Aggressive Biting Chi Puppy

[Melissa1]

Hello,

I'm new to these forums and I'm hoping someone can help me out. I currently have a 17 week old chihuahua male, named Koko. He was a gift to me, because I had been wanting a chihuahua as a companion since I can't have cats, and I really did not want a large dog.

My chihuahua is pretty nice except for the fact that whenever you are making him do something he doesn't like, such as his winter coat on him, or when I bathed him, he will bite me. During play time, if he gets too hyper he will bite as well, if you try to correct him, he gets worse to the point where his teeth will show, and he will look very angry. He has bitten me hard enough to draw blood.

I do try to correct him, and currently have paid for dog obedience classes with a trainer that comes out on Mondays and gives us homework.

I don't yell or raise my voice when I'm giving corrections, and I never hit him. I'm losing hope with him, because I have been trying to find something that works with him and I'm feeling very lost at this point. I love him and I don't plan on ever getting rid of him.

Does anyone have any tips?

[mechi]

Don't lose hope, he is still very young and has a lot to learn. When he bites during play, you can either say "no" very firmly and then walk away and ignore him for a few minutes, or you can also screech in a high voice so that it sounds like he hurt you and walk away and ignore him.

When you are making him do something he doesn't like try to distract him with something he really likes such as a food treat. This is what I do when I cut my chi's nails, I cut her nails while my mom feeds her treats. After a while your chi should come to associate the thing he doesn't like with something good, getting his treat and so will be less likely to put up a fight.

His biting behavior seems to be showing dominance and you will need to make him learn that you are the boss not him. Do this by not giving him anything without him doing something for you first. For example, make him sit while you are preparing his meal and don't let him approach the bowl without you first giving the okay. When playing don't give him the ball until he first lies down, and so on. This is intended to show him that he is to be submissive to you and it's also an excellent opportunity to teach basic commands. Hope that helps you out a bit. By the way, how did your trainer suggest you deal with the biting?

[Bren75]

Its not uncommon and KIWI my lil girl was a perona (sp?) when she was @ that age.. She has gotten better... keep firm and hang in there. With time he should settle down with the teeth ;p

maybe some chewy toys.. he could also be trying to be alpha with ya too. Let him know your the mama! ;p

[debradaniellee]

Nala was just like this too. She too has gotten much better and doesn't really do it much anymore. Just give it time, he will get better - stay positive :)

[2Chiwawa]

I say, "No teeth" and do a nose flick with my finger. If that does not work I put Happy down and ignore him. They have to learn that teeth on skin is not acceptable and will end any activity with you immediately. I have also learned that you must be alpha through the day so they are already submissive with you. This way when you say "no teeth" they know that you mean it because you follow through with all your other commands. Time out in the crate when there is biting will show that biting is not acceptable. Be firm but quiet in your tone of voice.

[Romans Mom]

Hi Melissa1. Welcome. :) I trained Roman with the tongue press method. It can be found when typing "tongue press" in to the search. :) It worked great, and now if he shows his teeth at all, all I have to say is "tougue press" as I make a pressing movement eith my thumb and pointer finger.

I also have a strict rule with Roman that there is NO TEETH ON SKIN, ever, not even during play or by accident and will always continue this.

[Melissa1]

Hi guys! Thanks for the responses. My right thumb is now a little swollen and bruised, I have it wrapped in a bandage. He's bitten me throughout the weekend in the same spot so I figure that's why its hurting.

He's mostly aggressive when you are trying to do something to either correct him or trying to put a collar/leash or a sweater on him.

The last time he bit me was right after I got done with his training class, I went to take off his collar since it's still a little long and I was afraid it might choke him if he accidentally gets his paw stuck in it. While trying to take it off he got aggressive and bit my poor thumb.

I've been taught to do the "Puppy play-bite correction" with him every time he bites. Which is basically to say NO! firmly, kneel down, put him between your legs and with one of your hands clamp his mouth shut but allow him to still be able to get his tongue out, keep saying NO until he submits and calms down.

I've been doing this as instructed, but I'm losing hope with the aspect of him biting me, other than that he's great. I know its an issue of him being a dominant alpha male.

Last night while waiting for the trainer, I had his leash and collar on, I was sitting down watching tv (The Dog Whisperer, of course) and he wanted to get on the couch. I wouldn't let him, so I'd give him a correction, and he started to get frustrated and growling in anger.

I'm hoping his biting improves, my thumb can't handle this torture anymore. He gets me right between the side of my thumb nail, in the soft part. OW!

[2Chiwawa]

If the corrections or stance you are using still do not work maybe you want to crate him and ignore him for 10-15 min. Don't let him out of the crate until after he has been quiet for awhile. If he is aggressive he may be enjoying even negative attention of corrections. Ignoring him deprives him of you or him having a chance to be alpha. Repeat the crate and ignoring him immediately even if you have to do it a few times in a row.

Oh, try to also spot signals BEFORE he bites you like growling. You should correct him or crate him right away before he bites.

[Melissa1]

Koko is doing much better everyone! He did manage to bite but that's because I took some time to train him and practice getting on and off his collar. He still managed to bite my thumb, but it wasn't as bad and he's learning to calm down.

P.S. He managed to sneak a turd on my husband's router.

[Romans Mom]

That's great news to hear Koko's doing better. That's a good sign he'll learn not to bite at all. :)

Just in case you need more ideas, here's a few threads on biting with lots of good tips...

http://www.clubchi.com/showthread.php?t=543&highlight=tongue+press

http://www.clubchi.com/showthread.php?t=951&highlight=tongue+press

http://www.clubchi.com/showthread.php?t=1761&highlight=tongue+press

http://www.clubchi.com/showthread.php?t=2112&highlight=tongue+press

[2Chiwawa]

OH wow, the old turd in the router trick. LOL.