Introducing a new dog to the pack. Having behavior problems.... Halp?

[Snapdragon]

For about 4-5 years, we have had Daisy and Cocoa, Chihuahua mixes. A couple of months ago, we adopted Penny, a 6-lb Chihuahua, from the pound. She had a sketchy, possibly abusive past and we thought we could give her a good home while adding to the pack.

For the first month, everything was fine. Cocoa and Penny slept on my bed, something previously reserved for Cocoa. When I was watching TV, both would jump on my lap and there were no problems. Suddenly a couple of weeks ago, when Penny was on my lap, there were little low growls, followed by both dogs going full Cujo--snarling, biting, etc. Once in this mode, all I can do is restrain them. This has also happened on my bed. Once one starts growling, it escalates quickly. It happens 2-3 times a day, and I'm afraid Cocoa will hurt Penny. He's 15 lbs and she is 6 lbs.

It's clear that Cocoa does not want to "share" me with Penny, and vice versa. Penny will growl if Cocoa gets too close.

I'm not sure what to do. I will not re-home any of them. I just have to figure out a way to deal with it. So far, I've just been grabbing Penny and keeping them separated while yelling "No!" over and over. Doesn't seem to be working. I have considered "time out" for both of them in a crate, but I'm not sure it will help.

Halp? Any ideas?

 

[Rookie]

Here's some tough love...
They are trying to establish who is in charge because it's not you. You need to make them realize that you are in control or they will continue until one submits to the other. Put a stop to it. No one is allowed on your lap unless you give permission. Any dominant actions by either dog needs to be dealt with by a more dominant you.

 

[Snapdragon]

Here's some tough love...
They are trying to establish who is in charge because it's not you. You need to make them realize that you are in control or they will continue until one submits to the other. Put a stop to it. No one is allowed on your lap unless you give permission. Any dominant actions by either dog needs to be dealt with by a more dominant you.

True, all true. Need to work on it. I swear, this is why I didn't have kids. It would have been a disaster.

 

[KokomoDave]

Esp if the kids are growling at each other.

 

[churchmouse]

Esp if the kids are growling at each other.

What….yours didn’t

 

[marvin02]

Esp if the kids are growling at each other.

With kids, all is ok if they are growling. When it gets completely quiet watch out, the explosion is next.

 

[yote hunter]

Tell them if they don’t behave you will call uncle CM .

 

[Shadow01]

You need to watch some cesar dog videos and learn to be calm assertive. You must become alpha to fix this issue.

 

[Gabriel]

Are you sure those are dogs?

 

[Snapdragon]

Are you sure those are dogs?

Waiting for the inevitable "rats" comment.

 

[DoggyDaddy]

Are you sure those are dogs?

We used to have a chihuahua, and I assure you it thought it was a dog. It used to run the fence with a pair of Rottweilers and I believe she had no idea that she wasn't as big as they were. We had 2 other medium sized dogs, but Sammy (the chihuahua) was the leader of the pack, without a doubt. They wouldn't be my first choice, but the little buggers have heart. Gotta give 'em that. Sammy lived to be 22 years old.

 

[MCgrease08]

Totally joking here and I will apply the appropriate purple font, but someone needs to say it since it's a thread about dogs ...

SSS

 

[Creedmoor]

Waiting for the inevitable "rats" comment.

Two of them are kinna chubby to be rats.

 

[foszoe]

Here's some tough love...
They are trying to establish who is in charge because it's not you. You need to make them realize that you are in control or they will continue until one submits to the other. Put a stop to it. No one is allowed on your lap unless you give permission. Any dominant actions by either dog needs to be dealt with by a more dominant you.

And don't let them on your bed. That's your den.

 

[foszoe]

You need to watch some cesar dog videos and learn to be calm assertive. You must become alpha to fix this issue.

And look for the classic books by the Monks of New Skete

 

[foszoe]

Our dog sleeps in the bed room but not on the bed. Before I was married dog did. BUT with multiple dogs, especially when possessiveness is an issue it's a no no.. must establish equality.

 

[snapping turtle]

Whenever I need to establish my reign over aggressive dogs I just lay on top of them till the growling or aggressive behavior stopped. Sometimes that may have been 10-15 minutes of laying on top of them. And this works. Chow chows pits GSD Doberman’s rat terriers and jRT.surprisingly the rat terriers and JRT we the ones that lasted the full 15 with a five minute calm and another 15. Most be napoleon syndrome. Never had to do two at once.

Only one GSP did not comply and even being well trained for bird hunting the aggressive behavior continued. Eventually I had to put him down as he bit me a few times and I could not have that.( I had kids) With what I payed for that dog, the bloodline and the training I had done. It was the most expensive animal I have ever owned. I think he was just twisted somehow. That dog would hunt birds like a blue ribbon champ.(his grandfather was) in the field he was great. Out of the field he was the devil in a dog suit.

 

[jerrob]

Here's some tough love...
They are trying to establish who is in charge because it's not you. You need to make them realize that you are in control or they will continue until one submits to the other. Put a stop to it. No one is allowed on your lap unless you give permission. Any dominant actions by either dog needs to be dealt with by a more dominant you.

^^^^^^
This.
Anything less will result in no behavioral change. You eat before them, you walk through doors before them, they are your subordinates.
Dogs crave structure and discipline, that's best administered by you and not them. They want to please you, you just need to make them understand how that happens.
While I don't agree with everything Caeser Milan says or does, he's spot on when he says "excercise, discipline and then affection".

A dog is the only animal that loves you more than they love themselves.

 

[yote hunter]

Our dogs sleep with us, 2 miniature doodles in a king size bed.
But are not aggressive at all to each other .
They just love to play fight.
They know the wife is the alpha .

 

[Snapdragon]

Making progress. Fewer attacks by Cocoa because I am taking more control. No more problems on the bed. They only come up on my lap when invited, and if there is a problem, I set Penny down immediately, and it's defused since it only happens when she's in my lap. Thanks for the tips, guys. I needed a refresher in being their alpha first, friend second.