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Any Small Dog Owners?

Pachimac

Pachimac

Give me all the cliché Christmas movies
Joined
Apr 12, 2016
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3,661
We have two chihuahuas - one very laid back, and one wound up tighter than a drum. He is not around dogs very often and he growls and barks and sometimes even bares his teeth at any dog that comes at him. We tried doggy day care to get him used to other dogs, and he didn't pass the temperament test, so they didn't let him in with the other dogs. We don't have many other options to have him be with other dogs.

How can we get him able to be around dogs and get used to being around them? I don't want to buy a muzzle, but I don't want to deny his brother the fun of other dogs too!

Please help! He's a LOVE...with people. When he was a pup he was charged by a golden retriever, rolled him, and scared the pee out of him - literally. He peed all over himself and the ground when it happened.
 
@Pachimac Desensitization is needed. I had to do this a bit with Remi as she was very timid and because she was so sick the first few months we had her, she didn't get to socialize and adjust to her environment at first. I desensitized and she is 100% ok now around all dogs, if any make her nervous she comes to me to her safe spot (we practiced "middle" command between my legs) or if a person is closer, may go sit on their feet for a minute to calm down and make sure the dog isn't going to bother her. I'd be happy to chat with you on FB about it and give you some pointers on how to get started with it and if you don't have much luck, pretty much any trainer will be able to teach you the steps on how to do it. Youtube has lots of videos about it to. But, I'm happy to get you started if you would like.
 
Another option if available near you might be to have the dog go to a trainer that has the dog live in their home especially if they have dogs of their own. My cousin took her puppy to a place that did that. Annie spent 4 weeks there and absolutely loves all dogs now. She was scared of my 9 lb Havanese before she went and Peyton is not aggressive with other dogs... just barks at them.
 
We have a small dog, a Yorkie, but we are new to this. She belonged to my sis-in-law and we've had her for the past year. When she was with my sis-in-law, she was with two other dogs. All the dogs have been sent to separate homes. Piper is super sweet and loves all animals and people. I believe she thinks she is a huge dog, because the German shepherd next door doesn't even phase her. Honestly, I would have NO clue how to go about this. Good luck!
 
I would love to talk with you about this! Look for me on FB as Susie Marie

This is me.

. DE52C850-35E8-4BC3-A2D8-10C19C4D9980.png

bcgal00 said:
@Pachimac Desensitization is needed. I had to do this a bit with Remi as she was very timid and because she was so sick the first few months we had her, she didn't get to socialize and adjust to her environment at first. I desensitized and she is 100% ok now around all dogs, if any make her nervous she comes to me to her safe spot (we practiced "middle" command between my legs) or if a person is closer, may go sit on their feet for a minute to calm down and make sure the dog isn't going to bother her. I'd be happy to chat with you on FB about it and give you some pointers on how to get started with it and if you don't have much luck, pretty much any trainer will be able to teach you the steps on how to do it. Youtube has lots of videos about it to. But, I'm happy to get you started if you would like.
Click to expand...
 
I’m hoping not to have to board him away for anything. We were going to see if we could find a doggy day care place and see if that works.

HavaDrPepper said:
Another option if available near you might be to have the dog go to a trainer that has the dog live in their home especially if they have dogs of their own. My cousin took her puppy to a place that did that. Annie spent 4 weeks there and absolutely loves all dogs now. She was scared of my 9 lb Havanese before she went and Peyton is not aggressive with other dogs... just barks at them.
Click to expand...
 
Our guy thinks he’s Gigantor! He doesn’t realize how small he is.

gonewiththewind said:
We have a small dog, a Yorkie, but we are new to this. She belonged to my sis-in-law and we've had her for the past year. When she was with my sis-in-law, she was with two other dogs. All the dogs have been sent to separate homes. Piper is super sweet and loves all animals and people. I believe she thinks she is a huge dog, because the German shepherd next door doesn't even phase her. Honestly, I would have NO clue how to go about this. Good luck!
Click to expand...
 
Oh my goodness! So handsome and what an inquisitive expression!

Here's a photo I took of Piper this afternoon when I picked her up from the groomer's. She had a bow on top of her head, but she managed to get that off in no time flat. I haven't found any good solutions for keeping bows in.

PXL_20211103_021603795.PORTRAIT.jpg
 
I am in love!!!! What an adorable puppy!!!!

gonewiththewind said:
Oh my goodness! So handsome and what an inquisitive expression!

Here's a photo I took of Piper this afternoon when I picked her up from the groomer's. She had a bow on top of her head, but she managed to get that off in no time flat. I haven't found any good solutions for keeping bows in.

View attachment 473627
Click to expand...
 
I know this sounds simple and perhaps a bit stupid. But the word NO does wonders.... ( or Stop !) said very sharply and like you mean it. it will stop him from barring his teeth, but it won't stop him from being scared an uncomfortable. Small dogs do this a lot. People step on them ,come close to them with their big feet, and other dogs play rough , so from an early age their defence is to bark.
Also your dog can sense you get uncomfortable,so he will "defend " you from danger too. So relax and sweet talk even when other dogs are near.
 
No is used. It does not stop him growling and snapping. He is fiercely protective and I think that’s part of the problem. Scared and protective at the same time .

Nemla said:
I know this sounds simple and perhaps a bit stupid. But the word NO does wonders.... ( or Stop !) said very sharply and like you mean it. it will stop him from barring his teeth, but it won't stop him from being scared an uncomfortable. Small dogs do this a lot. People step on them ,come close to them with their big feet, and other dogs play rough , so from an early age their defence is to bark.
Also your dog can sense you get uncomfortable,so he will "defend " you from danger too. So relax and sweet talk even when other dogs are near.
Click to expand...
 
Ours is not small, he's huge. But, as a rescue, he was not in good shape and afraid of people to start. We put him in a training/doggie day care program. They had him play and train so he was able to get used to people and playing with other dogs. I don't know if there's something like that where he would pass the temperament test? Or just a training program that would get him more adjusted?
I know that paying for training can be expensive, but it was seriously well worth the money for us. The good behavior is a bonus, but Zeus' willingness to play with other dogs, and his excitement to meet people and be the sweet puppy he is, was the best part.

Side note: I love that the little dogs think they are big! My big dog thinks he's a lap dog. At 80lb - he is not. But it doesn't stop him from trying!
 
bestcee said:
Side note: I love that the little dogs think they are big! My big dog thinks he's a lap dog. At 80lb - he is not. But it doesn't stop him from trying!
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My mom's dog thinks he's a lap dog as well. He's a beast. His name is Hank, but I call him Hank the Tank.
 
bestcee said:
Ours is not small, he's huge. But, as a rescue, he was not in good shape and afraid of people to start. We put him in a training/doggie day care program. They had him play and train so he was able to get used to people and playing with other dogs. I don't know if there's something like that where he would pass the temperament test? Or just a training program that would get him more adjusted?
I know that paying for training can be expensive, but it was seriously well worth the money for us. The good behavior is a bonus, but Zeus' willingness to play with other dogs, and his excitement to meet people and be the sweet puppy he is, was the best part.

Side note: I love that the little dogs think they are big! My big dog thinks he's a lap dog. At 80lb - he is not. But it doesn't stop him from trying!
Click to expand...

Spending money is definitely not off of the table, but we'd like to make inroads on our own if possible. We took them to the dog park yesterday and I learned something: He responds better to my husband. We had him off the leash for a bit yesterday (with eagle eyes and a leash nearby) and he actually played a little bit. Maybe I'm not the one he needs to learn from!

On another note - totally unrelated - are you listening to the Gilmore Girls podcast by Scott Patterson (Luke)? It's really good!! He never watched the show when it was on, so he's going through it episode by episode with guests from the show. You should check it out!! It's called "I Am All In".
 
Pachimac said:
On another note - totally unrelated - are you listening to the Gilmore Girls podcast by Scott Patterson (Luke)? It's really good!! He never watched the show when it was on, so he's going through it episode by episode with guests from the show. You should check it out!! It's called "I Am All In".
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Going to download it now!
 
@Pachimac I friended you on FB and can chat later today, just start a chat with me when you have some free time. I'm out for an hour at lunchtime but home other than that.

Gilmore Girls was a fave show years back. I loved the cast.
 
bcgal00 said:
@Pachimac I friended you on FB and can chat later today, just start a chat with me when you have some free time. I'm out for an hour at lunchtime but home other than that.

Gilmore Girls was a fave show years back. I loved the cast.
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got it! You are one HECK of a nature photographer!!!!!!

I’ll be in and out all day but I’ll PM you when I get home for good. Thank you so much!

and you like GG TO, eh? I’ve watched it about 4x all the way through!
 
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