**Sorry for the long post but I need help**
I just recently got an 8 week old female Chihuahua puppy. I am concerned that she is showing severe sings of dominance related aggression. I will first mention that I have raised a beautifully submissive and well mannered male Chihuahua who is now 2 years old and has never once shown any aggressive behavior towards anyone in any situation.
This new puppy is very dominant towards my two year old male. She will have her head high, ears pricked up, and place her front paws on him and growl or bark. I do not think it is normal play behavior. She is very intense and relentless in trying to over power my other Chi, who seems to take it as playing or will just ignore her. She will push up against him and make him move out of her way. She will approach him when he has a toy or treat and she will snarl and nip at him to try and get whatever he has. I try to discourage this as much as possible.
I had met her parents and litter mate. Both the mother and father were happy, friendly and laid back dogs. She was a bit more active than her litter mate, but seemed like a normal pup with no signs of unwanted behavior at the time. Her litter mate was a bit on the timid side, but nothing out of the ordinary.
However, she is not only doing this towards my other dog. She targets myself and my other family members as well. She is very pushy, and will try to force her way onto my lap if I am sitting on the ground with her. If I try to block her from climbing on to my legs she will snarl and nip at my hands. I have never seen such a young dog snarl and bare teeth like she does. If I try to move her while she is sleeping she will growl and try to nip. If my other dog approaches her play pen, the puppy will charge and bark.
When she bites I have tried saying "No" very loudly, clapping my hands over her, substituting with toys, tapping her nose, getting her to bite her own paw, holding her in the air, and putting her on her side. When I hold her on her side (in a gentle manner that I have done with every dog I've owned with no issues) she will struggle at first, trying to bite my hand, then she will relent and quiver violently, as I have seen with much older dogs who are carrying years of pent up energy, and then finally she will close her eyes and relax. But as soon as I let her go with will continue on with whatever she was doing. Nothing has discouraged her from snarling or biting. She is not mouthing either. She targets hands and fingers and will hold on if she makes contact.
I have tried everything I know how to do with her that has worked for me with every other dog I have been around. I am a dog walker and aspiring dog trainer. I have experience with large and small dogs of all ages and temperaments. But I have never seen such a young dog act this way before.
Her tail is never between her legs, nothing scares this pup. She is very confident and dominant in almost every situation. I am very worried as I had none of these issues with my first Chihuahua. I understand their needs as dogs, and I do not treat either of them like "purse pets". I don't know why this new puppy is acting so aggressively. I live with my boyfriend, my father, his girlfriend (who is pregnant) and my 8 year old sister. I do not want to put my family at risk by having a severely aggressive dog in the house. She has snarled at all of them for no apparent reason in different situations.
I believe an owner should be able to handle their dog in any situation with confidence, as I can handle my first Chihuahua. I am at a loss as of what to do with this new puppy. I do not want to have to isolate her or re-home her due to this bizarre aggression. Please give me your helpful and constructive advise only.
I just recently got an 8 week old female Chihuahua puppy. I am concerned that she is showing severe sings of dominance related aggression. I will first mention that I have raised a beautifully submissive and well mannered male Chihuahua who is now 2 years old and has never once shown any aggressive behavior towards anyone in any situation.
This new puppy is very dominant towards my two year old male. She will have her head high, ears pricked up, and place her front paws on him and growl or bark. I do not think it is normal play behavior. She is very intense and relentless in trying to over power my other Chi, who seems to take it as playing or will just ignore her. She will push up against him and make him move out of her way. She will approach him when he has a toy or treat and she will snarl and nip at him to try and get whatever he has. I try to discourage this as much as possible.
I had met her parents and litter mate. Both the mother and father were happy, friendly and laid back dogs. She was a bit more active than her litter mate, but seemed like a normal pup with no signs of unwanted behavior at the time. Her litter mate was a bit on the timid side, but nothing out of the ordinary.
However, she is not only doing this towards my other dog. She targets myself and my other family members as well. She is very pushy, and will try to force her way onto my lap if I am sitting on the ground with her. If I try to block her from climbing on to my legs she will snarl and nip at my hands. I have never seen such a young dog snarl and bare teeth like she does. If I try to move her while she is sleeping she will growl and try to nip. If my other dog approaches her play pen, the puppy will charge and bark.
When she bites I have tried saying "No" very loudly, clapping my hands over her, substituting with toys, tapping her nose, getting her to bite her own paw, holding her in the air, and putting her on her side. When I hold her on her side (in a gentle manner that I have done with every dog I've owned with no issues) she will struggle at first, trying to bite my hand, then she will relent and quiver violently, as I have seen with much older dogs who are carrying years of pent up energy, and then finally she will close her eyes and relax. But as soon as I let her go with will continue on with whatever she was doing. Nothing has discouraged her from snarling or biting. She is not mouthing either. She targets hands and fingers and will hold on if she makes contact.
I have tried everything I know how to do with her that has worked for me with every other dog I have been around. I am a dog walker and aspiring dog trainer. I have experience with large and small dogs of all ages and temperaments. But I have never seen such a young dog act this way before.
Her tail is never between her legs, nothing scares this pup. She is very confident and dominant in almost every situation. I am very worried as I had none of these issues with my first Chihuahua. I understand their needs as dogs, and I do not treat either of them like "purse pets". I don't know why this new puppy is acting so aggressively. I live with my boyfriend, my father, his girlfriend (who is pregnant) and my 8 year old sister. I do not want to put my family at risk by having a severely aggressive dog in the house. She has snarled at all of them for no apparent reason in different situations.
I believe an owner should be able to handle their dog in any situation with confidence, as I can handle my first Chihuahua. I am at a loss as of what to do with this new puppy. I do not want to have to isolate her or re-home her due to this bizarre aggression. Please give me your helpful and constructive advise only.