Jesus' fear of the collar and leash

You can get harnesses that are very easy to put on and harnesses that are very hard. I got one for my dog that has 2 triangles, one for each leg, and one clip that does up on the back. Unfortunately, he doesn't fit into it yet and the one I grabbed for the interim has one loop to go around the neck and one around the chest behind the front legs and only one clip. It's outrageously difficult to put on a squirmy, excited puppy who thinks the putting-the-harness-on game is a whole lot of fun and you play it with your teeth. I have a bit of an issue with collars in that I don't think they are very safe. When my pup is full grown, I'm going to get him and the old dog a break-away collar that will come apart if they ever get them caught on anything, but has a double D-ring so it's safe when on walks. Both my dogs are microchipped as it's the law, here, but nonetheless, I think it's important they have ID on them at all times. I can't anticipate when or how they might end up out on the streets alone. Just a few weeks ago my old dog wandered out the gate we'd left open for a few moments and snuck off next door. Fortunately she doesn't wander far, but who knows when she might find a reason to? If they have tags, at least someone can get them back to you without having to take them to the pound, which will cost you money and them a lot of anxiety.  

No Worries Carol, email and forums are all different, some lists have folks so anal they will correct your grammar and spelling and others can be so hostile you are taking your mental health into your hands with every attempt at a post. This is list is normally pretty forgiving of everything being the Queen of typos as I normally multi task when on line I find it funny.  With posting sometimes you say too little and other times too much it's something you learn as you go along.

btw I am assuming ( there I go again) that you pronouce Jesus the Spanish way  which is really cute for a Chi.... if not  It cracks me up I can see myself living in the Bible belt getting into all kinds of trouble standing atthe back door yelling "Jesus you better get your Butt in here if you want to eat today !!" 

Speaking of eating, I would hazzard a guess that the little guy is missing not just the old yard and house but his playmates.  Dogs can really bond hard with others. Having a pack breed I know I never leave only one when we travel , that would spell disaster for that dog. So they are always in pairs at the least.  There are a few things to keep in mind about him not eating that are actually pretty important.  If he is depressed it is easy for that to spiral out of control.  It can start with him not eating because of the changes , but soon since he is a tiny guy not eating becomes low blood sugar and energy reserves just like people, this increases depression, which in turn decreases further appetite.... you can see how this can get out of hand . I understand not wanting to hand feed him and agree.  But there are a few things you can do to help him keep up pyhsically as he sorts out all of the changes.

After having him out for a walk or play session instead of giving him fresh water alternate with some cold beef or chicken broth ( low sodium) you can buy a can at the grocery store and keep it in the fridge.  By cooking a chicken breast and maybe a hamburger patty ahead of time you can break or cut them into bite size pieces ,  same with a block of sharp cheddar cheese putting everything into a ziplock baggie with a bit of his kibble you will infuse the kibble with a more applealing scent .  When you walk him take a small bag with and look for other dogs to share a treat with him.  He will begin to reassociate food with friends and playmates.  With my hounds if they have a conformation Ring day where they are not showing interest in bait I stop giving it to them and instead ignore my dog and bait someone else's it works like a charm. They really do not want Mom feeding all of the tasty stuff to another dog, so they begin to vie for my attention and before you know it I have the expression and energy I want the judge to see.  

Without his playmates you are going to have to invent games for both of you to play.  At my home I have all of these grandkids and dogs and while my breed is a large breed they still suffer the indignity of being dressed up on a pretty regular basis!  Bandanas are the least of their worries around here ! When Kota first came to board he was missing his Mom so badly. After being dressed up as everything   from Dolly Parton to a Cat he began to relax and enjoy the attention and fun.  You can see some of the ways in which I have "abused" my regal dogs in my profile.  Along with taking their minds off of what ever may be worrying them they also become awesome therapy animals. They learn early to allow intensive handling by people who are good or clumsy and very little throws a dog raised in my home.

Have you and the BF considered getting Jesus a companion?  It might turn out to be a very good thing for him all around. I know Toys are not exactly pack dogs like my Rhodesians but having grown up with two playmates he may have adopted the sense of extended dog family in  the manner of hounds.  The other dog could give him both a sense of security and if it has not had the same experiences that Jesus had it would have more confidence with things like leash and collar, showing Jesus these are not things to get worked up over.  It would also stimulate his play drive , since being 15 months is still an adolescent stage,  that stimulation would increase appetite and more likely than not it would ease any depression he may have over the loss of his buddies. It is something to think about.

And I promise I will only mention chipping this last time you can locate chipping clinics and once he has been chipped the information will be with him always. Preventing his loss should he ever bolt or become confused by his new home and neighborhood.  As Toy dogs have grown in popularity the thefts of Toy dogs has increased. Having a lic tag and rabies tag is law in most civilized areas ( my area sadly is not civilized to that degree) but having the brightly colored Chip tag is a great deterrent to someone thinking to pick up a pup to make a quick buck off of. We live in Hurricane Alley and unchipped dogs have little or no chance of being reunited with family after a strike.

Best of Luck and keep all of us Posted.

Bonita of Bwana

We recently (4 days ago) moved from a place with a closed in backyard and he did not need a collar or leash at the time.  Now we are at a place that does not have a closed in backyard so when taking him out we NEED to put on the collar

I suspect this fear problem extends much further than the leash and collar- I will never understand dog owners who don't understand that dogs NEED TO BE WALKED it is the most basic aspect of dog ownership. Letting them out in the backyard, regardless of how big it is, isn't enough. This dog is probably so unused to the world that the very idea of going anywhere except his former backyard is terrifying to him. So he's associating the collar and leash with being dragged out into a terrifying world.

I wrote in a post after that......

" We used to live in a single family home with a large backyard that was completely closed in. He also stayed with two other dogs.  He is not microchipped but he never ran into the street nor did he run around neighborhood freely.  My dog did not wear a collar for the first year because he wore a harness and he gave me a hard time then also.  He was taken for walks on a daily basis with a leash and followed the lead of the other two dogs.  I recently changed my mind about the harness because its so difficult to get it on him so I thought a collar would be an easier idea because it can be left on him for long periods of time.   Now that we've moved, he no longer has the company of the two dogs and he almost seems lost without them.   The backyard at the new place is very open and does not have any fencing.  There are also some stray cats in the neighborhood.   This is a huge change for a dog and I understand that it will take time for him to adjust. "

Good grief, I'm sorry you're being dragged over the coals on this one.... This is a nice forum, honestly  

 Chuffy,

 Oh well.  Let me update you a bit....Yesterday, I attempted to take Jesus to a groomer to get this nails trimmed.  Jesus is usually handled by the vet that performed all of his surgeries.  The girls at the grooming place were unable to get Jesus on the table.  He screamed and cried the entire time.  So i resorted to buying nail trimmers and doing it myself.   Later on at the park, he approached a few people and also a couple of dogs.  He's been walking very well lately.Getting the leash on him has still been an issue.  He goes in his carrier and thats when we are able to get his leash on.  He's eating OK.  I usually eats twice a day.  Seems like now he's eating half a bowl throughout an entire day.  He's taking treats without any problems.  I think I will take him to the Vet for a check up.

That's pretty much all that's been going on with Jesus and I.

aww... seems like the little guy is slowly adjusting to his new life!

and dont worry about the groomers. moca hates the groomer's too, so i do all my grooming... just consider yourself lucky you dont have a puff ball of a dog!

I do the nails myself too.  The vet has done it for me on occasion if they go in for a check up and the nails are too long then.... but I have a dog who is a bit of a "wimp" when it comes to nail trims and he also tries to fight his way off the table.  He WILL "stand" if I make him, but these days I don't have the heart to.  It's just easier to do it myself.  I think it's because he trusts me and if he doesn't trust the vet... well that's OK.  The vet is continually sticking things in him (eg needles, thermometres etc) and so he doesn't have a lot of reason to trust him to be honest.... We try to drop by sometimes just for a weigh in and a doggy biscuit, just so the vet isn't a COMPLETEY horrid place to be and I do think that helps.  I don't know if you can do that at groomers as well.

 UPDATE: Jesus has been doing great so far.   Eating has been difficult.  He will only eat when my boyfriend and I are both home.  And he usually only eats a few kibbles here and there.   I realized that there is a difference in the food.   I bought a brand new bag of kibbles last week when we moved in.  I went to my mother's house and her dogs eat the same type of kibbles.   It's the brand but the kibble size is much different.  On both bags, it doesnt state whether it's mini chunks or adult chunks but apparently Jesus likes the mini chunks.  He ate an entire bowl of kibbles tonight in the company of his two old roomies.   He's content and quite sleepy right now because he's been running around the yard and he went for a walk with his two buddies. He's been an absolute angel lately.  No messes around the house.   When we take out the leash he runs to his pillow on the living room floor and lays on his back.  His behavioral issues are getting much better.  I am so thankful for everyone's help and assistance with my little guy's problems.  I appreciate everything!