As a dog lover, everyone can agree that all dogs are loving and friendly but, if you’ve ever encountered a Chihuahua, you must have wondered to yourself: why are Chihuahuas so mean? Well lucky for you, there’s a perfect series of facts that will answer the question: why are Chihuahuas so aggressive?
According to a study in canine aggression, it’s been proven that Chihuahuas are way more aggressive than Pitbulls. If you’ve ever seen a Chihuahua in real life, you must’ve noticed how they are way more aggressive than other dogs, even towards their owner.
And the aggression Chihuahuas express towards the people around them sometimes result in attempts to bite, or sometimes, straight-up bite.
But there’s nothing to worry about since there are ways to stop your little buddy from hurting himself and others. Below you’ll be reading about some reasons that will answer the question: why are Chihuahuas so angry? Also know some ways that can help you stop an aggressive Chihuahua.
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Why Are Chihuahuas So Mean? A Complete Guide
Below you’ll be reading the reasons that explain aggressive Chihuahua behavior, and some really good tips to stop such behavior.
Make sure to remember everything you read, so that the next time you’re dealing with an aggressive Chihuahua, at least you’ll know your way around it.
Territorial Aggression
Chihuahuas have something called territorial aggression, this is mostly an instinct, territorial aggression makes your Chihuahua overprotective towards its belongings, like its house, toys, food, treats, or even its owner.
Rather, if you’ve been lucky enough to spend some time with a Chihuahua, you must know how Chihuahuas are significantly more defensive than they are friendly.
Good for you, there are several warning signs you can look out for when you’re spending some time with your cute little aggressive Chihuahua. Take a look at the following signs to stay prepared when dealing with a Chihuahua:
- Growling (high-pitched sound).
- Stiff posture (they are confident that they’ll take you down).
- Showing their teeth (they’ll bite you off if you don’t back off).
- Nose punches (Chihuahuas punch just like humans do, but with its nose).
- No wagging (when your Chihuahua is upset, its tail will stop wagging).
So the next time you ask yourself: why are Chihuahuas so mean? You may want to step aside from the toys your Chihuahua is trying to protect from you. Fun fact, if your Chihuahua doesn’t let your friends touch you, it’s because it does not trust your friends.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Just like humans, dogs also have PTSD. If your Chihuahua has been abused before, or your little friend has been traumatized, they will remember those experiences and get aggressive and cranky. In that case you should ideally seek help from a veterinary behavioralist. Pet owners seeking this care may wish to reference the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior’s directory.
That is why it is very important to always check in with the previous owners before adopting a pet because you never know what your pet has been through and what kind of love and attention it needs from you.
When you’re adopting, dig up your pet’s previous records and make sure that you know about every trigger of your aggressive Chihuahua so you can get rid of them. And the next time someone asks you: are Chihuahuas aggressive, don’t forget to tell them that it’s nothing but PTSD!
Also read:
- Facts About Deer Head Chihuahua Mix Dogs That’ll Leave You Amazed
- Chihuahua Bite Force: Hidden Facts You Need to Know
New Faces
As most of you already know, dogs have the emotional capacity of a toddler. They are extremely sensitive. Meeting new people can sometimes be overwhelming for your Chihuahua and can result in aggressive behavior.
When your Chihuahua feels intimidated by another person, it will try to repel that person by expressing their aggression. And frankly speaking, in some cases, the Chihuahua is just trying to tell you that it’s better than you. However, nothing is impossible. The next time you find yourself asking: why are Chihuahuas so mean? Remember that all you need to do is expose your Chihuahua to new faces, let them play with their other dog friends, and that’s it!
When your aggressive Chihuahua realizes that the people around it are safe, it will slowly start trusting you and you’ll definitely see that they are less aggressive.
Constant Change of Environment
As it’s been already mentioned above, a Chihuahua is an extremely territorial dog, this means that a Chihuahua’s top priority is its security.
However, when you move around frequently, or even constant change of residence can make your Chihuahua cranky. To feel safe, a Chihuahua needs to get used to the new smells, new faces, and new voices around it. The constant change of environment will deprive your Chihuahua of this and your little buddy will make sure that it makes you ask yourself: why are Chihuahuas so mean?
But, there is a way of solving this issue as well. You can start by training your aggressive Chihuahua.
This will help a lot because your Chihuahua is just looking for a space where he can feel completely safe and comfortable. Being in a crate will ensure your Chihuahua that it’s safe and that little cutie will stay calm during travels or other situations.
Dominant Attitude
It’s no secret that Chihuahuas are very courageous dogs, and they love to express their dominance over other people, as well as dogs. In simpler words, they are bullies.
This means that these little naughty angels prey on submissive people and animals. If they feel like you’re bowing to them, they will assert their dominance even more. However, this personality can be easily handled, if done the right way.
All you need to do is learn to say no to your pet dog without feeling bad about it. Even though they’re cute and it’s hard to say no to them, you should learn to be firm and tell them that you’re the boss.
Ending Note
Just because Chihuahuas have some behavior issues, doesn’t mean they’re not good dogs. They are adorable and deserve to be loved just like other breeds of dogs.
Because Chihuahuas are not so common, there is a lack of awareness and a lot of myths regarding these sweethearts. So if you even find someone asking: why are Chihuahuas so mean? Make sure to tell them that they’re not. It’s just a temporary issue that can be fixed over time.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: What Is The Main Cause Behind A Chihuahua’s Aggression?
A: The main cause behind an aggressive Chihuahua is fear, or not feeling safe. If it sees something unusual for the first time, it will be scared until it gets used to it, and as long as it’s scared, it will stay aggressive.
Q: How Can You Prevent Aggressive Behavior In Baby Chihuahuas?
A: One of the best things you can do to your puppy Chihuahua is to socialize. When Chihuahuas are puppies, they are more curious than they are afraid. So if they start socializing from puppyhood, they’ll get used to it and won’t be that aggressive when they grow up.
Q: How To Handle Chihuahuas Who Already Have Aggressive Tendencies?
A: Disciplining an aggressive Chihuahua is not impossible. Of course, it is not easy, but if done the right way, it is possible. One thing you need to remember along the way is always treat your Chihuahua with patience, as well as caution. And you’ll be just fine.