We recently kinda adopted a teacup chihuahua. When I say kinda, these people threw her out of their van like two weeks ago on our road. We took her to the vet and everything checked fine. She gets along GREAT with our children and our other shih tzu.
The thing is…with adults shes cowers…with the kids shes fine, but when me or my husband approach her and pet her, her ears go back, tair between her legs and she cowers to the floor. To my understanding this means she was abused, right?
We try not to approach her and let her come to us. She comes and cuddles on the couch and follows us everywhere…but shes so scared of adults. Does anyone know if this will get better with time? Is there anything we can do besides be patient?
The vet did check her for internal injuries. When we saw this happen…we picked her up and took her to our vet and waited until they could get us in. They actually kept her overnight.
She will eventually learn to love you both and not cower too bad. But she will probably always be wary of strange adults.
One thing about chis is that they "flirt" this way to. They wiggle back and forth with their hips, cower to the ground and slither up to you and roll over for their tummys to be petted. Then they jump up and run back and forth all around you with that silly smile. Not all of them do it all the time, our alpha male doesn't do it as often, but sometimes he will.
Our tiny girl will slither up and roll over when she meets strangers. She loves all people and has never been yelled at or hit at all. It's just a chi trait. They slither and smile and wiggle. After they have been petted and adored they lick your nose and even chew on it if you let them. So some of what you are seeing might be that.
After she greets you with that flirty slither she might start to run and play and kiss and act more like a dog you would know. Ours do it all the time to everyone. Even our alpha female will do it. It's how they greet people.
Patience really will be the key. You know she's been abused from the way you got her. It's not an act of love to throw her out of a van. If they did this in public no doubt she went through much worse in Private. Only time, love and patience will get her past it.
Let her take her time getting used to adults. Have people over who are quiet and low key to start with. Then start taking her to quieter places where she will meet more adults. In time she may gain more confidence. If the abuse was really bad it may take a long time or never really come. She can still make a wonderful pet whatever.
You have already done the main thing by taking her in. Get her checked at the vet for internal injuries as they don;t always show right away. Most of all keep giving her lots of love.
Glad you had the internal injuries checked. Sorry I missed that. Hardly had any sleep last night.
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Over 30 years in animal rescue
Nice of your family to take him in. Looking at the way she was abandoned, i'm sure she had some bad experience with adults with the ex-owners. Give her time to adapt. Do fun things with her to remove her "old" imprints about adults being mean, etc. Give her treats, cuddle her when she is willing and show her that adults are loving towards her…..
Takes time but i'm sure with lots of TLC, damage can be salvaged and she'd have confidence around adults in no time.
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This little one probably fears grown adults as she might have had a bad experience and still recalls what happened. Its good though that she is getting on well with the kids, she is starting to trust again. Normally in a situation like this little one, some take time to recover. You just need to be very patient with her, she will eventually come round, dont force your way into her trusting you, slowly she will see that you are loving and want to be there for her. Just continue to love her and give her the necessary care she requires, your patience will reap great rewards in the end. All the best.
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she will learn to trust you,, and will eventually stop cowering… patience is key
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If youre a dog, especially a Chi, everybody and their dog is bigger than you. Which is part of the reason why small dogs are prone to a lot of barking if they havent been trained out of it.
It is quite possible that she has been harmed by an adult. Too many humans can think only of forcing or bullying the dog into doing or not doing what they should do…but thats not a good way to create a good relationship.
So, yes it may take some time as she begins to learn that the adults in her home wont harm her. You have had her two weeks. My 4 year old kennel dog didnt even bark for the first month that she lived with us.
Physical abuse will take longer for her to get over and I do want to say this, she is still not sure that you are her new pack, it is too early. Once she does begin to feel comfortable you may be seeing more of her learned behavior coming out, which may of course not be so acceptable to you.
You seem like loving caring dog companions and I am sure you will rectify any such problems with love, understanding and consistency.
Best of luck to you all.
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She will eventually learn to love you both and not cower too bad. But she will probably always be wary of strange adults.
One thing about chis is that they "flirt" this way to. They wiggle back and forth with their hips, cower to the ground and slither up to you and roll over for their tummys to be petted. Then they jump up and run back and forth all around you with that silly smile. Not all of them do it all the time, our alpha male doesn't do it as often, but sometimes he will.
Our tiny girl will slither up and roll over when she meets strangers. She loves all people and has never been yelled at or hit at all. It's just a chi trait. They slither and smile and wiggle. After they have been petted and adored they lick your nose and even chew on it if you let them. So some of what you are seeing might be that.
After she greets you with that flirty slither she might start to run and play and kiss and act more like a dog you would know. Ours do it all the time to everyone. Even our alpha female will do it. It's how they greet people.
References :