Chihuahua Crossing Forum Closed

whortonwho · Adult Chi

Brody is protective

PinkRapunzel · Adult Chi

I've known dogs to be like that. Where they will literally panic if their "friend" isnt' there. My guess is that they feel so much more secure with the other dog, and so they panic when they are alone. I think you could try to break him of this by distracting him for initially (extremely) short periods of time doing something he really enjoys while Blaze is not there. Then I'd increase the time increments for longer periods of time.

I tend to think though that being pack animals it is just their natural instinct to want to stay with their pack. So overall it is good they are closely bonded, but I know there are times where Brody may have to be alone, and can see why you wouldn't want him to be overly stressed over it.

As for his protectiveness of you in the car, I think he is fairly well tempered if he doesn't growl when everyone gets into the car together, but only does it when someone comes after you are in the car. He is most likely thinking that the person is entering his/your territory uninvited. Of course this is just my opinion, but I think he is just doing his job. Although I would try to teach him to be calm, after you've decided to allow the person in the car.(Easier said than done.)

Now the snapping/growling when someone is trying to pick him up. That behavior I'd try to work on. I was wondering though if Brody does this with anyone in your immediate household or does he do this with strangers/people he doesn't really know? Have you tried getting the person to give him a small treat so that he might "willingly" go to them? He needs to associate it with something really good. Some dogs do always "prefer" one person and don't like being carried by others, similar to some babies. LOL I would think the ideal situation is for him not to nip/growl at someone when they pick him up, esp. if it is someone in your immediate household. I'd then slowly try to phase out the treats.

I'm still working with my girls. My Halo is the protective girl in my family.

whortonwho · Adult Chi

He doesn't want ANYONE to pick him up if I am holding him. He follows me around the house all the time. My husband said that dog is up your butt, more than the kids. LOL They are the same way. Now when he is on the floor anyone in our household can pick him up. But if I am holding him no one else can pick him up he will growl and snap at them. He wants me to hold him all the time. When I set him on the floor he will run as fast as he can and climb up on my lap again. He tries to lick my face all the time and wants to sleep in bed with us. If I leave him out of our room and shut the door he will set there and howl. I left him and Blaze to go to a race around 600 miles away and had a sitter for my kids, whom he just loves. But by the second day Brody was pacing by the door and running to the windows. By fifth day he hardly ate and lay by the door till we got home. After we got home he would not leave my side. Is this normal? My other Chihuahuas liked me a little but he is ridiculous. weirdface

PinkRapunzel · Adult Chi

Brody sure is attached to his mama. I love your husband's comment. LOL

I can't imagine what he was thinking when you were away. Yes, he does sound a bit extreme. It'd be best to work with him to become more independent. It is good that he lets others pick him up off the floor though. He just wants you all to himself when he is on your lap. What a pup! At one point, my chi pup started growling at me when I'd try to move her off my lap! I was so surprised even though I knew she had a tendency to be possessive of things, but being possessive of my own lap was just too much.

IMO, it's good that you and Brody are close. I think you should spend lots of time with him, same as before. I'd definetly have your kids and husband keep picking him up off the floor, and I'd have them spend lots of time with Brody, and I'd have them walk him, too. Perhaps they already do all that, and he is just a chi who is so devoted to you and only wants you, but I'd still encourage it. Then once that is all in place I wonder what would happen if you'd lift Brody off your lap and hand him to the kids/husband as a first step. Or have him just climb from your lap onto theirs, as a happy medium, before having someone grab him off your lap. Just an idea. I'd take all the steps gradually and in a fun positive, & non-threatening way, esp. if Brody is growling/snapping. Don't want any of that stuff going on.

Brody is quite the interesting boy. What a little love.