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Dog Experts

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I am generally the first to rush to animals' defense in threads where people mention being mean to animals, but I don't think Nebor's actions constituted abuse. He was protecting himself. Any dog that is ATTACKING its owner needs to be dealt with immediately. Obviously, hurting the dog isn't high on the list of optimal ways to deal with it, but in a wolf pack, Apollo would have been killed by the alpha wolf for pulling a stunt like that. Being tossed away is getting off pretty easy. Ideally, you would roll the dog on its back and hold it by the neck until it stopped struggling. That sends a strong message that you are in control but you have chosen not to kill it, so it should trust you and obey you.

Apollo obviously had some abuse in his past, or he wouldn't have lost his mind like that. He may also have been abused by an aggressive dog in the house. Many people who get Chihuahuas also get Pit Bulls, for some reason I'll never understand. The peeing and pooping after you tossed him was definitely indicative of extreme fear, beyond what actually transpired with you. The general loss of potty training may also be because he is afraid, or because he no longer feels comfortable in the home. It's not his den anymore, it belongs to that scary new puppy. So if its not his den, why shouldn't he poop in it?

I think you should go through training with Apollo again, this time with the puppy there along with him. Dogs don't always translate training to new contexts, and he needs to relearn the commands in this "new" environment of there being another dog.

Good luck.
 
Originally posted by: thomsbrain
I am generally the first to rush to animals' defense in threads where people mention being mean to animals, but I don't think Nebor's actions constituted abuse. He was protecting himself. Any dog that is ATTACKING its owner needs to be dealt with immediately. Obviously, hurting the dog isn't high on the list of optimal ways to deal with it, but in a wolf pack, Apollo would have been killed by the alpha wolf for pulling a stunt like that. Being tossed away is getting off pretty easy. Ideally, you would roll the dog on its back and hold it by the neck until it stopped struggling. That sends a strong message that you are in control but you have chosen not to kill it, so it should trust you and obey you.

Apollo obviously had some abuse in his past, or he wouldn't have lost his mind like that. He may also have been abused by an aggressive dog in the house. Many people who get Chihuahuas also get Pit Bulls, for some reason I'll never understand. The peeing and pooping after you tossed him was definitely indicative of extreme fear, beyond what actually transpired with you. The general loss of potty training may also be because he is afraid, or because he no longer feels comfortable in the home. It's not his den anymore, it belongs to that scary new puppy. So if its not his den, why shouldn't he poop in it?

I think you should go through training with Apollo again, this time with the puppy there along with him. Dogs don't always translate training to new contexts, and he needs to relearn the commands in this "new" environment of there being another dog.

Good luck.

Thanks for not jumping on me like everyone else. They were making me out to be some horrible dog abusing monster, instead of someone who's saved pets from shelters and given them happy homes his whole life.

I had wanted to take Zeus to training with Apollo as soon as we got him, but he 1) wasn't old enough to go to training back then and 2) still isn't old enough to get the rest of his shots that he needs to go to training.

Now Apollo smells like pee cause he wizzed all over himself. I want to give him a bath so he doesn't get his bed all gross, but I'm afraid he hates me enough for today. 🙁
 
bah. you fail at teh dogs.

A)
Chihuahua do not deserve to live.
But your's does, and you shouldn't punish him because you don't understand him.
He doesn't get along with your puppy. You shouldn't have gotten a puppy unless you'd tested them together first, especially not an ornery terrier. All terriers are ornery. But your girlfriend brought one home. I was unfortunate enough to pick a fiancee with a yorkie, and she loves to try to kick our Great Dane's ass. ORNERY LITTLE CUSSES. but cute

B) Deal with it. They'll be fine with each other, it's been two damn weeks. If you are in any way a responsible pet owner, you're going to have both of these dogs for another decade plus. They are going to sort each other out. Pack dynamics have changed and you'll probably be training your chihuahuahuahua again. He's not an older dog, he's 1.5, he's a 13 year old human kid.

A chihuahua bit me on the ass and drew blood. I hate the damn egotistical, frail, small minded moronic dogs, but you don't need to get rid of him because he isn't adjusting well after two weeks. Give it two years, then you'll have 13 more pleasant ones.

Don't fucking throw him into a wall, throw him onto a bed. Cats are the only creatures that are acceptable to throw.
 
Originally posted by: Nebor
Originally posted by: thomsbrain
I am generally the first to rush to animals' defense in threads where people mention being mean to animals, but I don't think Nebor's actions constituted abuse. He was protecting himself. Any dog that is ATTACKING its owner needs to be dealt with immediately. Obviously, hurting the dog isn't high on the list of optimal ways to deal with it, but in a wolf pack, Apollo would have been killed by the alpha wolf for pulling a stunt like that. Being tossed away is getting off pretty easy. Ideally, you would roll the dog on its back and hold it by the neck until it stopped struggling. That sends a strong message that you are in control but you have chosen not to kill it, so it should trust you and obey you.

Apollo obviously had some abuse in his past, or he wouldn't have lost his mind like that. He may also have been abused by an aggressive dog in the house. Many people who get Chihuahuas also get Pit Bulls, for some reason I'll never understand. The peeing and pooping after you tossed him was definitely indicative of extreme fear, beyond what actually transpired with you. The general loss of potty training may also be because he is afraid, or because he no longer feels comfortable in the home. It's not his den anymore, it belongs to that scary new puppy. So if its not his den, why shouldn't he poop in it?

I think you should go through training with Apollo again, this time with the puppy there along with him. Dogs don't always translate training to new contexts, and he needs to relearn the commands in this "new" environment of there being another dog.

Good luck.

Thanks for not jumping on me like everyone else. They were making me out to be some horrible dog abusing monster, instead of someone who's saved pets from shelters and given them happy homes his whole life.

I had wanted to take Zeus to training with Apollo as soon as we got him, but he 1) wasn't old enough to go to training back then and 2) still isn't old enough to get the rest of his shots that he needs to go to training.

Now Apollo smells like pee cause he wizzed all over himself. I want to give him a bath so he doesn't get his bed all gross, but I'm afraid he hates me enough for today. 🙁

When my dog got really sick and made a huge mess in his crate and on himself, I washed him really gently and cleaned up his crate really well, and he was SO happy and grateful, I thought he'd never stop licking me.
 
Usually the older dog will think the new pup is "his" dog, and bond. Give it time, they will be the best of friends.

BYW, you're name isnt Ellen is it? :Q
 
You need to be the alpha. An alpha would NEVER throw a dog. Your dog did not understand what happened. If anything you would want to put the dog into a submissive position.

There is never any reason to yell or be physically abusive. You aren't dealing with a human that will understand any of that. You need to treat your dog like a dog. You need to treat the dog in a way that it understands. That means you being a strong consistent balanced leader. You need to correct any inappropriate behaviors at the same level of the behavior. So a dog that isn't paying atttention, you need to get their attention. If the dog bites you in alpha aggression then you need to put the dog in a submissive position.

The question is, was the dog biting because of fearful aggression or alpha aggression. If it is fearful, you are going to have your hands full because making the dog submissive will do nothing for you.
 
Originally posted by: Nebor
Originally posted by: lizardth
I would say contact your obedience instructor (unless it was petsmart) They are ofter well versed in animal behavior or can put you in touch with someone who is. My guess is that there is something going on between the 2 dogs that you are not picking up on. Or even your behavior towards the older dog has changed in some subtle way. Is the older dog neutered? Is the younger dog a male or female? Is it spayed/neutered? There could be lots of reasons for the behavior change. Don't give up on your doggy! Also something to keep in mind I noticed from what you typed you said the older dog should be alpha. YOU should always be the alpha with your dogs. As for who is in charge between the 2 dogs, just like people some dogs just aren't good leaders young or old. Just don't give up!

They are both males, both neutered before we got them.

Yes, I am the alpha with the dogs, I've read up on all of that. I'm always the first one out the door, I always eat first and then feed them, etc.
Neutered at 9 weeks? Isn't that too young?

 
Originally posted by: mooglemania85
Originally posted by: Nebor
This resulted in him getting thrown across the room and striking the wall about 4 feet off the ground.

nice job
/sarcasm

Nebor you need to get rid of the dog if you can't keep yourself from abusing him. What a piece of sh!t.. and you actually think this is OK? He's a dog. He does stupid stuff because he doesn't know any better. You made the decision to throw him into the wall despite your enormous brain.
 
Originally posted by: Izzo
Originally posted by: Nebor
Originally posted by: lizardth
I would say contact your obedience instructor (unless it was petsmart) They are ofter well versed in animal behavior or can put you in touch with someone who is. My guess is that there is something going on between the 2 dogs that you are not picking up on. Or even your behavior towards the older dog has changed in some subtle way. Is the older dog neutered? Is the younger dog a male or female? Is it spayed/neutered? There could be lots of reasons for the behavior change. Don't give up on your doggy! Also something to keep in mind I noticed from what you typed you said the older dog should be alpha. YOU should always be the alpha with your dogs. As for who is in charge between the 2 dogs, just like people some dogs just aren't good leaders young or old. Just don't give up!

They are both males, both neutered before we got them.

Yes, I am the alpha with the dogs, I've read up on all of that. I'm always the first one out the door, I always eat first and then feed them, etc.
Neutered at 9 weeks? Isn't that too young?

Nope. They usually put a tatoo on the crotch of dogs that young to identify that its been done as well.
 
Originally posted by: MrChad
You have a girlfriend? 😕

Well, she started off as my boyfriend's girlfriend, but now she's mine too. 😛

And it's not actually a tattoo that shows they're neutered, it's an interior stitch, from what I understand.

Anyway, I went to the vet today and explained everything. He said to refrain from throwing the dog if at all possible, and instead in that situation attempt to grab him by the throat, choke him and hold him to the ground.

He also recommended an electric shock collar for obedience compliance. I've been reading reviews on Amazon all day.
 
Originally posted by: compuwiz1
I don't really think your losing control and hurtling the dog against the wall is gonna make this turn out too well. You should probably give up having a pet altogether. Those actions are unacceptable.

:thumbsup:
 
First of all, you got Zeus from the pound in the first place... why put him down? He was fine without the other dog, if you don't want him anymore, give him up to the pound. Someone else will give him the care he obviously needs.

He's obviously not the alpha and feels you don't want him anymore. Either make him feel wanted again or give him to someone else that can.
 
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