Update - I will be pack leader. I will have a calm, submissive, mentally stable dog in this household. I may lose my mind in the process. But this is the only possible option.
As previously discussed, there are several times when Pia is left in the hallway or bathroom. When I have to leave, feeding times, and usually at night - I don't believe in letting dogs sleep with you at night, and I don't feel comfortable letting her in my room until I'm 100% sure she's housebroken. There has been exactly one night where I gave in and let her sleep in her bed in my room. And that was because I needed to sleep, and she was howling. There are usually two bouts of screaming, howling, barking, and manic scratching at the door before she settles down. And to be honest, for the most part, I just let her howl. I can't stand it. It drives me crazy. It's wearing my nerves pretty thin. I think I can empathize with the 'shaking baby syndrome mothers' although this is obviously not a solution. Besides...too much self-control for random bouts of violence. So, whether I've just about had it or not, I don't give in to demanding dogs. I never have. And before someone tells me this is cruel - dogs don't want pity. They don't understand pity. And chihuahua, rescue, or ill, Pia is still a dog. Although, as I've worked on dominance training, the bouts of howling have gotten noticeably shorter. And less repetitive. Hopefully, it'll continue that way. Knock on wood. As for leaving her in the hall/bathroom. The bathroom is the safest place for her when I'm gone. It is the easiest place for me to tidy up when I get home. She gets the radio. She has her toys. She has water. She has her bed and the hoodie I've sacrificed for her comfort - which is now covered in dog boogers. Therefore, this is the place that she must learn to be comfortable in when I'm away. Think of it like big crate training. A safe, comfortable place that is her own. Or at least on loan from the big dog, me. While I understand that some of the behavior is a result of an adjustment period and post-kennel trauma, some of it is part of a straight out dominance problem. And even if some of the behavior is a result of post-kennel trauma, what good am I actually doing by reinforcing it with mis-directed affection? Which, let's be honest, would derive from human reactions to other humans (pity - there, there, it will be okay - and exasperation - just give the baby a bottle and shut her up!). 'Bad dog' behavior in small dogs isn't something I find cute. Diminutive or not, behavior unacceptable in larger dogs is no more acceptable just because of a size discrepancy. Rather than continue to tear my hair out, I'm trying to take a positive, proactive approach. Granted, right now, neither of us is particularly happy. She's not getting her way. And she's driving me to my wits end. So, I anticipate a rough week coming. And at this point I still plan on placing her. As I said - I think she needs a doggy companion. Or at least someone more equipped to deal with a high energy dog. A couple of changes 1. We're going on a minimum of two 30 minute walks a day. This dog has a ton of energy. And, as I mentioned, there are some dominance issues. What better way to nip both high-energy and dominance issues in the bud than a pack walk? It's a little slow going because she still has to stop and cough. But kennel cough or not, I don't have a lot of options. No indoor treadmill. Therefore, an early morning walk before breakfast. I eat in front of her. Than she gets her medicine in treat form in exchange for sitting. Then, in a calm, submissive state, she's put in the bathroom to eat her breakfast. Where she usually freaks out. But...I'm working on that. As soon as the cough calms down, I'll take both her and Sylvie out together. Sylvie can lead by example - she's the ideal canine citizen. 2. I am working on educating myself. I am currently reading two of Cesar Millan's books. My dog situations have always been similar to the ones he creates - calm, assertive leadership. And an absolute understanding that these are animals. These are dogs. They are not tiny people and should not be treated as such. Seriously...if I wanted a person to care for, I'd volunteer at a senior citizen's home or childcare facility. The difference now is that in the past, someone else has done a lot of the hard work for me. That is, I've never dealt with a mentally unstable dog. Now I'm dealing with a mentally unstable dog. On my own. There's been something of a steep learning curve to deal with. 3. Calming collars. Or calming pills. Now normally, 'drugging' my animals or myself is a last resort. However, if I can find a way to take the edge off during that first half hour that I'm gone, I think she'll be a much happier dog. Surely a more or less holistic remedy that puts a dog in a calm mental state during periods of high stress will help that dog associate the calmer state with the stress triggers? Or at least stop freaking out when they experience a stress trigger. In this case...my absence. So yes. Issues are being addressed. I mean...I'm not the type of person to sit there freaking out without doing something about remedying the situation. Yes, I'm kind of at wits end with this little girl. There are a handful of very problematic behavioral issues that need to be handled now before she has a chance to turn into a proper pain in the arse (ironic that Pia is also, occasionally, a fitting acronym). Small dog syndrome is 100% unacceptable in my pack. And to be honest - some of these things might have been better handled earlier on. But because she was so ill, I did not behave like a proper pack leader. I behaved like a nervous new mom with a sick kid. Human-to-human as opposed to human-to-dog. Exercise, discipline, affection. We'll get there. Just hope I don't bang my head against too many desks before we do. Wish me luck. I'm going to need it. ------------------------------------ We are now on Facebook! Join today! http://www.facebook.com/groups/chihuahuasclubYahoo! 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