Woman Adopts Anxious Chihuahua No One Wanted - The Dodo
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Date: 2024-07-22
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Comments and reviews: 20
cupcakesimulation
I have a very personal experience like this. I adopted a chihuahua that was rescued from a puppy mill. She was super shakey and terrified all the time. For the longest time her safe space was under my bed until i made up a space in the other room where she could have more privacy. It wasnt until she was finally introduced to my 2 other dogs that she began to venture out more. She's still very skittish, we're coming up on a year of having her, but she can't stand to be in that room by herself anymore. She loves snuggling in the bed and burrowing herself under my blanket and pressing up about as close as she can get to me at night. It's definitely not a decision I regret and I'm happy she's been able to find comfort in our home.
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I have a very personal experience like this. I adopted a chihuahua that was rescued from a puppy mill. She was super shakey and terrified all the time. For the longest time her safe space was under my bed until i made up a space in the other room where she could have more privacy. It wasnt until she was finally introduced to my 2 other dogs that she began to venture out more. She's still very skittish, we're coming up on a year of having her, but she can't stand to be in that room by herself anymore. She loves snuggling in the bed and burrowing herself under my blanket and pressing up about as close as she can get to me at night. It's definitely not a decision I regret and I'm happy she's been able to find comfort in our home.
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lisanidog8178
I had a Chihuahua for 16 years. She was never like yours was, but when she needed space I gave it. You can’t force a dog to like you. I saw the break through with your dog when you gave her her taco plate. She didn’t run, she ate. Your other dog helped a great deal making her feel comfortable around people. Chihuahuas can have a strong personality and they know when they’re ready to trust especially if they had a hard past. Mine was a puppy mill dog. But I still loved her and she was an amazing dog. I’m so glad your dog has opened up. Some dogs just have trust issues. They don’t like certain things. They can be fearful but they don’t know the concept of the emotion of hate. That’s a people thing.
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I had a Chihuahua for 16 years. She was never like yours was, but when she needed space I gave it. You can’t force a dog to like you. I saw the break through with your dog when you gave her her taco plate. She didn’t run, she ate. Your other dog helped a great deal making her feel comfortable around people. Chihuahuas can have a strong personality and they know when they’re ready to trust especially if they had a hard past. Mine was a puppy mill dog. But I still loved her and she was an amazing dog. I’m so glad your dog has opened up. Some dogs just have trust issues. They don’t like certain things. They can be fearful but they don’t know the concept of the emotion of hate. That’s a people thing.
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tinaa1350
She looks just like my Sally. Sally did the same thing when I adopted her at the animal shelter. She had a record a mile long of people adopting her and returning her. She was shaky, scared, and not potty trained. Assuming she was abused too. I had to take her. It took about a year for her to come out of her shell. I think she realized she was finally in her forever home. She finally learned proper potty habits, and she started eating and sleeping really well. It’s been over 8 years now and she’s very smart, funny, and loving.
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She looks just like my Sally. Sally did the same thing when I adopted her at the animal shelter. She had a record a mile long of people adopting her and returning her. She was shaky, scared, and not potty trained. Assuming she was abused too. I had to take her. It took about a year for her to come out of her shell. I think she realized she was finally in her forever home. She finally learned proper potty habits, and she started eating and sleeping really well. It’s been over 8 years now and she’s very smart, funny, and loving.
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IdiocyShow
This dog reminds me of my mom’s Chiweenie. He was born on the streets & somehow abandoned by his pack, a family friends daughter found him & took him in, a few months go by & she is about to move & her & couldn’t take him with her. So my mom & stepdad adopted him & he was like this for a while mostly towards men. He finally truly warmed up to me the first time I watched him while they were away. He’s such a damn good dog, he’s my little weirdo! Because that dog is a weirdo (in a good way)
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This dog reminds me of my mom’s Chiweenie. He was born on the streets & somehow abandoned by his pack, a family friends daughter found him & took him in, a few months go by & she is about to move & her & couldn’t take him with her. So my mom & stepdad adopted him & he was like this for a while mostly towards men. He finally truly warmed up to me the first time I watched him while they were away. He’s such a damn good dog, he’s my little weirdo! Because that dog is a weirdo (in a good way)
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havenbastion
The thing to do is normalize normal behaviour. Pick her up, pet her, be noisy, or whatever the household will normally entail. She'll see quickly enough that there's no harm in these new ways, which she has to get used to anyway. Exposure therapy is well-known to be the best way to overcome irrational fears. She's adaptable - she'll adapt. Rip the band-aid off quickly.
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The thing to do is normalize normal behaviour. Pick her up, pet her, be noisy, or whatever the household will normally entail. She'll see quickly enough that there's no harm in these new ways, which she has to get used to anyway. Exposure therapy is well-known to be the best way to overcome irrational fears. She's adaptable - she'll adapt. Rip the band-aid off quickly.
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krisniznik3953
I love that your other dog helped teach her that you were a safe person. I had a rescue dog that was terrified of everything and what helped her come around was being befriended by one of my cats. He went back and forth between us and demonstrated how to accept pets, and just in general became her support system. It was lovely.
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I love that your other dog helped teach her that you were a safe person. I had a rescue dog that was terrified of everything and what helped her come around was being befriended by one of my cats. He went back and forth between us and demonstrated how to accept pets, and just in general became her support system. It was lovely.
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PixieDusted72
Just a little tip. When I was in school for veterinary medicine one of the first thing we were taught in behavioral therapy was when putting your hand out to an anxious animal ball your hand into a loose fist so that your fingers are hidden. Fingers extended is reminiscent of claws & may triggers fight or flight.
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Just a little tip. When I was in school for veterinary medicine one of the first thing we were taught in behavioral therapy was when putting your hand out to an anxious animal ball your hand into a loose fist so that your fingers are hidden. Fingers extended is reminiscent of claws & may triggers fight or flight.
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DanSopranos
These nice childless white people who have dogs instead of kids and make tacos for them. what a waste of maternal instinct
Theyll look real sad when theyll reach 50 years of age and have no children because theyll realize theyve missed their biggest opportunity. to take care of some nice episodic dogs.
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These nice childless white people who have dogs instead of kids and make tacos for them. what a waste of maternal instinct
Theyll look real sad when theyll reach 50 years of age and have no children because theyll realize theyve missed their biggest opportunity. to take care of some nice episodic dogs.
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gottalovegabe1176
This woman gets it, it’s not about you! It’s about the dog. You have to give them time to decompress. Would you trust someone right away you never met and brought you home to their house I don’t know one person who would. Why expect animals to be any different
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This woman gets it, it’s not about you! It’s about the dog. You have to give them time to decompress. Would you trust someone right away you never met and brought you home to their house I don’t know one person who would. Why expect animals to be any different
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janetmarshall7171
This wonderful woman took a chance on Lucia and it worked! She is just hyper! Like us humans are! She just needs someone to be a companion and playmate for her and its working! Now Lucia has 2 furry friends to play with! How Awesome Is That!
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This wonderful woman took a chance on Lucia and it worked! She is just hyper! Like us humans are! She just needs someone to be a companion and playmate for her and its working! Now Lucia has 2 furry friends to play with! How Awesome Is That!
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michellewhelen3251
An incredibly wise man once said, Love is patient. Love is kind. And you know what He was right. Hope you and your precious family are blessed with many years of happiness. And thank you for giving Lucia a loving home.
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An incredibly wise man once said, Love is patient. Love is kind. And you know what He was right. Hope you and your precious family are blessed with many years of happiness. And thank you for giving Lucia a loving home.
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alluke24
It makes sense that she would finally come out of her shell with your other dog helping, especially since she was originally with a pack of other strays I’m glad the little one got a good loving home like you folks
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It makes sense that she would finally come out of her shell with your other dog helping, especially since she was originally with a pack of other strays I’m glad the little one got a good loving home like you folks
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amberstamp1965
I don't know about anyone else but bawled when she finally started Wagging her tail. There is nothing more beautiful than a terrified dog finally coming out of their shell and realizing they are safe
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I don't know about anyone else but bawled when she finally started Wagging her tail. There is nothing more beautiful than a terrified dog finally coming out of their shell and realizing they are safe
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morganmom194
Turn back of hands toward dogs, NOT palm up.
They see an open palm as a threat. That’s how they get grabbed.
A knuckle up hand is more like the nose greetings dogs give each other.
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Turn back of hands toward dogs, NOT palm up.
They see an open palm as a threat. That’s how they get grabbed.
A knuckle up hand is more like the nose greetings dogs give each other.
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lindaromanowiz1104
What a beautiful story. I knew eventually Lucia would open up to you and love you as much as you love her. Thank you for opening your hearts and home for Lucia. You're angels!
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What a beautiful story. I knew eventually Lucia would open up to you and love you as much as you love her. Thank you for opening your hearts and home for Lucia. You're angels!
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MissLibertarian
It must be anxiety-producing to be in a cage having pictures taken and being looked at with pity and concern. It’s like an anxiety spiral when others reinforce your fears.
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It must be anxiety-producing to be in a cage having pictures taken and being looked at with pity and concern. It’s like an anxiety spiral when others reinforce your fears.
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rachellehenson5568
Beautiful Chihuahua. I’m so glad they were patient with her. A lot of times another dog will bring scared dogs out of their shell. So happy for this dog and family
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Beautiful Chihuahua. I’m so glad they were patient with her. A lot of times another dog will bring scared dogs out of their shell. So happy for this dog and family
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jenellbarnes4231
Lucia is proof of the power of love poor little baby needed some love and patience, but I’m convinced that the doggie sombrero and tacos were the tipping point
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Lucia is proof of the power of love poor little baby needed some love and patience, but I’m convinced that the doggie sombrero and tacos were the tipping point
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caroline0515
There is no mystery answer to getting thru to these animals that are so shut down except TIME & PATIENCE. You were a rock star and I believe you did everything right.
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There is no mystery answer to getting thru to these animals that are so shut down except TIME & PATIENCE. You were a rock star and I believe you did everything right.
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jpotter2086
Have had Chihuahuas for 40 years. Mostly rescues. Have to let them come to you. With time they will come around. Sometimes they get to know you while you're sleeping!
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Have had Chihuahuas for 40 years. Mostly rescues. Have to let them come to you. With time they will come around. Sometimes they get to know you while you're sleeping!
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