~*~Chihuahuas~*~

[Brooklyn]

Hi,
I breed Chihuahuas and I want to train them as Therapy Dogs. I have done a crap-load of research but I just wanted to talk to someone else that has Therapy Chihuahuas. I am going to write a book about it and I want some miracle stories in it. So If your Chihuahua has helped some one greatly and you want it in a book, I would LOVE to put it in mine. I am sorry I cant put all the stories in my book, only the REALLY miraculous ones. PLus I would like some extra advice on socializing them when they are too young to go into hardcore Therapy Dog Training! Lolz. I usually take my puppies with me everywhere in a little dog carrier (okay a purse, I call it a dog carrier), but anyway people always pet them but I think it is too scary for them sometimes so what else could I do to get them used to people without over-whelming them?

[Cassiepeia]

You breed Chihuahua's and you don't know how to socialise them correctly??????????????


RED FLAG!!

EDIT: And aren't you only 13? If so, then shouldn't your parents (who I'm assuming are the ones who actually breed) already know how to socialise the pups...why would they leave that responsibility to a kid? Especially since it's so important and considering the job you want them to do.
Sorry I realise that sounds harsh, I didn't intend to be rude. However it's distressing to me because there are so many disreputable breeders out there ruining my breed. I tend to jump in and think the worst first.

Cass.

[Pippinislove]

Woah. Wait. You breed and you don't know how to socialize dogs properly? I think you need to stop breeding and read and research a little bit on just what it exactly it takes to own a dog. Let alone breed one. I'm not trying to be rude, but I highly doubt you title and health test the pooches you breed. Please, do some more research before you breed again.

[Brooklyn]

No. no. no. I socialize them but I wanted to know if another Chihuahua breeder knew a different way of socializing them besides taking them with you to meet new people. And when I say 'breeding' I mean my my females has puppies occasionally we are not a mill and our puppies are raised in home at all times and so are my adults. We do have little kids come and play with the puppies, so they love kids, they do meet other dogs too. But I wanted to know if there is a better way to socialize them than takng them places with you. And just because you breed Chihuahuas doesnt mean they are all owned by you and they are only your breed. And I didnt deserve what you said to me, you have never seen my dogs or anything and you dont know anything about me or my family. I realize what you are thinking but you cant just assume we are 'ruining YOUR breed'.

[Brooklyn]

If you would have read more it says I do socialize them but I was askng for some advice on socializing them deeper but have it less stressful for my babies.

[Brooklyn]

You people are getting me wrong... all wrong, I need to reword this because you are getting this confused with something else. How do I delete this thread?

[Cassiepeia]

Actually I can assume it and I will.

When I say "my" breed I do not claim ownership over all the dogs in that breed. I would think any reasonable person would realise that.

I know I don't know anything about you or your family, but since you give us no other information other than...you breed and need help socialising your dogs, you have to realise that people are going to think the worst first.
Especially considering your 'pro-designer dog' post on another thread, which gives me the impression you're a backyard breeder.

It is true that we here at Global Paw can be a bit harsh on newcomers who claim to breed. It is because we love dogs dearly and are in great distress over the massive number of dogs being put to sleep every year because A: no one wants them and B: they're being so over bred by disreputable people who care nothing for the breed, only for their own bank balance and selfishness.
If you are a reputable breeder, I'm afraid we (or at least, I) need proof before I can happily help and condone what you do.

Yes I'm harsh, but I in no way intend this as a personal attack. I simply hate seeing any breed ruined by irresponsible people.

Cass.

[Brooklyn]

Pro designer post??? This is my only thread. Oh you mean the one I replied to? I dont think any dog should be treated any differently than a Purebred dog. I think as long as they are nice, healthy, happy, and just plain sweet they can be adopted just as easily as a purebred baby. Any one who thinks they arent equal to any other dog, needs counseling and needs to grow a heart and brain. ALL dogs should be treated like royalty!

[Brooklyn]

Well ASSUME all you want but you still dont know. And what do you mean by proving to you that we are a reputable breeder, what do I need to do for you that is 'proof'. I never said I needed 'your' help in particular, but I asked if their was a better way to socialize puppies before they can go into Therapy Dog training? That is what I am breeding them for, to be Therapy dogs to help sick kids and cancer patients, and the elderly go on and not to give up. I have been sick my whole life and my chihuahuas keep me going everday and I wantd to share my babies with everyone. So that is all was asking, is if any one else had Therapy Chihuahuas and how they socialize them because I am open to all opinions and info. I am sorry for being rude to you, that was immature and I am very sorry, can we start over? Do you get what I meant by that now?

[Brooklyn]

*before they are old enough for Therapy Dog Training*

not "before they can go into Therapy Dog training*

[Crossfire Bulldogs]

Well ASSUME all you want but you still dont know. And what do you mean by proving to you that we are a reputable breeder, what do I need to do for you that is 'proof'. I never said I needed 'your' help in particular

Well then why don't you enlighten us so we won't have to assume anything. What does she mean by proving that your a reputable breeder? It means fill us in on your breeding program, things like how often do you breed your bitches, how many litters do you produce per year, what health tests do you do before a breeding takes place and things of that nature.

As for you saying "I never said I needed your help in particular" are we to assume that means that if the answers or comments made do not fit the answers your looking for or if the poster isn't a Chi breeder then your not interested? There are many breeders on this forum as well as those with several years of experience in raising and / or training dogs. Socialization of a young puppy does not vary that much from one breed to another.

[Brooklyn]

Well we arent really BREEDER breeders, we are more like hobby breeders, we only have 1 female Chihuahua and 2 male Chihuahuas, we are getting another female. We are raising them to be Therapy dogs to visit sick children, cancer patients, and nursing homes. Our 'kennel' is our house and we are going to have 5 females IF THAT. We let our female have puppies once every other year. Since our female and male that we breed together are so sweet, they help their puppies to be sweet like them. We DO socialize our puppies, we take them to the part on Sunny days and let them see people and other dogs, I was just asking if any one knew of a different way to socialize them in a less-stressful way while they are still 6-7 weeks, when they are 8 weeks I am not so afraid of them getting nervous. Both parents are very healthy and we guarantee our puppies against any genetic problems, and we guarantee they wont get sick at all for 1 week after they purchase the puppy, we go over training, nutrition needs, what food to give them and all that before they go, and we tell them to call us with any question about their health or anything for that matter, no one has ever called us saying that there is somethng wrong with their puppy they got from us. They are pre-potty-trained to go outside, and they are usually inside, free to roam and run around as they please, and they rarely have accidents because we take them out to go to the bathroom so often. We dont have puppis in the winter or fall becasue they cant be pre-potty-trained that way and dont get to see the outdoors which they seem to love, but I dont seem to because I am so scared that something will happen to them even though I always am watching them. They have a fenced-in backyard that is half an acre so they dont feel locked in. They really are our babies and they even sleep n our bed.

[calgal]

Here are 11 rules a dog needs to pass before it can be certified:
1. Accepting a friendly stranger
2. Sitting politely for petting
3. Appearance and grooming
4. Walking on a loose leash
5. Walking through a crowd
6. Sit and down on command/staying in place
7. Coming when called
8. Reaction to another dog
9. Reactions to istractions
10. Supervised separation
11. Willingness of each dog to visit a person

Additional Rules for TDI Testing
1. Dogs must be tested on a plain buckle collar or harness. Training collars, training harnesses, halties or any other corrective training device are not permitted during testing or visiting as a TDI registered Therapy Dog.
2. Greyhounds are not required to sit for TDI Testing.

There are more rules, but if you work with your dog on all these things I'm sure the dog will become very used to people of all ages. Just continue taking it everywhere. I still take my girls into the 3 Vets. offices when I'm in town just to say hi and they get a treat. It lets them know it isn't a bad place. Things like that help too and will get them used to the smells before they are doing therapy work in a hospital. Good luck.

[Cassiepeia]

Originally Posted by Brooklyn

Pro designer post??? This is my only thread. Oh you mean the one I replied to? I dont think any dog should be treated any differently than a Purebred dog. I think as long as they are nice, healthy, happy, and just plain sweet they can be adopted just as easily as a purebred baby. Any one who thinks they arent equal to any other dog, needs counseling and needs to grow a heart and brain. ALL dogs should be treated like royalty!

No one ever siad that mutts weren't as good as pure breeds or that one breed was better than the other. In fact if you'd taken the time to read over this forum, you'd see we all LOVE mix breed dogs. What I take issue with is the INTENTIONAL breeding of mutts.
There are millions of dogs (both mix & pure breed) that are destroyed every year because there aren't enough homes. Yet people (byb & puppymills) still continue to MASS breed mutts. Unfortunately purebreed dogs are also mass bred by disreputable people which not only does great damage to the breeds health, temperament and type but also leaves many dogs homeless, abused, neglected and dead.

Originally Posted by Brooklyn

Well we arent really BREEDER breeders, we are more like hobby breeders, we only have 1 female Chihuahua and 2 male Chihuahuas, we are getting another female. We are raising them to be Therapy dogs to visit sick children, cancer patients, and nursing homes. Our 'kennel' is our house and we are going to have 5 females IF THAT. We let our female have puppies once every other year. Since our female and male that we breed together are so sweet, they help their puppies to be sweet like them. We DO socialize our puppies, we take them to the part on Sunny days and let them see people and other dogs, I was just asking if any one knew of a different way to socialize them in a less-stressful way while they are still 6-7 weeks, when they are 8 weeks I am not so afraid of them getting nervous. Both parents are very healthy and we guarantee our puppies against any genetic problems, and we guarantee they wont get sick at all for 1 week after they purchase the puppy, we go over training, nutrition needs, what food to give them and all that before they go, and we tell them to call us with any question about their health or anything for that matter, no one has ever called us saying that there is somethng wrong with their puppy they got from us. They are pre-potty-trained to go outside, and they are usually inside, free to roam and run around as they please, and they rarely have accidents because we take them out to go to the bathroom so often. We dont have puppis in the winter or fall becasue they cant be pre-potty-trained that way and dont get to see the outdoors which they seem to love, but I dont seem to because I am so scared that something will happen to them even though I always am watching them. They have a fenced-in backyard that is half an acre so they dont feel locked in. They really are our babies and they even sleep n our bed.

I have no doubt you love your dogs. But reading this quote still has me thinking 'backyard breeder'.
Just because a dog is "sweet" does not mean it should be bred. Genetic tests must be done on both dog and bitch. The temperament must be taken into consideration (yes, yes...your dogs are sweet ) and the breeds type should be bred for as well.

You start excusing little 'faults' and soon they turn into bigger ones. You need to compare your dogs to others of it's breed and have a variety of qualified people judge whether it's a good example of it's breed or not.
This can be through conformation showing or working.

While I admire the fact that you wish to train your dogs to be therapy dogs, I think you would be doing more of a service to the dogs if you rescued them instead.
YES rescue dogs can and do become therapy dogs.
Why put a female through the stress of pregnancy and the pain and danger of birth if there is another alternative? There is a possibility she or her pups could die you know.
Why bring more pups into the world who may end up in bad homes or shelters? Not every dog is going to be suited to therapy work...you can't be 100% sure every pup will work out, you may get no pups that can do it at all for a few litters because Chi litters are so small.
You would show your love for dogs more wisely by taking the time to find dogs in need that can, in turn, help people in need. Working with adult dogs may be slightly easier too because you'll be aware of the adult temperament of the dog.

As it stands right now, all I can see when I read your posts is a waving red flag that reads 'Beware, Backyard Breeder'.

Cass.

[Brooklyn]

Well maybe I am a byb but my dogs are provided with quality vet care and loved by me and the rest of my town. It could be a good idea to rescue a Chihuahua and train it as a Therapy dog, but having my own dogs, I know I wont have to worry about any (or as much) genetic health issues, and I know the parents, and what they will turn out like. I did hve a rescued Border Collie and he attacked one of my Chihuahuas so that is why I trust my own dogs. I always keep in touch with the people my puppies go to, so I know they are going to a good home and the puppies I sell as Therapy Dogs, will be sold as Therapy Dogs, and I even visit them. I don't mix breed my dogs but I don't think mix breeding is a bad idea because mixed and pure bred dogs are abandoned. I dont let my customers sell my puppies to some one I disaprove of, I usually tell them to give the puppy back to me if they cant keep it. I do understand what you mean and thnks 4being more reasonable with your chosen words.