Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi ,
My name is Amy I am having a few problems that i was hoping you could help me with . I work At a pet store caring for small animals birds fish and reptiles . About 2 and a half weeks ago A nice lady called up the store trying to find a home for her pomerainian I had been thinking about adopting a little dog for a few months now so I told her I would like to meet the dog . So my husband and I went to meet the dog that following monday and the dog was 8 years old and seemed very sweet wonderful and well adjusted we stayed for about a hour just playing with the dog and talking to her about her and from what she said she loved to be held and played with and things and chelsy gave no inclunation other wise she was bouncing around letting me pet and hold her so I told her i would like the dog she said give her a week to let her daughter come over and say good bye so we agreed and went over this past sunday to get the dog and the moment i got her here she was totally different biting and growling . not wanting to be picked up or held or even petted . i am trying so hard i love this dog why is she being so different ? do you think she will calm, down again once she is adjusted ? what can I do ? o I almost forgot to mention she is not spayed do you think that has any thing to so with it ?
please if any one has had a simler problem and found a solution please help .
amy

>>Hi ,
>> My name is Amy I am having a few problems that i was hoping you could help me with . I work At a pet store caring for small animals birds fish and reptiles . About 2 and a half weeks ago A nice lady called up the store trying to find a home for her pomerainian I had been thinking about adopting a little dog for a few months now so I told her I would like to meet the dog . So my husband and I went to meet the dog that following monday and the dog was 8 years old and seemed very sweet wonderful and well adjusted we stayed for about a hour just playing with the dog and talking to her about her and from what she said she loved to be held and played with and things and chelsy gave no inclunation other wise she was bouncing around letting me pet and hold her so I told her i would like the dog she said give her a week to let her daughter come over and say good bye so we agreed and went over this past sunday to get the dog and the moment i got her here she was totally different biting and growling . not wanting to be picked up or held or even petted . i am trying so hard i love this dog why is she being so different ? do you think she will calm, down again once she is adjusted ? what can I do ? o I almost forgot to mention she is not spayed do you think that has any thing to so with it ?
>> please if any one has had a simler problem and found a solution please help .
>> amy

>>>>>>>>>>>>>

The place to start is with a veterinary check up. These little dogs are easily injured and are especially prone to collapsing trachea and luxating patellas (slipping kneecaps). They also frequently develop problems from jumping or falling from heights. Eight years of jumping off the sofa takes a toll when you're that small. It would be interesting, too, to get them to tell you who the dog's vet has been and take her to that vet. You may find out things about her medical history there that another vet wouldn't see.
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Kathy Diamond Davis, author, "Therapy Dogs: Training Your Dog to Reach Others," 2nd edition, and the free Canine Behavior Series articles at http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=SRC&S=1&SourceID=47

I agree that a vet visit & her medical history are priorities.

If all checks out, then it could just be that she will need a slow/easy adjustment period.

Do you have a crate for her?

With a new place/new everything, it might help for her to have a safe comfortable place to just observe & get her bearings.

With those plastic crates, you can take most of the screws out & then lift the top off, (holding the door from falling) but always very slow movements & lots of soothing sounds, I like to 'cluck or sigh'.

Don't force the picking up. just sit with some treat for her & sort of ignore her. When she is behaving skittishly you want to be doing nothing - no reaching out your hand, no verbal coaxing & then when she is responding well to you, thats when she gets the treat/soft praise. The more patience you have at this stage the better.

Does she have a collar or harness? Am assuming that you have to take her out to walk/potty. It might be easier if you always have her on leash so you'll have some control in case she gets in trouble or tries to dart off.

a new dog (or even a longtime family pet) in a new place is at high risk of flight.

she could very well show lots of improvement in a short time. Best for you stay calm. best wishes, let us hear