I have a 2 year old little girl and she is the love of my life. She was a rescue found in an abandoned house. Well she gets quite upset when we leave to go to work, nipping, jumping, and growling. Well I am new to chi's so am wondering if a companion chi will alleviate this problem. Thanks so much.

Poor little thing she probably thinks you're going to abandon her like the other owners.If she's friendly with other dogs i say go for another one.Ours have so much fun together don't think you would regret it

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Ooohh! I can understand her anxieties. Poor thing! After all, she was found all alone in a house! I don't know if another chi would help, probably would. But it sounds like she first needs reassuring that she isn't going to be left alone again! How long have you had her? Did you get to spend time with her (like days or weeks) before leaving her?

She is probably afraid that she will be left again. That had to be quite a frightening experience for her! How could people do that!!

She's just going to need time and reassuring!

Thanks Angel...I have to convince my husband, hopefully won't be too hard he loves her. We do have 3 large dogs that stay outside during the day, she tolerates them, she tries to play with them at times, but they range from 50 lbs to 100 lbs and scare her. my daughter has a chi/beagle and she adores her when they visit once a week. I will start looking for a rescue soon. What age? I don't want a puppy, house training an issue when you work 8 hours a day.

Rescued dogs often require extensive amounts of care and training to get them beyond their traumatic beginnings. I think before you introduce another dog, you should do some work with your rescue. She should not be allowed to get away with nipping and growling, they are aggressive behaviors that should be curbed. She is quite capable of learning new, polite behaviors and I think you'd be wise to teach them to her rather that going on the hope that another dog might improve things. It also might not (and quite likely won't) in which case you've just compounded your problem.

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I agree - I would wait on getting a second dog just for now. It is wonderful that you took her in!

She never had the chance to learn the things we teach puppies so I would start with basic obedience training. Simple things like having her sit before she is fed or gets a treat would be a good beginning and gives you an alternative behavior to ask for when she growls and nips. Also, what is your routine when you leave? Where does she stay when you are gone?

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YES!

Often times when you have a dog with separation anxiety, adding another dog
will simply mean you'll have double the trouble...they feed off each other. So I
suggest to work things out first, desensitize your dog, and then if you wish
get a playmate.

How do you respond to her unwanted behaviors? What do you do right before
you leave? Walk her? Feed her? Talk to her? Comfort her?

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Are your other dogs outside dogs? We have a golden retriever also. I believe she helps Angel feel comfortable when we are not home. Angel stays in a crate and Susie has free reign when we are not home. I think just knowing that there is someone else around helps. We also leave the radio or tv on.

There is something you can try if you haven't already tried it. Leave her alone in the house and you step outside. The length of time you leave her will depend on several things. First you have to convey to her that her behavior is not acceptable. Go outside for maybe 10-15 seconds - you would have to be the judge of how long - then come back in. If she was good upon you leaving and re-entering, then she gets a reward such as a small treat or lots of attention. Gradually increase the time away. She will soon realize that you are coming back and if she is good there is a reward for her. it does take a lot of time, but it is so worth it.

I hope this works for you!