I'm dating someone who has a small dog. She a 5 year old chihuaha mix and its just the 2 of them living together. Basically this dog is completely devoted to my friend, but HATES everyone else, including me and my dd (9) ...even outside if we go for walks with her, and other people try to pet her or get close she goes to attack them. She's the same with all dogs she meets too.
I'm assuming this is because she was not socialised properly as a puppy? But as she is 5 years old now, is there any hope for her to change? Is there anything we can do to change her?
We have tried holding her down by her neck whenever she growls or bares teeth at me or my dd when we try to pet her, she will lick us at first but it depends....we have to be extremely cautious. I know the chihuaha breed tend to be one-person type dogs, but I have seen some within families with children and they seem to get on with the whole family great and have no aggression problems.
She has been spayed if that makes any difference and has no health problems. My friend has mentioned giving her up to a rescue shelter but we think she will be euthanized straight away if we do that, and my friend really does love her.....we just dont know what else to do. She will do basic commands fine and is housebroken.
Please please advise!
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