I admit I am an overprotective Mom, some of which is my bad experience with large dogs/vs small dogs, and some is just size specific. If you have a large dog playing with a 3 or 4 lb dog, or even living with a large dog, the chances of the tiny getting hurt inadvertantly is so much larger. I won't even take mine over my Sons because he has big dogs..They could step on them or whatever and there is a broken leg or trashed knee and pain and money down the drain. Just not worth it. My gfs Maltese is a rough and ready 7 lbs and Tino less than half that. When they play they are intently supervised by both Moms and broken up when we get nervous which is a lot. lol..
From: Peggy & The Girls <[email protected]>
To: [email protected]
Sent: Tuesday, April 10, 2012 11:27 PM
Subject: Re: [Chihuahuas] Sad Day--- Dogs Communicating
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I think their strong self confidence and fearless attitude towards other animals has a lot to do with it, plus the fact when a chi lowers itself to the ground and scurry's it can look like a rat to a larger dog. So their size is a perfect target too.
One time when I was walking the girls, we were passing a fenced yard where a small shih-tzu and a poodle/mix were fence aggressive. The one stopped barking and made gestures to play with Gigi, where the other only became more agitated as we got closer to the fence. Gigi pulled me toward the nasty one and mad gestures with her paw on the fence and wanted to be friends with him. She could have chosen the calm dog, but I have come to the conclusion that chis can't understand why another dog doesn't want to be friends, and be calm and as assertive as they are. Princess stayed her distant and at one point nudged Gigi to get away. Usually, Princess would chime in with the aggressive barking mode, if she is confronted, but this time she was out to protect Gigi, even though a fence separated all of them.
When I first got Gigi I thought that Princess would be the alpha, because of her sometimes aggressive prey drive. I have to admit I was a bit nervous when I brought Gigi home. Boy was I wrong, lol! Up until this past month, all Gigi had to do was sit and stare at Princess, and Princess would give her anything she wanted, beds, toys, bones, including her dish filled with dinner. Then Princess would come to me and whine, begging me to get it back for her. For a long while I did that because I felt bad for Princess, since Gigi had claimed all the beds in the house and everything else. Gigi does it in such a calm manner too that I am in awe how such a tiny dog manages to always get her own way, just by sitting and staring. She never growls, or shows any aggression what so ever and yet she wins every time.
About a month ago, I decided to stop interfering with them and told Princess she is going to have to work it out with her fur sister. A couple of times when Gigi went to steal Princess dinner, Princess gave her a low soft growl, and I didn't interfere. Another time, Gigi went to take a toy out of Princess mouth and in the past Princess would let her, this time she again gave Gigi a low soft growl. Both times I ignored it and Gigi got the message, I had to crack up laughing because now it was Gigi who came whining to me. Too funny!
Now yesterday and today, I noticed, that when Gigi wants the living room doggie chair and sits and stares at Princess, Princess is holding her ground, and will just lift her head high enough and turn it sideways, saying to Gigi, I am ignoring your demands and your not getting the chair! Gigi, has actually given in and walked away! After almost two years, the role is changing and Princess is taking her place again. I love to watch and study them as they communicate with each other. It is so awesome! I noticed that when Gigi does that sit and stare routine, her stance is always the same.....ears are straight up and very alert, front legs are straight and stiff and out to the side a bit and she never bats an eye!
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I wonder if its in their attitudes!!! No Chi I have ever had has been afraid of a thing...my Myrtle...as Diva as she is, can keep a 65 lb GSD pup in his place! She has totally taught him how to behave around small dogs!!! He even walks different around her...she puts up with nothing! I have had 7 Chis in my lifetime...all have been the same...fearless...smart...and no nonsense type of dogs! Maybe they just exude a challenge...and a dog that doesn’t know one...have a relationship with one...might just see it as a fight! That being said...you guys need to know I never mix my littles and my Bigguns unless I am RIGHT there and tuned in! Everyone loves each other but Im taking NO chances...Myrtle is 4lbs...Mouse is 5...it could happen in a second...even just rough play. SO...I am ALWAYS there!!! And...as much as I love Maxine our Pit??? I would NEVER let her be with the littles...even with me right there!! She has small prey aggression...not towards
people...but towards dogs and cats or any other animal smaller than her! She is an amazing dog but I know her...and most pits have a high prey drive! And...they are silent about it...never a warning...just an attack. She stays completely separated at all times!...in a different location and double fenced in my son’s part of the house. I am all for Pitts...don’t get me wrong...GREAT dogs!!! Just not with smaller dogs!!!
In the dog park!
Deanna
Me either but they do love to savage our babies..
From: Peggy & The Girls <[email protected]> To: [email protected] Sent: Tuesday, April 10, 2012 4:08 PM Subject: Re: [Chihuahuas] Sad day!!
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