New pup joined our family, not a Yorkie..still need help:)

[MissSunni]

Hi everyone,

Well, I was volunteering at a Pet Adoption yesterday...and well, now I have a little Chi in the family. She is 5 yrs old (approx) 5 #'s very sweet and terrified. She was abandoned in Philadelphia and rescue thinks she was out on the streets for a long time. She was pulled from a Kill shelter and has been in foster for over a year living with 7 other dogs all sizes. She's a little nipper, I found out and wont eat. But she loves to snuggle with me. Harry has taken to her right away and she seems to like him. Sunni, is not so welcoming. She's very jealous and barks at the new little one..Star (I'm so original) She wont let Star rest. I do put Star in the playpen so she feels safe, but she doesn't feel safe, she looks so stressed out in it. The last thing I like to do with a rescue is put them back into a cage, but for the times I actually cant keep my eyes on them, I just feel like its the safest for her. If its inappropriate to post this here, I apologize in advance. Truthfully though the one giving me the most trouble right now is Sunni. Star likes to snuggle into my lap, and that is driving Sunni nuts. If anyone else has any experience with rescuing an older dog, I'd welcome any tips on how to make it a smoother transition. Granted, it hasn't even been 24 hours yet...I was looking for another rescue but didn't expect to come home with her yesterday, lol. I brought her to my vet, who was open because they were having a microchip clinic...so shes chipped. Her shots were expired when I got her so she's up to date now. The vet said she appears to be very healthy, good teeth etc. Her nails were curling in they were so long, so they cut them. He said she should put on about 1 pound. She barely eats and you can see the bones in her spine and sides..its very sad to look at her. I cheated and gave her some french fries because she wouldn't eat anything else, lol. Something was better then nothing. I've never adopted an older dog before. I honestly can't give up on her..she's here to stay so I could use some advice on what I should do to help her trust me that she's finally home and safe.

[PetLife]

Originally Posted by MissSunni

Hi everyone,

Well, I was volunteering at a Pet Adoption yesterday...and well, now I have a little Chi in the family. She is 5 yrs old (approx) 5 #'s very sweet and terrified. She was abandoned in Philadelphia and rescue thinks she was out on the streets for a long time. She was pulled from a Kill shelter and has been in foster for over a year living with 7 other dogs all sizes. She's a little nipper, I found out and wont eat. But she loves to snuggle with me. Harry has taken to her right away and she seems to like him. Sunni, is not so welcoming. She's very jealous and barks at the new little one..Star (I'm so original) She wont let Star rest. I do put Star in the playpen so she feels safe, but she doesn't feel safe, she looks so stressed out in it. The last thing I like to do with a rescue is put them back into a cage, but for the times I actually cant keep my eyes on them, I just feel like its the safest for her. If its inappropriate to post this here, I apologize in advance. Truthfully though the one giving me the most trouble right now is Sunni. Star likes to snuggle into my lap, and that is driving Sunni nuts. If anyone else has any experience with rescuing an older dog, I'd welcome any tips on how to make it a smoother transition. Granted, it hasn't even been 24 hours yet...I was looking for another rescue but didn't expect to come home with her yesterday, lol. I brought her to my vet, who was open because they were having a microchip clinic...so shes chipped. Her shots were expired when I got her so she's up to date now. The vet said she appears to be very healthy, good teeth etc. Her nails were curling in they were so long, so they cut them. He said she should put on about 1 pound. She barely eats and you can see the bones in her spine and sides..its very sad to look at her. I cheated and gave her some french fries because she wouldn't eat anything else, lol. Something was better then nothing. I've never adopted an older dog before. I honestly can't give up on her..she's here to stay so I could use some advice on what I should do to help her trust me that she's finally home and safe.

We rescued a 3yr old westie a few years ago (shes 7 now) and there were teething problems. Our other dogs appeared jealous. Although I think it was more my feelings of guilt than their feeling of jealous because I felt I was leaving them out and didnt have enough time and attention for them all.
Give it time! Take each day as it comes! Walk the dogs together because thats how they will bond, on neutral territory, running around!

[barneysmommmy]

It seems like it just takes time. It took about a month for my crew to accept Willie Wonka when he moved in. Barney is very sweet and is a dog's dog. He took to Willie right away. Anna is more of a people pup. She would rather be with us than running and playing with them. She and Willie still have an occasional rumble if they are vying for my attention. She wouldn't even let him near her for about a month and worse, she wouldn't come to me. Now things are back as they should be. She is curled up on my legs. Willie is curled up in my lap and Barney is killing the evil squirrel (don't worry it's a stuffed animal) in the floor. Give it some time. And congratulations on adding little Star to your family.

[Maximo]

Congratulations on the new addition to your family! Looking forward to seeing photos of Star.

I can imagine the difficulties of balancing the needs of a rescue with the basics of integrating with your other pups.

[JadeD]

Give it time. I brought home these 2 puppies 3 weeks ago. They would not leave Teek alone whenever he was off the couch. He would run for cover the minute they got near him.

About a week ago he tried to play with them one evening but without much success.

Today though. Teek has been on the floor with them all morning, by his own choice. They are playing and he is following them around trying to join in. They are tearing through the house and running right past him and it isn't even phasing him like it did when I first brought them home.

It will get better and your dog will learn to leave her alone some.

I am so happy with the progress Teek is making with the puppies. I think he will be playing with them soon. He loves tug of war and I would love to see them all playing it together.

Good luck and congrats on your new one.

[Wylie's Mom]

Aw....CONGRATS ! And welcome to the world of owning a rescue Chi - bc me too; we were fostering our Arthur for the shelter where I volunteer back in October...by December, he was officially ours ...failed fosters .

I would just give it a little time, so hang in there and try to let the doggies adjust to this new change...they will get there. Give everyone equal attention. And know you've done a wonderful, loving thing!!!

On the eating, have you tried sprinkling Parmesan cheese on her food yet?

I've heard from many people that Chi's can be very, very possessive, can pick 1 main person to bond with, and can be a little neurotic. Well, lol, this is all true for our little Arthur - that's for sure. He is a character. I swear, he looks like a little seal pup...I'm attaching a pic of Arthur giving his best seal pup imitation to the camera.

Would love to see pics of Star!

[barneysmommmy]

Originally Posted by Wylie's Mom

I've heard from many people that Chi's can be very, very possessive, can pick 1 main person to bond with, and can be a little neurotic. Well, lol, this is all true for our little Arthur - that's for sure. He is a character. I swear, he looks like a little seal pup...I'm attaching a pic of Arthur giving his best seal pup imitation to the camera.

Would love to see pics of Star!

He does look like a seal pup.....now I want a seal! Maybe Anna is part chi too, would explain her possessive nature.

[MissSunni]

Thanks for the advice. Poor little girl is so scared. I've gotten some good advice which I will put into practice. I did get her to eat a little bit of chicken, but its hard because she's not even tempted by treats..at all. Only the french fries, lol. I will try sprinkling some parm on her food. I have the shaved kind, and offered her a little taste…she bared her teeth, haha…so I just put it in front of her..then she did eat it. I think putting the cover over her little play yard is helpful. She doesn't bark or whimper….She looks so lonely. I let her out when ever she wants but she chooses to go back into it, so I close the zipper to keep Sunni from harassing her. I really hope I can help her. I am so impatient, lol. I want her to know she's safe..NOW!! lol

Here's a picture of her in her new collar and tags

[Jkpal]

Bless your compassionate, loving heart and your new little Star---what a doll-baby she is...Gotta love those ears! Maybe you can find time for just the two of you at times throughout the day...Maybe taking her for a ride in the car or on short shopping trips? Or taking a little nap, just the two of you. Anyway, Star is, indeed, a lucky Star to be in your wonderful family!

Oh, and Anne (aka Wylie's Mom)...your little Arthur has gotta be one of thee most 'ohmygoshheissooooocute' domed-headed little darlings out there!! That face! Is he as soft as he looks? love,love,love

[Russpilot]

I have had a small Chi when I was a boy, she was whip smart and honestly, even though she ate like a horse, she looked like your new little one. They are really neat little dogs with the same big dog mentality that our beloved Yorkies have.
Congrats on your new little one and be assured, even though she may shake a little bit, it is not a symptom of fear or discomfort, they just do that. I used to tell people who asked why they do that that if everything around you was 20 times bigger than you, then you would shake a little too.
So excited for you and your pack!

[MissSunni]

Well, I've decided life here is just too confusing for this little girl to have to live with a name change on top of everything, so I've just decided to go with her Shelter name..which is nice. She is more relaxed hearing me call her the name she knows....So, its Nena (the way they spelled it), but I'm going with Nina..and thats it. We are making progress, slowly. She still barely eats a thing, but she is pad trained, I found out and trained to go outside. We had steak last night, and I cut up some for the dogs, lol. I cant just give it to her...thats Harry's favorite thing in the world. She got a bit more and I fed her in the play yard. She ate every little bite, so she isnt starving. She's quite the snuggler. I never know whats going to make her growl. I never approach her from the back..let her smell my hand before I try to pick her up...sometimes she growls and snaps, others shes fine. She actually, just came out of the play yard on her own and jumped up on the couch to curl up beside me as I'm on the computer. I doubt she will ever be safe around little kids, from what I see. I also think she is older then the shelter told me. But I do love to see her snuggled up in the mohair blankie I have on the sofa...Sunni tries to use it as a pull toy, haha. Sunni, is actually being much gentler with her now. I think thats thanks to Harry, who seems to instinctively know that Nina needs calm, quiet attention. She couldnt care less about toys or treats, which will make trying to teach her things very difficult.
Russpilot, I grew up with a little black chi who had a big white patch on his head. He was the best smartest little dog ever...and he lived to be almost 20...a few weeks shy of his birthday. But I dont remember him being quite as fragile as Nina. Sunni, is a big girl, lol....not at all fragile. Right now she's bigger then my passed Shih Tzu George. At the rate she's going she's going to be a pony, not a Yorkie!!

[MissSunni]

Well, I've decided life here is just too confusing for this little girl to have to live with a name change on top of everything, so I've just decided to go with her Shelter name..which isn't bad. She is more relaxed hearing me call her the name she knows....So, its Nena (the way they spelled it), but I'm going with Nina..and thats it. We are making progress, slowly. She still barely eats a thing, but she is pad trained, I found out and trained to go outside. We had steak last night, and I cut up some for the dogs, lol. I cant just give it to her...thats Harry's favorite thing in the world. She got a bit more and I fed her in the play yard. She ate every little bite, so she isnt starving. She's quite the snuggler. I never know whats going to make her growl. I never approach her from the back..let her smell my hand before I try to pick her up...sometimes she growls and snaps, others shes fine. She actually, just came out of the play yard on her own and jumped up on the couch to curl up beside me as I'm on the computer. I doubt she will ever be safe around little kids, from what I see. I also think she is older then the shelter told me. But I do love to see her snuggled up in the mohair blankie I have on the sofa...Sunni tries to use it as a pull toy, haha. Sunni, is actually being much gentler with her now. I think thats thanks to Harry, who seems to instinctively know that Nina needs calm, quiet attention. She couldnt care less about toys or treats, which will make trying to teach her things very difficult.
Russpilot, I grew up with a little black chi who had a big white patch on his head. He was the best smartest little dog ever...and he lived to be almost 20...a few weeks shy of his birthday. But I dont remember him being quite as fragile as Nina. Sunni, is a big girl, lol....not at all fragile. Right now she's bigger then my passed Shih Tzu George. At the rate she's going she's going to be a pony, not a Yorkie!!

[Wylie's Mom]

Originally Posted by Jkpal

Bless your compassionate, loving heart and your new little Star---what a doll-baby she is...Gotta love those ears! Maybe you can find time for just the two of you at times throughout the day...Maybe taking her for a ride in the car or on short shopping trips? Or taking a little nap, just the two of you. Anyway, Star is, indeed, a lucky Star to be in your wonderful family!

Oh, and Anne (aka Wylie's Mom)...your little Arthur has gotta be one of thee most 'ohmygoshheissooooocute' domed-headed little darlings out there!! That face! Is he as soft as he looks? love,love,love

Yup, he really is that soft - he feels like silk sometimes when you run your hand down his fur...soooo soft !

[wigglewomyn]

What a lovely thing you did to adopt Nena. Did you already have your adoption application in to the shelter? She is very cute, I can see why you fell in love with her. I am sure she will fit into your family when she gets used to the new environment.

Wylie's mom, Arthur is the cutest chi I have ever seen! My partner wants a chi and if I found one that looked like that, I would definitely adopt him/her.

[MissSunni]

Yes, I had a few applications in at different places. I really wanted a companion for Sunni, since Harry is so sick. Harry loves Nena, lol...much more then Sunni, who just gets on his nerves because of her energy. Today there have been some great break throughs Nina (Nena) asked to come out of her play yard and climbed right into my lap as I was stooped down to get her out, lol. I put her down and she ran to the door to go out!! She's definitely been house trained somewhere along the line. She's more scared of humans then other dogs. Even Sunni's exhuberence for life doesn't faze her much. Sunni is getting used to sharing space too. Every one of them need special mommy time, lol. As mom of triplets, seems very normal to me, lol
I like all things in 3's