Heather Perring Webboard User Reg: 07-25-2008
Posts: 201
Loc:
Offline
Hey everyone. Been awhile! I still lurk here constantly, just haven't had any issues or problems. Been busy taking care of the dogs and working ( friends and family call me the crazy dog lady ).
Anyway, I have two chihuahua's. One is 9 weeks and hasn't been here for even a week. She's doing a behavior that I'm not quite sure how to handle. Introduced her to my adult chihuahua gently and she will play with him when on the floor or off of me. However, when on my lap whether she's sleeping or not, if he comes anywhere near her she will growl, bark, snarl and bite at him.
Currently no longer allowing him to come near her space when on my lap, what is this behavior, exactly?
Is it fear-based? If so, why wouldn't she do it when put down on the floor?
She doesn't seem afraid when doing this and I forced him to lay in my lap right next to her to see her reaction and she seemed curious to sniff him as long as he wasn't looking and smelling her.
Niomi Smith Webboard User Reg: 04-20-2009
Posts: 786
Loc: Whitehorse, Yukon
Offline
This is resource guarding - doggy off lap = can't resource guard you.
This would be completely unacceptable behavior in my home and it will only escalate each time she is allowed to practice this behavior. Being so young, the older dog is probably letting her ""puppy license" run, but when it runs out - you could end up with a severely hurt little pup.
Make a new rule - no dogs on you, no resource guarding, and at this point I would be seperating these dogs when you are not there to supervise and tethering the pup to you, or to a spot, until she can learn who the pack leader is.
Heather Perring Webboard User Reg: 07-25-2008
Posts: 201
Loc:
Offline
Yeah..I thought this might be what this is. Only I wasn't sure if it'd come to play at such a young age.
I'm going to start booting her off my lap every time she does this behavior. They are kept separate and only interact when I am there to supervise. I do not let either of them run the house without me there.
Niomi Smith Webboard User Reg: 04-20-2009
Posts: 786
Loc: Whitehorse, Yukon
Offline
I wouldn't put her in a position where she even gets to do the behavior.
If you want her on your lap - put your other dog away until you are done with your "lap" time.
When they are both out, she can not be on your lap.
Also, teach her to ask permission to come up on you - she should not get to decide when she is up and when she is down - you need to make that decision. Teach her "up" and "off" using marker training and then once she knows what is expected you can enforce it. If you don't want her up (when both dogs are out) teach her to go lay on a bed in the room, or on the floor, but not in front of you. She can still resource guard from the floor
When purchasing any product from Leerburg Enterprises, Inc. it is understood
that any and all products sold by Leerburg Enterprises, Inc. are sold in Dunn
County Wisconsin, USA. Any and all legal action taken against Leerburg Enterprises,
Inc. concerning the purchase or use of these products must take place in Dunn
County, Wisconsin. If customers do not agree with this policy they should not
purchase Leerburg Ent. Inc. products.
Dog Training is never without risk of injury. Do not use any of the products
sold by Leerburg Enterprises, Inc. without consulting a local professional.
The training methods shown in the Leerburg Ent. Inc. DVD’s are meant
to be used with a local instructor or trainer. Leerburg Enterprises, Inc. cannot
be held responsible for accidents or injuries to humans and/or animals.
Copyright 2010 Leerburg® Enterprises, Inc. All rights reserved. All photos and content on leerburg.com are part of a registered copyright owned by Leerburg Enterprise, Inc.
By accessing any information within Leerburg.com, you agree to abide by the
Leerburg.com Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Pup Aggression
Top
Previous Topic
Index
Next Topic
.jpg)
