Chihuahua Biting Problems

[Bettasforever!]

Hi everyone, about a week and a half ago I adopted a small long 4 month old tri-colored female chihuahua mix who was going to be put down in 3 days if i didnt adopt her . I adopted her from SEEACA animal shelter in I think it was in downey. I noticed her sneezing alot and after she exercised she made a noise like she was trying to clear her throat.I called the shelter about it and they said she had kennel cough and it would be fine if she is still eating food and drinking water. She is very affectionate and falls asleep in like two minutes if you put her in your lap. But around a week after I got her she started barking at everyone she doesn't recognize, and when i try to pet her under her chin, she tries to bite me, its not hard but sometimes its a little small hard bite but it never hurts a lot. When im trying to put my shoes on she bites the shoelaces, and when I wasn't looking, she chewed off the things on the end of the shoelace. Today i also noticed her chewing at the carpet and when I clapped and said no, she looked up and then kept chewing, the carpet isn't shaggy its a low profile carpet and I dont think she can chew anything off of it, I dont want to scream at her because I heard its bad to scream or scare or to discipline chihuahuas. So anyway my questions are: Q:is the kennel cough dangerous, was did the shelter know what they were talking about Q: Is it normal for her to chew on everything like that? If it isnt then how can I stop it?, does anyone know any really good websites? Thank you everyone

 

[snazy]

Hi everyone, about a week and a half ago I adopted a small long 4 month old tri-colored female chihuahua mix who was going to be put down in 3 days if i didnt adopt her . I adopted her from SEEACA animal shelter in I think it was in downey. I noticed her sneezing alot and after she exercised she made a noise like she was trying to clear her throat.I called the shelter about it and they said she had kennel cough and it would be fine if she is still eating food and drinking water. She is very affectionate and falls asleep in like two minutes if you put her in your lap. But around a week after I got her she started barking at everyone she doesn't recognize, and when i try to pet her under her chin, she tries to bite me, its not hard but sometimes its a little small hard bite but it never hurts a lot. When im trying to put my shoes on she bites the shoelaces, and when I wasn't looking, she chewed off the things on the end of the shoelace. Today i also noticed her chewing at the carpet and when I clapped and said no, she looked up and then kept chewing, the carpet isn't shaggy its a low profile carpet and I dont think she can chew anything off of it, I dont want to scream at her because I heard its bad to scream or scare or to discipline chihuahuas. So anyway my questions are: Q:is the kennel cough dangerous, was did the shelter know what they were talking about Q: Is it normal for her to chew on everything like that? If it isnt then how can I stop it?, does anyone know any really good websites? Thank you everyone

I highly recommend that you watch the "Dog Whisperer" with Cesar Milan. It will give you a lot of insight how to re-discipline and correct established bad behaviours in dogs. If you don't discipline her, she will get worse and you will feel helpless.

 

[magpie]

It's so hard without being there and seeing her body language.

Can you find a training class nearby or a trainer that will work with you?

For Internet info, I recommend googling NILIF - nothing in life is free. Little dogs need to be treated like big dogs or they can become obnoxious!

Thank you for rescuing her!


Oh, for the kennel cough, I've never had a dog get it. I'd bring her in to a vet and have them take a look to be safe.

 

[Baccus]

Kennel cough needs treatment from a vet, or at least be investigated by a vet to rule out other far worse condtions.

You definantly need to be going to obedince classes with your dog or if none are available then try to get books or DVD's by Ceaser Milan or Victoria Tidwell (?), any behavioural issues need to be addressed and rectified. Just because little dogs are "cute" and "small" does not make their bites and dominate behaviour any less dangerous to you and visitors.

 

[Bettasforever!]

I highly recommend that you watch the "Dog Whisperer" with Cesar Milan. It will give you a lot of insight how to re-discipline and correct established bad behaviours in dogs. If you don't discipline her, she will get worse and you will feel helpless.

That's funny because I just started watching the dog whisperer yesterday, I didn't want to use the techniques because it always said " do not use these techniques without consulting a professional" thank you for your reply

 

[snazy]

I highly recommend that you watch the "Dog Whisperer" with Cesar Milan. It will give you a lot of insight how to re-discipline and correct established bad behaviours in dogs. If you don't discipline her, she will get worse and you will feel helpless.

That's funny because I just started watching the dog whisperer yesterday, I didn't want to use the techniques because it always said " do not use these techniques without consulting a professional" thank you for your reply

Well, I guess it does say so

 

[magpie]

That's funny because I just started watching the dog whisperer yesterday, I didn't want to use the techniques because it always said " do not use these techniques without consulting a professional" thank you for your reply

Well, and people can really mis-use his techniques or straight out abuse them.

What is good to take away from his shows I think: make sure the dog gets enough exercise / mental stimulation. Provide lots of structure and boundaries (rules, boundaries, limitations) - one great way to start that is the NILIF thing I mentioned above. Another thing he does really well is watch body language and catch things early before they escalate, but this can be hard to do without practice.

A biting dog can be difficult - I really suggest seeking outside help from someone who can work with you! I bet the rescue you went through would also provide someone for you...?
http/www.apdt.com/petowners/ts/

 

[Bettasforever!]

Her kennel cough stopped without any vet assistance or medicine.

 

[phoenixgsd]

what are you feeding (please dont say bakers) a 4 mth old puppy will display this normal puppy behaviour, little dogs always think they are bigger than what they are and can become dreadful teenagers at 6-8 mths old if not curbed, all pups push boundries, i reccomend you never use any techniques that ceaser milan uses on any dog especially a puppy, click/ treat or make the dog work for a treat this gives mental stimulation, victoria stilwell is one of the better tv trainers to follow, just remember when telling your dog 'off' so to speak, its the tone of the 'no' NOT the volume of how loud you scream it, magpie has given a link to the apdt site you should find a reputable local trainer on there who uses positive methods

 

[Tolak]

i reccomend you never use any techniques that ceaser milan uses on any dog especially a puppy,

It's a TV show; entertainment. In actual practice most of his techniques just plain suck. http/www.examiner.com/article/dog-whispering-the-21st-century is a good article that discusses the failing in his TV techniques.

You're dealing with normal 4 month old pup behavior. NILIF is mentioned above, Pat Miller's The Power Of Positive Dog Training will serve you well as a training basic. Jean Donaldson's Culture Clash book will show you how & why dogs think the way they do.

ATM you pretty much have a blank slate; use it to your advantage. Make sure to get that pup out & exposed to as many things as possible now, there's a window that starts to close around 5 months of age where they are very accepting of new things. People, places, sights, sounds, let the pup experience as many as possible now.

 

[Bettasforever!]

Thanks everyone and I do agree that Cesar Milian's techniques are harsh and hard to use, and I feed her science diet for normal age dogs, ( there's a picture of a beagle on it) it's the food the shelter gave us. Should I feed her science diet for puppies, or IAMS dog food? Which one is better?

 

[Tolak]

http/www.dogfoodanalysis.com/dog_food_reviews/

I rotate my crew between TOTW, Wellness Core & Orijen.