If your Chihuahua has started to bite your ankles, you're probably wondering why this is happening. Chihuahuas often bite because they are bored, or are teething. It is easier for them to reach the ankles than other parts of the body.
While a dog's tendency to bite can be exciting for them, it is not so fun for children or elderly people. It is best to try and discourage the behavior. If you notice it coming on, have a toy nearby to redirect your dog's attention, view here for more info.
Female Chihuahuas tend to be more aggressive for a couple of weeks after giving birth. This is a result of hormonal alterations in their bodies. Female Chihuahuas produce more oxytocin and prolactin than male Chihuahuas. The two hormones play an important role in regulating a dog's metabolic functions. When the thyroid gland is underactive, a Chihuahua is likely to become aggressive or even vicious.
If you have a Chihuahua that bites your ankles, try substituting toys for the ones that are on the floor. Be sure to praise and reward them for good behavior when they do not bite. You should also avoid over-excitement when rewarding good behavior, such as not biting the ankles.
A dog's tendency to bite your ankles is most likely due to its protective instinct. Many dogs have the same instinct as humans and exhibit this behavior when they are anxious. This innate behavior is called resource guarding. The dog's protective instinct was developed during its survival in the wild. Without the presence of a guard, a dog would not have enough food to survive. It is also a normal instinct for mother dogs to protect their puppies.
Another reason a Chihuahua may bite you is because of fear of new people. In unfamiliar situations, such as a veterinarian's office, a dog will growl and bite. However, this behavior can be corrected through proper socialization, here is a full article on the subject.
If you're concerned that your Chihuahua might bite your ankles, the first thing to do is give him a time-out. A time-out should last between five and fifteen minutes. After the time-out, you can continue to interact with him in a more relaxed way.
Next, you need to make sure that your Chihuahua understands that the leader of the pack gets the first bite. Always remember to make him sit before he begins eating. It also helps to teach him to respect the leader. If he doesn't feel the leader, he won't be able to accept that he is the Alpha. Check out this post for more details related to this article: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chihuahua_(dog).
When your dog is biting your feet, he may be bored and need some exercise. Regular exercise helps your dog to exercise his natural instincts and get rid of excess energy. Additionally, your dog may be under-trained or need a refresher in obedience training. If your pup bites your ankles, try introducing him to a few simple commands that he's used to. You can start by teaching your dog to sit and stay on command.
