Tiny

May 30, 2018: Two weeks ago Jon and I took in a shut down Chihuahua to foster through Secondhand Mutts. His owner fell ill and needed to re-home his 4 dogs and cat.  Tiny was by far the most shut down of the bunch. He hid under the bed while he owner made multiple attempts to convince him to come out and after awhile and a slice of American cheese he was handed over to me for the frightening car ride that would take him away from his home, his dog siblings and everything he ever knew since he was born.

The decompression model we followed was to leave him comfortable in a pet carrier with the door open and facing outward. We put up a baby gate around his carrier to give him the additional comfort and set out pee pads, food and water. We have symphony music playing for him day and night.

Our dogs at home were all very curious but all have a good sense reading dogs and left him alone. I am quite sure it has been some comfort for Tiny having other dogs around as they flow in and out of our kitchen and patio door. I’m super proud of my pack for being so accepting and kind.

Tiny stayed in the gated area within his enclosed airline style pet carrier for the first 10 days. The first two days he mostly stayed toward the back of the kennel, he would bare his teeth when we’d reach for his food/water bowls or change his pee pads (we weren’t even near him!). He responded so well to American cheese that became a great tool for gaining his trust.

Within two days of being with us he slowly started moving closer to the carrier door exposing himself to the outside world. We would occasionally catch him exploring his “gated front yard” to drink water and nibble on dry food. He was using the pee pads for his business like a good little boy. He even started eating American cheese out of my hand!

This slow transition kept steady over the next 8 days and then on day 10 we decided to switch out his hard sided carrier for the open-wire-frame model. Lined with a nice soft bed and blanket to cover up the top and side walls Tiny made the transition smoothly to the new digs. The progress is slow but we can see it as each day goes by. The new kennel is quite a bit smaller therefore he fits in it just right, has room to lay down and turn around but is also getting more comfortable with what is outside that space.

This weekend (day 12) we removed the cover blanket from atop the crate now giving him to have full peripheral views of the room he’s staying in. He has been coming out of his kennel more but tends to scurry himself under another piece of furniture that is gated off with him. Toss some American cheese and Tiny comes out to grab it right away!

Monday (day 13) I started small displays of touch with Tiny. Using a long handled wooden spoon, set into his territory the day before so he could get familiar with it, I used it lightly and ever so gently to pet him with it. Given the risk of being bit this was the safest tool for the job and although Tiny responded with some apprehension at first after a few spoon strokes he appeared to relax (eye blinks and posture changes) more and more. I continued to do this a few times throughout the day and following day. Lots and lots of praise and the reward: American cheese!

Today (day 14) without any American cheese while Tiny was outside of his kennel as I switched out his water bowl I was able to approach him slowly but confidently, reach around his side, and touch him! He did not flinch, he did not cower, he did not turn to bite me and he didn’t run away to his safe spots.

Progress with Tiny has been slow but ever so rewarding. I don’t know how long it will take him to explore outside of his safety zone and for right now I don’t really care how long it takes. I know that one day he will trust us and maybe one day he could transition into another home.

For now: Mi casa es su casa, Minúsculo!