[Jodie]

Do you know you can apply for a number for your dog online with the government and then register him as a service , companion dog for yourself and buy a tag on Ebay? Then take him everywhere if you want with no problems. I did it.
Linda

Really? where do you go for this? Do you have a link? That would be awesome.

We leave our 2 home a lone sometimes and they are crate trained for that. At first Gizmo whines till we shut the door, then they settle.

 

[msmadison]

madison has been doing great with being home while we're gone, especially since she has a lid on her pen now. she always seems to be just waking up from a nap when we get home.

i think it's true - every dog and every family is different. since this is our life, i think she's just getting used to it being this way!

 

[chi's R me]

Wow Linda, Could you give all of us more info. on how to register with the gov. I think alot of us would be interested in that. Thanks, my name is Linda too.

 

[chilady502]

I think it depends a lot on the chi. Zoe was left alone from the start. I initially came home on my breaks to let her out but then switched to potty pads. I leave her in my bathroom with a bed & blankie, water bowl, & a few toys (that are kept in the bathroom only) while I'm at work. I started her out with a potty pad in the bathroom but as she got older I noticed that she didn't want to use the pad in the bathroom. She always ran out of the bathroom & went to her other pad. Zoe has never shown any sign of anxiety... she doesn't cry when I leave. I say "bathroom" and she goes & sits in her bed in there. She will sit in there when i get ready. I took lots of time to desensitize her to being in there. I put her in there, closed the door, waited for quiet, opened the door & praised her.. lengthening the time slowly. I think it's good if you have a weekend or so before you go to work & leave your puppy. Hopefully it goes fabulously! Good luck w/ everything. Keep us posted.

 

[curvesarein]

I took Cubbie to his first obedience class yesterday. He did well. Learned to sit and not move until told to heel and walk, then sit again, then right turn about, walk and sit. Then he had to sit with me walking around him in circles and not move. He did it! We practiced later and he is still doing good. When they are mad at you they will look away or lift one leg while sitting. You don't praise them unless they do it and look you in the face. It works.
I brought him home and had to leave him for longer than I ever have. Had to go car shopping. So it was about six hours. He was fine. He used the potty pad in the laundry room just like he did when a puppy, and he must have gone several times or one long whiz, it was soaked. So I was happy about that. Yet he still prefers to go outside.
About seperation anxiety, the trainer said it is important to get them used to you leaving a room or home without them having a fit or whining. So you need to leave them alone at times, preferably in a kennel or if not that a confined area, I use a kennel and sometimes the kitchen.
Linda

 

[tanyabg]

I just bought another Chi to keep my older Chi company during the day while we are working. They get along great and I let them have free roam of the house except upstairs (I block the steps so they can't harm themselves). I use the hygenic panty on my males when they are alone for long periods of time. I put in a sanitary pad, incase they urine in the house. Most times, they wait until we get home. But this is what works for us.

 

[curvesarein]

I have thought about doing that with my male, but just keep him confined to the kitchen. He uses the puppy pads in the laundry room. He also holds it a long time. I do know with those belly bands it is important to keep them changed and clean or they can get abscesses. Just thought you should know, I was told that by a chi rescue.
Linda

 

[Lil Cha Cha]

Charlie is left alone while I'm at work. He actually gets his Kong in the morning so I'll fill it up before I leave! He loves classical music also. He's a real gentleman. He never chews on anything except what belongs to him. I have a window that goes from the floor to the ceiling with a view that looks out over a plaza where I live. He loves to look out the window and watch everything! He's a love.