Overweight chihuahaus. Some Questions...

[watchdogps]

Quote:
Ackkkkk!!!!!
I'm sorry, but that is absolutely NO the way to handle their reactions to other dogs. Nine out of ten times, dog reactivity is defensiveness, not aggression, especially in small dogs. Jerking them when they growl teaches two things: a) bad things happen when dogs come around, and b) don't growl, just bite.
The better way is to teach them that GOOD things happen when dogs come near. You bring a dog not so close that the chi gets upset, but where it is seen, and you praise and treat. Dog gets closer, more praise and treat, etc. Change the dogs association, don't just repress them through force.

 

[xchairity_casex]

Quote:
Ackkkkk!!!!!
I'm sorry, but that is absolutely NO the way to handle their reactions to other dogs. Nine out of ten times, dog reactivity is defensiveness, not aggression, especially in small dogs. Jerking them when they growl teaches two things: a) bad things happen when dogs come around, and b) don't growl, just bite.
The better way is to teach them that GOOD things happen when dogs come near. You bring a dog not so close that the chi gets upset, but where it is seen, and you praise and treat. Dog gets closer, more praise and treat, etc. Change the dogs association, don't just repress them through force.

see? LOL

anyways do which you think is best there is not only one way fo training a dog i personally would never use treats or reward with an aggressive dog (and you mothers chihuahuas do sound aggressive if they are go after the other dogs)
while other people wont use anything but treats and reward both methods do work for certian dogs sometimes treats dont work for some dogs sometiems firmness doesnt work for some dogs it all really depends on the trainer and the dog if you try one method and find you dont like it or its not working try another

 

[Gladys Rabbit]

I also am a grandma with a Chihuahua! I fix my dog homemade dog food: Liver, chicken, hamburger, turkey, etc, cooked with brown rice and carrots. I cut the meat up into bite-sized pieces, make gravy out of the broth and my dog loves it. I usually make a big batch and store it in the freezer in small containers. The vet does not object but suggests I give her dog vitamins, just in case. She is a very healthy little dog.

 

[Rosaleen]

Our chi Maggie weighs four and a half pounds. She only eats Iams dog food once a day. The only time she gets people food is whenever I prepare an egg for her...and she loves it. The vet once told me chihuahuas's knees cannot bear excessive weight.

 

[sunny & the 5 egg layers]

Quote:
These dogs have very bad joints/knee's. My grandma feeds them 3 meals a day (each meal containing a handful of dog food as well as people scraps on top). Not to mention the treats they get throughout the day.

 

[Rosaleen]

sunny & the 5 egg layers :

Quote:
These dogs have very bad joints/knee's. My grandma feeds them 3 meals a day (each meal containing a handful of dog food as well as people scraps on top). Not to mention the treats they get throughout the day.

Perhaps her vet can talk to her about their diet....​

 

[Oregon Blues]

My Papillons, about 6 pounds apiece, which should be a lot larger than a chihuahua, each get 1 ounce of meat and 5 pieces of high quality kibbles in the morning and the same at night. No treats, no snacks.

Food does not really equal love. Love for pets involves maintaining them in good health.

However, they are your grandmother's dogs to kill with over-feeding if that's what she wants to do with them.