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Ask Alecia: My Chihuahua-Papillon Bites!

By: Author Paris Permenter

Dear Alecia,

Hi! I adopted a dog 2 years ago. They told me he didn’t like men from the beginning. He has bitten two men that came over and one girl. It’s always when they’re walking away. He recently bit my husband hard on the calf. He loves my husband, and my husband treats him with love. He’s usually jealous and runs up to my husband like he’s going to bite him, but never really has. He also growls at him when he gets near me. This time I wasn’t even around. Please help!! He’s a 4-year-old Papillon/chihuahua mix. — Yvette

Dear Yvette,

Even little dog bites can hurt.  And bites in my book are pretty serious and need to be addressed immediately with a professional.

I have a few questions.  You mentioned you adopted your dog about 2 years ago; did you ever take your dog to training classes or work with a trainer?

In the case of little dogs, often times people assume that since they are little they don’t need to be trained.  But nothing can be further from the case.  I am not sure if  you know your dog’s prior history but the likely assumption is that he may have been given up due to these exact behaviors.   The reality is that your dog is most likely fearful and using that fear to dominate every one else because he feels that it’s safer for him to be on the defensive to keep everyone away except you.

My recommendation is to go back to basic training with your dog with a professional trainer who uses positive methods and can assist you in learning how to properly correct and reward your dog to bring out his best behaviors while diminishing or eliminating his undesirable ones.  With just a few sessions you, your husband and your pup should be in a much safer, healthier place and all be a lot happier.

Paws Up!

Alecia

Alecia Evans is the inventor of The Walk In Sync™ Humane Dog Walking and Training System with her exclusive 5 Minute Manners Makeovers using the Walk In Sync™ Harness and Accu-Grip Leash, along with her Walk In Sync™ 3 Easy Steps to teach any human/dog duos to Walk In Sync in just minutes.

The former host of the award-winning GrassRoots Aspen TV Series, The Whole Animal-An Alternative Approach to Animal Care, Alecia takes a natural approach to dog training and health care. Her work has been featured on Fox and Friends, The Sandra Glosser Show, NY 1, and in Aspen Magazine, DogTipper.com, The New York Daily News and Woof Report.

Paris Permenter
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