Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi guys. My wife had a chihuahua before we got married, but it was also close to her parents, so she decided to leave it behind at her parent's house.

Well today I decided to surprise her with a 5 year old chocolate female I found in the paper. When I picked her up (she was staying at a grooming place) she was scared but pretty friendly. She climbed all over me during the car ride home and after getting home she stayed near me and even jumped up on me when I called her, but I had to leave and go to work for a little while so I put her in our large master bathroom for a little while. Well when I came back she was suddenly different and now keeps hiding behind the toilet and won't come out. If I approach her she growls a little, but nothing too fierce, and a little while ago I tried to pick her up when I saw her sitting on a pile of clothes near the toilet and she took off toward the toilet and nipped at me, not drawing blood or hurting much, but a little warning nip.

I know that all animals are different, but what can I do to help her understand that it's ok to come out and walk around? I will be needing to take her outside so she can potty.

>>Hi guys. My wife had a chihuahua before we got married, but it was also close to her parents, so she decided to leave it behind at her parent's house.
>>
>>Well today I decided to surprise her with a 5 year old chocolate female I found in the paper. When I picked her up (she was staying at a grooming place) she was scared but pretty friendly. She climbed all over me during the car ride home and after getting home she stayed near me and even jumped up on me when I called her, but I had to leave and go to work for a little while so I put her in our large master bathroom for a little while. Well when I came back she was suddenly different and now keeps hiding behind the toilet and won't come out. If I approach her she growls a little, but nothing too fierce, and a little while ago I tried to pick her up when I saw her sitting on a pile of clothes near the toilet and she took off toward the toilet and nipped at me, not drawing blood or hurting much, but a little warning nip.
>>
>>I know that all animals are different, but what can I do to help her understand that it's ok to come out and walk around? I will be needing to take her outside so she can potty.

>>>>>>>>>>

There are various possibilities for what is going on with this dog, including a medical problem or an injury. I'd start with a trip to a veterinarian. Selecting a dog as a surprise for someone else is usually not a good idea.
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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

It's really hard to say with out being there...

But here's a shot.

Get on the floor. Do not tower over her by bending down at her. Instead go in the bathroom, take a pillow to sit on, a book to read, some treats, and a small blanket. Sit on the pillow, put the blanket next to you in a soft pile, put a few treats in a line leading to the blanket, and read your book. Let her come to you. Don't try to force yourself on her. Give her time to gain some confidence. She'll start to become comfortable in her surroundings, then you can start trying to pet her and get her to realize that it's okay. (Use nibble size treats, you don't want the treats replacing her food.)

Put a food dish and a water dish in the bathroom. Put a small dog crate with nice soft bedding near the food dish. Put down a puppy pad in the opposite end of the bathroom.

You didn't offer much about the history on the dog. That along with the bit about getting the dog from an ad in the paper, and picking her up at a grooming shop, do not sound like a favorable situation to set her (the dog) or you up for success. This means you may have some challenges to get through before this turns into the happily ever after part of the story.

In your situation I think getting a full veterinarian examination to make sure she's okay should be at the top of your list. Unfortunately this means you will likely have to catch her and she won't be very happy about it. This means you'll have to give her time to recover from that too.

When traveling please use a crate, this will protect her from harm in case of an accident and from escape (and possible harm) after an accident. Make sure the crate is secured so that it can't fly about if there is an accident.

Good luck! Please keep us updated.

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tabitha
Kayo, Kahla, and Dante'