How to Get Your Chihuahua Rat Terrier to Stop Biting

Chihuahua dogs are one of the smallest of the toy breeds.

The Chihuahua rat terrier is a mixed-breed dog that is a cross between a full Chihuahua and rat terrier. Chihuahua mixes weigh less than 10 pounds, but they can be nippy toward children and even possessive of their owners. No dog should be allowed or encouraged to bite, regardless of its size. A multiple-layered approach to obedience is necessary to train a biting or nipping Chihuahua rat terrier not to do so.

Things You'll Need

• Dog chew toys
• Low-fat dog treats

Instructions

1. Spay or neuter your dog to discourage aggressive or territorial behaviors.

2. Socialize your dog with other dogs, pets and people. This reduces anxiety and decreases the chances of biting.

3. Refrain from allowing the dog to chew or nibble on your hands. This reinforces that your hands are not chew toys.

4. Leave the room when your Chihuahua begins to bite or play aggressively. This teaches the dog that playtime ends when biting begins.

5. Yelp loudly when your dog nips or bites at you and quickly place a toy in your dog’s mouth when he releases your hand. This replicates a littermate yelp, which tells the dog that nipping or chewing on your hand hurts you.

6. Refrain from aggressive play such as tug-of-war or playfully “siccing” your dog on another person. This teaches that aggression toward humans is OK.

7. Encourage family members to be consistent with playtime rules. This reinforces that biting is not OK with anyone.

8. Train your dog by offering treats and verbal praise when it chooses to chew and play with its own toys. This reinforces good chewing behaviors.

9. Consider enrolling your Chihuahua in obedience school. A well-trained canine is a worthy investment of your time, no matter how small or big the breed.

10. Seek out professional obedience trainers for assistance with highly aggressive or territorial dogs.

Tips & Warnings

• The more consistent you are with rules, commands and treats, the quicker your dog learns it is OK only to chew on toys.

• Use toys to keep your dog focused on chewable items during playtime to encourage good chewing behaviors.

• Crate your dog when company comes over if your dog has a tendency to nip at people coming in the door.

• Do not invite your dog to bite by waiving your hand in front of a puppy during playtime.

• Never give an aggressive or nipping dog away; consider rescues and shelters where the dog can receive behavioral training before being adopted.

• Not all dogs learn at the same pace. Never hit, yell or spank a dog for bad behavior; this type of treatment causes the dog to be less trustful of you.

References

• Small Breed Dogs: Rat Terrier Chihuahua
• Doctors Foster and Smith: Biting: Causes, Prevention, and Control
• Pet Education: Puppy Biting & Nipping of Hands