Jack Russell Chihuahua cross visiting for a week not sure I will last that long!

[BurningBridges]

This little girl is 6 months old, she has been on the go since she arrived at 5pm, I am exhausted, have headache etc., no other dogs here sadly as we lost our dog last year. He was an anxious dog so I thought I could cope with anything but this is exhausting. She is sort of upset that she's been left, but at the same time wants to play constantly. Even the kids have gone to bed to get away from it - will I last the week? Its like having a newborn. Who is particularly barkey bitey and leapey at night.

[pigsDOfly]

Well, both breeds of the cross are pretty barky for a start, both headstrong breeds and six months is a pretty trying age anyway.

I had my DD's dog for 3 days over last weekend - also very barky - and it almost drove me mad.

My dog isn't a barker but every time DD's dog barked my dog would start up and as DD's dog doesn't seem to have an off switch the noise would just go on and on. DD's dog is also very needy and wants constant attention, which they don't give her, so she seems to play it up when she comes to my house, and yes it is exhausting.

Hopefully, your visitor will settle down over the next few days once you get into a walking and playing routine with her and even though she's not staying long it might be an idea to try a bit of training with her to get her to calm down a bit: sit, down, stay etc. That will tire her out a bit and get her to focus rather than rushing around. And maybe have a go at working on the barking.

The good thing is that both sides of the dog's cross are intelligent, which hopefully means she will be quick to learn.

Hope the week isn't too awful for you and you manage to get her to calm down a bit; I must admit I was very relieved to hand back DD's dog at the end of the three days.

Oh and hope your head feels better soon.

[BurningBridges]

Thanks pigs - she is a lot better today. But she does have fleas and I am not sure I should treat it - i used to get Advocate from the vet for my late dog; can't do that, so is there a safe quick flea powder I can use? Last one I found when she was lying on my bed, I couldn't catch it and it leapt off into the bed!!

[pigsDOfly]

Oh no, you're not having a lot of luck with your fury guest are you?

If you can't get to dog''s own vet to get Advocate, which is really the only one that works properly, what I'd do in your place is to go to a pet shop and buy the best over the counter one you can get.

It won't work long term but it will kill the adult fleas, which will help you deal with the immediate problem while dog is at your house.

[BurningBridges]

Thats what I am doing today Pigs and would you believe it, she's now got pus coming out of one eye. Have been bathing it with salt water, but if it gets any worse will have to contact owners for permission to go to vet.

We've got very long grass in the garden so we are cutting that today in case that has caught her in the eye. At the risk of sounding cliched this ALWAYS happens to me! Or rather to the poor animals I look after!

[pigsDOfly]

All I would say is, don't let her near the lawnmower and never consider opening an animal sanctuary

I hate looking after other people's children and pets, it always feels like such a heavy responsibility. Hope things improve.

[LilacInn]

I would not linger in having an eye problem treated.

Wear her out with walks - I have two chihuahua and that always works.

[BurningBridges]

Grass is cut, looks good. Flea treatment applied, all went well. Has had a long walk. Eye is responding to bathing with salt water, so far. Lets see what Monday brings.

Lilac are Chihuahuas prone to eye problems due to the set of their eyes?