The dog who found my daughter is now at the vet getting tested,
vaccinated and neutered (not all at once). I turned him over to a rescue
group, but my daughter is in love and wants me to adopt him. Since our
GR didn't work out, I am considering letting her get "her" dog now and
waiting for mine for a few years (though I haven't let on at all that I
am considering this). The thing is, I don't know much about Chi's and
what I do know, if it's accurate, doesn't appeal to me.

Please comment on whether the following is accurate:
- Chihuahua's tend not to like other dogs that are not also Chihuahuas.
- They are very, very delicate and have to be watched like puppies their
entire lives.
- They are more difficult than average to housebreak.

What I know about this dog:
- The vet thinks he is about 1 1/2 years old.
- He was very clearly neglected and appears to have been abandoned. He's
been wandering my neighborhood for days (no collar/tag, no chip) and no
one has placed a "lost" ad or responded to our "found" ad.
- He is very affectionate with people.
- He shakes a lot.
- He doesn't like his feet to be touched (his nails are shockingly long).
- He doesn't let you anywhere near his mouth. I tried to look at his
teeth to estimate his age. He snapped but didn't growl.

The rescue doesn't currently have a foster home available for him so
he'll be staying at the vet's kennel for at least a few days or more.

I'm very hesitant to take in a dog who hasn't been temperament tested, no
matter how small he is. I have no idea how he would be with my cats.
I'm also just not a fan of these dogs, no offense meant to anyone who is.
I don't find them cute or endearing in the slightest, but my daughter
sure does.

--
Lynne

In article ,
Lynne wrote:

Since our
GR didn't work out, I am considering letting her get "her" dog now and
waiting for mine for a few years (though I haven't let on at all that I
am considering this).

I think you're reacting with guilt rather than sane thought. Chis tend
to live a long time. Your daughter is 11. YOU will be a caregiver for
this dog and have it in your home for a long time.

It's easy to get sucked in by dogs in need. OTOH it's not often the
wisest choice, particularly when there are other pets. Think with your
head and plan on a dog in the future that is carefully chosen to be
right for your home.

--
Janet Boss
www.bestfriendsdogobedience.com

Well here he is, Koda (the name my daughter gave him), top of the page:

http://www.chihuahuarescueusa.org/dogs.php?sel=all

This morning I spoke to the gal who picked him up last night about how he
did in her home. I didn't realize she has cats so I need to ask her about
their interactions.

She did tell me that he slept under the covers all night at the foot of the
bed and never made a peep.

--
Lynne

on Mon, 16 Apr 2007 19:05:03 GMT, Janet Boss
wrote:

I think you're reacting with guilt rather than sane thought. Chis tend
to live a long time. Your daughter is 11. YOU will be a caregiver for
this dog and have it in your home for a long time.

You're probably right on the guilt thing, so I'm trying to be sane about
it.

It's easy to get sucked in by dogs in need. OTOH it's not often the
wisest choice, particularly when there are other pets. Think with your
head and plan on a dog in the future that is carefully chosen to be
right for your home.

Very sage advice, Janet, as always. Thanks, ma'am!

--
Lynne

In article ,
Lynne wrote:

http://www.chihuahuarescueusa.org/dogs.php?sel=all

He's very cute and an obvious mix (which helps his cuteness IMO!).
Small dogs are hot commodities usually, so I'm betting he finds a
forever home pretty quickly.

--
Janet Boss
www.bestfriendsdogobedience.com

on Mon, 16 Apr 2007 19:12:03 GMT, Janet Boss
wrote:

He's very cute and an obvious mix (which helps his cuteness IMO!).
Small dogs are hot commodities usually, so I'm betting he finds a
forever home pretty quickly.

Yeah. I look at him and think, "I guess someone will find him cute." So
hopefully someone will. There is no doubt that he is very, very sweet,
though. It was also very sweet watching my daughter baby him all day
yesterday.

Looking at it from the realistic standpoint that *I* will be the one caring
for this dog for the next 15 or more years, I am not so tempted...

--
Lynne

on Mon, 16 Apr 2007 19:12:03 GMT, Janet Boss
wrote:

He's very cute and an obvious mix (which helps his cuteness IMO!).
Small dogs are hot commodities usually, so I'm betting he finds a
forever home pretty quickly.

By the way, he bleats like a sheep. It's hysterical!

--
Lynne

In article ,
Lynne wrote:

It was also very sweet watching my daughter baby him all day
yesterday.

Which of course, is not necessarily a healthy way to treat a dog. Easy
and tempting with the little ones, but not a good idea nonetheless.

--
Janet Boss
www.bestfriendsdogobedience.com

on Mon, 16 Apr 2007 19:17:14 GMT, Janet Boss
wrote:

Which of course, is not necessarily a healthy way to treat a dog. Easy
and tempting with the little ones, but not a good idea nonetheless.

That makes good sense. "But so many people do it!" is not a valid
justification, hehe.

--
Lynne

on Mon, 16 Apr 2007 21:21:54 GMT, montana wildhack
wrote:

And babying dogs is a really bad idea. Unless it's designated snuggle
time

I wonder if that is why I am not a fan of Chihuahuas. Most of the ones I
have met have been babied, were spoiled and had nasty temperaments (as a
result?).

--
Lynne