Guard Dog in Disguise: A Chihuahua's Tale of Defense

Welcome to the Wednesday Dogs of Dogster! Every Wednesday, we share a story from one of our Dogsters. This week is about Amanda and her sweet Chihuahua, Subi.

Subi is not the most typical Chihuahua; she is bold in her barks but meek in her demeanor. Despite being a bit of an introvert, she knows when it’s go-time, and she’s more than ready to unveil the inner bulldog that lives deep down in every Chihuahua. Subi can be pretty noisy sometimes, but is most likely to cower when challenged. Although she may appear like a sweet, timid creature who longs for a gentle pat, she knows how to defend what’s hers when the situation calls for it.

We recently contacted a plumber to repair our garbage disposal, fully expecting a routine repair. An in-and-out that many service people have accomplished unscathed, countless times before. This time, however, I did not realize that I was about to unleash a beast on an unsuspecting serviceman.

As soon as the plumber hit our driveway, Subi's ears perked. She might have been lounging on the couch seconds before, but the transformation began when that doorbell rang. Like a Power Ranger called for duty – it was morphing time.

The Staredown

The first interaction between the two was tense — a big man dressed in all red, toting a giant tool bag. I imagine Subi first laughing at his goofy getup and then chalking him up as a threat after zeroing in on his extra gear. I apologized to our guest as Subi barked relentlessly. He brushed her off as a cutie and bragged about the doggies he had at home. Completely unaware. What’s she going to do? Bark some more?

This was standard behavior for Subi, though. The excessive barking usually subsides after she gets in a few sniffs. Most new people immediately bend down and show they’re not attempting a hostile takeover, which often goes as you would suspect, but not today. I picked her up and ensured she stayed gated into my office area while this man inspected our plumbing so he could work in peace. Before starting the work, he handed me an iPad to review and approve the projects, and I put Subi on the floor, thinking he had finally passed the vibe check. Spoiler alert, he hadn't.

Intruder Alert

As one does during a repair, the man frequented his truck for different parts and tools, which meant a lot of opening and closing the front door. After one retrieval, the plumber removed his boots, and Subi lunged. She nipped the skin of his middle toe, pinching it like a vice. This gentleman squealed. It was mortifying. This was not something she had ever done before, and luckily, having only a few teeth left, she caused no physical damage. Maybe a slight heart palpitation, but no skin wounds. We awkwardly laughed about it as I locked Subi in my bedroom for the remainder of his visit. I apologized profusely, and he was more than kind and understanding.

I am not one to leave Yelp or Google reviews, but when this man asked me to do so, I was like, say less. It was the least I could do to make up for the unwarranted dog attack he endured in my home. We wrapped up the bill, said our goodbyes, and off he went.

Lessons Learned

All jokes aside, it is so important to separate our pets from strangers, especially in these types of situations where we’re able to control the outcome. It’s our duty as responsible pet owners to keep all parties safe at all times.

I've learned to never underestimate your dog, because even the smallest and most unsuspecting ones are capable of completely acting out of character when and if they feel threatened. This day will guilt me for the rest of my life and has me re-evaluating Subi as our guard dog in disguise.

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