This is the third time that Rita has wanted to come sit by my chair during a storm so maybe this is a good solution to her storm fear. She does not want to be held. She does not want to sit in the chair with me . . ever . . not just during a storm. She is not a snuggler at all. Is that the nature of chihuahuas or is it just Rita?
Rita
The first time she did it, she curled up on the floor and I’d reach down and pat her every now and then but I decided to get her little bed and a quilt and she was happy with that set up so now, at the first sign of thunder, which she hears before I do, she comes to the side of my chair, and I go get the little bed and fix it up for her and she seems content.
We’ve only had mild thunder since she’s being doing this so I’m hoping it will also calm her during a severe thunder storm. Maybe being close to my chair and kinda under that table gives her a sense of security. Of course, for me it means that I must sit and knit or read so I can stay close to her til the storm passes and I’m always happy to sit and knit or read . . except during the middle of the night when I’d rather be sleeping!
Shauna says
I rescued a small terrier last fall and he is afraid of storms. He comes up beside my bed and shakes so hard it wakes me up. He isn’t a snuggler, but I’ve found if I bring him onto the bed and build a nest for him, where he can bury his head, he will stop shaking and finally fall asleep.
The things we do for our animals. My sister says I’m just a sucker and I guess I am.
Carolyn says
Yoda was always so independent and I think that is just the nature of most chihuahuas. During a storm he would bury under his blankets in “his” recliner. At bedtime his would head for his crate which had a cat cubby in it for him to sleep in. He also had a baby blanket in there. I know he loved the burying under blankets storm or no storm. I know Rita has her bed, but you might also consider getting a cat cubby and place one of her small blankets in there. It does make them feel more secure. I also have a poodle and Sir Paddington thinks there is no place better than next to me …day or night with or without a storm. Your little baby also sees you as her protector.
carol fun says
Hi Judy… I was reading another blog…Cozy Little House…and she has 2 little dogs with stress issues. Here is a link to her post today about a product that seems to calm a dog… thought it might be of interest to you.
http://www.cozylittlehouse.com/2016/05/how-im-dealing-with-my-dogs-stress_18.html
I enjoy reading your blog every day…
Glenda says
My Chihuahua sleeps with me, and has to have a piece of soft fabric to curl up on and she likes me to tuck her in with a soft t-shirt or sweatshirt if it’s chilly. Then when she warms up she gets out of her little nest to cool off. And soon after that she gets cold again and wants me to tuck her in again. Sometimes we go through this several times per night. She isn’t actually cuddly, she just wants to stay warm. If it’s really cold she wants to be under the blankets with me. Preferably between my legs, for warmth on all sides. I’ve bought her lots of sweaters and coats but when she sees me coming with one, or just hears the word sweater, she runs away and hides. She’s less than ten pounds but somehow she manages to take up more than half of the bed.
Fortunately she doesn’t get scared during thunderstorms!
Jill M in Ohio says
My parents adopted a Chihuahua named Speedy and he cuddles…. some. It took him almost a week last year to warm up to me and now he is a little standoffish when I show up and he lets the girls attack me before he comes over quietly and sits next to/on me. And if I pet him and stop, he nudges me with his nose to keep going. Of course, he doesn’t like kisses and will tolerate them for only so long before her growls a little, then a lot, then shows his teeth and then snaps. But he doesn’t have very many (if any) upper teeth so his bark is worse than his bite.
With many adoptees, you never know the situation they had before showing up. My Lula would watch me love on the M’s and when I turned to her to share the love, she would hide her face in hopes of being ignored. Then, she learned I give good belly rubs so she constantly exposes her belly for easy access. And she can get stingy with her kisses, but she is always so happy when I come home from trips that she gets stuck to me for days.
danielle says
Hopefully this means Rita is coming to the realization that she is safe – inside – warm – and dry – and has two protectors taking care of her! I cant imagine being outside in the type of storms you describe!