Aggression

Question

Tank (Red) & Angel (Br   QUESTION: My husband & I adopted one of 82 puppy mill Chihuahuas rescued recently. We had him neutered, retained puppy teeth pulled, wormed, etc. Vet estimates him at 4-5 years old. He gets along great with our 3 year old female Chi. The problem is his extreme fear and aggressive attitude towards anyone but me. He snaps, lunges and bites at everyone. We've had other chi's and have never experienced this behavior before. We understand that a lady was his previous owner so I understand his following me around. What can I do before he hurts someone in my family.



ANSWER: Hi Stacy...

What darling Chihuahuas you have!!  I really enjoy having a picture to look at - you're the first person to attach one.

Stacy, I wanted to start off by telling you that you're the third person to write about this type of problem with a rescue Chi in the past 72 hours.  What you're experiencing isn't an isolated incident with just ONE particular Chi.  

When we take in rescue dogs, we often take on problems that were incurred due to neglect, abuse and even due to neglected medical problems. Take in a dog from a puppy mill and you're dealing with LOTS of unknowns that make it act out the way it does.  I think you'll find in time that much of what you're seeing is due to his still being in a period of adjustment and, to be honest, you may never see him totally stop this behavior due to his past circumstances and his age. I feel it safe to say that the vast effects of puppy mills are criminal in more ways than one.l   

Let's look at common traits of the Chihuahua.  They're very known for bonding with one person and they often have a "big dog attitude" and they're protective of their "person" and usually their homes.  Take a dog that hasn't known security, comfort and love until just recently and I think you've got an overwhelming amount of confusion going on that comes out in scary, fearful behavior. I think that you have to be willing to expect that any changes are going to take time, patience and consistency.  I run a Chihuahua group on Yahoo and we have a number of older, rescued Chis that exhibit just the type of behavior that you're talking about.  The owners of these dogs appear to understand where the behavior is coming from and have worked with their dogs for years and I think their dogs are better, but they also have to accommodate situations with their dog - like when new people come to the house, or they take the dog out in public or the dog doesn't respond well to certain family members. They don't let strangers pet them, etc.  I have a dog here that I rescued 7 yrs. ago that was terribly abused and acted out for a long time.  He's so much better over time and so incredibly thankful to us in all his actions and expressions, but my husband couldn't pet him for maybe the first year and I don't let strangers pet him when we're out and about.  

Another thing that I wanted to mention is that you had a whole lot done when you got him - medically speaking.  Did you have the neuter, dental extractions, worming and shots done on the same day?  How many people in the family?  Any children?  Who is this dog going to be interacting with?  Do you accept and realize that this dog has bonded to you as his main person?

Please answer the above questions, let me know what you think about what I've said thus far and let's visit this issue again when I hear back from you.

Jo Ann

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: We had the neutering, dental extractions, worming and shots done at the same time to minimize Tank's anesthesia risks.  
Also, he was so sickly that I was afraid Angel would catch something from him. I know this was aggressive but I wanted to jump start his care. Tank's (our) immediate family consists of my husband & I, our daughter and her 14 month old son. We supervise the baby with the Chis. Angel loves him and is very comfortable around the baby but she has known him since birth. Tank is skittish but has not acted aggressively towards the baby. Both dogs are part of our family & have free run of our home. I accept Tank & realize his flaws come from abuse and neglect. Yes he has bonded to me as his main person and that is OK with me but it upsets my daughter and also my son when he visits that he won't even let them pet him. We have always had dogs whom we've loved and have seen loved by. In November our 10 year old Chi, Buzzy died after losing her 8 month battle with Cushings Disease. We love our dogs (babies) for keeps. I will continue to work with Tank and hopefully he will realize he has found a home. Thanks for your insight.

Answer
Hi Stacy...

He's been through a lot in a very short time.  Vaccinations alone are known to be problematic and make a dog feel "off" and add the neuter, worming and anesthetic and you've got all kinds of chemicals affecting him right when he's being introduced to a new home, new life and new people.

I think the transition can be tougher, too, with a young child in the house.  While some Chis do well with children, many don't and with Tank having been a puppy mill dog, simply the sound of a young child is really new and can make him nervous. I'm so glad that you supervise the baby with the Chis.

I understand that it's upsetting to your daughter and your son that Tank isn't warming up to them, but I also think that one has to consider where he came from and how he's not exactly like other dogs due to that. I think a good way to look at it is that Tank has had an abusive past and he's found someone that he loves and trusts and that's you (Stacy) and that makes him special and the bond that the two of you have special, too. I think in time the whole family will be comfortable - it just takes time to adjust to a new dog that has a "past".  It's a big adjustment for everyone.

I wanted to offer my condolences on the passing of your Chi, Buzzy.  That had to be very, very difficult.  I also wanted to tell you how much I respect you for how understanding you are with this dog and for being sensitive to his needs and dedicated to working with him and helping him to realize he has found a home. He's probably already over the top happy to have your love...  I wish you nothing but the very best.

Jo Ann