Chihuahua in Charge

***Carrie*** · 03-22-2005, 11:47 PM

I found this mildly amusing and thought I'd share a little behavior observation I've made:

Well, I sensed it coming when Bonnie was getting sicker and weaker...that Chulita, my 5 LB Chihuahua was waiting in line for Bonnie's job as "matriarch" of the dogs in my family. She would show little signs. She was getting less tolerant of the other dogs with a few, select behaviors they engaged in. She sometimes growled at Bonnie, something absolutely unheard of before Bonnie got sick. She loved Bonnie and visa versa. She's been mounting Jose more.

Well, now it's official. Today at the breakfast table (of Lyric) he was eating but then walked away from his bowl, as he does often, leaving a lot of food still there. Normally I feed the dogs seperately, but this time I left Chulita out of her crate because she is not a glutten about food and I wasn't worried about her gorging on Lyric's food as I know Jose would and I never have any squabbles out of them. Then Lyric came back to eat a few more bites, when he discovered Chulita had decided to help herself to his breakfast. She gave a little warning growl :shiver: and he backed off about 3 steps and plunked his rear into a sit. He then looked bewildered and wimpered a little bit, kind of a sad sound.

Poor Lyric is being ousted from his food bowl by a pip squeek Chihuahua.

Of course, I'm watching all this because I wouldn't like to take any chances with a 95 LB Doberman Pinscher and a 5 Lb Chihuaha. If he were a more food obsessed (possessive) dog, that could have been a problem, potentially, but he really couldn't care less. (He is probably confident that if she eats all his food, there's always a Chihuahua right there by his bowl...if he gets hungry)

But, he's very, very sweet natured, never a nasty remark escapes his lips.

At any rate, after their little conversation about the food was finished, I removed Chulita and let Lyric have at it.

It's pretty interesting to observe the behavior of multiple dogs in a house hold.

Alexis · 03-23-2005, 06:03 AM

Knowing nothing was going to happen, that must have beena funny sight! A 5 lb Chi bossing around a 95 lb Dobie! hehehe...

sunny98 · 03-23-2005, 09:26 AM

I guess it just goes to show that size in the dog world makes no difference! LOL I am sure it was pretty funny to watch!

calgal · 03-23-2005, 09:47 AM

That reminds me of my 4 lb. Chi and two of my son's very large dogs and a Rottie I used to have. Delsi IS the alpha and she puts the big guys in their place and they too back off from her. I think it's because they know she is in charge. Certainly not because they are afraid of her. LOL

Ritz459 · 03-23-2005, 04:13 PM

lol Carrie. That story made me chuckle. lol

03-22-2005, 11:47 PM	#1 (permalink)
*Carrie* Super Moderator Super Moderator Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: north panhandle of Idaho Posts: 7,420 Rep Power: 286	Chihuahua in Charge I found this mildly amusing and thought I'd share a little behavior observation I've made: Well, I sensed it coming when Bonnie was getting sicker and weaker...that Chulita, my 5 LB Chihuahua was waiting in line for Bonnie's job as "matriarch" of the dogs in my family. She would show little signs. She was getting less tolerant of the other dogs with a few, select behaviors they engaged in. She sometimes growled at Bonnie, something absolutely unheard of before Bonnie got sick. She loved Bonnie and visa versa. She's been mounting Jose more. Well, now it's official. Today at the breakfast table (of Lyric) he was eating but then walked away from his bowl, as he does often, leaving a lot of food still there. Normally I feed the dogs seperately, but this time I left Chulita out of her crate because she is not a glutten about food and I wasn't worried about her gorging on Lyric's food as I know Jose would and I never have any squabbles out of them. Then Lyric came back to eat a few more bites, when he discovered Chulita had decided to help herself to his breakfast. She gave a little warning growl :shiver: and he backed off about 3 steps and plunked his rear into a sit. He then looked bewildered and wimpered a little bit, kind of a sad sound. Poor Lyric is being ousted from his food bowl by a pip squeek Chihuahua. Of course, I'm watching all this because I wouldn't like to take any chances with a 95 LB Doberman Pinscher and a 5 Lb Chihuaha. If he were a more food obsessed (possessive) dog, that could have been a problem, potentially, but he really couldn't care less. (He is probably confident that if she eats all his food, there's always a Chihuahua right there by his bowl...if he gets hungry) But, he's very, very sweet natured, never a nasty remark escapes his lips. At any rate, after their little conversation about the food was finished, I removed Chulita and let Lyric have at it. It's pretty interesting to observe the behavior of multiple dogs in a house hold.
	Last edited by Carrie : 03-22-2005 at 11:54 PM.

03-23-2005, 09:26 AM	#3 (permalink)
sunny98 Join Date: May 2004 Location: Mt Vernon Wa Posts: 822 Rep Power: 99	I guess it just goes to show that size in the dog world makes no difference! LOL I am sure it was pretty funny to watch!
	__________________ Erin, Sunny and the gang

03-23-2005, 04:13 PM	#5 (permalink)
Ritz459 "Nothing is ever easy" Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Indiana Posts: 5,722 Blog Entries: 3 Rep Power: 235	lol Carrie. That story made me chuckle. lol
	__________________ ~Blackie, Rose, Chloe (dogs), Pheobe (cat), Casey, Dameon (ferrets), Joey ('Tiel), Dot, Louie (cavies), Pickachu (hamster), Rush (R.I.P. 15yrs), Lucy (R.I.P. 4yrs)~

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Chihuahua's	PitBullie09	Toy Group	221	08-08-2007 07:05 PM
Pequeno Companero, Chihuahua	Carrie	Toy Group	18	10-20-2006 06:11 PM
long hair chihuahua	linnie	Toy Group	12	06-17-2005 03:02 PM
My chihuahua JC	Michelejc	The Global Paw	13	02-01-2005 06:45 AM

03-23-2005, 06:03 AM	#2 (permalink)
Alexis Greater Swiss Mtn Dogs Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Vermont Posts: 282 Rep Power: 83	Knowing nothing was going to happen, that must have beena funny sight! A 5 lb Chi bossing around a 95 lb Dobie! hehehe...

03-23-2005, 09:47 AM	#4 (permalink)
calgal My Yorkster kids! Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: central ca. coast Posts: 6,794 Rep Power: 229	That reminds me of my 4 lb. Chi and two of my son's very large dogs and a Rottie I used to have. Delsi IS the alpha and she puts the big guys in their place and they too back off from her. I think it's because they know she is in charge. Certainly not because they are afraid of her. LOL

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)