On 10/21/06, cardamonbraid <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
Hello, Just joined this group in hopes of getting some advice to make
the transitions needed help to adjust to our new member of the family
'Olaf' (well it was Paquito I think but tradition says pets in this
house have been adopted and hence now are Swedish)
History: Lost my 'Boy' Vin Scully to advanced stages of Cushings
Syndrome....Had no plans to get a new dog for a while when Thursday I
hear a knock at the back door and its our neighbors son holding a
Chihuahua.......Well I tired to pet him and needless to say my fingers
are still BLUE.........He told me how they had been asked by a
co-worker if they could take him (reason unknown) but after two days a
very small house with MANY people living there it was just too hard to
have such a small animal running around.......So would I like to have
him.......their other recourse was the pound and my heart wouldn't let
that happen.
I said I'd give it a couple days and within 12 hours his fear was gone
and he was attached to me..........One son thought he was 2yo but the
father thought he was 4yo........No other history really is known so
in the next few days will take to the vet for shots etc.....BUT NOW
comes the questions...........
He will not eat dog food, but loves the cats food, will this be a
major problem?
The only thing I've heard about cat food compared to dog food is that it is higher protein, because cats require more protein. Other than that, I don't know. I do believe I've heard that cats don't do well on dog food because they have different nutritional requirements. If I were going to feed cat food, I think I'd do some research on the internet (or ask your vet) regarding ingredients.
He has no interest in toys, balls, things to chew or tug etc.......If
you put him outside to hopefully play unless you are out there he just
stands and does not move.......nor will he do his business unless you
are with him........He walks well on a leash........
You don't walk him with the least attached to his collar, right? You put a harness on him to walk him - because his trachea (I believe it is) is fragile.
My BIGGEST concern and the one that now has not put him in the good
graces of my husband is that everyday around 4-6pm he will deficate on
the living room rug........Doesn't matter that you just had him out
for a long walk etc he finds the need to do this right in the middle
of the living room rug..........Doesn't pee in the house and will do
his business on morning walks etc but there is something about this
time of the day............and one just can't stay outside with him
for hours when its raining etc.......
I think I saw someone respond to this one with some good info.
My other concern is Winter and they are so small etc what do you do so
that they don't get sick from being so cold etc.....
As far as indoors, if they have a place to sleep up off the floor or in a bed. Blankies. Some folks have some heated pads/beds made for cats/dogs - what I've seen is that they heat to 102 degrees. I assume that's because that's about their normal body temp. Just my assumption. Again, you could check with the vet. Most plug in, so if he's a chewer, he might chew on the cord. If not, okay. The thing I've seen on the lists in the last day or two is to make sure its UIL (I think) or UL listed or certified or something like that. Can put a sweater on him if he's cold. A lot of them don't like sweaters though. Mine will keep hers on for different lengths of time, I assume according to how cold she is. Seems when it's colder, boy the sweater will stay on a long time. She's able to get out of them herself. First one leg, later another, then sweater on the floor or somewhere.
Also on weekends my husband and I tend to take LONG walks...Vin Scully
loved to go on the 5 hours walks but he was a large dog.......Any
guide lines on how long these guys can and should be able to handle a
long walk?
I wasn't finding anything easily on the internet about this, although it seems I have read something about it some time or another. Ask the vet and/or do some internet research. I don't for a second believe he'll be able to take walks of anywhere near this length. And you'd need to check his pads. Take care if its hot or cold where he'll be walking, or if there are stones or anything like that. Of course, you can buy a little 'backpack' thing to put him in and carry him yourself if you can handle the extra weight. There are all kinds of carriers that keep him on your chest or stomach area.
I've never crated a pet before but for his safety (aka Lars the cat)
etc I got one from my FIL...I know it takes time to get used to it but
the neighbor had used one....He whines alot at first but come
3AM............SO I get up and take him out.....I know pets in the
past have had no problems going all night long but does this breed
have a tougher time going long periods without having to go outside??
Well, he is a small dog - consequently with a small bladder. By a certain age, probably most can wait through the night. But instead of crating him for all those hours on end, how about putting him in an 'area' like an expen kind of situation. He could have more room, and could have a pee pad, and you wouldn't have to get up in the night.
I know this breed tends to like one person, and if my husband trys to
get too close...............any suggestions on how to handle the
growling and snapping?
How about making your husband the caregiver for a while - he feeds him, gives him treats, walks him, sits with him to watch television, etc. Angel 'likes' one person - at a time. Whoever
she's with, no one else better go try to take her away from them. But she doesn't try to attack or anything if you're just going over there to pet her or whatever - unless that person she's with has food - then, be careful.
Thanks
Nance
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