Athena

Well, we brought Chloe home yesterday morning to see how she would work in our family. She is so small!!! Yes, she only weighs 3 lbs! The Pit showed some curiosity at first, but decided she must be a cat and quickly became bored. The lab mix has completely ignored her (I think hoping if she ignores her, she'll disappear...). Athena was so excited when she saw Chloe (Oh boy, a new toy!) and has been very pushy. At first Chloe tried to run away (the worst thing she could do) and Athena wanted to give chase. I corrected her and now Chloe has gotten used to the other dogs and will growl at Athena if (and only if) Athena is being really pushy. Chloe is scared of everything though. She cowers when you go to pick her up, she shakes uncontrollably in new situations, she jumps into the air in fright if there is a loud noise or sometimes if she's just investigating something and gets scared. I'm not sure if it's because she's been locked up for so long or what. I'm pretty sure she's been abused in the past, she's very hand shy. Whether it's from her owner or a previous owner I'm not sure (she got Chloe from the pound) but it's never been worked through. Chloe is pretty smart though- and very playful. I'm going to start with the clicker today and see what she can do. I would definitely love to do agility with her. Even though she's still considered "temporary" I'm still getting immersed into helping her. She's on a poor diet, has some skin problems (probably from diet), the cherry eye, and doesn't even have her own collar and leash! She's expected to go outside thought, and so far we've only had one accident. We'll see. I've fallen in love with her- she's such a snuggle bunny and sweet and cute. Thanks for all the advice! Any more words of wisdom from the Chihuahua people (especially if you do agility with them) is appreciated. I'm trying to learn as much as I can about the breed.

So my partner is a paramedic and has a co-worker who we're both kind of close to. She's been to our house a few times and likes that we are such an animal family. She has two dogs, a rescued Greyhound and a Chihuahua. The Greyhound has full run of the house and a doggy door that leads out into a fenced yard. The Chihuahua says inclosed in the kitchen with a pee pad. Paramedics have long shifts and she works an hour away, so she will be gone for 3-4 days with the dogs kept like this. Recently she has asked us to take the Chihuahua realizing that this situation is not the best for the dog. She wants us in particular to take the dog and doesn't want her to go to someone she doesn't know (she obviously loves the dog). I feel really special that she want us to take her. I've gone back and forth. I don't like taking a dog on the spur of the moment, since dogs are like kids to me. I feel hesitant too because I have three dogs and two cats and I go to work and school. Although, while most people my age party, play video games, or go out with friends, I hang out with my dogs :-D. Because of this, my "pack" works really well right now, even though some people tell me they think I have too many animals [i do own a house- not in an apartment]. I just worry that another dog will throw it off... Will going from 3 to 4 be a bigger time difference? I can't see too much of a cost difference... how much can a 3 lb dog eat?? Also, I've never had a dog this small before... the smallest has been a border collie. Currently, in addition to my BC I have a Pit bull and a Lab/BC mix, so it's a big dog house. The chihuahua tends to move out of the greyhound's way to avoid being crushed and the owner doesn't think the big dogs would be a problem. Also, Athena is my baby. I'm worried about jealously,etc. Athena has been known to be jealous, bossy, and pushy with the "less intelligent" dogs of the house. I like the dog very much. She's quiet, well mannered, and sweet. She shakes a lot, which I guess is typical of chihuahuas? I also worry because she has two cherry eyes which have been left untreated and flare up a lot. I believe I can fix them without surgery with the help of my holistic vet. I don't like seeing it left untreated and don't like to think of the little girl locked up in a kitchen tonight... Sorry this is so long, I'm just trying to be responsible and think with my head instead of just my heart and weigh everything out. All opinions are appreciated. Thanks in advance

Haha! I don't mind- it keeps them from bugging us about having real babies It's like the dogs are filling some hole that wants grandkids. Although, "Mimi" told me once I had a real baby, I wouldn't feel the same about my dogs. Clearly she has never loved a dog like we have <3. I'll just tell my dogs AND my kids nighty night every night

Well, I had my grandfather watch her. He was the only one I trusted to follow her schedule and all my little "rules" when she was younger. When I called to check in, he told me Athena had a busier schedule than he did- he had been following her schedule (a "guideline" of her potty training/exercise schedule) down to the minute! He took her with him everywhere too so she wouldn't get lonely. Now, when I talk to my grandparents, they ask how "the baby" is doing. Also, my in-laws refer to themselves as "Mimi" and "Grandpaw" to my dogs. "Mimi" has a shirt with the dog's paw prints on it that says "My granddogs call me Mimi". @beachdogz- I appreciate that It was a hard time when my Arrow was sick. I try to be realistic about my dog's help, so I go with traditional medicine when it calls for it and holistic when it makes sense. I didn't see the sense in making my dog go through chemo. I live in a small town with a large vet school and the vets around here really annoy me. Except my holistic vet (who uses traditional medicine when necessary- I like having the best of both worlds )

I encourage my dogs to kiss my face I encourage all types of vocalizing Athena knows heel...but I never use it. I like to let her explore and allow her to be curious Sometimes I feel bad for having a Border collie while I'm still in college, but Athena loves walking around the college campus and likes to sleep on my textbooks (I've had homework turned in with dog slobber on it) Sometimes I want to throttle my rescued pit and lab. Often I yell at them, but then stop almost immediately at the look in their eyes. My lab will wag her tail if you yell at her, with an apologetic look in her eyes. This is when I feel so ashamed and have to apologize to her. Sometimes when I'm out, I go through the wendy's drive through to get my dogs apple slices. They think it's such a fun "date". Occasionally I share my frosty with them. Since I brought Athena home, every night I put her baby blanket around her and say "Nighty night, Sleepy tight, don't let the bed bugs bite!" just like my mom did for me. She is restless unless we do this ritual and the one time I had someone pet sit her, they had to do the same thing. I don't feed raw. Just grain free kibble. I don't get shots after the boosters and then 3 year rabies. I have a holistic vet. I treated my cancer dog with Chinese herbs instead of subjecting her to chemo when her cancer was terminal anyways. The vets at the Auburn Vet School have told me to my face I'm a bad owner. If my Athena is driving my lab crazy, I just let the lab put her in her place. Same goes for the dog park. Ball thief? Koujo will put an end to that, but with just one word she'll come back to me in an instant. Sometimes I'm too busy to train. But my dogs have good manners and most of the time with Athena, I think she's fine just to be a puppy

If you read what I said before, you would see I meant a constructive discussion, not "pointing fingers" or spreading rumors. I thought it would be a beneficial part of the board, since the topic of breeders keeps popping up anyway. I have a great breeder who doesn't have any of your red flags. I was just trying to come up with ideas to help others.

I don't understand why we don't discuss breeders openly. I think it would be extremely helpful. I brought this up once before.

My 7 year old Pit Bull lays down just like that most of the time- and he has since he was a puppy. He's never shown signs of any type of hip problem. I kept a Beagle pup for awhile to get her started on manners/obedience before giving her to my sisters as a gift, she did the same thing and the pit was her buddy! I'm not sure if she did it from observation or what, but she still does it even today. Also, my grandparent's miniature poodle lays that way as well.

Wow! So many things I didn't know about, thank you so much!! Never looked into the ASCA before, going to do that. @brndlbc- thanks for the link! I can build that! @alligande- I'm actually reading "Agility Right From the Start" right now- I think it's great! @Trulyready- Thanks, that will save me so much money! Also, I think our dogs must be related... your dog looks EXACTLY like my Arrow..and you're in my hometown!

I'm really glad you told us the breeder's name. I've been thinking for a little while that I would like a discussion on breeders so people can state good/bad things about certain breeders, address or point out concerns about certain breeders, allow breeders to defend themselves, and people to defend or reproach certain breeders. A good breeder shouldn't mind this since they should have nothing to hide. I don't plan on getting a pup for a little while, but I like to know about breeders because I know I will have this breed for the rest of my life. I'd like to know about all the other breeders that are out there and the opinions of others who may see something that I don't see. It would help us to watch out for each other and our dogs and possibly prevent breeders from getting away with certain things. I just didn't know how the group would respond to this or if it would get nasty (I don't like nasty and think constructive criticism shouldn't have to get nasty...) Just my opinion, I'm still new and most of the reason I say this is because I know so many people on this board have seen and done more than I have and have so much more experience and I would welcome and appreciate they're insight. Also, cutie pie puppy! Have fun with him!

I brought home Athena at 10 weeks old back in May. She's now almost 7 months old (WOW). Picture of Athena the day I brought her home.

http://www.affordableagility.com/weaveschannel.htm Any thoughts?

I prefer stopped contacts

Thanks so much for all the advice! I had no idea there were online classes for agility... I'm looking around for them now. That's the biggest thing I was wishing I had- a second pair of eyes. Also, didn't think about occasionally having private lessons. I would definitely be able to swing that. What about obstacles though? Has anyone bought equipment from affordableagility.com? Will having to have a smaller-than-regulation sized dogwalk and A-frame inhibit being able to be competitive? Also, my yard will not be a USDAA sized field...maybe more AKC sized. Closer turns, not as much running... I would still be able to keep her in shape though. We go to a park/dog park where she can really run.

I plan to take Athena to some trials while we're training, so she can get used to the noise/"feel" of it. As I said, I live "close" to places that host trials, just not close enough to take classes.