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The doghouse

If you're worried about your pet's health, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.

Agressive dog.

7 replies

ShinyS1 · 22/01/2022 11:06

Morning everyone. Our 10 month old, extremely nervous bitch is pretty aggressive. She's tiny, a chihuahua/pinscher cross, but small even by chihuahua standards, not sure why, maybe she was the runt.

She is extremely aggressive with our 2 other dogs (same type) and guards relentlessly, food, me, whatever she happens to be lying on. She's ok on walks, not especially reactive. Our other two dogs are very tolerant of her, and are unconcerned about her outbursts, she has never bitten them.

She has recently begun to growl at us, if we make her do something she doesn't want to, like putting her outside for a wee.

She has accidentally bitten me. Due to her size, and luckily for her, I don't believe she could do much damage, although no one ever puts their face near her. She has no contact with small children, as there are none in our family or wider family, and she is rarely unsupervised regardless.

Rehoming is not an option within the family. I would not send her to a rehoming centre as I think she would become even more disturbed and upset, and I think they'd struggle to rehome her anyway.

We love her and she seems to love us. Although it's fair to say that her anxiety causes her to be unhappy at times, the rest of the time she is happy and waggy and loving.

She has been like this since we brought her home, although it's progressively got worse. Has anyone got any tips as we can't really afford a behaviourist right now.

OP posts:
glassofbubbles25 · 22/01/2022 11:24

If your vet refers you your insurance may cover a behaviourist

There is also a wonderful dog advice group on Facebook who might have good suggestions

Happenchance · 22/01/2022 12:03

Can you keep her seperate from the other dogs, unless you are walking them together? I would read about trigger stacking, if you haven't already. It sounds as though she is constantly being triggered at home and needs a chance to decompress.

I would not send her to a rehoming centre as I think she would become even more disturbed and upset, and I think they'd struggle to rehome her anyway. It sounds like she would be happier living in a home without other dogs. Some rescues (especially smaller ones) rehome dogs straight from their current home. They will come round to your house to assess her and she will stay with you until she goes to her new home.

Deadwould · 22/01/2022 12:13

Aggressive dogs are harder to rehome but I think it may be easier to rehome her than you think. She is a tiny chihuahua which as you say means she can't do the same damage an aggressive mastiff or pit bull could do. Adult only homes with no other pets could be more confident of being able to manage her because she is so small. I think it sounds like a home where she is the only dog would go a long way to relieving her anxiety and improving her life and behaviour. It can't be good for a dog to live with 2 other dogs that cause them stress. It's a difficult decision to make. Rehoming dogs isn't always a bad thing. Sometimes it is the very best thing you can do for a dog.

PollyRoulllson · 22/01/2022 12:22

You have to get professional advice. As you have already seen this behaviour will get worse not better.

Resource guarding starts off small and then spreads like fire without the correct behaviour plan.

I would also ask for a vet referral to a behaviourist and not just use someone off the internet that calls themself a behaviourist. It will cost money but it may easily cost you more if you do not get the correct advice.

Agree check your insurance many will pay for behavioural help.

fairylightsandwaxmelts · 22/01/2022 12:41

This isn't something you can tackle on your own - you really need to get the help of a professional or you could very easily make her behaviour a lot, lot worse.

Your vet will be able to refer you and it should be covered (at least partially) by your insurance.

lemons44 · 22/01/2022 13:29

I'm not an expert but I wonder if some of the natural calming remedys may help her anxiety? Like the oils and plug in diffusers?

beanbaghashtag · 22/01/2022 21:21

We used a behaviourist, qualifications in everything and it was all about the ladder of aggression.

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