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The doghouse

If you're worried about your pet's health, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.

Original poster

Viewing a puppy on Sunday-terrified.

101 replies

UtterlyTerrified1 · 07/07/2023 16:45

My 19 year old has saved diligently for the 5 months she has been working in order to buy a puppy to be trained as her assistance dog (she has autism and bipolar disorder). We are going to view a chihuahua puppy on Sunday from a reputable breeder. She is desperate for a chihuahua and has been for years. I am terrified!!

We had a French Bulldog x Pug x Staffordshire Bull Terrier for 8 years-rescued him at 2 1/2 and had him until he died. He was very much my dog and I loved him to the moon. However, I have enjoyed the freedom of not having a dog since he passed-no rushing back to make sure he isn’t lonely, no dragging the little dd (aged 4 at the time) out for walks 3 x a day over the holidays or in the evenings on a school night, no incontinence issues etc.

We are in rented accommodation and I am home full time for the next 3 years as I am studying. The landlord is happy for us to have a dog, and as she is to be trained up as an assistance dog she will be dd’s when she moves out (but due to her diagnosis she will not be moving out any time soon). However, I am a very anxious person and am really struggling with this.

I’m scared of the damage to the carpets during toilet training. I’m scared because we don’t have a garden. I’m scared because dd is 19 so all the actual grunt work will fall to me. I’m scared that we will never find anywhere to live if our current landlord gives us notice to quit because we have a dog. I’m scared that the dog won’t like us. I’m scared that I don’t know how to look after a puppy, and I am scared of what will happen when I do go back to work after my degree. I am absolutely fine with having a dog in the house. I love dogs, but all I feel is fear and trepidation at the moment. Please help!

OP posts:
Togiveandtoreceive · 07/07/2023 17:16

I am also scared Op

for the chihuahua

SpringOn · 07/07/2023 17:17

Nope.

that breed will not make an assistance dog. That breed is not a good breed for the anxious.

Don’t go ahead with this. For your sake and the dog’s.

VegetablesFightingToReclaimTheAubergieneEmoji · 07/07/2023 17:18

Please have a chat with the dogs for autism charity. They are fantastic people who should be able to advise you.
whilst in theory any breed can be trained to do it, it’s easier for some than others and generally they come to you with some training not as a new puppy.

24Dogcuddler · 07/07/2023 17:18

Sadly I’d say you are right to be terrified. Never owned a Chihuahua and wouldn’t want to. They are known for being quite yappy and snappy ( sorry dedicated owners)
Not a suitable assistance dog breed for someone who is autistic.

There are charities out there who train dogs for this purpose at great expense and with patient experienced trainers. It takes lots of planning and preparation.

https://dogsforautism.org.uk/

Dogs For Autism | UK's first charity exclusively providing Autism Assistance dogs

https://dogsforautism.org.uk/

Escapetothecatshome · 07/07/2023 17:29

I have had four chihuahuas,- currently have two and am thinking of another one soon :) They are very much a one person dog and very sensitive to the emotions of that person, so in that aspect I think chihuahuas are perfect especially as emotional support dog - they are very loving and devoted to their owner.

They do like long walks as they get older they can walk you off your feet, make sure to socialise from a young age - that is so important especially with a small breed. You do need to be careful of big bouncy dogs as they can be quite delicate and can sometimes be seen as prey, so you do need to be vigilant when out and about.

Potty training with chihuahuas is notoriously hard I'm afraid, but can be done mine are now very good, but routine is important they are clever little things and do catch on quick especially where treats are involved.

You sound worried about having a dog that takes over your life, its funny because I was talking about this to a friend earlier they are not incredibly high energy dogs and will relax after a walk and quite happy to chill out, so you don't feel like your life revolves around the dog. Every chihuahua owner I know has never looked back x

Good luck try not to be overwhelmed its exciting and your daughter will no doubt fall in love with the little one x

Lastqueenofscotland2 · 07/07/2023 17:45

Dogs bred for generations to be assistance dogs fail to be assistance dogs. Chis are so unlikely to have the personality for it.
Honestly just because your child wants one doesn’t mean you have to.

OpalescentFly · 07/07/2023 18:04

Your dd maybe is thinking of an emotional support dog, which is basically a pet with an extra piece of paper.

Not even an extra bit of paper, emotional support animals aren't really a thing in the UK (despite unscrupulous websites taking payment to 'register' as such)

Mumtothreegirlies · 07/07/2023 18:05

I think people are getting confused with the term ‘assistance dog’ what OP means is a dog that provides comfort and companionship for her daughter who suffers with her mental health.
my sisters chihuahua is a great little companion. Like long walks but also loves cuddles and being picked up. She doesn’t eat much, her poos are tiny. She wasn’t difficult as a puppy either as her teeth were too tiny to do any real damage. She rarely barks and is generally happy.
im not saying it’s the perfect decision for you to get a dog but if you do, you need to make it abundantly clear it’s your daughter’s responsibility. I was a mother at 18 and nobody helped me so I’m sure your daughter is capable of the responsibility at 19 of a little tiny dog.

SoDarnCool · 07/07/2023 18:07

moostermum · 07/07/2023 16:59

A chihuahua puppy will piss everywhere. Believe me, I know!!

I have a 13 week old chi who is 98% toilet trained. She's been way better than any other breed I've ever had.

SoDarnCool · 07/07/2023 18:08

There's no such thing as an assistance chihuahua 😂

Do you mean emotional support animal? That's an American thing and not recognised here. She will not be allowed to take the dogs in shops and such. Unless she is registered blind.

Clymene · 07/07/2023 18:09

An untrained chihuahua is not an assistance dog. It's a pet.

PrincessHoneysuckle · 07/07/2023 18:11

Hi experienced Chihuahua owner here.
They are pretty bad when it comes to toilet training however they are very special heart warming dogs.
As long as you're strict in the beginning and train,train,train it should be ok.Give them an inch and they'll take a mile.

NeverThatSerious · 07/07/2023 18:15

For goodness sake, a chihuahua, really? It may well be a nice pet but an assistant dog it will never be. Also weird that you say the grunt work will fall to you because your daughter is 19.. I’d understand if it was due to her difficulties but her age is no reason at all for her not being solely responsible for her pet.

Peony654 · 07/07/2023 18:20

It’s very valid you’re scared because this doesn’t sound right to be getting a dog. I thought assistance dogs were trained by a charity first and then you got one, so you know it will actually help you.

Clymene · 07/07/2023 18:23

Toilet training a puppy without a garden is really really hard.

You've got to say no. If your daughter cannot take responsibility for training the puppy, she can't have one.

StayAnonn · 07/07/2023 18:23

What on earth are you going to attempt to train into a chihuahua to assist with?!

Really, really silly idea.

If you want one as a pet, get one as a pet. That's all they'll be though.

Ylvamoon · 07/07/2023 18:26

@UtterlyTerrified1 - what kind of assistance are you thinking about?

If it's just as a companion, maybe an older dog would suit better.

Puppies are hard work, they may look cute but that's where the cuteness ends!

Scalottia · 07/07/2023 18:29

I work at a kennels. Don't get a chihuahua - especially as an assistance dog. It won't work OP.

DeadButDelicious · 07/07/2023 18:39

I'm going to come at this from a slightly different angle, have you and your daughter read up on the health issues chihuahuas can face? Looked up the costs of insurance? Has this 'reputable' breeder had any relevant genetic testing done? You are potentially buying a ticking time bomb of health issues that will soon become expensive to treat and heartbreaking to watch. Is she prepared for that?

Is she thinking more along the lines of emotional support? Would a cat be an idea? You aren't as tied down with a cat and they can be just as supportive and comforting as a dog.

The most important question though is do you think she's ready for a dog? That's a big commitment she'd be taking on. You can say no and it may be for the best.

cinnamonfrenchtoast · 07/07/2023 19:05

When you say assistance dog, what do you mean? Will this dog be trained to carry out tasks or is it meant to be more of an emotional support for your DD?

Honestly, don't do this - you know you will end up doing all the work.

Captainheyho · 07/07/2023 19:08

Your DD is 19 and it’s her dog, why can’t she train, clean up, feed it, etc keeping in mind you’re there to remind her??

i wouldn’t be getting a dog if she won’t have ab input tbh

Jongleterre · 07/07/2023 19:08

I have to agree with others that a Chihuahua is a very poor choice to have as an assistance dog.

They are not teddy bears to be picked up and cuddled when your daughter is feeling anxious, which is what I suspect her strong desire for that breed is.

Please, I beg you not to get this breed of dog.

CosmosQueen · 07/07/2023 19:13

Apart from my being unable to imagine what assistance a chihuahua would give, I assume that your DD is at home 24/7 and will take on everything that having a puppy and being a responsible dog owner entails? I mean everything from vaccinations, worming, spaying and toilet training (day and night) to feeding, exercising and training it?
If not the no bloody way would I be getting a puppy while living in a flat and renting.

Undisclosedlocation · 07/07/2023 19:20

I also have to be honest and say that I’m struggling to think of a breed less able to cope with an anxious, mentally unwell owner wanting to lean on the dog for emotional support
As a breed I’ve known a few feisty ones and a lot of neurotic,fearful ones. Can only think of one who I’ve considered a stable,easy going dog that would be resilient to the moods of its owner. That one lives with several other dogs and is owned by a trainer friend so not a fair comparison
As a breed I don’t think it would be a fair situation for the vast majority

Twilight7777 · 07/07/2023 19:23

Pretty you can’t buy any dog and make them an assistant dog, they have to be specially trained from very early on. Usually it’s the person needing the dog is assessed as whether they are suitable for the dog, and it’s usually a very long waiting list. I think the way you could do it is if you were willing to pay a lot of money to a trainer.