When you say ‘yes, I can help ‘ ?

[Clodagh]

A man I work with is having a bad time at the moment and on the 27th he has to go away to his Dad’s funeral. He’ll be away three nights. I have offered to have his two dogs while he’s away. The spaniel I feel I can cope with. But the other is a chihuahua. It wears clothes. It doesn’t go for walks. What on earth to do with it?
They’ll be kennelled, which are heated, but will it (I mean me) cope?

 

[silv]

It might enjoy being a dog and have a whale of a time. My friend has a chihuahua only nobody has told her she is one, she thinks she is a labrador and follows the other dogs for miles in an out of creeks, smelly mud etc. I would certainly put the coat on when it is in the kennel and give it warm bedding. I hate calling animals it, but you didn't say if it is a dog or a bitch.

 

[Clodagh]

It might enjoy being a dog and have a whale of a time. My friend has a chihuahua only nobody has told her she is one, she thinks she is a labrador and follows the other dogs for miles in an out of creeks, smelly mud etc. I would certainly put the coat on when it is in the kennel and give it warm bedding. I hate calling animals it, but you didn't say if it is a dog or a bitch.

He’s a dog. Apparently not keen on other dogs, not even the one he’ll be kennelled with.

 

[silv]

He’s a dog. Apparently not keen on other dogs, not even the one he’ll be kennelled with.

oh dear, a grumpy little male lol, have fun lol

 

[AmyMay]

I bet it’ll have the time of its life with you. Lots of small dogs wear ‘clothes’ because they feel the cold. Especially something as small and smooth coated as a chihuahua. Sure, it won’t be up for massive walks. But I’m sure it’ll enjoy an hours gentle bumbling about.

 

[Blanche]

My friend bred chihuahuas and they all went for long walks (up to 4 hours)and never wore clothes. Your friends one may not be able to cope with a long walk if never has any walks though.

 

[Moobli]

He’ll love being a proper dog. Remember Tricki-Woo in All Creatures Great & Small when he moved in at Skeldale House in an attempt to lose weight and spent time being a real dog ?

 

[Moobli]

Oh and well done for offering to help out when many wouldn’t ??

 

[misst]

There is guy I see a lot. He has a super hyperactive collie (lovely dog but mad as a box of frogs), and 2 chihauhaus, one of them a minature thing. They keep up with the collie quite a lot of the time. The biggest problem is the tiny one is a trip hazzard and has been stepped on occasionally. No clothing worn, no special treatment. They will play with my JRT and terrier x quite happily play fighting and generally being dogs. They are proper characters and although the owner often tells people loudly the chi's belong to his wife he quite obviously enjoys them. They have good old fashioned old ladies names too. One is called Olive and I can't remember the other but it is in the same vein. Brilliant tough little dogs. You might enjoy them!

 

[meleeka]

My SIL has a x JRT (but looks like a chihuahua) and I used to think he was just an excuse for a dog. He’s wormed his way into my affections though and I now think he's a fabulous little thing. I can’t say I’d own one, I’d be so worried about tripping over him or a pony stamping on him. He is very cute.

 

[Red-1]

We have 2 little ones by default, after years of GSDs who were rock hard. We found little Heck at the side of the road in poor condition and inherited Cracker when mum died.



They are ace! Little yappy handbag dogs, who need jackets! Who knew they would have such huuuuge personalities and break all the rules (sofas, beds, titbits, jackets etc)?

You will love the one you are looking after.

 

[Spotherisk]

There’s one at my agility group, he’s called Brian and is hilarious.

However in your situation I’d stick an extendable lead on it and walk it briefly around the garden four times a day. ?

 

[Smitty]

Ha ha, I fully expect you to fall for it big time and post lots of photos of it snuggled up in your duvet ?

 

[SAujla]

You coped with seeing Clover in a harness and I know how difficult that was for you seeing a Labrador not as nude as possible. You can do it ?

 

[Chiffy]

Well done Clodagh, sure you will cope.
I am not a small dog person either and couldn’t think what my farming outdoor family were thinking of when having a mini dachshund and now have two. But I have to admit to getting fond of them . They are farm dogs though and can keep up with my retrievers on a walk. They do own an equafleece each but only wear them when going somewhere where they can’t run about.

 

[Clodagh]

There’s one at my agility group, he’s called Brian and is hilarious.

However in your situation I’d stick an extendable lead on it and walk it briefly around the garden four times a day. ?

That’s my plan! Except I’m working every day so it’ll be less than four. ?

 

[Clodagh]

Ha ha, I fully expect you to fall for it big time and post lots of photos of it snuggled up in your duvet ?

I think that’s a fairly safe bet not to happen!

 

[Clodagh]

Oh and well done for offering to help out when many wouldn’t ??

OH was ok about it too, I thought he’d be so cross!

 

[Clodagh]

They are both rescues, the chihuahua was a cruelty case, they have had him for two years. The spaniel was a lockdown pup that was rehomed when at a year old the owners went back to work. He’d never been out of his garden.
Tbh as long as they don’t bark incessantly we’ll be grand. And smallest won’t be out with mine as he’s DA. I expect spangle and Scout will have fun with each other.

 

[Spotherisk]

Just one thought, how far apart are the bars on your kennel?

 

[Clodagh]

Just one thought, how far apart are the bars on your kennel?

Mmm… hadn’t thought of that. How wide is a chihuahua? ?

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

They will only be with you for 3 days. I thought from the thread title that you were taking on something else long term. You won't have had chance to get used to them by the time they leave. I'm sure it will be fine.

 

[Spotherisk]

Mmm… hadn’t thought of that. How wide is a chihuahua? ?

About 3” if it’s really determined!

 

[Thistle]

Perhaps the Chi could live in a crate within the kennel, particularly if it's not that fond of it's 'friend'. That way you could make it super warm and insulated if you needed to. Did I ever tell you about the Chi that someone brought to a shoot> It wore clothes, was terrified of the bangs (apparently they knew it was scared of fireworks) and redecoreted the inside of their super shiney and useless porsche with vomit, also vomiting all over the grumpy wife who spent all day sitting in the car with it. Poor little dog!

 

[rara007]

My Pom is super tiny compared to most adult Chis but he can get through crate bars without much hesitation- he needs rabbit netting..! He travels in a cat box.

 

[Clodagh]

I’ll think on it. Him and his wife are bringing them over to meet me before they go. I’m not sure a crate will fit in the kennel, but I do have chicken carriers he could sleep in, but no room if he needed a wee.
my smallest crate is also out on loan to a friend. Although I could get it back as he has finished with it.

 

[Clodagh]

Cage in the porch might be better. There’s a heater in there.

 

[AmyMay]

Cage in the porch might be better. There’s a heater in there.

Or in the house?

Does he know the plans to kennel them?

 

[Clodagh]

Or in the house?

Does he know the plans to kennel them?

I’m not having either of them in the house. Yes he knows they’ll be kennelled. Tbh he’s got bigger things to worry about at the moment than will his dogs be miserable in free heated luxury kennels.

 

[TheOldTrout]

You're doing the man such a great favour. I'm sure the chihuahua will have a great time!