Valium? Ativan? Transcendental Meditation (just kidding). Do you have a sling or carrier you can pack him around with you? Sorry I'm not more help, I have a social butterfly. Practice is the only thing I can think of. Have you started obedience training? I think it helps tons. Also a long walk before the guests arrive to work out any extra energy.
Rylee On Wed, Nov 10, 2010 at 1:19 PM, Dunwoody, Amanda < [email protected]> wrote: > > > Hi Rylee, > > > > Ok so I guess I have a tendency to take my work home with me…. J Once you > start thinking in social work ways, it’s hard to quit. Jack does have a > kennel where he stays when I’m away from the house. However, he HATES it > when I leave him, as all Chihuahuas seem to do. I love Jack and Twiggy and > the fact that they are so opposite of each other is so funny to me. Twiggy > is the snuggler. She LOVES to be held by anyone but won’t initiate contact > with them, they have to come and pick her up first. She was a former > breeder dog as well and just never was socialized to be around humans and > initiate contact in the way that Jack will initiate contact with me. > Unfortunately, he becomes very fearful and growly around those who don’t > live in his house. This is what most concerns me when visitors come to the > house. > > > > The people coming to the Thanksgiving celebration are all adults. The > youngest attendee will be 13 so I don’t have to worry so much about small > children pulling ears or tails but I know that Jack will be so nervous when > people first arrive. I could set some treats outside the front door for the > guests as they are coming in but what do I do if Jack barks/growls at them? > Well, I know what I would do, pick him up and remove him from the situation > so as not to make things worse but I know he’s only doing this because he’s > frightened, not because he’s mean/vicious. I also plan on leashing him so > that he doesn’t dart out the door when it opens before I kennel him. > > > > I do plan on placing both Twiggy and Jack in their respective kennels once > more guests start to arrive. I’m afraid that Jack will bark incessantly at > the guests though even after being placed in the kennel. Maybe I’m worrying > way too much and Jack will be just fine when I put him in the kennel. I > plan on placing the kennels both in my bedroom with the door shut to limit > the amount of stimulation that the dogs have to get excited about. Is this > a good idea or am I doing more harm by keeping them away from everyone? > Again, thoughts and advice is greatly appreciated. > > > > *From:* [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] *On > Behalf Of *Rylee O'Neill > *Sent:* Wednesday, November 10, 2010 1:06 PM > *To:* [email protected] > *Subject:* Re: [Chihuahuas] making the holidays an unstressful time for > our babies > > > > > > Amanda- This sounds like such a Social Worker question! I love it. I'm a > Social Worker too. I would encouraged you to make the dogs a place to > "escape" or have "quiet time." Maybe ask a special guest to be the "dog > handler." I have a great grandma who is a chi lover. She sits with Frida > if we have a family party and I'm busy. She loves it and Frida does too. > Jack may need a little longer to feel comfortable. Do you use a kennel for > containing him ever? Frida has a kennel she is put in when she needs a > little time out. I would encouraged using treats with your guests to > encouraged seeing visitors as positive. Keep practicing in the time leading > up to Thanksgiving. > > Glad to see another chi loving Social Worker > > Rylee and Frida > > > -- Rylee O'Neill Email: [email protected] <a href="http://pitapata.com/";><img src="http://pdgm.pitapata.com/N9lQm6.png"; width="200" height="80" border="0" alt="PitaPata Dog tickers" /></a>
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