Chihuahua concerns...

[oregonwoodsmoke]

OP, on the collar and leash fitting problem. It is possible that a pet store can not help you with equipment for a dog so tiny.

You might have to go to a show dog supply website. They sell equipment for tiny show dogs.

The website I have used for show dog stuff is 3C's Dog Equipment. They drive around to dog shows but also have a website and sell on-line. Pet Edge is mostly for pets, but they have a small amount of show dog stuff. Jeffers tends to be the best place to buy crates and other equipment. but they don't carry much show equipment. However, they are worth a look to see what they have. (those are sites that I consider to be safe to use)

If she is whining for attention, ignore her and don't go and get her until she stops. Every time you pick her up for whining, you are simply teaching her to whine for what she wants.

One thing that can work on a toy breed is to get a squirt bottle and give the dog a little squirt of water when they need some correction. Don't squirt their face. It's not useful for every crime, but can calmly be used to stop barking, or for forbidden activities like getting up into potted plants.

Always remember that a well behaved dog is a much happier dog. They get included in activities and they get to go with. So don't have any guilt feelings about making her behave well. You are doing what is best for her when you teach her to have good manners.

[Three Wolves In Snow]

Originally Posted by Kees

P.S. One more question...

What about separation anxiety? I'll come home from work and will leave her upstairs while I go downstairs to shower and she will whine and cry as I leave and sometimes until I come back upstairs. She does the same thing if I come home with groceries and start bringing them in... if I go outside to the garage to get more she'll whine until I come back inside.

She is confined to the kitchen/living room/dining room area via a child gate in the hallway...She has full access to this area while I am at work too. The gate is my way of keeping her from roaming the house at will. In these whining situations she can see me... from behind the gate.

Is there a better way?

She cries and whines when you take a shower, she cries and whines when you are bringing in the groceries, and she whines and cries when you go to the garage, because she is placed in another room while you do those things, but does not whine and cry when you go to work, correct? (From what I remember reading, you said she lies in her dog bed while you are at work.)

It sounds to me like she wants to be part of the activities. You're doing something fun, according to her, and she wants to be a part of it.

USE THIS TO YOUR ADVANTAGE!

Make her EARN the right to be with you when you bring in the groceries, or go to the garage. I know it's a pain to have her on leash when you are trying to bring in groceries, but take the time to allow her to be with you if she's been good that day. One hand for a grocery bag or two, one hand for her leash. It will take you much longer to bring the groceries in, but she will be very happy to be part of what you are doing. You can use this like a reward since she so clearly wants to be there with you while you do these things.

While you take a shower, is there some way that you can attach her leash on to something in the bathroom so that she can be in there with you while you shower? OR, is it possible to put up a baby gate to keep her in the bathroom with you while you shower? Even if she's just sitting on the bathmat, she'll be happy that she's with you.

Again, use these as rewards. You can't carry over punishment to the next time, fyi. You can only reward or withhold on the day of those activities.

Example: It's Saturday, your dog has been doing really well, like you said she was doing last night. As her reward, you can take her out with you when you get your groceries from the car. Again, yes, I realize that means it will take you twice as long to bring the food in, but imagine the leaps and bounds that you will make in your relationship with her. It is well worth the time.

On the other hand, if she's been a brat that day, snarling and growling at people, then she gets to sit in the area that she's always sat in while you bring the groceries in.

The way to start this is to reward her spontaneously. Last night would have been the perfect time to do that...so keep things like that in mind. Let's say that you knew all of this last night. She was being good, not growling, not snapping, even when she was lying on your lap, (which I question why she was allowed to do that when she hasn't fully earned that privilege yet). You went to pet her or move her, and she did not react with a growl or snap. Right then and there, get the leash, put it on her, pretend that you have to go out to the garage, and bring her with you. Root around in the garage for a few minutes, as if you really did need something. Then come back in the house. You could even have a "fake" bag of groceries in the car.

Say she's been acting good all day, similar to how you said she was acting last night. You walk out of the house, open the car door, shut it, come back in. Let her hear that. And yes, she can most certainly hear it. Get her leash, put it on her, and without saying anything to get her over excited, simply take her to the car with you and retrieve your fake bag of groceries.

If you use what she wants as a reward, she is more apt to act correctly.

"I act up, I get nothing. I act right, I get to go to the car 20 times to get food!! JOY!"

It may sound silly, but going back and forth to the car IS fun for the dog.

[jay5835]

Originally Posted by Kees

I may be inexperienced in a lot of things but one thing I am not is an animal abuser. I don't hit my dog. I don't even yell at her.

Kees, you are the one with whom this sentence originates, in post #21: "Short of locking her in a cage all day or whipping her with a belt what am I supposed to do to curb this behavior?"

I doubt anyone else on this thread has ever used the words "dog," "whip," and "belt" in the same sentence before. It originated with you. That's why people are giving you **** about it. Your surprise at our reaction seems somewhat disingenuous.

[sargentodiaz]

You have received some truly valuable advice. The best thing to remember is that, whatever you do, you return the love she will give you.

Training any dog is not an overnight experience. It takes lots of time and lots of patience. In the end, the effort will be well worth it.

[Kees]

Originally Posted by oregonwoodsmoke

OP, on the collar and leash fitting problem. It is possible that a pet store can not help you with equipment for a dog so tiny.

You might have to go to a show dog supply website. They sell equipment for tiny show dogs.

The website I have used for show dog stuff is 3C's Dog Equipment.

Thanks! Will have a look at that website!

Originally Posted by Three Wolves In Snow

She cries and whines when you take a shower, she cries and whines when you are bringing in the groceries, and she whines and cries when you go to the garage, because she is placed in another room while you do those things, but does not whine and cry when you go to work, correct? (From what I remember reading, you said she lies in her dog bed while you are at work.)

It sounds to me like she wants to be part of the activities. You're doing something fun, according to her, and she wants to be a part of it.

USE THIS TO YOUR ADVANTAGE!

Make her EARN the right to be with you when you bring in the groceries, or go to the garage. I know it's a pain to have her on leash when you are trying to bring in groceries, but take the time to allow her to be with you if she's been good that day.

While you take a shower Even if she's just sitting on the bathmat, she'll be happy that she's with you.

Again, use these as rewards. You can't carry over punishment to the next time, fyi. You can only reward or withhold on the day of those activities.

The way to start this is to reward her spontaneously. Last night would have been the perfect time to do that...so keep things like that in mind. Let's say that you knew all of this last night. She was being good, not growling, not snapping, even when she was lying on your lap, (which I question why she was allowed to do that when she hasn't fully earned that privilege yet). You went to pet her or move her, and she did not react with a growl or snap. Right then and there, get the leash, put it on her, pretend that you have to go out to the garage, and bring her with you. Root around in the garage for a few minutes, as if you really did need something. Then come back in the house. You could even have a "fake" bag of groceries in the car.

Say she's been acting good all day, similar to how you said she was acting last night. You walk out of the house, open the car door, shut it, come back in. Let her hear that. And yes, she can most certainly hear it. Get her leash, put it on her, and without saying anything to get her over excited, simply take her to the car with you and retrieve your fake bag of groceries.

If you use what she wants as a reward, she is more apt to act correctly.

"I act up, I get nothing. I act right, I get to go to the car 20 times to get food!! JOY!"

It may sound silly, but going back and forth to the car IS fun for the dog.

Makes sense... thanks again.

I have a lot of work to do... she was on my lap last night because I thought she deserved it. She had behaved since I had gotten home after all... I have to break her of the habit regardless... right now she thinks she can jump up on my lap whenever she wants... and rightfully so, she's been doing it for as long as she has been able to jump up on furniture.

As far as the shower reward... in the past I'd just bring her in there with me and she would sit on the bathmat... and once I went behind the curtain she'd be sticking her head in the shower to see where I went... she'd even whine a little. More of the separation anxiety? I can definitely use that as a reward though.. she likes being at my side.

Groceries too... and yes, I can totally see how going back and forth to the car is fun for the dog.

Originally Posted by jay5835

Kees, you are the one with whom this sentence originates, in post #21: "Short of locking her in a cage all day or whipping her with a belt what am I supposed to do to curb this behavior?"

I doubt anyone else on this thread has ever used the words "dog," "whip," and "belt" in the same sentence before. It originated with you. That's why people are giving you **** about it. Your surprise at our reaction seems somewhat disingenuous.

Yeah I kinda forgot this was an internet forum and nobody knows me IRL because if they did they would know I would never resort to those actions.

Bad choice of words on my part...

Originally Posted by sargentodiaz

You have received some truly valuable advice. The best thing to remember is that, whatever you do, you return the love she will give you.

Training any dog is not an overnight experience. It takes lots of time and lots of patience. In the end, the effort will be well worth it.

Yes I have... thanks to all those who have responded with all the great advice. I have to go back and reread the entire thread and try to put all this into action. You have a cute dog too!

On a side note... she's got the "sit" pretty much down pat... I took this in this kitchen a little while ago.



She got a treat for a reward. She's been very good today as well.

[NM posts]

She's really cute, Kees. Good luck with her! You are not like my jerk neighbor - you are actually trying to train