Chihuahuas are famous family dogs. They are small, cute, and cuddly. In addition, these dogs are some of the most loyal dogs you will find. However, they may not always be the best option for a family pet. Do Chihuahuas attack humans? This is one of the most important questions many families ask themselves before adopting or buying this type of dog.
Yes, Chihuahuas do attack humans as they are quite aggressive and attack-orientated dogs. However, they are usually loyal and loving towards their owner and likely to attack every human they approach. But this does not mean that these little ones do not pose many dangers to children and adults. As these dogs are protective, they can be possessive and territorial. So, they might snap and attack strangers who enter the house.
Moreover, these little dogs are stubborn and will not listen to their owner’s commands. Do not be fooled by their size. These dogs can cause damage to people if they feel scared or nervous.
Thus, adopting a dog should never happen spontaneously; pet owners must always research the breed that interests them before taking it home. Today I have done the homework and found information that could assist Chihuahuas owners.
Do Chihuahuas Attack Humans?
It will be a lie if I say Chihuahuas do not attack. But, like most dogs, they are pretty territorial and protective of their owners. So, whenever they find a stranger near their owner, without a doubt, they will try to scare them away.
When it comes to small dogs like Chihuahuas, this is even more dangerous as the smaller and weaker the dog is, the more aggressive it could be. Do not think that because your little pup seems friendly with other people, he won’t attack them if they come too close to you.
Although Chihuahuas attacking their owners and children is not typical behavior. It does not necessarily mean that your pet will be friendly to every human that enters your house. These dogs are instinctive hunters, and their small size helps them do it silently.
Having said this, we must consider that Chihuahuas are more likely to attack humans they know better than strangers as they would see them as invaders of their territory. Slight discomfort in the posture of newcomers can make them react.
Reasons Why Do Chihuahuas Attack Humans?
Chihuahuas are some of the most loyal dogs that exist. But many owners cannot handle them properly and end up attacking their human caretakers. Remember, Chihuahuas are one of the most aggressive dog breeds, hence think before you do anything.
There are many reasons why chihuahuas attack humans, such as:
Lack Of Socialization:
Chihuahuas are timid dogs, so if you do not socialize them early enough, they will fear anyone who tries to pet them. So do Chihuahuas attack humans if you do not give them the proper socialization that all dogs need.
Negligence Of Owner:
Just like with any dog, neglecting a chihuahua and not giving them proper care can lead to serious behavior problems such as biting or attacking people who come near it.
For example, if you don’t walk your Chi enough or never play with it when you come home from work, Chihuahuas attack even their owners, let alone other humans.
Human Aggression:
This can lead to aggression if a person provokes the dog and acts aggressively towards them (for example, by hitting or yelling at it). So, whether they are trying to hurt you or not, Chihuahuas attack humans when you provoke them.
Insufficient Training And Exercise:
Chihuahuas need a lot of exercise and training; otherwise, they can become hyperactive and bite people without meaning. If you don’t give them enough time outdoors or train them properly, Chihuahuas will attack humans.
Lack Of A Proper Diet:
Feeding a healthy diet is essential for any dog, especially with tiny breeds like the Chihuahua. They need to eat the same food as any other dog despite their size. They can attack humans when you do not serve them meals with adequate nutrition.
History Of Abuse:
If people have abused a Chihuahua in the past, they are more likely to attack humans. Usually, the dogs that survived an abusive past suspect every unfamiliar person to be an abuser, so they attack them.
Hereditary Problems:
Some breeds of dogs are more likely to grow up with aggressive behavior problems because of how their genes work. For example, a dog with aggressive parents is much more likely to be bold and attack everyone around them as a way of steaming off his or her aggression.
Health Problems:
Many chihuahuas have health problems due to being bred in puppy mills, making it difficult for them to fight off infections and giving their immune system enough time to develop correctly. Because of this, a dog with an illness can quickly become aggressive when they are in pain. Thus, Chihuahuas attack humans when they are sick.
It is always best to talk to the vet whenever you think your Chihuahua may act aggressively towards you or others. They can help explain the possible reasons and advise you about correcting them.
Are Chihuahuas Good With Strangers?
Chihuahuas may be tiny, but they are not harmless. They can attack humans. While Chihuahua attacks on people are rare, some incidents prove the danger of this breed.
Attacking strangers has always been a prevalent behavior in dogs. Some breeds are more likely to attack than others, and Chihuahuas are one of them.
This breed has a very high prey drive, and they may see humans as potential threats or objects that can be hunted down and attacked for fun. Since their size does not allow severe damage, these attacks mostly look like bullying.
Chihuahuas who are not properly socialized or trained will also have problems with strangers and other pets or animals. It may not even show signs of this behavior, but go for the attack.
How To Make Your Chihuahua Like Humans?
Chihuahuas are naturally inclined to be standoffish and defensive around strangers. They need a lot of time and patience from their owners to socialize with humans as adults. This will help you Chihuahua attacks, but they still may never warm up to people they don’t know well enough.
However, some of the things that you can do to make your friend like your visitor will be things like:
- Let your Chihuahua meet the person before you let them into your house. This will help to build trust with each other.
- Feed treats during this process to make it less stressful for everyone involved. If your dogs are well-fed, there is no reason to feel threatened by an unknown human.
- Don’t push them to do something they don’t want to do. For example, if your Chihuahua is shy or nervous, it’s important not to force an interaction with someone new. Instead, let the stranger come over and pet them when they are ready for this kind of attention from a person who isn’t you.
Things That Will Help Prevent Your Chihuahua Attacks
A Chihuahua’s behavior results from a combination of genetics and his environment. So, it is challenging to determine whether your dog will attack or not. However, some things you do in how you care for him while growing up affect how he turns out when he gets older.
- Avoid using a loud and angry voice with your Chihuahua. When you yell at him, he may become so frightened that he bites out of fear.
- Never let anyone force your dog to do something by pinning him down or pulling on his leash. This can cause the dog to think people are trying to hurt him, and he may decide to bite them out of fear.
- Never punish your Chihuahua for growling or nipping at you.
- It would help if you taught your dog how to socialize with humans as early as possible in his life. The best way to do this is by taking him everywhere you can.
- Keep the Chihuahua on his leash when people visit your house or visit yours. If he feels overwhelmed, he may become afraid and try to attack.
- Train your Chihuahua as early as possible with obedience techniques and commands. This will help to establish you as the alpha in his mind. When he respects your commands, he’ll be less likely to feel threatened by people and try to attack them.
- Take proper care of your Chihuahua. A dog treated as a pet with its needs met by its human family will feel more secure in the world. For this, you can start by simple things like managing a nutritious diet, enough exercise, regular health checkups, grooming, and training.
FAQs
Do Chihuahuas Make Good Guard Dogs?
Yes, they do! Chihuahuas are loyal and loving towards their family. They make excellent guard dogs and bark at strangers but do not usually attack them like other dogs.
Can You Leave A Chihuahua With Kids?
Even after proper training, leaving your Chihuahua with children is not a good idea as it can attack kids unintentionally while playing. They are too little to be hurt by the dog, but it can still accidentally injure them if they try and touch or play with your Chihuahua without you present.
Do Chihuahua Bite?
They can! Chihuahuas are very active and love to play, but sometimes it might not be appropriate. When playing with your dog, ensure that you’re watching them closely, so you don’t allow any excessive biting or scratching. Give them chew toys or squeaky balls to calm down your Chihuahua’s biting and attacks.
Do Chihuahuas Bark A Lot?
Barking is what makes the Chihuahua breed one of the best watchdogs. Of course, they will bark at strangers or animals in your yard, but they are also very good with little children and babies.
Conclusion
Overall, Chihuahuas are very friendly, but it is essential to remember that they can be territorial and protective of their owners. Therefore, they should never be left alone with a baby or young child, as even the friendliest Chihuahua may become aggressive if he feels his owner’s safety is being compromised.
Chihuahuas can make wonderful family pets, but you will need to take the time to train them correctly and socialize them early. If you are unsure of your dog’s temperament or if they have never had any contact with a baby before, always introduce them slowly and carefully.
