Thanks Deana,
These are all great suggestions. I will be very busy the Saturday after Thanksgiving. That's when we are having our guests come to visit us. The playpen idea is great! I never would have considered that as I already have a kennel for both my dogs. I have noticed that Jack is very attentive to my 'non-verbal' cues just as much as he is attentive to my verbal "NO". He looks to me for a lot of assurance when greeting new people or taking a treat from someone new. I'm hoping to build his confidence a little more before Thanksgiving. But if I don't see signs of more confidence, I'm comfortable with putting him in another room to "Chill" with Twiggy. At least he won't be by himself if she's there with him. I just don't want him to get lonely and stressed if he hears the people coming in and going out of the house. At this point if he hears the front door open or hears the doorbell ring he's more curious than frightened. But it's after the person steps into the house that his hair gets all bristled up. I will definitely keep him on leash until crating him. As I've mentioned before, Twiggy just stays on her pillow and will occasionally bring her head up as if to say "Oh it's just you....you're OK. I'm just gonna stay right here on my bed and watch you." Before I got Jack, we were doing some home renovations to my house and had LOTS of construction workers come in and out. Never bothered her a bit. On the second day that one of the work crews came to the house, I had to leave for a short time. When I asked if Twiggy had barked at or got under foot, I was told they didn't even know I had a dog. She stayed on her pillow the whole time. When I came back to the house, she didn't appear to be in distress or anything of the sort. She was just resting quietly. I was very proud of her for not being worried but then I thought, "Is this normal?". Maybe Jack could learn a thing or two from Twiggy. I'm going shopping this weekend and will ask about the rescue remedy at a few health stores I'm familiar with in another town I shop in frequently. My hometown doesn't have a health food store to speak of. From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Deanna Corey Sent: Thursday, November 11, 2010 10:38 AM To: [email protected] Subject: [Chihuahuas] holiday help Hi Amanda, I know you will get some great answers from others here...but here are a few things I would do... I would asses by what you have shared here that he is afraid of people. So in my head I would think through the different ways to get him to think humans can be great fun!!! I would then re-create scenarios...in my control so no bad experiences...that would re-inforce to him that humans were a positive fun thing! #1 Starting right now I would invite friends over that I could trust...and have them bring him toys and treats. I would educate them BEFORE they came, on Ceasar's way of no touch, no talk, no eye contact for when they first arrived but I would want him to know they had goodies...maybe some really smelly treats in their hands...Don't let them give him any until he is interested in them first...with curiosity, not aggression! Just have THEM ignore his noise...barking..growling etc...no interaction from THEM at all...but YOU correct it with a firm "no" or a noise that distracts him. I hate to admitt it but I love that sound that Ceasar is known for...the tshhh sound...it really does work...with a little poke to the shoulder! He needs to know from you that his barking/growling is not something you want when you invite others over. Then...when he is calmer and shows an interest with his nose or eyes...and only then..have the guests treat him...the new toy...the treats. I would try to make this happen EVERYDAY at least a couple of times each day...even the same people coming in and out... BEFORE THanksgiving gets here. #2- Talk to all of the guests that are coming on the Big day BEFORE-HAND...Put a sign on your door to remind them about Cesar's rule...No touch, no talk , no eye contact towards your dogs...they HAVE to totaly IGNORE both of them. Then as Jack is interested he will approach them...when he is ready...and ya know it is OK if he doesn't get there in the first few hours. Your guests should follow this rule the whole time they are in your home. He won't feel threatened this way! #3- Buy some Rescue Remedy...add a few drops to his water...it is just a natural relaxer for people and dogs...can be found in most health food stores. #4- It is ok to seperate him from your company...if you don't have the time to work through these issues before Thanksgiving then maybe set up an area for him in you own bedroom...like a play-pen. I have a baby play-pen I set up for my little tiny ones when my grandchildren get too wild. They are all 4 and under and sometimes they can be a stresser to the little bits! In a play-pen they can see everybody but still be safe. Just some thoughts... Waggin' Tails in The Dog Park, Deanna and The Dog Park Pack: Nugget, Shuai-Li, Mouse, Myrtle, Mable, and Caleb and honorary non-dog members of The Dog Park: Stella-Macaw, Stanley-Amazon, Miles the cat www.joys4toys.com <http://www.joys4toys.com/>
