My newish dog

[motherofchihuahuas]

We adopted a second chihuahua and he's lovely.

But, if my husband stares at him if he's doing something wrong I.e jumping up to pinch the cats food for example he growls at him.

If my DH then shouts at him he growls back. Almost as if he's giving cheek.

If he points at him and tells him off, same

Any advice how to stop this?

I think your DH might be intimidating to your dog. Could you try to get the dog to do Something you want him to do (e.g. sit) rather than shouting or intimidating him to stop the behaviour you don’t want?

Staring at a dog is threatening to it, so maybe not surprising the dog growls back?
I'd say no or 'nuh-huh' and then redirect the dog's attention towards acceptable/positive behaviour.

Yes get your DH to stop intimidating the poor dog! He’s not being “cheeky” he’s feeling threatened. Learn how to train the dog properly rather than engaging in aggressive tactics.

Why is your DH shouting at the dog? It won't achieve anything and will likely be making the situation a lot worse.

If the dog is jumping up at the cats food, the easiest solution is to use baby gates/closed doors to stop the dog having access to that part of the house.

Feewwming now.

We had a row before as I said he was intimidating the dog and he wouldn't have it.

As others have said, he’s scaring the dog and it’s reacting to ask him to keep away.

read up on positive interrupters.
Call the dogs name in an excited, happy voice, throw a treat and then engage them in a behaviour you do want.

Get rid of the dh will likely resolve the issue

@butternutbiscuits that could be an option soon he's doing my tits in.

Please don't allow your DH to bully and intimidate your dog.

The growling is a huge warning sign that your little chap isn't happy. I think it's easy to dismiss that behaviour in tiny breeds like chihuahuas because they're so unlikely to do any real damage, but they should be treated just as you'd treat a larger dog.

There was an episode of It's Me or the Dog recently where a tiny little Chihuahua was behaving in way similar to how you describe - growling and snarling. But it had escalated and now both owners were scared of their dog.

It's available on Discovery+ and might be worth watching - the dog was called Savage, lol.

There’s two ways of saying ‘no’ one in an aggressive way that adds energy to the situation and causes it to escalate and the other is calm and firm and de-escalates.
your DH needs to recognise that adding energy into the mix excites the dog and puts them over threshold.
look up canine aggression ladder (growls are a warning- and if they aren’t listened to escalates) and thresholds. Chill the situation down, and focus on calming the situation.
I think with small dogs it’s also important to give them control over their situations, so ask them to do something- rather than just picking them up or moving them- which can cause more frustration.

We've talked about it today. I think the problem is that he's used to working dogs. I'm used to pets.

I also think I tell our dog off but I don't shout. Or point. He knows when he's done something wrong because of the way I tell him. And he knows to go outside when I am not happy with him. I send him
Outside away from me as a punishment which again I'm not sure if this is correct but I never shout at him I just say naughty boy what have you done, what's this etc etc.

I think DH thinks if he can prove dominance it will solve the issues.

He's never growled at me and won't even play fight with me whereas our older dog will but gently.

Maybe my DH needs training.

Swear to god this no paragraphs shit on this new app is driving me up the wall.

It's so hard to read anything

I mean incase anyone isn't aware that the new app removes paragraphs when you write them.

I think it must only be for the phone app as sone people can still see paragraphs on other threads.

Poor dog !
I'm not a dog person (understatement) but I remember reading something that if you tell a dog off for growling it will omit that warning stage and go straight to the next level.

So thinks "Im pissed off/angry/scared , leave me alone" with a growl and the body language . But if they fear being told off for the growl they cannot warn you how they feel so will escalate .
That's when people complain He just went for me out of the blue

I would say to your DH FFS can you hear youself , intimidating a small animal. Brave you (not)

To be honest, and I don't mean this unkindly... you both need training.
Your dh is absolutely wrong, and needs to stop now, but your approach isn't going to get great results either...do you really think your dog understands when you tell him what he's done 'wrong'?
Redirect, praise and reward the behaviour you want, when you see it, in fact whenever your pup is just being a chilled dog..reward.
And get some training help/ a qualified behaviourist in and learn to have a good realtionship with your dog :)

Your dog is scared, that's why he's growling. Tell your dick of a H to stop bullying a tiny little dog

In the kindest possible way, it sounds like you would both benefit from proper training classes.

A dog won't understand that being sent outside is because he's done something he shouldn't do.

I feel so sorry for your dog. A tiny little thing being scared in its own home.
Your DH sounds horrible. How can anyone respect a "man" who bullies any animal. Turns my stomach.