Hi Joan, Thank you so much for taking the time to write to me and shed some light on this. This was not Pawko's first trip to the vet. In fact, she asked me to bring him back weekly so that he would get used to the visits. (I cannot afford to do that). I am willing to take criticism from the vet and I have been reading and have tapes to train him. I did feel really bad because I thought that I should have been doing more training for Pawko , quicker. I will take your advice and keep him muzzled when need be. I do not want to get into trouble, nor do I want him to be in trouble. The dogs do play a lot together in fun but real fighting when they are arguing over being by me or over food sometimes. I do let them know that this is not acceptable. Your suggestions have been so helpful to me. Thank you so much for your help Joan. I really needed it and respect your opinion and will use it as I go forward. Love and many thanks, Diana
From: Joan <[email protected]> To: [email protected] Sent: Thursday, November 8, 2012 11:34 AM Subject: [Chihuahuas] Re: Your opinion is desperately needed! Hi Diana, >From what you wrote, Pawko is not a problem at home. When you say that he and >Kiko fight at dinner time and bedtime, are they actually fightig or just >playing? I have two Chihuahuas...Dolly is 15 months older than Desi and I >thought she was going to destroy him when I got him. Turned out she was >screeching orders and rules at him. She never got close enough with her mouth >to even bite him if she closed her mouth. It is important to socialize them when they are small so that they don't bite to defend themselves; and it sounded like this was Pawko's first visit to the vet also. My two were both at the vet at 8 weeks and they love going there. But, if Pawko is not used to strangers touching him, then getting his temp taken, a shot, etc. was probably taken as an attack on him. Nevertheless, you do need to teach him to obey and be good around others. And, if Pawko and Kiko actually are fighting, you need to stop it and let them know that it is not to be allowed or tolerated. If they are playing, then it is OK, but fighting between the two is not right. And...based on biting the vet, you do need to keep him muzzled when out or around visitors in your home until he knows that is bad behavior. I don't want to see you get sued and lose everything that you have, and maybe Pawko too. You may want to talk to a trainer at Petco or PetSmart or even find a book that helps with training. He is still young and actually, you CAN even TEACH AN OLD DOG NEW TRICKS! No one wants to hear a vet tell them to keep their dog muzzled. Although that was said, look at it as constructive criticism and you can work with him on the biting and snapping at others. Also, from crying when his nails were being trimmed, perhaps he just wants you to hold him and no one else? The vet won't take him without a muzzle, but try to have someone else trim his nails (a family member or friend) and see how he reacts. If he reacts that way, then the next time leave the room when that same person is trimming the nails. Dolly used to want me to hold her, and the groomer allowed that. I went to a different groomer and they took her in the back and I was a bit afraid of how she would react...they said she was a very good girl and let them trim all the nails without a peep. It was a matter of me being there that made her want me to hold her. I know this is a lot for one day, but if Pawko did bite, that is something that needs to be addressed whether by the vet or someone else. We have all had to discipline and train and our dogs are not 'damaged' form it and they still love us! Joan North Las Vegas, NV --- In mailto:Chihuahuas%40yahoogroups.com, diana roller <rollerenergy@...> wrote: > > I am Diana from Washington. I have written about Kiko (7 yr) and Pawko (8 mo). > previously. Today I took Pawko to the vet. My Vet is really strict (boot camp > type) I have not had the opportunity or taken the time to train Pawko. He is > energetic but does listen when I tell him something. The vet trimmed his > nails, > (Pawko was crying the whole time loudly) They took his temp. They layed him on > his side (?) to give him his shot. He bit her, like a real bite, hard and > invasive. She told me that when he comes in or goes anywhere to be sure > to tell them to muzzle him. Then she said, I need to train him properly > or get rid of him and give him to someone who can. That it would allow him > to be the best dog he can be. She said that if this dog bites a little kid, I > will be in big trouble. Am I wrong ~ or did she irritate the heck out of > him and he was scared and bit her ~ or is he a biter?? She said that I need to > get rid of one of my dogs if they fight all the time. > (just at dinner time and bedtime). Obiously I cried all the way home thinking > that I had let this little guy down by not teaching him how to act so that > he would not get in trouble. What do you think??? I need some sensible > opinions. Do you think this little guy was provoced?? > Thank youso much, Diana >
