Biting & Aggression Problems

I really hope you get his behavior under control. I see so many people threat their chis like babies and let them get away with murder because they think its cute. Now almost every chi I meet is a dog that thinks he rules. Very sad. I'm not saying you are doing this, just telling you what I've seen.

but he's constantly following me 24-7. If he sees Pedro kissing me, he will attack him, lol.

 
 
oh, a pushy little brat. Wants mommy to only pay attention to him, but only on his terms. Keep working on the NILIF, and try quite hard to not-reward pushy, rude behavior, and he'll come around.

Thanks all of you for your help. Do any of you think taking to them to the Doggie Day Care will help -- only on the getting to be aroud pups his age and whatnot? And what should I look for in them? I'm first going to ask;
- Do the very large adults and small dogs/puppies play together?
- What do you do in terms of a disipline ..for example if a dog is being aggressive? (I dont want them hitting my dog)

Last night Chico 'started it' ..when we were trying to go to sleep, Pedro was just laying by me, and I think he wanted his spot ..so he stepped on him and tried to move him and Pedro tried to run and so I just simply took him and shut the door. He sit outside the door for about 10 minutes crying and howling.. so I took him downstairs and put the baby gate on the steps so he couldn't get up the stairs. To be honest, I'm not even getting to sleep in my own bed.. it's too high so I'm sleeping in the extra guest room we have upstairs. My room is in the basement, but even with the puppy stairs it's too high up.. and in the guest room or on the couch it's lower and so I've been suffering up there for about 3 weeks, lol. (It is really uncomfortable.) But sometimes he really can just be the sweetest little dog.
 
BTW, should I move Pedro out if I move Chico out of the room? -- If he didn't do anything?

Removing Chico was a GREAT move; I wouldn't worry about moving the other dog if Chico was being the bully. If you have any doubt about who started it though, I'd move both dogs off the bed. Chico's behavior right now would be motivation enough for me to stop allowing him access to the bed at all right now - give him a comfy pillow on the floor - not to mention that then you can sleep in your own bed and a well rested person is a better dog mom.

Crates ARE inhumane for humans to be put inside, however for dogs it is inhumane NOT to be put in one. Crates relate back to den instinct. It gives them one area in the house that is their own and they know they are safe. It is a place that you can put them when they are nervous or stressed where they can go to relax. Some people think it is inhumane because they imagine how THEY would feel inside one and decide that there dog must not like it. Think of your dog as a dog and not a human.
 
Your dog is behaving the way it does because you are not a leader in your house. A couch,bed,table, counter, etc are all intended for humans not animals. Height = Rank. You allow your dogs to climb on your couch and bed you lose rank over them. I would suggest seeking the help of a qualified behaviorist in your area and LISTEN to what he/she has to say. A majority of behavior problems in animals are in fact caused by the owners, which means if the owner fixes what he/she is doing wrong, the behavior will subside in the animal.

http://www.petpeoplesplace.com/resources/articles/dogs/002-01.htm

If he only growls when you pet his back have you had him vet checked for a problem in this area?  Just to rule out the possibility that he's saying "back off mum that part hurts, leave it alone" ???
 
Practise NILIF with all the dogs.  Whoever sits fastest gets the treats first.  Whoever tried to push to the front to be petted gets ignored.  Calm, responsive behaviour is what you want to respond to and reinforce all the time.  Don't under estimate the impact it will have on him when he sees the other dogs being rewarded for their good behaviour.
 
Writing this off as "dominance" will get you nowhere; establishing a few simple boundaries and enforcing them as well as NILIF will help convince him you are in charge and are very valuable practises, but they won't (by themselves) get him to sit on cue or play appropriately.  And that's what you need to do with this little guy - teach him to play appropriately.  Older dogs with a sound temperament will be able to help you with this no end!  Do you have any friends with dogs like that?  Enlist their help as soon as!!!
 
Remember that it is far far easier to teach a pup what you DO want, rather than what you don't want!  Don't focus on his "bad" behaviour.  Praise him ANY time he chews on good things and respond and encourage him when he plays politely. 
Try having a chewie in your hand any time you interact to keep his teeth busy. 

Is it just me or does it appear people who baby their dogs and don't provide the proper training end up with problem dogs?
I could see how a small dog gets the wrong message, small dogs get carried around, are babied to the point of beyond human treatment, and the biggest problem in my eyes would be that the owner almost always thinks they are easy to handle.
I have seen some really nasty little dogs, and I know the problem was created by the owner.
 
Dogs are dogs......no matter the size.

exactly... smaller dogs are more prone to behavioral problems than larger dogs because the owner is more prone to treat that dog like a person. i.e. letting the dog sit on your lap, lay on the couch, sleep in bed, etc etc. All of which makes the dog the king of the household.

ORIGINAL: snownose

Is it just me or does it appear people who baby their dogs and don't provide the proper training end up with problem dogs?

No, you're not alone []

So, other than snarky comments and dog size generalizations, what about helpful suggestions for the OP?

Redlegos, what have you been trying recently? Has it been working? If not, in what way? How have your other dogs been reacting to the changes? And how are your other dogs as far as manners/obedience/temperament?

Is it just me or does it appear people who baby their dogs and don't provide the proper training end up with problem dogs?
I could see how a small dog gets the wrong message, small dogs get carried around, are babied to the point of beyond human treatment, and the biggest problem in my eyes would be that the owner almost always thinks they are easy to handle.
I have seen some really nasty little dogs, and I know the problem was created by the owner.

Just to comment on this real quick -- I'm not being mean but I do find this a little offensive. My aunt who does baby her dog a lot, has a well mannered dog. The dog has some fear aggression but it's only because she was kept in a basement and used as a breeding dog and Angel (the toy poodle) is so small her pups kept dying -- but the owners kept trying and trying. She's very sweet when she learns to trust you. She never bites, just barks.
 
I do admit, I baby my dogs and it may be bad but at least nobody can say that I don't love them. [] 
You would rather someone have spoiled brats than have mistreaded dogs, right?
 
Cita - I am trying hard with the NILIF and I have also noticed if I take Chico & Pedro for a car ride, they seem more at ease throughout the day. They do give eachother kisses and lay on eachother -- so they do like eachother, to a extent, lol.

Just to comment on this real quick -- I'm not being mean but I do find this a little offensive. My aunt who does baby her dog a lot, has a well mannered dog. The dog has some fear aggression but it's only because she was kept in a basement and used as a breeding dog and Angel (the toy poodle) is so small her pups kept dying -- but the owners kept trying and trying. She's very sweet when she learns to trust you. She never bites, just barks.

I do admit, I baby my dogs and it may be bad but at least nobody can say that I don't love them.
You would rather someone have spoiled brats than have mistreaded dogs, right?

Oh, give me a break.......all I hear is: the dog is "Fine"...."except".....the dog is not fine if there is a severe issue!!!

Don't get me started on an owner who kept a dog in a basement and kept trying to keep ups alive, but they were dying.......YOU KNOW there  are vets................[:@]

Don't get me started on an owner who kept a dog in a basement and kept trying to keep pups alive, but they were dying.......YOU KNOW there are vets................

YES, I DO KNOW..
but sadly some people just don't care. some dogs are mistreated and abused, as she was. she's the perfect example of a mistreated dog who now gets treated as a child, but doesn't take it for granted. yes, she likes beind held ..but she doesn't refuse to walk. she's not overweight, she doesn't bite, and nothing is wrong with her. her uppies kept dying before they were born* but the former owners just kept trying and trying to breed her, like idiots. she's only 3 pounds. ..i found that out from my aunt when she got her, that's why my aunt is one of the only people she will go to.

and as far as my dog is fine .."except".. blah, blah, blah.. my dogs don't have a SEVERE issue. chico may be a bit 'aggressive', but i've seen worse dogs. all he does is play bite ..and he bites too hard. but he's a puppy, it's going to happen.

all he does is play bite ..and he bites too hard. but he's a puppy, it's going to happen.

 
Bingo.  Stick at it and you will get there.
 
Just to add, although it may be a bit OT... I also see a lot of small dogs with "small dog syndrome" - the ones that are "babied" and have issues with resource guarding or bossing their humans around.  BUT I don't think it's what the humans DO that is wrong (holding/carrying the dog, letting it sleep on the furniture etc.) but more what they DON'T do with regards to training, enforcing simple rules etc. that causes the problems.  I know LOADS of people with small dogs who are wonderful little critters and sur ethey get picked up and are allowed on the sofa.  Just my [sm=2cents.gif]