• Confusion. Why do cats bite ankles, and how do you get them to stop? Like Amberlie R. mentioned, herding dogs do bite at the feet of the sheep. Next time you walk past your chihuahua and they make a play for your feet and ankles, it’s simply their inner sheep dog coming out! Dog Gone Problems: I have a 6-year-old rescue Chihuahua who is very possessive only when inside the house. Chihuahuas are one of those breeds of dog that come packed full of attitude. Entertainment: For some dogs, heel nipping may actually be a fun game. An ankle biting dog does this to emulate this ingrained behavior to assert authority but is … Although your tone of discipline should always be serious and dominant, you should never openly yell at your pet. Insect Bites. This is particularly true of herding breeds. There are no bad dogs, only improperly treated. Positive reinforcement is as important to learning as a discipline. Dogs and puppies will nip and bite at your ankles and feet when you walk predominantly due to an ancestral trait where dogs were herders and guarders of animals. For example, teach him commands like “sit down,” “turn around,” and “lie down.” This instills a sense of submission in your dog and shows him that following your commands is rewarded. When your puppy grabs the toy, start moving again. Some dogs will develop a fascination for human feet and ankles at an early age. 3 Reasons, how you can get a Chihuahua to stop problem biting, the bite from a chihuahua was responsible for one death, Here’s how you should not punish a Chihuahua. Do not let him get up until he relaxes and submits. Anytime your pup chews on something other than her own toys, simply replace it with a toy and make it clear that everything else is off-limits. And with chihuahuas only being on average between 6 to 9 inches high, sometimes a quick lashing out with a bite to your ankles is their best defence and easiest target. In some cases, it is as if you have brought an agile lizard home, instead of the cuddly cub you had hoped for. This point is more geared towards chihuahua puppies, as they will use their mouths to investigate what things are. Stop playing or leave the room. If you don’t clearly communicate to your dog that biting is not acceptable, they won’t know they are doing something wrong. There are no bad dogs, only improperly treated. Anxiety: Your dog may also feel frustration or anxiety when people pass him on the street, either because he wants that person to pet him or he feels anxious about the individual. It’s in the DNA of all dogs to try and herd. Play biting is just one way that a Chihuahua can demonstrate this lack of understanding, so if your little buddy nips at your fingers, you need to teach him a lesson. Only time, patience, and lots of love will overcome this type of problem. Why does my dog bite my feet when I walk? However, having spoken to many chihuahua owners in the past, there is certainly a common theme around ankle and feet biting. All puppies chew ankles---some extra suitable than others, besides the incontrovertible fact that its purely a situation of coaching them to no longer chew. The ankle-biter reputation is quite popular among small dogs obviously due to their size; the legs, after all, are the easiest place to reach! Decide early on what you will and will not accept, and stick with them. I put this hub together for people like me & you. Do you have a Chihuahua that nips or bites a lot? My 2-year-old grandson came to visit for a month, and the dog One way to show your dog that you are in charge is to turn him on his back every time he bites you. The behaviors associated with small dog syndrome are considered defensive behaviors. 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