[PowerNubby]

I am really very well versed in dog behavior and training, but right now I am at a loss.

Most of the training i have educated myself on has to do with defiant and dominant dogs as well as stubborn and misbehaving dogs. This situation is really very difficult.

We recently added a sad little Chihuahua to our household (we have 1 beagle who is in training to be a therapy dog and 5 cats). I am a little fuzzy on Bug's past because we got him through a friend of a friend of a friend.

The previous owner SEEMED to love him but there were some flags I noticed. First off, when he gave him to us he only had a plastic bag of food, one harness, and nothing else. Most people who need to rehome their animals give the new owners everything and maybe keep one memento or so.. This dog came with very very little.

The owner said he had to give him up because he had gotten a promotion and has been required to leave town for two weeks at a time often which means for the last 2 months he had to put the dog in a kennel which he was not happy about.

So we met the guy with his dog at a dog park and the little Bug and Cappy (the beagle) got along well and we were more than happy to take him home.

We get the little guy home and realize he is scared of EVERYTHING and also had no idea how to be a dog!! He was pee pad trained (which i HATE) so we had to train him to potty outside. This was not an issue and he house trained in 1 week...

But he is absolutely terrified of people. he does no bark or yip, but instead of cowers and shakes uncontrollably. Even the sound of placing a pen down on a desk gently sends him running out of the room> At night when i place the TV remove on the table it makes a small noise and he goes running from his bed.

He quivers when anyone makes eye contact and cringes when people go to pick him up.

He has gotten better just with time with us.. he now wags his tail when he sees me.. but other than the few minutes after I come home his tail NEVER wags.

He had no idea what to do with treats.. Didn't know to eat them until he watched us give Cappy treats. He didn't know how to chew bones, jump up on the couch, or "sit". He clearly was NEVER treated like a dog.

So he has warmed up to me but is still slightly scared of my husband and VERY scared of most noises... Weird enough he is not scared of loud music OR thunder storms.. more like household noises that he hates.

The hard thing is that I can not associate noises and people with treats because he does not react to treats. There is no excitement about anything for me to train him with. He doesnt know how to play with toys and does not really enjoy affection yet.. So what do i do???


My idea situation is to get him to not run away at every LITTLE sound. I understand that by nature Chis are nervous and if i drop a plate its ok if he runs.. but putting the remote on the table is a sound that he should not run from!

he also is scared of anything foriegn.. so we can not take pictures of him because he has never seen the camera before and gets terrified of that. If i pick up my cell phone and put it at my ear while I have him in my arms he gets scared of the phone..

what do i do?

[cigwyllt]

Patience, patience, patience. I think the clue is in your comment "He doesn't know how to be a dog." There's no magic wand to make him better but everything is in place for him to have the chance to experience life in the way he should. You're an experienced owner, you have another dog to be role model and you just have to give him the time to get used to things. To be honest he sounds like a puppy mill rescue - these dogs have no idea how to live. They have no experience of home life in any way - never seen a tv, a washing machine, a vacuum cleaner.

I know you are in the States and I've only got experience of the UK but the tricks that they pull to sell their worn out breeding stock are horrendous. It could well be that your boy was a stud that wouldn't perform or needed to be disposed of for some other reason.

It could take a long time (months not weeks) for him to calm down but from the sound of it he couldn't be in a better place.

[CorkyMax]

Originally Posted by cigwyllt

Patience, patience, patience. I think the clue is in your comment "He doesn't know how to be a dog." There's no magic wand to make him better but everything is in place for him to have the chance to experience life in the way he should. You're an experienced owner, you have another dog to be role model and you just have to give him the time to get used to things. To be honest he sounds like a puppy mill rescue - these dogs have no idea how to live. They have no experience of home life in any way - never seen a tv, a washing machine, a vacuum cleaner.

I know you are in the States and I've only got experience of the UK but the tricks that they pull to sell their worn out breeding stock are horrendous. It could well be that your boy was a stud that wouldn't perform or needed to be disposed of for some other reason.

It could take a long time (months not weeks) for him to calm down but from the sound of it he couldn't be in a better place.

Very well put Cigwyllt! I wanted to reply to this poster but just couldn't find the right words---Thank you for helping this poster and the puppy too--poor thing.

PowerNubby---I hope in time Bug becomes a happy puppy. Chihuahuas are pretty sensitive little creatures so it may take time and a lot of patience. That last owner sounds a little 'fishy' to me, but Bug is definitely in a better place now. I am going to quote from my breeds book about the temperament of the chihuahua---Mostly good 'stuff!'-->
The chihuahua is intensely loyal and becomes very attached to its owner, even to the point of jealousy. When strangers are present, it follows its owner's every move, keeping as close as possible. It learns quickly and responds well to training. (Unquote)Once he gets attached to you--I think I would slowly try to socialize him so he isn't so attached to you that it could become obsessive. Some training might be a good thing for this puppy -(I am no trainer or expert on any of this--just trying to use common sense!)--but think you have to calm him down and let him get use to his new home and build up to a little training--like the important basics---Come when called and Stay come to mind. Good luck--This puppy needs a loving, caring family and I think he has found it! Keep us updated on how he is doing. Love to see pics but only when he isn't camera-shy!

Just looked this up, hoping there would be some good info on the chihuahua--and there is--See especially the part: temperament!---> Chihuahua Information and Pictures, Chihuahuas, Taco Bell Dog

[PowerNubby]

Thanks for all of the responses guy.. I actually forgot about this post until today because we have been so crazy busy with the dog and our business.. but I wanted to post a little update.

Bug is really making some progress!! He is still a little nervous of my husband and has definitely decided that I am his main owner, which is fine because Cappy is mostly Matt's dog.

I was definitely aware that Chi's can get overly protective of their owners so we actually started socializing him 2 weeks after we got him. So he just started to settle in a little and we took him to the dog park.

He does SOOO well around other dogs. He doesn't get snippy, he likes to run and play with all sizes of dogs and he just seems happy. I felt like bringing him to a park with a lot of other dogs AND their humans would be a good way to get him used to being around people as well. He was so focused on playing with the other dogs that he doesn't act scared of ANYTHING. Even when someone dropped one of the large metal dog water dishes, he didn't flinch.

Then at the end of that week we planned a picnic. I was really nervous about how he was gonna act on that day because we had 20 people coming over with kids and everything. I was thinking i migh thave to put him in the bedroom if he became to agitated or freaked out by the kids.

Turns out he just doesn't like certain kids.. namely the ones that lunge towards him like 'PUPPY!!!!". He hung around the backyard (we have no fence so we train the dogs to stay really close and they ALWAYS do) and since everyone had yummy food, there was no way either dog was gonna consider wandering.

A friend brought their small dog who was really well behaved and their 10 year old daughter. I was nervous about the 10 year old wanting to pick up bug, but she was such a good kid she actually had a really positive effect. She spent the whole picnic hanging with her little dog and bug. Since bug loved her dog, she just sat near and kept a safe distance. She didn't try and pet him until he came to her and by the end of the picnic she had actually picked him up!!!! He just, in one day, learned that not all kids are scary.

So now he actually wakes up in the morning wagging his tail to go outside. He runs around in the yard now and actually hauls a$$ around the backyard for no apparent reason other than he's totally psyched to be outside.

He also is just about starting to play.. In the morning (when he seems to be happiest) he will play with me a little and run in circles.. its all really promising/

With all these improvements seems to come a better more comfortable dog. He doesn't run at every noise (while some things do still scare him that shouldn't). He still gets nervous when it's just my husband so i am trying to get my husband to take him out for walks more and have a little more positive one on one time with him. In time i think he will be a great little dog!!!!

Thanks for all the help!! I should find some pictures for you guys to see

[CorkyMax]

Sounds like your little guy is doing very well and in a pretty short time too. Glad for you and Bug. Yes, would love to see some pics when you find the time! When you think about what Bug's life was like before you got him----It prob. was such a big change--He may of been just overwhelmed at the difference and needed a little time to adapt. But he saw such a good thing that it didn't take that long! Lucky little 'bug' to have found you, lol, or should I say he was lucky that you found him! Enjoy each other!

[cigwyllt]

That's great news. Some dogs really are more nervous than others - mine isn't so scared of noises but of sights - sometimes his own reflection in the window will send him running to hide behind me!

[PowerNubby]

Another quick update

Bug is making HUGE progress.. he's playing with toys now which is really exciting for us!! He attacks this little cat toy that we have and shakes it and pounces on it.. he also loves to hunt for bugs in the yard, which is funny since his name is bug and he's OBSESSED with bugs.

He is also doing some tricks for treats now!! he stands on his back legs and "dances" for a little bit of cheese for me AND my husband.. the fact that he does it for my husband is also very exciting because he used to be scared to even take it from him let alone beg for it.

He still gets nervous when i put him in the bed to lay with me but eventually settles down to sleep.. he does still get very nervous of new people.. and he still has major trauma when you drop something, the good news is he recovers more quickly now.

So i uploaded some pictures of him to Cappy (the beagle's) Blog. i got adorable picture that looks like Bug praying.. its SOO cute

the site is powernubby(dot)com

[cigwyllt]

That's great - sounds like he is making wonderful progress. Well done.

[CorkyMax]

Originally Posted by PowerNubby

Another quick update

Bug is making HUGE progress.. he's playing with toys now which is really exciting for us!! He attacks this little cat toy that we have and shakes it and pounces on it.. he also loves to hunt for bugs in the yard, which is funny since his name is bug and he's OBSESSED with bugs. That is neat



So i uploaded some pictures of him to Cappy (the beagle's) Blog. i got adorable picture that looks like Bug praying.. its SOO cute

the site is powernubby(dot)com

I tried to find the pics. of Bug--I am not that great on the computer but all I could see was about Cappy----Many sites come up when I put those words in my browser.

[cherylmartin]

Am glad Bug has adjusted. They normaly due with patience and love and time. Isn't it wonderful!

[PowerNubby]

Originally Posted by Corky/Max

I tried to find the pics. of Bug--I am not that great on the computer but all I could see was about Cappy----Many sites come up when I put those words in my browser.

Corky, I would have written out the url but i get in trouble because id ont have 50 posts..

[Yogi]

Originally Posted by PowerNubby

Corky, I would have written out the url but i get in trouble because id ont have 50 posts..

I recommend that you just post the pic on your next post. Scroll down to manage attachments and download the photo.
Until you have 75 posts, no links. This includes attempts to spell them out.
Please read the forum rules. As for posting a pic, this is permitted.

thank you.

[PowerNubby]

Honestly, i think its a little bit of a crazy rule to not allow links on a forum where people are always referencing outside sources..

I didnt use attachments because i have more pictures than attachments..

[shandwill]

Your pics are great! So glad things are looking up for Bug and the rest of your family.

[Yogi]

Originally Posted by PowerNubby

Honestly, i think its a little bit of a crazy rule to not allow links on a forum where people are always referencing outside sources..

I didnt use attachments because i have more pictures than attachments..

Those with 75 posts have the option to reference a link or inform as they wish.
The rule has a purpose, it prevents the idiots, morons and spammers from coming here and soliciting their wares. You have not been a member long enough. Had you been you would understand why the rule is here.
I would just concentrate on getting in your 75 posts and then feel free to provide links pertaining to dogs as you wish.

[PowerNubby]

Thanks Shad..

and Yogi, you might wanna adjust the attitude a little... and just because I dont post a lot doesn't mean I dont spend time on here reading.. And I have been members of LOTS of forums, even designed and developed my own (i am a website develope as a career) and I happen to know that there are MUCH MUCH easier ways to descrimitate against spam and not annoy new members.. Just saying.

[cigwyllt]

Yog's attitude? There's no problem there! I belong to another forum that's more specific than this one, a LOT more members and a LOT busier but there is nowhere near the same amount of spam that there is here. I don't know why some sites attract spam and others don't but just thinking of the number of times I have reported spam here compared to the other forum I can see that here it could be a real problem and I think the admins/mods do a great job in keeping it under control.