I have a 14 month old male chihuahua named Fred and when he was about 2 months old, he didn't take well to his vaccines, and had a runny nose. When he was 3 months, my boyfriend's niece was 1 and 1/2 years old and she thought it was funny to hit him while he was sleeping (conserving energy). Now he is fearful of strangers and other dogs, but when he was a puppy he used to love going up to big dogs. I can't see why he should act like this. I have socialized him by giving him to people to hold, put him in all types of bags/kennels/crates, he loves his mother/gf/sister/wife/mother of his 3 babies and she's friendly, and have done basic training since he was 6 months old.

Recently, a kid came to my workplace (a church) and tried to befriend him. He barked and growled at her while wagging his tail, so she retreated, and then he started to chase her while nipping at her ankles. He did the same to another child today at home and 3 months ago, he chases a woman with down syndrome at church. Is there any way Fred and I can work on this so he can be calm around children? Thank you for all replies.

After a while you'll notice the signs that say he'll be going into ``attack`` mode. When he shows these signs correct him. And if he's afraid of children then when he's around children give him lots of praise(if he isn't acting aggressive) and give him treats so that he sees children as something good. Don't take this to lightly some people think oh it's a little dog they can't hurt anyone, but little dogs can still inflict dammage(although not as much as bigger dogs).

Thanks, there's some neighborhood kids I can practice on. I'll try handing them the treats to give to him as well as treating him myself.

I don't think training him to like people woule help. I have a chihuahua of my own and I'v been theyr, done that... chihuahua's aren't sociable animals, usually most like to have just one "Master" and likes to protect that ONE person... that's just the way chihuahua's are! But you neve know, each dog has it's own way of thinking... you can try training it...