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 Anxious and noisy rescued Chihuaha !!
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| Posted by | Topic subject: Anxious and noisy rescued Chihuaha !! |
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unreal23 New Member  Posts: 5 |
posted 03-01-2003 12:41 AM
  
Hi everyone, I'm sure you guys must see this type of post all the time, but I really need some advice! I just adopted a 2.5 yr old chihuaha/terrier from the spca about a week ago. She's very shy and scared, and cowers on the floor when approached by strangers, but seems to have grown attached me. She always has to have me in sight when I'm at home, and barely tolerates my time in the bathroom with the door shut. But when I leave her alone in the apt, she chews up the carpet and the blinds which are against the front door. She did not destroy anything else, just the area around the front door. I put her in the kitchen, and she again only dug up the carpet near the entrance. And she also whines very very loudly! almost seconds after she thinks I've left. I will try to accustome her to my abscences by spending time pretending to leave and come home, but I'm worried how effective it will be since chihuahas are supposed to be a hard breed to train? I love her and she's adorable, but I live in an apt and her high pitched whining will eventually draw complaints!! I don't have the heart to punish her, and am fairly sure it won't work anyway. Please, any suggestion would be greatly appreciated! Thanks IP: Logged |
RottyMommy Moderator Posts: 343 |
posted 03-01-2003 12:04 PM
It sounds like your dog is suffering from sparation anxiety. Here are some ideas that I was given when I started asking the same questions you are. First does your dog have basic obedience? If not, get her in one. Second, do you crate her? If not try it. Crating gives them a sense of security, like a den. In my case, my rottie freaked out whenever I put her in a confined space. So I dont use it yet. But it is a good idea if you can. Try leaving a shirt that you wore but didnt wash yet with her when you leave. This is the key with my dog. If I forget to put it out when I leave I come home to destruction. Also try leaving a light on and a tv or radio on. whatever you normally have on when you are home. Also leave the house in small increments I literally had to start with leaving for seconds. I am now up to 3 minutes. Its sad but that is when she starts jumping up on the door and scratching at the window. When you do leave ignore her for like 10 min before you leave then just grab your coat and keys and leave dont make any long goodbyes or make a big deal out of it. When you come back dont give her tons of attention when you first come home. Put your keys away hang your coat up get a drink then go give your dog tons of attention. You were right as to not discipline her you want you coming back to be a positive thing. I know it can be hard sometimes when things are destroyed but crating may solve that problem. I hope this helps you out. Any other questions let us know. Good luck IP: Logged |
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Pauline Member  Posts: 119 |
posted 03-01-2003 02:35 PM
I agree with Rottymommy 200%!!!!! IP: Logged |
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shmoopie Member Posts: 361 |
posted 03-03-2003 02:41 PM
Hi, The problem you have is the result of the previous trainer creating a fearful situation everytime they approached her...she's scared to be punished. You are correct when you say not to punish her when you discover her presents! Only punish her when you catch her in the act. This will take some thinking on your part. Pretend to leave (go outside and listen at the door) or go to a different room as though you are leaving her in her designated area...then as soon as you see her or hear her acting up jump out from around a corner and scare the shit out of her...this will keep her on her toes that you are just around the corner...it may take a few times, but eventaully she will get it. As for her cowering when someone approaches. Try getting down on your hands and kees and making eye level contact with her. Show her you are submitting to her and try to lure her towards you with a treat. This will, in time, show her you are not a threat and that she can trust you will not kick her(or what ever the jerks did to create this problem). Be sure to keep your face out of this dogs face. Sit on the ground at a 3 feet distance and try calling her to you with a treat. Now, best thing for you to do is get a book on Chiuauas and terriers then realize both those traits are in this one tiny little dog. I applaud you for taking on this task, but your dog will repay you with un conditional love, but first, you must learn some doggie language. My suggestion is Positive Enforcement training...since your dealing with a fearful dog. This takes LOTS of time to correct, remember to be patient and not expect too much from the dog at once. Give the dog weeks of repetitous training and then, expect to see results, but not after only one session or so. Good luck IP: Logged |
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unreal23 New Member Posts: 5 |
posted 03-03-2003 04:05 PM
Thanx for all the advice guys  Right now I'm leaving her in the bathroom, where she cant do much damage. The only thing she does is dig at the carpet under the door and chew a bit on the door itself. I'm spending a bit of time each day, "mock leaving", putting her in the bathroom, then opening and closing the front door, while staying in the apt. My question is, should I just concentrate waiting longer and longer before I go and let her out, or should I interrupt her digging etc. to reprimand her? I was thinking that, if I reprimand her, she will intreperet it as getting attention for her misbeahaving actions. As of now, I wait for a break in her whining/digging before I go let her out. Thanks again for the advice IP: Logged |
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shmoopie Member Posts: 361 |
posted 03-03-2003 05:16 PM
By ignoring the problem...it will not magically stop! This one is tricky...does your dog believe you have left? or is she kinda sensing you are in the apartment? I bet she can tell your still there! When you hear she starts to dig at the door..make a loud noise to startle her or a very low tone voice, then when she stops say "good girl" in a very high pitch tone. Using your voice at different levels will help teach your dog when she has done good and when she has done bad, that way you do not need to use physical corrections. But do not allow her to do something you don't like and tearing at the carpet is a definate no no...so be sure to tell her that! Also, she might just be bored so try to leave something for her to play with or chew (you might already do that, so what you need to do is make the toy that much more interesting...play with the ball and have a great time with it on your own...this will have the dog wanting it because you do!) [This message has been edited by shmoopie (edited 03-03-2003).] IP: Logged |
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unreal23 New Member Posts: 5 |
posted 03-03-2003 06:34 PM
I'm pretty sure she believes Ive left, because she never whines if she believes Im home. Ive also tried playing with her, little bones, stuffed kongs etc. But she just doesn't seem interested. In fact, she doesn't even eat while I'm gone, although she eats ravenously half an hour after I'm home. Ive been looking into like one of those bitter apple sprays and also those moition/noise sensing things that makes a loud noise. Do you think those noise sensor things work very well? I guess it'll take awhile, but I'll keep trying. IP: Logged |
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shmoopie Member Posts: 361 |
posted 03-03-2003 07:45 PM
unreal, You are dealing with a fearful animal and I think it is important that you understand patients and taking things slowly will benefit you greatly. Don't ask too much of your dog. She is scared and afraid of being alone, especially since you make her feel so safe. I would think she is crying when she knows you are there so to get your attention to let her out; however, I could be wrong. I recently started reading a book that explains wolves communicating with eachother during a hunt or in the wild. Wolves do not use any barking..maybe a growl when the other dogs step out of line, but the only way wolves communicate with eachother is through eyes and body language...if you can understand that, then you will realize what a great sense your dog has of its surroundings. So when you say you think the dog thinks your gone, I'm pretty sure she knows your still there...she has such a great sense of smell and hearing that it would be very difficult to trick her in a tiny apartment. I don't know much about the motion sensors, but something says it wouldn't be that great of an idea as the dog can learn she's causing the alarm to go off...I dunno depends how smart the lil girl is! And as per the toys...you have to play with the toys on your own or with someone else in the house to show her it's Lots and Lots of fun...trust me once she sees how much you love that toy...she's gonna want to check it out!
IP: Logged |
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RottyMommy Moderator Posts: 343 |
posted 03-03-2003 09:50 PM
Have you tried leaving a shirt with your scent in there with her? What about leaving a radio or tv on? I would praise her and and open the door when she stops acting up. She will eventually realize that being calm gets her mommy back and she will settle down. The dog who loved too much by Dr Nicholas Dodman is a good book to read. It gives you alot of info on how to help with this too. I never reprimanded my dog for acting up just praised her when she was good and she eventually stopped tearing things up. We just still have to work on her jumping up on the door. Your best bet with anything you do with this dog is positive reinforcement. My dog did wonders with being trained this way. If I yelled at her she would cower and sometimes even pee because she was scared so I stopped. I just praise her for doing good things and if I catch her doing something she isnt supposed to do I give her something else to do. Does your dog play with toys or chew on chew toys when you are there? My dog plays with her toys constantly when Im home but wont touch them when im not. This is totally normal with separation anxiety. It is also part of separation anxiety in some dogs to not eat of drink while you are gone. |
