Hi there,

I have a mature Chihuahua (age unknown, but he has some gray on his face) I was fostering for a breed rescue group, who I wasn\’t able to find an adoptive family for, so I kept him. Before he entered the rescue program he was a stray dog, we think abandoned. I have him now for about 6 years.

Sammy\’s \”issue\” is movement. If anyone other than me moves (gets up from sitting, walks around the house, etc.) he has an absolute fit. He never bites, but he charges the moving person, hysterically barking his shrill bark the entire time. I have two other dogs, and they look at Sammy like he\’s insane, when he does this. Even they can\’t believe his behavior. If the other dogs get up follow the moving person, Sammy has a fit too.

This behavior is worst in the evening, after dinner. As the night goes on, Sammy is less likely to have a \”moving fit\”.

We\’ve tried holding Sammy down firmly but gently, releasing him only when he relaxes.  Exiting the room backwards while keeping eye contact with Sammy, and squirting Sammy with water while saying \”Quiet\”, but nothing breaks him of this habit.

Sammy is really attached to me. If he\’s a \”one person dog\”, then I\’m the person. Should I be the one to be disciplining him, or should the person he\’s charging at during the \”moving fit\” be the one to offer a correction? Sammy is fine when I\’m the only person that\’s home. If I leave the house, but other people are home, he\’s fine too. I seem to be the catalyst for the problem!

Any info or suggestions you could offer would be greatly appreciated. Aside from this really odd habit, Sammy is a sweet little dog.

Thank you for your help,

Patti

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Hello Patti!

Thank you for being a foster parent and then stepping up even further to adopt and bring him into your “forever” family!  I know it isn’t easy and I appreciate people like you in the world!  We can improve dog’s lives, one dog at a time!

It sounds like Sammy is “protecting” you, because this behavior only happens when you are around.  This type of protection can be very stressful for him as well as dangerous if it were to lead to a bite, so it is great that you are looking for a way to change the behavior. 

Protective Aggression is the defense of something of value.  In this case, you are the object of value.  Protective aggression is often a result of anxiety, so it is important to first rule out physical causes with your Veterinarian.  Your mention of the behavior being worse after dinner also makes me pause and wonder about Sammy’s hormone levels, or even possibly pain levels in the evening.  I would definitely talk with your Vet about these details specifically.  Also make sure to neuter your dog if you haven’t already, as intact dogs can be more aggressive. 

Punishment of this type of behavior can cause the aggression to get worse.  The best idea is to try to change the way the dog perceives the threat to lower their anxiety about the threat (in this case the threat is other people moving near you). 

Here are a few things to try:

1. It looks as though your dog has determined that he has to be your leader and take care of you.  The responsibility of taking care of you every minute you are around is very stressful and will age him quickly.  If you begin some positive obedience training with him on a daily basis he will feel happier because he will understand that you are leader and he can be taken care of by you and not have to “protect you” and be on constant guard of you.  Can you imagine how stressful that would be to be on guard of someone and worried about every movement nearby? 
2. Start allowing affection between you and your dog only on your terms.  If he jumps onto your lap for example, stand up and don’t look at him or pet him.  Now YOU can give him attention or invite him on your lap on your terms, not his.  The idea is that you start to set some limits with his attachment to you as well as establishing your leadership. 
3. Give your friends and family treats and practice having them give your dog treats just before they get up and again when they stand up and begin to walk away.  So your dog starts to associate their movement with a treat, instead of it being a negative it will turn into a positive. 
4. Make sure he does NOT get a treat or attention during his “fits”.  Do not look at him, touch him, or talk to him during a fit or you will be in turn rewarding the bad behavior.
5. Try to relax because you probably tense up during the process because you anticipate it and that can cause further anxiety in your dog.  Do everything you can to relax, take a deep breath, and close your eyes, whatever it takes to stop signaling anything to your dog.
6. Be consistent.  If you work on this with every visitor right now there is a good chance you can change the behavior.  For new visitors you can first have him meet them outside on a walk before bringing them inside together. 
7. You can do it!!  I know you can!!

As with any form of aggression it is important to be careful, especially around children.  If you are concerned with the behavior leading to a bite then keep him behind a baby gate that he can see through during your visits.

Best of luck!  Let me know how it turns out!  If you have any further questions don’t hesitate to let me know.

Julie