I worked with him exactly like the phrase. I would give him a treat, something that required a little work, and then I would wander in and I would say "drop it". He already knew the phrase but hey Mom this is a real good treat and maybe I will drop it or not. If he dropped it I would calmly take it away, give him praise and kisses, and give it back to him. If he gave me attitude eyeball wise or verbally, I would take it away period. He got to where he knew I meant business and now I reinforce once in a while but really he is good. It sounds like Charlotte is trying to establish her dominance. Now the crate thing..that is not surprising. Many Chis are protective of their crates(dens) or even beds. Mine have separate beds..Tino..the new rescue has his playpen. I tend to stay out of the pack establishing and working out their alpha issues. Unless it gets of course abusive or someone is getting bullied or hurt. There are usually layers within pack..You are the alpha but there is usually a step down alpha and so on. Normal pack behavior.It usually gets worked out and I don't think you can force a dog not to be alpha with a pack as far as the dogs are concerned. Either they will accept Charlotte as the alpha or they will put her in her place when they are tired of her attitude. It is always your pack to run but IMHO I would give them a shot working it out first..Maybe they will end up all holding hands and singing Kumbaya..lol
________________________________ From: Lynda <[email protected]> To: [email protected] Sent: Friday, March 2, 2012 11:38 AM Subject: Re: [Chihuahuas] Aggression Training Hi Pam....good to know that I'm not the only one having this issue. She gave me 'that' look (I call it the 'chi eye' - coz she only has one good eye) I was first hurt and astonished that one of MY dogs could do that - then the growl. WOW. Now I say sternly 'don't give me that chi eye' and she usually stops or rolls on her back. How did you work with him? My other two dogs do not steal treats or even get near each other's bowls and such...Timmy and Liza are very respectable of each other and of Charlotte; however, Charlotte is given her food bowl last in the kitchen - I set down Liza's first and then Timmy's in the diningroom but it's only a few feet away. She is not allowed to approach the diningroom until both Timmy and Liza are done (this I see she has figured out). It seems when Liza might be milling around the kitchen just sniffing (no food or treats involved) - if she gets too close to Charlotte's crate - Charlotte goes bezerk. SO this a.m. I shut the crate door and put the towel over it so it was not an 'elephant in the room' sort of thing - I saw that 'chi eye' towards Liza but she didn't act on it - and as soon as I saw it I would say 'be nice Charlotte' or 'No Charlotte'. When she snapped for the 3rd time yesterday I was upstairs for 2 minutes getting some laundry - as I flew down the steps say 'Charlotte No' - Charlotte was already on her back leaning against the bottom of the couch knowing very well she had made a boo boo. Liza is not one to growl or fight back - but that 3rd snap from Char - Liza did growl back but it didn't seem to phase Charlotte at all. I like that sentence 'mommy give and mommy takes away'... Lynda "I wish my book of life was written in pencil … There are a few pages I would like to erase" ________________________________ From: "Pam Dean" <[email protected]> To: [email protected] Sent: Friday, March 2, 2012 11:25:43 AM Subject: Re: [Chihuahuas] Aggression Training I went through that with Bino who is extremely submissive, except for his food, especially treats. The first time he gave me "that stare" when I went to check on him and his treat I was shocked. Then the little growl. Not too intimidating from a 3 lb chi but I am like you..I don't allow any aggression and they certainly don't run the show. I worked with him for a few months, and he learned that Mommy gives and Mommy takes away. lol..But he is still not good with our other dogs trying to steal his treats. And I guess I ended up letting them work that out between themselves. I do send them to separate corners to eat treats and I monitor the situation. ________________________________ From: birdylove5 <[email protected]> To: [email protected] Sent: Friday, March 2, 2012 11:11 AM Subject: [Chihuahuas] Aggression Training Hello chi people...such good chatting going on - I've had so much to read and absorb these last few weeks. Charlotte Rose is growing quickly - getting tall - 6 months old March 14 - how time flies.....and....a bit more sassy than is acceptable. Which leads me to my email. I remember someone saying they were a dog trainer (Pam?)...sorry it slipped my mind who possesses this gift. I have contacted a local doggy behavioralist in my area. I met her years ago when she was teaching a basic puppy class that Timmy (schnoodle) and I attended. She's well known for being firm but gentle and getting results. Charlotte is showing slight signs of possession and food aggression. I need to nip this in the bud NOW so it doesn't get worse - before she ends up hurting one of the other animals in the house. None of her aggressive incidents have been provoked by any of animals in the house -no one is taking her food/treats or taking her 'stuff' - it's all been 'her' and how she's perceiving things I believe. She has growled at me on occassion as well (I was petting her telling her what a good girl she was after she ate her treat) - it was the slightest of growls -but totally unacceptable. I know that some people allow these little dogs to get away with just about anything - but I know that this is not the right kind of behavior for any animal. ALL of my other animals live in harmony - so ..it's time for Charlotte to join the pack and know that Mama is the alpha. I love her dearly - with all my heart - so I believe teaching her the right way is another way I can show her how much I love her. After only a few short months of having her - I can't imagine my life without her. She gets spayed in April and I'm already a nervous wreck with worry. I'm waiting for the instructor to call back to set up an evaluation session and then we'll move on from there. WISH US LUCK... Hugz to all, Lynda
