Dog Community

Chihuahua question...help

Posted : 11/19/2006 11:27:34 AM

I have a one year old chihuahua and she sure is fiesty and isn't too friendly with other dogs. Lately, i have been out of my house at hours at a time and am thinking of getting her another chihuahua friend. i heard that chihuahuas are usually only friendly to their own kind. Is this true? Will I be able to pull this off? And if so, should it be a puppy or another pup around her age?
Please help... my baby is lonely[

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meilani

Posted : 11/19/2006 12:26:15 PM

If she isn't too friendly around other dogs, I wouldn't suggest getting another one. My dad has a Chihuahua and while she tolerates my Boston Terriers, she'd probably wither away if my dad bought another dog because she's so used to being an only dog. What I would do is try socializing her more to see if she'd be more accepting of another dog to the family. If she seems to open up to other dogs and seems to enjoy being around them, only then would I consider adding another dog. It doesn't necessarily have to be another Chihuahua either. I doubt the dog would snub the other one based on breed alone.

cairnterriers

Posted : 11/19/2006 4:57:19 PM

I wouldn't buy another dog just because she seems lonely. She'll probably end up beating the other one up! Riley gets locked away for nearly hours at a time sometimes, and I don't think that getting another dog will help. I do want another dog though, not for my dog but for my sister. I think a Westie or Tibetan Spaniel would be a nice breed.

Erin

Posted : 11/21/2006 4:31:56 AM

i have a chi and since he was 3 months old i've been socializing him and now he loves all dogs, all sizes, although with the ones his own size he doesn't really know what to do with them, he plays best with big dogs. i think it's all in the individual dog and how much/how well you socialize them. i did it from birth with both my dogs so they're both very friendly and social.
i wouldn't get another dog until you socialize your chi with other dogs for a while and get it used to other dogs. maybe volunteer to dogsit for a day or night and see how your dog does or have a friend bring their dog over to see how your dog does in his own territory. but use a neutral environment first so there's no 'this is my kingdom' type feelings.