[OzChi]

So next weekend is my mum's 60th birthday and my sister, her husband, my 22 year old niece and her 4 year old daughter are coming in from interstate and we're all spending the weekend at mum and dad's (we're sleeping at home but will be there all day both days as there are lots of family celebrations planned). Various uncles and aunts may also drop in.

I was planning to take the pups with me because I'm at work all week and the weekend is my special time with them. If I don't take them they will be home alone all day both days just as they are mon-fri and I don't think this is fair. They love my parents' farm and Ax loves mums dogs (JRT and Malti-poo), Chloe tolerates the dogs but she loves getting attention from mum and dad.

My question is whether this scenario is going to be too overwhealming for my little Chloe who is a shy fearful girl? She knows my parents and she's getting better at handling being near the other dogs but is adding 3+ new adults and a child just going to be too much for her? The 4 year old is very good with dogs BTW, she has a JRT x Chi and she is great with him. I don't want to traumatize my little princess but at the same time I don't want Ax to miss out on a fun weekend because he will absolutely lap up all of the attention.

How have others with shy dogs gone with a house full of people?

 

[From The Land Downunder]

I have a portable doggy play pen, when Pippa goes in there everyone knows to leave her be as it is her space, I leave the door open so she can come and go when she pleases, it has her snuggie in it and her favourite toy etc, when we go to family functions I take it along as it folds easily, maybe this could be an idea for you? I`m in Sydney, I bought it from Pet`s Paradise.

 

[OzChi]

Hmm, she has a carrier that she retreated to last time I was there and Dolly the Malti-poo puppy wouldn't leave her alone. I will make sure to bring it so she has a safe familiar place to go.

 

[Chi Nation]

I would take her. Let her experience new places and people but in small doses. Take her crate on play pen and set it somewhere quiet where she can relax if she gets too over whelmed. Then go back and get her once she calms down a bit. She may be om if you just hold her until she comfortable enough to want to socialize.

 

[teetee]

Sarah, how old is Chloe? Could this be used as a socializing effort? I don't want her to be scared, so if it becomes too much is there a room she could go in? Or is she the type that wants to be held the whole time? My friend has a chi like that. Afraid of anyone but her.

 

[momofmany]

I think you should take her at least for a few hours each day. The more she gets out and interacts with other dogs and people the easier its going to be for her. If you never let her expiriance all these thing she will never get over her fear. I think its important to expose her to as many different situation as possible. If you live fairly close and you feel she's getting overwhelmed by the situation you can always take a few minutes and drive her home.

 

[jesuschick]

It is a good idea for her if the adults will respect your wishes and her. I'd take her.

I'd also talk, email or somehow share, in advance, with all the adults that you are trying this out and ask that they please ignore her and let her come to them on her terms and when and how she can be ready.

People who have never had a shy/fearful dog just do not understand. You are not babying her.
I do not know why people insist on "snapping them out of it" or as we discussed before, insisting that "she will like me, all dogs like me". It is her issue, it isn't them. She'll do better if you can get the humans to understand this.

We had "strangers" at our house last night and this is what I instructed them. Of course, they had Hope and Eden right up in their faces (and mouths and noses) to entertain them so they ignored her and it worked. She resolved (stopped barking, took risks to get closer to them, wagged her tail when they did speak or look at her, etc.) MUCH more quickly than she does with the insistent people who chase her around.

 

[OzChi]

Sarah, how old is Chloe? Could this be used as a socializing effort?

She's 7 months old now. She is a very fearful girl, she went to puppy shcool, goes to the dog park, the pet store and to my parents house with other dogs but she is still reluctant to approach other dogs unless they are really quiet ones and she is scared if people come right up to her and pat her or grab her.

It is a good idea for her if the adults will respect your wishes and her

My parents are good with her. I think my sister and her daughter will be eager to be all over her but will listen to me but my sister's husband will be a 'challenge' to put it nicely. He met Axle when he was a baby and was rough with him and my husband had to tersely say to him 'put the dog down' before he would listen.

Last time we had people over they really listened and totally ignored Chloe for the first half hour and she did great. After about an hour she was going up to them wanting to be picked up and she sat calmly on the girl's lap for ages. I think it's a lot to do with the energy of the people she comes into contact with, if the're calm she is happy to stay calm.

I will speak to everyone about leaving her alone and thake her little carrier that she can retreat to. Hopefully mum's new puppy and Axle will be amusing enough that everyone just lets Chloe be Chloe.

 

[teetee]

She's 7 months old now..

She and Miya are the same age too??? SERIOUSLY?? lol!! when is her bday? Miya's in 9/16