Quote: Amber Morgan

I might also add that if it were me, I'd go easy on the corrections for the whining until my bond with the dog was really solid. You've only had the dog a short time and I wouldn't be surprised if the dog already has trust issues. Maybe a gentle correction?

Yes, I used only my firm voice.

you mentioned that this dog slept in the bed. I have read and heard mixed things about this. I have been crating her at night, but she has slept in the bed a few times. I don't know if her sleeping the the bed would help solidify our bond and grow trust, or if I am just spoiling her (which I don't want to do!) She has had very good manners in the bed, and has usualyl curled up next to my head. What do you think would be the best answer?

Surprisingly enough, she has no reservations about looking at me in the eye. She does this often, and watches me constantly.

I will work on the tug idea. She doesn't know what toys are, but that is a goal of mine. Even though she has only a few teeth, I'm sure we could work something out. Thanks alot!

Most people will tell you not to let the dog sleep in the bed. If you have a dominant dog that sleeps in the bed and you give him the boot, you will see improvement...I say this from personal experience!

In the case of my submissive foster dog, it was okay...and I believe helped with his confidence level and bond with me. He was a VERY submissive dog, though. IMO, some dogs can sleep on the bed without any ill effects, those that are already clear that they're low on the pack totem pole.

I'm always sad when a dog doesn't understand the concept of toys. Zack (as in "Prozack!") the foster dog was like that. He kept acting like he thought he'd get yelled at for playing. It was actually my Corgi as a puppy that gave him his "second puppy-hood" and showed him how to play with toys. I praised him tons for playing and, over time, he came to realize it was fun to play with people, too. That's when I brought in the tug game.

Even without teeth the dog can still tug if you're gentle...you're going to be giving it to him rather quickly at first anyway.

The only thing I want to add is once the dog has some basic obedience skills (come, sit and down) you might want to consider taking her for agility lessons. Agility is a marvelous confidence booster for dogs and a lot of fun, also.

You know I've never done agility...I think I'll try that soon...it does seem like fun. How well would the OP's chihuahua do? It'd be pretty cute...could use pencils for the poles!

Ok, as far as the dog howling and whining when you're not in the apartment, either leave a tv or radio on. If the dog is in-capeable of chewing bones, use a Kong. You can fill them with a number of soft lickable items, freeze them and she will only have to use her tongue to get at whats inside.

Now the crate issue versus sleeping on the bed. I was thinking, if you want this dog to get used to and not be unhappy in the crate, she is going to have to realize that it is a safe place for her and not look at it in a negative way. I would think, for now, to keep her sleeping in the crate until she realizes its not the beast she thinks it is would be the way to go, that is until she learns the crate isn't as bad as she makes it out to be, then by all means if you would like her to sleep with you, that's your choice.
Now I am not saying anything against the advice given, I was just sitting here and kind of thinking outside the box. Please don't anyone take my statement the wrong way, and if anyone thinks that I am way off base here please feel free to show me the error in my thought...lol.

 Quote: Lauren Bricking

I recently adopted a rescue chihuahua. She came from a puppy mill, and is obviously very skiddish around people. She has warmed up alot in the past few weeks, however she has seperation anxiety. She follows me around all the time, and if she can't find me, will roam the house and pace until she knows where I am. I keep her in a crate when I am gone, and frequently when I am at home, in hopes that she will get used to it. She scratches at it, howls, and whines when left alone. If I am in the house, she is fine. This behavior arises at night, when her crate is in another room, or when I am gone from the house. I read on the Q & A board that it was reccomended to leave the dog in the crate at all times. However, I'm afraid that she will become distrustful, and less sociable than she already is. Is that the best solution? I want to instill discipline in her, but I don't know my limits since she hasn't had a good life to begin with. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

I agree with Heather who posted that a dog should not be in the crate at ALL times. They need time with you, lots of interaction. Another thing to consider is since the dog is already 3-5 yrs and spent that time in a puppy mill, probability is that she has spent ALL her life in a crate of some sort. This is unbelievably sad and cruel. A crate is to be a place of safety and rest, not a jail. That is NO way to raise a dog. They did wrong by her. Now she needs human interaction as much as possible. I don't see this as separation anxiety as I know it and don't think it should be treated the same way. The circumstances of her life are completely different. She wants to be with you, a human, and for the first time in her life she has a chance to do that. Let her do it, let her be with you when you're home.

You also said

 Quote:

She is in the crate throughout the day if I am here, and if she whimpers, I tell her NO in a firm voice.

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Again, what I said above, no being in the crate throughout the day. That's the puppy mill experience. She's whimpering because she needs you, and needs a completely different experience than she's had in the past. I would not correct her for that. Just give her much more time with you, and let her crate be her bed. The way I see it is you rescued her from a lifelong sentence of being in a crate/jail. She needs to be out of that darn crate as much as possible. It's only negative to her now, and will take a long time perhaps for her to look at it as anything positive. Little steps with the crate thing. More time bonding with you outside the crate.

she is not in her crate all day as of right now. i put her in for intervals, and take her out. Under the Q & A under Dog Training Articles on the index to the left was where it was talked about to leave a dog in the crate the entire day. A lady wrote in with a similar problem with a rescue dog, and the man suggested to leave the dog in the crate all day to "get the ghosts out of its head." She wrote back and said after 2 weeks, the dog had completely changed its behavior, and it had established confidence, and no longer whined. I don't know if this would be an option for my situation or not (maybe if the whining never ended!)

Just make sure that all association with the crate is positive right now.
Someone suggested feeding her in the crate, put treats in the crate, something that you don't give her at any other time except in the crate. Toss them in and let her go in and get them, once she's in there, don't close the door but give her treats while she's still standing in there.
She obviously has had a rough rough start.
All dogs are different, and rescue dogs are sometimes hard to decipher because you have absolutely no idea how they were raised. Some rescue dogs will have absolutely no problem with a crate and will take to it right away because its a source of safety for them, others want nothing to do with them because thats all that they've ever known is a life in an enclosed space.
Just make the crate as appealing as you can to her.
It will get better once she learns that she can trust you and that you're a responsible pack leader.
Does she have any interest in toys at all? If she does play with her as often as you can. even if its just rolling a ball along the floor for her to chase.
I am trying to recall the first post, but i am going to assume she doesn't know any obedience yet?
Work a bit on that to boost her up. Just take it slow and don't force it. If you absolutely can't get her to sit, try to mark the behaviour in everyday life. Keep your eye on her, always have treats on hand and if you see her about to sit, say "sit" and treat/praise her. same with down. Mark all good behaviours.
When i first got Tucker (also a rescue dog) i actually had one of those little fanny pouches on me at all times filled with treats so that I had them ready to go to mark positive behaviours.

Keep at it, and don't give up. She'll come around.

I have to agree not to keep the dog in the crate all the time, but I didn't get the impression that that's what's happening. At any rate, the dog will have to be in the crate as some times, so it's best to make the experience positive (in the ways everyone has already said.

Having a treat pouch handy, as Wendy said, is a great idea. I have on one me everytime I have a foster or new client..(Or currently, my own puppy!)