My chihuahua is also very fearful of strangers. I adopted her from an animal shelter. She shakes all over when a stranger comes into the house, especially if they are dark skinned. However, I have been able to gently introduce her by holding her in my arms and speaking softly to her while they are greeting her. She begins to relax, and soon out comes her tongue and she's licking. She has a really weird obsession with licking. Anyway, when the next visitor comes, she's scared all over again. She has gradually begun to remember people she's previously met, and she now greets them wagging her tail. --- In [email protected], "judypereztx" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > Hi, > > we adopted two chi's right before christmas. One is a three year old mom who > looks very similar to Hercules posted on the home page, and her one year old > daughter who is black with brown markings. They are larger sized at 8 and 9 > pounds (not fat, big) They have bonded with us wonderfully and we are > having so much fun with them. > > One problem we are having is they are so fearful of strangers, they go nuts > when someone comes into the house. I suspect they may have been abused > seeing how they have reacted with many men, especially dark haired ones. > Has anyone had experience with this kind of thing? Over time with training > (classes?) and lots of love will they become more trusting and accepting of > new people, or is this likely to be a life long thing for us to deal with? In > Chihuahuas for Dummy's I read about this crucial socializing period in their > first year, that obviously these two missed. Is it too late for socialization efforts > to have much effect? Any pointers on handling introductions with new > people? > > any advice from all of you with chihuahua wisdom is greatly appreciated. > thanks, > judy ------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor --------------------~--> What would our lives be like without music, dance, and theater? Donate or volunteer in the arts today at Network for Good! http://us.click.yahoo.com/TzSHvD/SOnJAA/79vVAA/MJOolB/TM --------------------------------------------------------------------~-> " Lets talk about man's best friend! Join today! " Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Chihuahuas/ <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
