There is still one puppy left at their house right?

Yes. A boy

I have been considering Babette,Betty, and Alice. I dont know why

I've always thought that my pets sort of "chose" their names somehow, since a name would occur to me without rhyme or reason and would stick. One cat ended up being called Gomez for this reason. It fit him perfectly.

I agree that you should wait a bit to see what fits her personality.

But my vote is for 'puddles'

I decided to go with Bonnie. Bon Bon for short.

The first vet visit did not go well. Oh she's healthy, though younger than we were told. She's around 14 weeks according to him. Problem was she turned into a straight up DEMON while there. She bit the vet. She bit the vet tech. She peed and pooped everywhere. I was SHOCKED, considering how sweet and docile she is while home. I talked to him about her hiding and he told me that if I dont put a stop to it she will only get worse as far as her fear aggression. Never had this problem with any of my pit bulls. Just sayin......

Anyway. I guess we have a lot of work ahead of us. I dont want a yappy little ankle biter. I want her to be sweet and friendly like my big oafs. Otherwise I will have to go and find the world's tiniest muzzle. She goes back for her booster in 3 weeks.

Isn't it a matter of teaching her to trust? IMPE, that requires tons of patience and gentleness. Seems like she was terrified...?

She peed and pooped everywhere.

I think 'puddles' would suit her well then. LOL

My Chi hated the vet and they would put the tiny muzzle on her or she'd bite everyone too. You have to remember they are so tiny everything and everyone is so much bigger, it can be easy to see they could be frightened. I got Belle as a rescue and they guessed her age to be 4 - 12. She bit everyone in the family when we first got her. Her nickname was Demon Dog. But after she got used to us she stopped biting, except as I said above if someone was holding her, then only that person could touch her.

Can you turn her into a sweet and friendly little oaf? I don't know. Maybe with her being a puppy you can. Best wishes!

Well, she better turn into something. That behavior is NOT ACCEPTABLE to me. Not in my house period. If one of my pits or my GSD acted like that people would be up in arms. I have never had to train a friggin puppy to be friendly,so I may seek professional intervention. I will try simple socialization and desensitization first.

Good luck Amy. Little dogs are much different than the large breeds. I think I heard somewhere that the small ones tend to bite more and I agree not acceptabe.

amy, from what you posted about her upthread, it sounds like she didn't receive much attention from her former owners. It could be that she just has no idea how to behave around people and unfamiliar situations. If you are willing to take her on, it could be that all she needs is time to adjust and lots of socialization to build her confidence.

I totally agree with you that that is unacceptable behavior for a dog no matter what it's size. Best of luck to you and your SO in turning her around.

We had one cat that had been traumatized by the unexpected (and not discovered for days) death of her owner - who had hand raised her from young kittenhood, bottle feeding her. We took her in but she didn't adapt well to the new household although the other cat did just fine. She might snuggle onto a lap but would growl if the lap person moved, and bite or scratch if you tried to pet her while she was there, or tried to pick her up, or basically interact with her at all! The vet nicknamed her "Slasher"; it took 2 assistants with leather gauntlets to deal with her.

She eventually accepted that we weren't trying to kill her, and would tolerate our presence, but only became friendly and even affectionate in the last 3-4 years of her 20 year life. I think she had dementia and forgot that she hated us.

If she hadn't belonged to a beloved relative and so was important to my DD at the time, I would have re-homed her long before then.

This may not be the dog for you. These are traits of that breed. They are naturally yappy. They are biters. If you expect to mold it into what your big dogs are then you probably need to return it.

It's not going to be any fun for the puppy or your family.

Mine is a tiny breed but it is a different breed and does not have those characteristics. She is not yappy at all, not a biter. Very very lovey. So there are tiny dogs that can be friendly and sweet.

Also they have very fragile necks. Should not use a leash on a collar, instead use a harness, no tugging or pressure on tiny neck bones. I keep a collar on Mia so her ID tags are on her, she is of course chipped too. But always walk her using a harness.

I agree with Raven, I have a chi and use a harness with a separate collar for tags.

I was discussing with a lady this past year whose bity chi had bitten a guest. The guest sued for over $90,000, possibly partly for the expense of a rabies series.

Simply because they are small, does not mean they cannot cause damage. There are tiny muzzles, Duchess wears one when she gets a shot.

All dogs are different and Amylou I am sure you know how to handle dogs. My mention of a muzzle at the vet is just what works for me and Duchess.

It's true, they are fragile little dogs, but not all are yappy biters. We had two of them when I was a kid, and both were friendly and loving companions. Neither of them ever so much as growled at anyone let along bite them and they were both great with kids. They also weren't yappy dogs; only barking if someone knocked at the door.

I know various breeds have certain traits they are known for, but it's not fair to the breeds to label them all as one thing or another. Some chis are yappy biters and some are not, just as some pitts are vicious while many others are friendly lapdogs.

raven, you are right that this dog may not fit into amylou's family; only time will tell. She may very well end up being a high strung, nervous biter or she may calm down and become part of the family. Everything is so new to her now that it's impossible to tell how she'll end up. I hope it doesn't sound like I'm arguing; it's not meant that way. It's just that your comments reminded me of the two we had when I was a kid and made me start thinking about how friendly they were, so I thought I'd share my own experience with the breed.

I do not buy into "breed characteristics." I could be wrong for sure, but I always thought that tiny little dogs that were bitey and yappy were that way because their owner allowed it. Same thing with big aggressive barky dogs. It's true I only have experience with large breeds. But to me a dog is a dog and will do whatever you let it get away with. She's only been here a few days so she is for sure a little on edge. She growled at Otis, my pit bull great dane mix. She got scolded, and hasn't done it since. Honestly I will have no problem rehoming this dog if she is beyond my capabilities. We will see....

i saw on the 'dog whisperer' - Cesar Milan, that if you hold little dogs all the time, they get very defensive and 'think they are bigger and better then everyone else'. let her stay on the floor till she learns her place in the pack.

dogs will always try to be the alpha, you have to tell and show her she's not through gentle correction and repetition

You also don't know what all she's been through at the previous owner's house. She may think that new people are going to be mean because she's had mean things happen to her. My sister had a tiny white Chi that was mean as heck. She got her as a tiny puppy though and was never mistreated. This is the only dog that ever bit me my entire life! HAHA! My sister really did let her get away with this behavior though simply because she didn't know how to stop it. I think training is a great thing if you decide to keep this dog. It may be better if you and your husband would pick out a dog that you both want though rather than simply taking a dog that someone didn't want...maybe this is why the guy is wanting to get rid of the dog, because of her unruly behavior. My friend's dog pees and poops all over when he goes to the groomer because he's so afraid. A tiny muzzle is an idea. She may freak out even worse though, being afraid of the muzzle?

Well, this sure seems like an accident waiting to happen! Amy, if you look up training chihuahuas, you will find a million or so articles about their biting, snapping, and yapping. I would suggest that 14 weeks is old for such a personality to be retrained.

I've known several of these little dogs, two were total sweethearts.

By the way, my mother's name was Bonnie. Your dog would be the perfect namesake, you have no idea! I'm going to have to call my brothers for a chuckle.

retrained

I think almost any critter can be retrained to remove bad behaviors and encourage good ones if the owner is committed to doing so and has the time and energy which such training demands. A biter is of course in a special group because in certain states a second bite can be very expensive. In addition, those in the home especially if there are children should not be put in danger and if danger exists then removal of the dog should be considered.

It might be a good idea until training is under way that BonBon have a crate or room to retire to when guests drop by.

As far as a muzzle that too can be a training adventure and when very yummy food appears at the same time the muzzle does, it might be seen in a different light by a dog that loves yummy treats.

She growled at Otis, my pit bull great dane mix. She got scolded, and hasn't done it since.

If Otis got results after only one lesson, surely there is hope?

Agree with all the comments re: training, probably best done by a behaviorist.

Having worked with rescue dogs, I would suggest giving Bonnie a "cooling off" period so she can adjust to the transition. She may be a very different dog once she gets used to the surroundings. And please.....let her approach your DH at her own speed for a better outcome. It's encouraging that she liked him at one point, perhaps she's just overwhelmed.

I always assumed chihuahuas were mean tempered too, based on my experience as a kid with my best friend's dog, but my BIL told me basically the same things Dawn relates above. His family always had them and never had problems with with them being snappy or bad tempered, so I think it's not a given that this problem is permanent.

& I thought the pooping/peeing thing around strangers was submissive behavior?

It is definitely not a given that a chihuahua is a snappy yappy dog at all. My sister, the one with the dog that bit me once, also has other chis that are very sweet. I have met a bunch of very sweet chis. When I was a little kid, I had a long haired chi that was very sweet and never mean to anyone...ever! I believe they are just like any other dog, can be mean or can be great...it depends on their personality.

I absolutely do not buy into the idea that a pit bull (whatever the breed of it) type dog is mean at all. They can be some of the sweetest most lovable dogs ever and great with kids and other dogs as well as being great with cats.

I also believe that a dog can be set off by a bad experience....contrary to what some people may believe, dogs have LONG MEMORIES and do not forget things easily! So maybe just one bad thing happened to little Bonnie and she's not wanting to let it go.

It really takes a while for a newly adopted dog to fit in and feel comfortable with their new family. I read that in a post from the Friends of the Fort Worth Animal Shelter and assume it's accurate.They recommended about 4 to 6 months.

The new family and the new dog need an adjustment period to begin trusting each other and finding their place in the pack.

That being said, I too believed that chihuahuas were prone to bitey/growly (little big dog syndrome) behavior but I'm no expert. Maybe a little fear drives that behavior?

OMG PK, , first time i saw that^^ literally brought tears to my eyes... our Leo was a rescue and we are sure he did not a great start, probably something along those lines. promptly got up and gave him a hug and kisses!!!

so many like him unfortunately :(

Maybe chihuahuas are just fearful more often than larger dogs, because of their small size...?

I subscribe to a pet newsletter and yesterday’s article was about dog size and behavior. It’s a good read, IMO.

https://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2019/09/06/decoding-dog-behavior.aspx?utm_source=petsnl&utm_medium=email&utm_content=art1ReadMore&utm_campaign=20190906Z1&et_cid=DM335007&et_rid=702056490

How is BonBon doing?

She is okay. On recommendation from my vet we set her up in our hall bathroom,which is right in the middle of the house. Instead of shutting the door, we put up a baby gate so she can still see the goings on. So she has her own space,but cannot hide under furniture,and gets used to being around people all the time. I let her roam the house but when she tries to hide under the couch,I get her out and put her back in her room. Again, at the recommendation of the vet. At night when I am here I bring her into our bedroom and shut the door so she cant escape and hide under the couch. Though she does hide under the bed for awhile before coming out to lay on her own bed after a couple hours. She is still terrified of SO, which is pitiful,because HE is the one who wanted her and brought her home. Sigh. She is still pretty timid with me as well, but will come to me eventually whereas she will not go to SO at all. I do not get it.

I only see her act like a normal dog when I let her outside. Inside she doesn't want to play,run around, or interact with anyone or anything. Outside, she has a ball.

House training is going good. We only had a couple accidents overnight. It's a good thing I am off work this week. (Well, I was supposed to be. I have to fill in for the boss tommorow) She is going to have to get over her fear of SO. When I start back on my normal night shift he is going to be the one here with her alone. I think when I start back on nights I will move her and her baby gate to the master bath during the day while I am home asleep.

It would be dishonest not to admit that it can be a bit frustrating at times. I have taken in former fighting dogs,dogs off the side of the road, and have tamed feral cats at work to the point that they go off to be a drivers fat and happy housecat or driving buddy. Never have i had such difficulty convincing a creature that we are not going to hurt it. But I am committed to helping her,be it keeping her and hoping she adjusts or finding a better home for her. There is a particular driver at work who has a chi named gizmo that rides in his truck with him. He has told me before that he had some difficulties with him not liking his wife that were eventually resolved. I will ask him when I see him for recommendations.

Well I have found a solution. While at work today there was a driver whose wife wants a little chihuahua. She is home most of the time because she doesn't work, and they have had chihuahuas before. So I am going to either go home and bring her back later today or bring her tommorow to go to her new home. I am a little sad and feel terrible that I couldn't make her happy. I also feel bad for uprooting her again. But I think this is for the best. I truly feel that.

I think SO is disappointed and his feelings are hurt a little bit by the fact that the pup doesn't like him. Especially as he was really excited about getting her. He won't admit it of course.

I didn't read the entire thread, but do tell SO that he may remind the pup of someone else who WAS mean to her, earlier in her life. The lady behind me said her dachshund, whom they adopted when she was 3 or 4, is terrified of her grown son and they don't know why. I'm glad you found someone else for the doggy and perhaps you and SO can go to the shelter and pick out another; spend some time before adoption with whomever you pick out so you can be sure there is no fear.

Amylou you did the best you could, and found her a good home.

Maybe y'all can foster to adopt with a local rescue service? I hope the little pup will be OK with the lady you are giving her to. I also think that probably your SO must remind her of someone that was mean or someone that she was afraid of before. My dog is afraid of men with long beards and teenage boys. She was tied up in deplorable conditions when she was rescued, so no telling what all she had happen to her before she was rescued.

It could be her size and his size just because he is so much bigger than her. I'm now taking care of one of my daughter's little dogs. He's terrified of everything. He was abused by one of her father's other dogs and that's why she got him. Now her new apartment complex won't allow her to have two dogs after telling her she could. So, I am stuck with him. He stays in his crate most of the time. Chewie, my big golden retriever/Chow mix has fought with him a couple times and so now Sherm is terrified of him. Chewie is massive compared to Sherman. When I was taking care of both my daughter's dogs while she was moving between apartments, Chewie would play with her other little dog and he ignored Sherman. Now that Butter is gone all his attention is on Sherman and he does not like it. I have to be really careful to give treats out first to my two big dogs and then to Sherman. Or take Sherman's to him in his crate because sometimes he won't come out. I also have to take him out front to use the bathroom as 90% of the time he won't go out back with the big dogs. He is even afraid around me, cowers when I take his lease off and on, even when I talk to him in a silly voice.

Amy, you did your best to let the little one thrive in your home. I hope BonBon has found her permanent home.

Sounds like a good solution. BonBon just wasn't a good fit for your home and family. I agree that your SO probably reminds her of someone who was mean to her or scared her in some other way. I once had a horse who hate any and all men, yet was a gentle and sweet soul around women and children. I later found out that he had been abused and beaten by the man who tried to train him when he was a young horse. That horse would do anything for me as long as I was gentle. The minute I got impatient or rushed him, he'd become fearful. Animals have long memories.

I hope that things work out for her and that you find a dog that likes both you and your SO.

Amylou, you found her a perfect home. She couldn't be better off than that. Don't feel bad, sometimes it's just not meant to be.

Keep us updated on her progress if you don't mind. I have had a few dogs that were given to me that the owner couldn't keep and all were great fits for me. So, sometimes the situation isn't right for a dog and they don't make a good fit for whatever reason. Rehoming is sometimes the best thing for the dog. I think that keeping a dog in the wrong environment doesn't do the dog any favors.

Sounds like a great match for her.

Do you think SO will try again with another dog?

Well, I saw him today. She did NOT like riding in his truck, hid under the seat, and tried to bite him when he went to get her out. She also snapped at their other dog, a pit bull. She never tried to bite us. The pit bull is now scared of her. For now.

However. He assures me that she will be okay. She is already firmly attached to his wife. He showed me a video on his phone. Wherever she goes, BonBon is on her heels. So while she is still fearful, he thinks that after a few weeks she will be right at home. She has already laid claim to a chair in his house, and he is complaining that the wife takes better care of the dogs than she does of him. She still spends most of her time hiding.

Oh and they are keeping her name,although he told me that while his wife calls her BonBon, he feels silly and so will call her by her full name, Bonnie.

Share_oh, probably. We have 4 large dogs that mainly like to stay outside unless we make them come inside. But he really wants a full time house dog. I never know when another pup will show up. He knows I would not turn them away or get mad.

The right one will come along someday.

Yes. BonBon was the only one I have ever had that we felt would be happier somewhere else.

Sounds like rehoming is going to work out. You tried and that's what counts :-)

Sounds like Bonnie likes women best and is afraid of men.

Poor BonBon. Hope she can overcome her fear and live a happy life. You did the best you could for her.

There was an article in our local newspaper about a volunteer group that takes shelter dogs out on runs -especially the ones that need retraining due to behavior issues like BonBon's. The theory is that the running burns off excess energy and anxiety, so they are calmer and better able to absorb the training.

I agree with that idea raee! It also stimulates their senses. Dogs love to be outside walking or running. It does burn their energy but it also gives them stimulation that they need and cannot get sitting around the house or the kennel. I think most all dogs need that mental stimulation. My dog is so bored acting when she doesn't get her daily dog park and walk.

It would be great if transportation could be set up to unite retired seniors with pound dogs so they could both get in a walk every day.