Expert: Jo Ann - 5/7/2011

Question
I adopted a neutered 1 year old Chihuahua Pitbull(I think) mixed dog on 5/3/11 and everything is fine.He's had all his shots and checkups,but is it normal for him to sleep most of the day when there's nothing to do?I take him out for many walks each day and he's active,but once I sit on the couch he gets lazy.Also,when I touch his front paws,particularly his front left paw,he flinches and draws his paw away from me.He was a stray until 4/19/11 when he was brought in to a local animal center.I'm a bit concerned that he flinches whenever I touch his front paws.

Answer
Hi John...

It sure is normal for a Chihuahua to flinch when you touch their paws!  You're the first person to bring this subject up on my AllExperts page and the subject is a good one!  Chihuahuas are very well known for not liking their feet touched and hating to have their nails trimmed.  I run a Yahoo group for Chihuahua owners and people are often discussing how difficult it is to trim their dog's nails.  Personally, I take my Chis to a groomer to have their nails done.  My husband holds them, I give moral support and the groomer (who is experienced with Chihuahuas) does the trimming. This works out really well for us and for our dogs.  They're just a tad bit intimidated by having a stranger in a strange place trim their nails and behave quite well.  Not so if we try to do the nails at home though!

I'm just a little concerned about that front left paw, John.  I'm wondering if maybe at one time your little dog had a nail trim and someone trimmed down below the quick and it hurt?  That happened to one of my Chis years back and he is especially timid with that one foot to this day.  Be sure to look the paw over well and make sure there isn't anything stuck in it (a thorn, piece of glass...things like that).  Is he limping at all?  If he's only flinching with that one paw when you touch it and nothing appears to be wrong, you might want to try cutting up pieces of chicken or cutting up pieces of cooked egg white and offering small pieces as a treat when you gently touch his feet.  It doesn't matter if he flinches and pulls away, I want you to tell him in a soothing voice what a good boy he is and offer him a treat after you VERY gently touch a paw.  Dont' over do it - have a short session and then have a short session again in a few days...then a few days later...on and on like that.  You might get to a point where he's not flinching and if that happens, I want you to tell him in a high pitched voice that he's a "GOOD BOY" and give him two tiny treats.  Don't worry if he never reaches a point where he doesn't flinch - that would be normal for the Chi in him.  However, by doing this exercise in short increments you will be letting him know that you won't hurt his feet and I think it will make it go better for him later when he does need a nail trim.

John, I do think it's pretty darn normal for a dog to sleep when he has nothing else to do.  Many people love Chihuahuas because of the fact that they love to sit with you and be really close to you.  Chihuahuas are extremely devoted little dogs and they love time with their owners.  They're not like Jack Russel Terriers or other breeds that are always active and have to be doing something. You haven't had this little dog very long at all and you're still in an adjustment period (and will be for awhile yet). I think you should relax and get to know each other and let some deep bonding take place. You may very well see some changes in his behavior as he gets to know you better and adjusts more to his surroundings. This little guy is probably so darned happy to be in a stable home and in your company.

I know that I don't have to tell you to see a vet right away if he appears to be quite lethargic and isn't eating much...things like that.  I think it's important that you put him on a high quality, human grade dog food too.  

Lastly, I want to congratulate you on your new dog!  You appear to be a concerned dog owner who is making every effort to do well by their new dog and that's just great!  Please don't hesitate to write me again if I can be of further help.

Jo Ann