Biting chihuahua

My chihuahua lucy is 8 months old and is a lover until recently. I take her to my store with me ( she is my shop dog). she normally loves people but recently she has been snapping at people and she has bit my husband twice. I want to continue to bring her to work but I can't have her biting my customers. people come in just to see her. one day shes a lover and the next a biter. lucy and I would greatly appreciate your input and advice.

Thank you

Joyce (lucy lover)

Here's the deal...(and this seems to be something common in these small dogs that get carried around)...YOU have become HER possession...so in a way, it IS dominant behavior...(aren't you glad she's not a Rotweiller?? )

So...it's you, and only you who can correct this behavior...Since she's so young, she's 'testing' her dominance, so it's a great time to start teaching her...'No...you, little one, are MY possession, not the other way around'.

Your goal is to learn to 'read' her... and catch her BEFORE she snaps. If you watch her, you'll see her eyes change, feel her body tense, her ears will either go straight up, or go flat back...THAT'S the moment you say NO Lucy!!...say it gruffly and low toned voiced (you don't need to yell)...then set her on the floor...ignore her if she wants back up...Do you think your husband might help you with this? Or maybe a friend? It'd be safer than waiting for a customer to come in... What this is teaching her is that YOU control the situation, not her...YOU are the alpha, not her.

Also, when you sit on the couch, don't let her 'decide' to get up with you...she needs to ask permission, just as if she was in a real 'pack'...If she jumps up on her own, push her off (not hard, maybe just lift and sit her on the floor)...Say NO...do that till she's sitting there looking at you wondering what her next move should be. Once she stays down...give it a couple of minutes...then 'invite' her.

You've got to be consistant with both your vigelence when other people are around, and over the couch (the bed works the same way...invitation ONLY)...I'll bet in a week, she's a different dog.

phrannie

u could try buying a tug-o-war rope or a bunch of chew toys.

Take Lucy to a dog trainer.
He/she can teach her to stop biting.
I know PetMart has dog trainers.

idkk when this starts or ends..
but maybe she is teething again?
Or losing teeth?
Chew toys might help.

she's becoming dominate

shes defending you because she loves you and doesn't know what to expect of people. buy her chew toys and if she is still barking tell her in a firm voice no and smack her but firmly it works.

show lucy who is the boss you need to be the alpha in the family she is lower I love dogs but when a dog buckes up you need to put in place my uncle is a dog breeder