Chihuahuas ??

[Kewll0ser]

Okay, so I've been bugging my mom for the longest to get me a chihuahua. But she's pretty reluctant because all the chihuahuas she see are those nasty ones that nip and bare their teeth at anyone who comes close to their owner. And on top of that my uncle has a nasty little (well, he's overweight ) chihuahua named BooBoo who snaps at pretty much everyone.

But I know she's wrong, and I'm trying to prove her wrong, but it's pretty hard when all she sees on TV are the ones that have some issues.

My question is, Can all you nice folks on PT tell me about your chihuahuas? I want the good, the bad and the ugly. Please and thanks.

[Karen]

I don't own a Chihuahua, but have known several. Before we bought this house, there was a Chihuahua in our old neighborhood named Chico. He had been a rescue boy, but was as sweet and calm as could be - and friendly, too!
He was so well behaved, he walked with his owner and she just let his leash drag on the ground behind him. That way, if Animal Control happened by, she could reach down and pick it up, but he otherwise could walk with her with no leash needed, really!

[Kewll0ser]

Thats exactly what my mom needs to hear ! Everytime I bring up the subject of a chihuahua its always "Oh, why do you want a chihuahua out of all dogs? They're so nasty. They're always biting someone. You see how BooBoo is. And the dog whisperer. The majority of dogs on there are chihuahuas."

[RipplingWaves55]

Thats exactly what my mom needs to hear ! Everytime I bring up the subject of a chihuahua its always "Oh, why do you want a chihuahua out of all dogs? They're so nasty. They're always biting someone. You see how BooBoo is. And the dog whisperer. The majority of dogs on there are chihuahuas."

Lol. My mom is TOTALLY like that. I mention pomeranian in a sentence and she ssays THEY BITE PEOPLE. I mention Chihuahua in a sentence and my brother says THEY YIP TOO MUCH

[Yorkie Lover]

Well, from good experience I have found that Yorkies are really sweet snuggle bugs and love toys and people and all that but... They bark a whole lot.

[Taz_Zoee]

There are some chihuahua owners here that can give you some insight. I know Chopper and Ryleighs mom (WELOVESPUPPIES) can tell you about her experiences.
And Mister, and Daisy and Delilah....am I missing anyone??

Chihuahua's do have a bad rep. But it all depends on the owner. And your mom should see that in the Dog Whisperer shows. It's not the dog but the owner that allows the dog to act that way. People think - oh their so little they can do no wrong. And spoil them to the point that they become nippers or yippers.

[Kewll0ser]

Lol. My mom is TOTALLY like that. I mention pomeranian in a sentence and she ssays THEY BITE PEOPLE. I mention Chihuahua in a sentence and my brother says THEY YIP TOO MUCH

Exactly ! And then I used to have a Lhasa Apso named Bandit and because he was food agressive bit alot , we had to give him up to a friend who had experience with agressive dogs and could better take care of him and make him happier and not constantly live in fear. I hear now that hes much better and could even eat with people touching him. (He was food agressive because the group we rescued him from had to take him from a BYB in which he was in a cage with many other dogs who tried to steal his food, so he had to fight to get food.)

So with the mention of any small dog she just looks at me and says "You see how Bandit was. It's the small dogs. Butto is the nicest dog ever, and shes big and mixed." And I'm like "Size has nothing to do with the dog, its the owner. You see where Bandit came from." And its a ongoing arguement from there with no prevail.

[Daisy and Delilah]

I need to say one more thing.

Delilah is an "oversized" Chihuahua. She's about twice her sister's size. Maybe your Mom would go more for a bigger Chi than no Chi at all?? Just a thought.

[IRescue452]

I don't have chihuahuas, but there are 5 between two of my aunts. One aunt has 4, the other has 1.

One of them is the sweetest little dog ever. Always wagging tail and licking at anybody he can. Not the least bit barky. He doesn't fit the mold for the rest of this aunt's unsocialized dogs.

One barks at everybody in sight besides her owners. She'll nip if you try to pick her up, but once you have her, she'll melt in your hands. I pick her up everytime she barks at me in attempt to show her I'm not going to hurt her.

I haven't had much interaction with the other two in this house but they bark bark bark and run to hide just like their mother above.

The last one is protective and a barker. He likes people a lot, unless he's being held by somebody. You can't reach over to pet him while he's being held. My aunt is working on socialization.

All five were pretty easily trained though and are able to be walked offleash.

[Kewll0ser]

Thanks everyone ! I'll be sure to show my mom this. I'll try to convince her that its the owner that is responsible for the nipping. I know why BooBoo nips: my aunt spoils him to death. Everytime he nips someone she just grabs him, puts him on her lap and pets him. Basically encouraging an unstable mind.

I'll also tell her about the 'oversized' chihuahua. Maybe that one will encourage her.

[shepgirl]

I was so surprised to read your post about nasty Chihuahuas. I've got tons of friends or neighbours who have a couple each or even just one and they are the sweetest ,most cuddly little dogs . I've actually never seen a nasty Chihuahua, that's why your post surprised me. I've seen some that thought they were huge and macho and would bark to warn someone was at the door but as soon as you go in they beg to be petted.

[Catlady711]

While I'm certainly no expert on Chi's (never owned one, nor does any of my family/friends), however I have seen alot of them at work.

Yes the owner does make alot of difference.

One thing we've all noticed is that the long haired Chi's tend to be a bit calmer and more loving. Now that could be that the good owners chose that particular kind of Chi, but we have yet to see a nasty long haired Chi.

[Nke]

I have a short hair and two long hair chihuahuas. Only one of them has bitten someone and it was only because they were tormenting him. He hasn't bit anyone since. The other two are sweet and always want to lay in your lap, any lap actually. They only nip at each other. A lot of it is in how it's raised. If you train them to be bitey and all, they will be. But if you want them to be normal, then don't be afraid to correct them. If you "soothe' them while something is going on, you're actually reinforcing that behavior. Good luck with it!

[Bella_Sadie_Hailey]

I have two Chihuahuas! Bella is a three year old chihuahua she is aggressive she doesn't like strangers or other animals. She hates when someone comes to me or to the house even if they walk in the street. But just because some chihuahuas are mean doesn't mean they are ALL mean!! Sadie is a 1 year old Chihuahua and she is so very sweet she doesn't know a stranger she is a lap dog she is about 2 pounds. Chihuahuas are very smart they learn fast. Sadie loves people and all animals, she is a little scared of big dogs but thats because she is so small. It depends on where you get the chihuahua how is was raised when with the breeder and you have to take it out and meet other people and dogs all the time. YOu have to train it well or it'll have a chance of being aggressive when older. I also have a doberman and the chihuahuas love her. (sadie and bella we not bought from the same people.)
Hope i helped!
Good luck!