adopting a chinese crested powder puff

[luvboyrats]

My fiance and I are adopting a five year old beautiful powder puff chinese crested. She's housebroken, crate trained, and terribly affectionate. We have gone to meet her and spend time with her, but the lady putting her up for adoption is holding her for us for a couple of weeks while we finish the wedding plans and move the rest of my stuff in. The only negative thing we noticed about her is that she growled at us at first and took a while to decide we were okay to check out. She responded very fearfully. Then she calmed down and by the end of the two hour visit she was taking treats from my hand. I would like to be able to train her to be a little more welcoming to new people and experiences because we would like to be able to take her on errands and trips with us, etc. What's the best way to socialize/train a dog out of fear of new places and people?

[Vanilla_Rat]

Oh congrats! I love Chinese cresteds! You must post pics!!

[Sasami]

Congrats!!! I am so jealous! I want a Chinese Crested so badly...they are one of my favorite breeds .

[luvboyrats]

Yeah we really lucked out. We had read all about them and decided that they were the perfect breed for us but they are soo darn expensive!!! So we started watching petfinder and the paper for something more affordable and in the paper we found a lovely woman who has recently been injured and can no longer care for her beautiful Chinese crested. So basically she wasn't trying to get what the dog was worth, just trying to find her a good home. I feel so bad for the poor woman because she obviously adores this dog. Anyway, she's calm and has basic training, fully vetted and gorgeous for just $100. Perfect!!! I'll post pics after her hair grows out. She is gorgeous!! She's a tricolor with cream, a light silvery gray, and a dark charcoal gray. She has gorgeous markings around her face and the biggest roundest brown eyes. But right now she has a summer haircut to combat the Tennessee August weather so she really doesn't have that Chinese Crested powder puff look about her. Still though, her one imperfection is that she is very frightened around new people and situations. I would really love to find a way to combat that if anyone has any suggestions.

[Oreo_Cookie]

Hi,
I have a Powder Puff and yes they are expensive. I got her when she was only 8wks old and now she's 3. In the beginning she was very shy and frightened around people, but now she loves meeting new people. I take her and her brother everywhere I go...whenever possible. Try to socialize her with other small dogs whenever possible and let her be around people as well. It took Cookie a while to get over her fear, but she did it. Now she loves to be around people and loves to lick their faces. Congrats on your new purchase...you got yourself a bargain!

[Formula86]

First off, congrats!

Now let's see...
Ask the lady you are getting her from if she was socialized very much. Did the lady walk her around the neighborhood much? What about puppy classes when she was young? I'm giong to assume she didn't do too much of this (just for the sake of this post).

I would think about investing some time in an adult beginners training class (obedience). Even if she knows the tricks, she will be able to socialize with other dogs in a controlled setting. Also, introduce her to your friends, and let your friends know to be very patient and soft-spoken with her at first. Practically ignore her until she can get more comfortable.

My friend adopted a chihuahua from a shelter that was about 5-7 years old, and exactly the same. Took a while to warm up to my friend at the shelter and was just very fearful overall. Over time (not too long), she warmed up to my friend and her family. However, to this day (and she's had the dog for about 5+ years), the dog is still very fearful and barks at anyone new until she's met them several times. Even with me, if I go to kiss her or something while she's sleeping, she'll nip at me out of her instincts.

Now, I'm not saying your dog will be this bad. Just saying to be prepared that the dog may never be the "take anywhere" kind. I doubt (again, for the sake of this post) that the lady took her many places. BUT, your dog could turn around with socialization. Hence, the classes and letting her meet your friends (while they are calm and quiet with her).

I hope this helps a little bit. Your vet can probably give you good advice, too. And ask the dog trainers at your local pet shops. They may have some good advice, too!

Good luck, and congrats!