Growled

[emc]

I've had trouble socializing my chihuahua since I got her at 8 weeks of age, she is now 1 and a half years old and barks at anyone who comes to the house, she will settle down once people are seated but if they make a sudden move or get up she starts barking again. Recently some folks were over and she sat down quietly by one person. The person put out her hand to pet her and she started to growl, it wasn't a big growl, more of a grumble, but nevertheless she did growl. Should I be concerned? How should I handle such a situation, should I scold my dog, tap her on the nose with a firm "no", remove her or what?

She isn't a mean or dominant dog but I know if she felt trapped with no way out she would bite. As a puppy she was very shy and would scream in terror if someone approached her. The only thing socializing has done is get her used to people she sees on a regular basis, and she is quite friendly and affectionate once she feels comfortable around someone. Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks.
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[Charliesmommy]

I am not a dog trainer so hopefully someone else on here can give you some good advice but I can say that every chihuahua I have ever been around has been pretty much just like you describe. I think they may be a pretty nervous breed all around. They tend to be barky and snappy in my experience. Hope somebody smarter than me answers you! Goodluck!

 

[Saje]

I think I time out might work. Pick her up without any contact verbally or through your eyes and take her out of the room. Lock her some place safe for a few minutes. I use the bathroom at my house. Definitely don't hit her. And keep working on the socialization!

 

[animalcrackers]

Maybe you should crate her or, as Saje said, put her in a room when guests are around and she goes into anxious mode. Continue socializing her, but do things at your dog's pace.

I don't think you should be worried about the growling. If anything, at least she gave out a warning instead of jumping straight to a nip. It sounds like she was uncomfortable being touched by someone she just met. Some dogs are like this, and they especially don't like being patted on the head. If someone wants to pet her, they can "introduce" themselves to your Chihuahua first by doing things like crouching down and holding out a hand for her to smell while avoiding eye contact. Then, if she acts comfortable around them, they can give her a gentle pats on her back or chest.

 

[Lilly Tilly]

This is what i did with my 3-4 yr old Rotti?Doberman/Lab rescue dog (i realize EVERY dog is different tho).

Have her 6 months now. I like to give her large bones to clean her teeth. She is not one to growl at me, but awhile back i noticed when i got near her and her bone she would give a little growl, and wrinkle her nose abit. I just looked at her said a strong NO! (and even tho i was a little freaked at first, i acted like she did not intimidate me). I did not move away, but also did not put my hand near her. After doing this a few times, i would walk very close to her, or i used a piece of wood or something and gentle and casually moved it towards her to check how close she would let me get. Much safer than using the hands! She quickly learned i was no threat to her bone.

I never ever took the bone away from her, but when her chewy time was over, i would "trade" her something yummy for it. She would just let it drop, and i would give her a goodie a ways from the bone, and would then go to pick it up. Now i can do it right beside her, and when she has her large bone in her mouth, she even lets me give her a pat on the head, and i can see by the look on her face that she has no fear whatsoever that i will take it from her, so no more growling.

This may not be proper dog training protocal, but it worked very well, and easily for us.

Good luck with your dog!

 

[Maxy24]

actually Lilly Tilly you did it perfectly, the only thing that you should not have done was punish for growling because i a dog learns growling is bad they will skip that step and just bite instead. Trading is the best way to get over object guarding. I hate when people just straight out take stuff from them thinking that it will teach the dog you are boss, all it does is teach them you take their stuff if hey don't guard it. Trading lets them know when you take their stuff they get something yummy!

anyhow I think you need to broaden your socialization to include more people. You said she gets used to regulars so you have to try to get more people so she learns everyone is just as safe as the people who always come around. Firstly shake the persons hand or say hi to them and give them a big smile, the person can be a complete stranger just tell them you are socializing your dog and ask them if they would give her a treat, (this is when you will give them a few treats). Have the person kneel down (if they can, older people would have difficulty with this so they do not have to) at a distance your dog is comfortable with and holdout the treat. Your dog should take it, have the person give her one more. Don't have the person touch her yet because she is not ready for that. Do this with as many people as possible until she gets excited to see people when you shake their hands. Then after they give her a treat they can gently stroke her side, if she is comfortable with that and does not at up they should give her the second treat and you should praise her too. then you can do it with all people she seems excited to meet. With people she does not get excited with or walk up to when you shake their hands make sure they do not try to pet her but only give the treat. Work on it with people in public and people in your home when you let them in the door. Never make her go to fast. If she is not comfortable with certain people then don't let them touch her, just give her the treat.


Now something that is very important is variety. She needs to meet all kinds of people. Here we go: Hispanic, Black, Oriental and White people, people in baseball caps, people in wheel chairs, people with canes and walkers,older people, adults, teens, toddlers and infants (not until she is very good should you do the last two) of both genders, people with different length hair, men with facial hair of all lengths, people with different accents, people with high heeled shoes and boots, people with big winter jackets, people with snowpants, gloves and winter hats, with umbrellas, deep voices, people with casts on,run of the mill people who are just dressed in sneakers a tee shirt and jeans with no hat or big cloths, and what ever else you can think of. Also make the people greet her in different ways later on when she gets good at this. Have them lay down (people you know not strangers ) and sit or stand or bend over her (once she is comfortable) She'll need to get used to some childish movements (although you are to protect her and make sure kids don't do anything to hurt her like pull her ears or tail, it's also best if strangers NEVER try to pick her up or hug her) and high shrill voices. It seems like a lot of work but if you bring her to as many places possible (pet stores, parks, trails in the woods, beaches, play grounds if she's allowed) you are bound to run into all these people, plus you can stage some of them with your friends and their families.

If you are having people over and you do not think it is an appropriate time for socializing or she is not ready to interact with people for a long time in her home then I agree to crate her or put her in a room with toys to entertain her.

Good Luck and keep us updated with your progress!

Oh and if she is in a situation and growls i agree you should remove her from the room (no, "oh it's ok hunny" just take her out of the room and put her someplace alone.)