Jack is a 3 year old Chihuahua that I adopted approximately 4 weeks ago from a local animal rescue. He and my other dog, Twiggy, also a rescued Chihuahua I adopted in September, have adapted to having me as their pack leader fairly well. Jack is still adjusting as he has not been in the house as long as Twiggy. I am familiar with the Chihuahua breed and know that they often pick one person to have as their "owner" and can get snippy with anyone else. This description fits Jack to a T.
My mother lives with me in my home. When she approaches me and Jack is on my lap, he has snapped at her. He doesnt' react this way all of the time but he will rear back at her sometimes too. If Jack is in his crate and she approaches the crate, he growls at her. I have taken to removing Jack from the situation when he snaps at her as I am holding him. I place him in the bathroom for approximately 5 minutes as a "time out" and then bring him back into the living room. Do any of you have other suggestions? Should she be the one that removes him from the situation to show him that she has control of the situation? I am responsible for the training that goes on in the house. When Jack snaps at Mom she walks away from him telling me that she was just trying to be nice to him and he just won't let her be nice or even pet him. I have encouraged her to speak with him in a soft calming voice and tell him good boy when they are together in the same room so that he associates her with GOOD things. He will wait for her to put a treat down on the floor and wait for her to walk away and then he will eat it. This makes me feel as though he is fearful of her. Any suggestions on how to help this? I don't see this as aggression, I really feel that he's fearful of Mom and just doesn't know how to handle it. I don't want to coddle him and go awww it's OK Jack because I feel it's teaching him that it's OK for him to snap at mom or other guests who come to the home. Luckily, we don't have much company at this time and she is the only one that he's snapped at. I want to nip this in the bud before it becomes an even bigger issue. I appreciate any advice you might have on this issue.
