[worried1]

I've come to the conclusion that I have to get rid of my 5 month old male chihuahua, but want to make sure he goes to a good home. No one I know wants him, and I'm afraid the animal shelter with euthanize him. I feel really guilty about this, does anyone have any suggestions on a safe way to find him a good home?

The rest of this is the back story on why I have come to this conclusion although I feel horrible about it, and basically a vent. I'm thinking about adopting a trained older dog from a shelter in the future, but maybe I'm just not a good dog owner, if you'd be so kind on your opinion on that it'd be much appreciated.

I bought him for a small re-homing fee off of craigslist when he was 8 weeks old. In the beginning he did okay with housebreaking (he'd go potty outside about 60% of the time). Now it's down to 10% or less. I've tried EVERYTHING. I've talked to trainers, pet owners and my vet. I've tried kennel training him but he'd go potty in there (I bought the smallest one I could find at petsmart, in order to be the correct size it'd have to be a little bit bigger than a shoebox). When he goes potty outside he gets praise and a treat. When he goes potty inside we say no firmly and take him outside. He'll be outside for hours with us and not go until we get into the house. When we're in the house he's almost always in our sight, until he runs off and even though we immediately follow him he is already going potty, sometimes he doesn't even bother running off. We've tried the no-pee sprays. When we try to pick him up (especially after/while he goes potty) he runs from us and/or bites. However he is always sitting next to someone (except while going potty) so I know he isn't afraid of us. If we leave him outside without someone being out there, he barks and I'm afraid of getting a noise complaint.

At night (or when we aren't home), we keep him in the bathroom downstairs which he has destroyed the molding and door by scratching. We used no-spray stuff, blocked off the areas he normally scratches (he moved onto a new spot). He's drawn blood from my husband (who was picking him up because he peed in the house) and now "attacks" (he hasn't really hurt them, I'm not sure if he's trying to play or what).

He (and my husband) have scared me to death twice now (I'm pregnant). The first time was when he bit my husband and drew blood. His teeth got stuck in his hand, and my husband flung him down and the dog wouldn't move or do anything for awhile. The second time, my husband out the bathroom he's (the dog) normally in with bleach because we decided we were tired of the destruction and we'd try using the kennel again. The dog apparently started attacking my 2 year old and when my husband grabbed him, he peed all over the couch. (I really don't think the dog pees because he's afraid of him, he'll climb and sit with him all the time.) My husband put him in the bathroom where there was still some bleach still on the floor behind the sink and the dog drank it, resulting in him being very sick.

If you made it through this, thanks, it's kept me up all night. I'm really sad that I've come to this conclusion, but between the dogs refusal to be housebroken outside, aggressiveness, destruction and my husband's carelessness I feel I don't have any choice. He's my first dog, and I've always wanted one and I've been putting off this decision for months and am heartbroken that I can't be a good dog owner. :-(

[Todd]

One things that comes with being a good dog owner is the commitment. If you are truly willing to work with htis dog, you must make the long term commitment to do so. You say that he used to go to the bathroom outside 60% of the time but now only 10%. Think back. What changes could have potentially occured during the lapse in time periods? Was it gradual or all of a sudden? Try to put the pieces together. Housebreaking is generally more difficult with smaller breeds than larger breeds. You say you have tried everything and nothing has worked for you. Although it isn't my favorite method, have you considered giving paper training a shot? It is where you have a specially designed mat for the dog to go potty on inside. Only issue I have with it is that it can be confusing if you also want your dog to go potty outside or if you are looking to make that transition sometime down the road, but since nothing else has worked for you it's worth a shot. Smaller breeds generally are more successful with paper training. Here is some more information on it from the web. Check out as many links as possible and study up;

paper train dog - Google Search

paper train dog - Google Search

You say you keep him in the bathroom at night and when you aren't home. How often would you say he's in there? Try and give us a run down of your typical routine if possible, and the same goes for your husband. How much exercise does the dog get? You may think that a dog of this breed and size wouldn't need any exercise but that isn't true. It may not need as much as other breeds but it still depends on the individual energy level of the individual dog. Could you take him of a few walks around the block at least throughout the day if you don't already? You'd be surprised how much a little exercise can solve or at least lesson many behavioral problems such as destructive behavior which you seem to be experiencing.

The aggressiveness is an issue that needs correcting as well. Especially being that you're pregnant, you wouldn't want the dog biting your baby. You said the dogs also already attacked your 2 year old and that isn't good. This behavior needs correcting before then if you decide to keep him. His aggression seems to be triggered when picking him up. I wouldn't pick him up anymore in these situations. For such a small dog this could almost be considered getting physical with him which could be perceived as a threat in his mind. He probably feels valnuarable and this is why he bites. You need to rely of other methods of correction. Verbal correction is obviously key. Correct him with the word "no" in a firm tone of voice after he doesn something wrong like going to the bathroom on the floor. In stead of picking him up to take him outside to go to the bathroom for instance, lure him out with a toy, treat, or just you walking out and calling him. Then reward him with the positive reinforcement which is key. You may want to consider other methods while he is peeing on the floor or misbehaving otherwise. You could try an airhorn or bottle with pennies in it to shake and make a loud destracting noise to hopefully stop poor behavior. Something else to try would be a spray bottle. Give him a squirt when he is misbehaving and this may help out quite a bit. Just don't forget the positive reinforcement as well. This is key to keep him WANTING to behave well and please you. In order for training to reach its full potential you need tyo establish yourself as the alpha in the relationship too. NEVER use the alpha role or anything physical. This will do more harm than good especially with an aggressive dog...

Dog Owner's Guide: Who’s in charge here, anyway? (ignore the alpha exercises which I just explained. Nothing physical)

If you really work hard with the dog and are willing to put in the time and effort you should be able to keep him. If you aren't willing to put in the time and effort find him a home that is willing to do so at all costs. Best of luck to you.

[DoggieVogue]

Chihuauas are a tough breed to train, like Todd said, smaller breeds have a more difficult time with housebreaking and training than larger ones. With a two year old and baby on the way a chihuahua may not be the best fit with small kids but since you already have him I would try training him first. It would definitely be helpful to know his routine as Todd suggested. This dog sounds like he needs a lot of training and it may be tough to put in that effort being pregnant and all. Maybe your husband could? But if not, make sure to find him a good home. Craigslist can be helpful but you must make sure you check out the family throroughly and you can also ask friends of friends, neighbors, coworkers etc.. I would definitely be more comfortable with someone I know if I were in your position. Good luck with everything!

[Yogi]

If in all honesty you are willing to give up on this, than your best outlet is to locate a local Chihuahua rescue and surrender the dog to them. They will take whatever time is needed in foster to work with these issues and then screen any potential new homes for a proper fit.