Very hyperactive chihuahua

Question
I have a 2 year old chihuahua, Petey. He is neutered, and a big guy at 8 pounds. He is a rescue and was originally a puppymill dog, weaned and sold thru a pet store at just 4 weeks of age. We've had him since he was around 5 months old.
He is so friendly and loves everyone, which is the problem.
He is extremely hyperactive. I mean, bouncing off the walls. This isn't just when he comes in from potty or when wants a treat - this goes on for hours at a time. He runs around and around the table and on and off furniture and in and out of rooms and basically is insane. He can't walk well on a leash - he pulls and has hurt me, tiny as he is.

We have a 6 month old baby (along with 2 older kids) and Petey adores her, but he jumps up on her and has scratched her pretty severely, by accident, on more than one occasion.

It is to the point where he is crated most of the time to keep him calm but that is cruel and can't go on much longer.

Finding a new home is not an option either. I don't want my kids to think that dogs are disposable.

I watch Cesar Milan and love his ideas but can't put them into use because Petey is so unbelievably high strung.

What are your suggestions?

Answer
Exercise, exercise, exercise, Rose. Your dog isn't getting enough exercise, so he has no outlet for all of his energy! Crating him most of the time certainly isn't helping any, because it just allows that energy to build up and build up and build up, until he's let out of the crate.

You say he can't walk well on a leash - that's baloney; any dog can be taught how to walk on a leash. I would get him a prong collar, as small of one as you can find, and a 4ft leash so that he is not able to really get out in front of you. Leather is easier on the hands than nylon, in my experience. The reason I suggest a prong collar is because choke collars, and even regular flat buckle collars, can be dangerous for small breeds if they pull against them. It can cause their trachea to collapse. A prong collar prevents this from happening because it tightens evenly all the way around the neck when the leash is tightened.

When you walk him, walk at a brisk pace, and make him stay next to you. If he starts getting out in front of you, give a few pops on the lead and get him back next to you. When he's next to you and not trying to pull ahead, make sure the leash is slack; it should only become tight if he starts to pull in front of you. He should be walked for at least 30 minutes, and at least once a day, if not twice.

Play with him at your house, too. If he'll chase a ball, play fetch with him for 10 minutes or so spread throughout the day. You can do this inside OR out.


You might also consider a food change. If his food contains corn, that could be contributing to his hyperactivity. Please take a look at http://dogfoods.angelfire.com to learn more, and find out how to choose a better food for him.