hit her across the nose, that's very painful and doesn't work anyway. You may have to put her in another room and block the doorway until she understands that once you let someone in, that's the end of it. Don't shut the door and leave her alone, she has got to see you interacting with the person, Alpha says OK. You may need to do some work with her to make sure she understands that you outrank her, give her treats from you dinner only after you are finished, and only if she waits patiently and quietly. As a last resort, you may need to involve a trainer, especially if she nips at you during this training process.

Answer by adam1885282
Submitted on 8/31/2003
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My 2-year-old male is also about 4 pounds. He seems very skinny along his sides between his chest and hind legs. However, He eats well (and whenever he wants), he is full of pep, and he seems happy. He doesn't vomit of have any diarrhea. His ribs aren't showing, which I have heard is a sign of an underweight dog. He has good muscle tone and is very strong. I used to worry, but it didn't do any good so I got used to his thinness. The vet noted it but didn't think it was a problem. If in doubt, see a vet. As for the barking, I may catch some flack for this but I'll say it anyway. My chi used to have a problem with incessant barking (not at guests, but at everything else he heard). I bought a small water gun and trained him on the "enough" command. I only had to squirt him once, and after that I only had to show him the water gun two more times. Now, I say "enough" and he quits barking. Its amazing. Further, don't waste one breath yelling at a dog. If he's barking because he's nervous, tell him its okay, and work on the "enough" command.

Answer by chimama
Submitted on 3/18/2004
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You all seem to be having a similar problem, dominance issues. Puppies will try their limits, it's up to you to tell them when enough is enough. When puppy growls, grasp firmly by the scruff of the neck. Don't pick them up like you would a cat, but hold on tight. This is what their mother does to discipline them. Grab hold of her hind legs firmly, set her on her back and look directly into her face. Tell her in a low firm voice that "That is bad dog". Don't look away until the dog does, that's an acknowledgment of submission. Release your hold and pet puppy, saying "Good dog". Chihuahuas are known to bond to one or two people, but they can certainly be socialized to accept attention by others. When someone else pets puppy, make sure she is in your arms so feels safe. Have person pet chest rather than going straight to head from above. Praise her and tell her "That's a good girl". If she growls, tell her "That's enough". If she doesn't stop Chuck her very lightly under the chin and/or put your fingers around her muzzle holding it closed. Keep her in your arms. This may be a very long process. Never hit her across the nose, that's very painful and doesn't work anyway. You may have to put her in another room, ignore her and block the doorway until she understands that once you let someone in, that's the end of it. Don't shut the door and leave her alone, she has got to see you interacting with the person, Alpha says OK. Chihuahuas hate to be ignored, she'll get the idea that misbehaving means exile. When she's good, she gets attention and praise. You may need to do some work with her to make sure she understands that you outrank her, give her treats from you dinner only after you are finished, and only if she waits patiently and quietly. As a last resort, you may need to involve a trainer, especially if she continues to nip and/or bite during this training process. As far as kennel training, put her in and let her scream. I know that sounds cruel, but ignore her and eventually she'll quiet down, just like teaching a young human to sleep alone. When she's quiet, praise her but leave her in the crate. She is only removed when she's quiet, crying won't work, she should get the idea. Potty training problems, please refer to other threads for solutions to this issue.

Answer by Brinny
Submitted on 8/29/2004
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I have a 9 week old Chihuahua, only had it for one week. Already he seems at home and loves to play with everyone that comes to visit. The breeder used to sleep with all of the dogs around her, so my 9 week old won't sleep very long without wanted to be on the bed, head on the same pillow as mine. He has a litter box with newspaper and even doggy litter, but hasn't learned to use it on his own yet. I can sit for up to an hour, keeping him in the litter box, and he'll eventually squat, but won't do much. As soon as I let him out he finds a new place to pee (living room carpet, folded laundry, mostly any cloths). He also doesn't poop in the litter box unless I see him about to and I carry him over. Is there anyway for him to learn on his hown how to use the litter box? I praise him for a job well done after he uses it, but he hasn't done it on his own yet (and he goes A LOT!) Is there something I'm missing?

Answer by MamaCookie
Submitted on 10/2/2004
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Hi, congrats on owning a chihuahua! (They're so lovable)Its normal for a puppy chi to have floppy ears, but they normally grow quite erect over time. Do you/did you play with his/her ears alot as a puppy? When I first got my baby chi, the breeder told me not to play with his ears because it may damage the tissue in the ear canal; making them droop more. Does that help any? Also, I'm having some difficulty with my new "son". He is 3 months, and we've been socializing him from the "get go". He's very friendly and kind and playful. He is very attached to our family. He gets along with others after supervised introducing under most circumstances. There is, however, one problem that I want to stop immediately. We bought him a carry-on pack where he sits/sleeps in while we're shopping or whatever. He cooperates in it and is very good until someone notices him and wants to pet him. It seems like when they go to rub him, he feels threatened and begins to growl. I'm not sure if this is because he is secured in a confined space and feels in danger when others hands are in his face, but its got to stop. I don't want it to result in biting or anti-socialization. I've tried firmly saying "NO!" and I'm going to start try giving strangers a treat to offer to my puppy. Any more advice? I'm desperate! My baby is just the sweetest thing, I want everyone to see that! :)

Answer by isabel
Submitted on 1/8/2005
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My sister and I adopted a chihuahua/pug puppy about six months ago. He always preferred her and seemed a bit wary of me, buy was never aggressive. Since then, we moved and now live with our parents and our dog "Poppy" is now my mother's dog and is in love with her. When she is not around he almost seems depressed and just lies on her bed until she comes home. He has started to growl and show his teeth at me when I touch him when he is sleeping or even pet him when he is awake. He has snapped at me numerous times and seems to not like my hands. If another family member pets him, he's fine. He has a grudge against me and I have never been mean to him and feel that when I scold him he thinks that I'm scary and will hurt him. When others scold him, he listens. Sometimes when he is growling at me, I can get him stop and he will lick my face for a second and then continue growling. He is so confusing-what should I do?!

Answer by bigdog
Submitted on 2/9/2006
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I have a one year old chihuahua. She joined our family when she was 10 weeks old. Her name is Roxie and she is our little baby. She is usually sweet & loving but also has an aggressive side. She is very bonded to me & loves my sister. She has been very well socialized w/people & dogs but dislikes most all dogs (acts like an attack dog toward them - big or small)and is getting more nippy toward people. Since I got her, my vet has to muzzle her to cut her nails and give her vaccinations. She will try to bite me if I attempt to cut her nails or clean her ears. I don't know what to do or how I will ever be able to leave her and go on a vacation. The doggy day care folks are afraid she will bite them because she gets so nippy when I leave for the day. I don't take her often and they say she should come in more to see if things get better. I am unsure - she dislikes day care so much, I am afraid taking her there more often may make things worse. My other chihuahua lived to be 13. He was not socialized as well as this one but was always friendly with people and never nippy. I am contacting a behaviorist. Does any one know what might be wrong and will it get better? Thank you.

Answer by Natalie
Submitted on 3/10/2006
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Hello! I just adopted a 2 1/2 yr old non-spayed chihuahua. The problem is that although she is outdoor trained, she will not go to the bathroom when we take her outside. Instead she goes on the floor when we leave the house. If there is newspaper, she will go on that, but we would like for her to go outside. Her previous owner said that the command for her (and the other four dogs) was "outside, girls!" and that she would follow the other dogs outside. We've tried saying this, and she comes outside on the leash (we don't have a fully-fenced back yard), but she still won't go. We've also tried putting some used newspapers in the back yard where we want her to go, so she can smell that this place is now hers, and it's okay for her to go to the bathroom there. We've only had her at our house for a week though, and she is in heat right now, so I'm thinking she's just nervous right now, and will start going to the bathroom outside when she is more comfortable. Any ideas? Thanks!

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Question by mstut
Submitted on 8/20/2003
Related FAQ: rec.pets.dogs: Chihuahuas Breed-FAQ
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my chihuahua is 4yrs old she is mean to visitors and weights about 4lbs very small is that normal, her ears are only up at times

Answer by Chimama
Submitted on 9/19/2003
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Excellent training technique. Chihuahuas as a general rule don't like water, so this was a good deterrent. Thanks for adding to my answer, I completely agree that yelling doesn't help, in a of cases it only makes it worse. You have a very lucky 'little boy'.

Answer by taylor
Submitted on 12/17/2003
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My dog is 2 yrs old and he is just now getting a temper. I cant get on to him for anything or he will growl and snap at me. he weighs about 7 lbs.It really worries me because I have 6 neices and nephews and Im afraid he will hurt them. He has growled at one before for just getting in his face. Any other time he is very sweet and loving he is just like a baby. He will love on me and everyone else, even the kids but if they get in his face he snaps. The only thing he gets mad at me for is if he has done something wrong and I try to get on to him. All I have to say is "no" or "bad boy" and he starts growling. What can we do to make him stop?

Answer by Amber
Submitted on 1/7/2004
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I am having a similar problem with my 2 mo. old chihuahua puppy. When I punish her she growls and tries to bite me. How can I stop this from becoming a habit? I am also trying to kennel train her but it is very difficult. She cries non-stop. Does anyone have any suggestions? Thanks!

Answer by Haku
Submitted on 2/20/2004
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I've got a seven week old Chihuahua that's evil. He growls like crazy, and despite my best efforts, bites. In fact, tonight my fiance was trying to pet him (he let her) and he bit her lip open! What can I do to change his behavior? I don't let him have his way, and assert my dominance over him, yet he still fights and bites. What can I do?

Answer by chimama
Submitted on 12/22/2003
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It appears to me that your dog is of the opinion that he outranks you. That is not correct, you should be pack leader. When you say 'get in his face', do you mean provide necessary discipline or do you mean literally get up into his face? Has your vet checked him out for vision problems? Maybe he is frightened at the sudden appearance of someone in his vision field. If you have a true discipline problem, I would suggest contacting an obedience trainer or similar. This is very difficult to diagnose without actually observing the behavior. Sorry I can't be of more help, maybe someone else on the list can.

Answer by closer
Submitted on 3/1/2004
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i have 2 chi's one is huge at 16 lbs...and has papers to prove he's pedigree, the other 7 lbs. my problems are the huge one poops on the floor whenever anyone comes over, even if he knows them. he just does it once a person, not all day. the other one pees everywhere on the carpet just whenever he feels like it. help!!! i don't know what to do.

Answer by emma
Submitted on 4/11/2004
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my little girl pees on the papper but she wont poop what should i do please help

Answer by Garnerk
Submitted on 4/16/2004
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I have a 15 week old Chihuahua. He is the cutest little guy. His ears are starting to erect. I really want them to stay floppy. Is there anyway to accomplish this? Is a medical procedure the only way, and what would be involved?

Answer by chimama
Submitted on 5/7/2004
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Well, she's pooping somewhere, check under furniture, that's the favorite spot of my younger pup until I caught on to her. You'll just have to do the same as you did to teach her to pee on the paper, put her there, praise her, etc. Floppy ears are not a chihuahua trait, there is no procedure I know for making/keeping them floppy. If you wanted a floppy eared dog, you shouldn't have chosen a chihuahua.

Answer by Jazz
Submitted on 5/10/2004
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We just adopted a 2 year old male Chihuahua/Pomeranian cross from a rescue group. He is a very happy little guy with lots of spunk. We woke up this morning to a few piles of yellow bile and he has had diarrhea today. We hope this is stress related -- the rescue group gave us some food, but we are not sure if this is what he was used to eating. Any suggestions for a good dog food that Chi's enjoy, and comments about his bout today would be much appreciated. He is just a darling.

Answer by chimama
Submitted on 7/2/2004
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I hope by now he's settled in. It's quite possible for a chi to get diarrhea and and upset tummy when changing food and water, also from stress. Both my girls occasionally have a little spit up, no big deal. I feed Science Diet, Royal Canin, Waltham, etc. My girls seem to like them, although I have one that I will not buy again because they pick out the kibbles they like best and leave the other shapes. Eventually they eat it all, but let's not encourage pickiness.

Answer by Fayla
Submitted on 8/28/2004
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my chi name

Answer by Coco's Mom
Submitted on 9/21/2004
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I have a 6.5 month old chihuahua that I absolutely adore; however, even now she continues to bite me (hard enough to draw blood from my fingers). We have started obedience training and I am working on the three submission exercises from Supper Puppy, but don't seem to be making good progress on the biting issue. She's wonderful otherwise--pee pad trained and snuggles at night--but I cannot handle the biting and am at a loss as to what to do.

Answer by Jasmine
Submitted on 11/9/2004
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I leave my 3 month old Chi in a play pen for 8 hours a day. He has a pillow, plenty of toys, food, water, and a potty pad. I still feel cruel leaving him for so long. What else can I do to make my Chi happy while I am away?

Answer by dee
Submitted on 1/8/2005
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i don't no what to do whenever my chi heres my family members he barks.whenever my brothers try to pet him he barks and squirms out of my arms. just recently he would star crying when he saw my brother .i even hold his mouth shout and say enough .he still wont stop. please help thanks

Answer by coco
Submitted on 1/14/2005
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How Can I get my 13 months old chihuahua to eat dog food, I had bought all different brands and also canned food and they don't eat, now the only eat humburger patties, but she is loosing alot weight.

Answer by montana
Submitted on 1/24/2005
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hi i am looking for a chihuahua cross pomeranian and i cant find anywhere thanx

Answer by lisa
Submitted on 4/7/2005
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I have a 8mth old chihuahua - her ears were erect for the first 7mths, now, this last month, one has flopped, and will not stay erect. She is done teething but I can't make it stay up - anyone else experienced this? Any advice?

Answer by Caell
Submitted on 11/12/2005
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I am planning on purchasing a new dog in the near future. I have two small neices that are at my house very often, and was wondering if a chihuahua would be agressive around the little ones. Thanks!

Answer by GreatDane
Submitted on 12/24/2005
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If one of my Danes exhibited any of the behavior problems here someone would be seriously injured and my dogs would be put down. Just because your Chihuahuas are small doesn't mean they should be able to get away with aggressive biting and growling. Enlist the help of a trainer immediately.

Answer by Hello!
Submitted on 1/5/2006
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I have this 2 months old Chihuahua and it poop everywhere and pee everywhere too....What kind I do to fix that...Please and thank u!

Answer by Nicole
Submitted on 2/7/2006
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i have a 1 year old chihuahua and heis kinda skinny, when he breaths you can see his ribs, do u recommend any food for that or you know one that is good because i give him Iams, but he only eats a little bit. He also has like some little ball next to his thorax and im not sure if its is dangerous.

Answer by miss tarah
Submitted on 3/8/2006
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i just got a 5 week old puppy...when i got him his ears where erect. one went floppy and a week and a half later the other went. will they ever go back to normal. is my puppy doing this or can he not control it

Answer by Chi Crazy
Submitted on 3/25/2006
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I have a 1.5 year old male chi. He weights 12.5 lbs but doesn't look fat. He has long torso and long legs. He always loved driving in the car until my mom and sister which sit for him quite a lot went out of town for 4 days, since then he seems almost sick while in the car. He shivers (even with the heater on) and at the same time opens his mouth like he is hot. He is getting better since they returned. Any idea what that is about?

Answer by ally
Submitted on 4/9/2006
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well i have a 6 month old chi its SO hard for me to watch him be SO rude hes nice to me and my sister but every now and then he snaps at use and he constantly barks at everyone he wont walk on his leash and he will not poop out side he just goes inside the house i have no idea what to do I'm all new at this puppy stuff please help

Answer by Pati
Submitted on 4/24/2006
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Help, If we are not paying constant attention to our 9 week old female chi, she cries and whines uncontrollably. We have a nice play pen with toys, water, dry food, a great bed, and we are right there and she still cries. We need help

Answer by Kate
Submitted on 5/30/2006
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I, too, stopped buying the "kibble and bits" type of food, since my Chi would pick through the morzels and eat her favorites only....Royal Kanin is what we've been giving her...the pieces are very small and she eats it down. Our Chi does not bark...at all...ever...how often does this happen? She LOVES people and can't wait to have people visit. I think we're very lucky.

Answer by meredith
Submitted on 6/10/2006
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I have a three year old chihuahu, he is so cute. recently my chi had started biting my mom. Now, my mom is afraid to pet him. Some times my chi will let her pet him and other times he won't, he has bit her five times in the past month. How can I correct this behavior. In the household I am Alpha to him my mom was beta and he was charlie. Now I am still alpha but my chi is alpha over my mom. How can this be fixed???

Answer by Miss Marie
Submitted on 9/14/2006
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My dog chews on everything, pee'sanywhere he feels like it even after i just took him outside he'll come inside and have another accident. He basically just acts like a wild animal. What can i do to stop this?

Answer by Sophia
Submitted on 10/31/2006
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My little chi only just weighs 3 pounds and looks extremly skinny. He is a year old now and hasn't seemed to put on any weight. We have dewormed him and feed him a variety of chicken, lamb, beef and dry dog food(which he hates!)He is a very shy little dog and doesn't warm to strangers. He has never once been aggresive, infact too timid. He loves me and follows us from room to room but is very shy whith strangers and runs away. Is this normal behaviour for a little chi?

Answer by Libra
Submitted on 11/30/2006
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I have a 14week old chihuahua which continues to nip at me no matter what I try to do to teach him not to. I try and let him know it hurts, which it does, but nothing seems to matter to him. What can I do to stop this habit?

Answer by tasha
Submitted on 12/9/2006
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hey i just got a chihuahua she is 8-9 weeks old she has only got 1 set of shots how many are they suppose to get? can anyone help? also she has a very bad temper she bites alot i mean alot not that it hurts so much its just not good i dont like it nor do i know what to do?? can someone please help me out!

Answer by maad012002
Submitted on 12/27/2006
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I have a 2 month old tiny little guy who is mean and growls and bites. Can this problem be corrected ??

Answer by Lauren
Submitted on 6/6/2007
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My Chi is a growler and sometimes it is scary when other people are walking by. If you have a Chi who growls I was told by my vet NOT to pick him up or have him on your lap if a someone else is petting them because they will snap if they think the person is coming to you. Jealous trait of my pup.