Milo is going back ....

[birol]

Too many bites ... Bit the vet as well today, and shows really ugly aggresiveness and viciousness. He has dominan issues as well .... We are so sad that bwe can not help him overcome his issue, he is simply too much to handle for us

[NightOwl]

Birol, sometimes   dogs, especially if they are purebred,  are "over-bred" and become very high-strung.  Also if anyone has ever teased him before you got him it could make him snappish and afraid and very defensive.  This is particularly true of very small breeds.  Perhaps with time he might have been re-trained but it takes a LOT  of  work to do this and the results are never guaranteed.  It's really too bad--he looks awfully cute--but you are wise to return him.  You cannot have a dog who bites ANYONE--it just isnt safe and you could find yourselves with a lawsuit.  :yikes:

[wiininkwe]

I'm really sorry to hear this, but if the dog is a biter, there is nothing to do to stop it.  With kids in the house you have to think of them first.  also, can't have a little dog like that running the show!   Hope that another friend and companion comes along soon.
T

[tlhdoc]

Sorry to hear about the biting.  Did the people at the "foster home" tell you about that before you took him?

[birol]

nope, they only said that he doesn't like being touched at the neck, that was the only thing they said about him.  A gross misrepresantation if you ask me ! they won't even refund our money it is non refundable Like I needed to throw away money  I am stupid  :mad:

Sorry to hear about the biting.  Did the people at the "foster home" tell you about that before you took him?

[NightOwl]

NO, Birol--you are NOT "stupid"!  Trusting and kind-hearted maybe.  Maybe even too trusting.  But not stupid!

XX over-reaction edited out.XX    On second thought, I doubt the foster home was trying to take advantage of you or to cheat you, but  they do need to be more careful that  they fill people in completely on any quirks a dog has when they send him to a new home.  Maybe they havent been doing this very long or didnt know Milo well enough to realize he was a biter?

[MommaMia]

nope, they only said that he doesn't like being touched at the neck, that was the only thing they said about him.  A gross misrepresantation if you ask me ! they won't even refund our money it is non refundable Like I needed to throw away money  I am stupid  :mad:

So sorry B.  Take heart in knowing that you tried to give him a good home.  Like others said, biting isn't something you can tolerate.

I know you said the adoption agency won't refund the $ but maybe you could ask them if the would consider exchanging him for another pup.

[Miss-Teri]

I know you said the adoption agency won't refund the $ but maybe you could ask them if the would consider exchanging him for another pup.

Good idea.  Our rescue will always refund money during the first week if it doesn't work out for any reason and will always refund money during the first month or so if the pet dies from a preexisting condition or if it's an aggression issue or something like Milo has providing the dog or cat was well cared for.  

During the first month we also exchange, again providing it was a good home.

We don't get that many returned because we are as TRUTHFUL as we can be about the animal.  I am really disappointed that they didn't give you more details, especially when he was being fostered and they should have been aware of all that.

Most Chihuahuas are not biters, but I wish Babette would consider another breed as well just so you have more options.  Keep trying and good luck!  I know you can find something - I even adopted out a little Pomeranian puppy that came from an animal shelter here to a lady who lives in Vancouver Island, lol!  Good luck!

[mike4947]

Damn, Birol I'm really sorry that happened.

A major problem with rescue centers and pet adoption agencies is they don't have a lot of time to individually evaluate each dogs personallity. With the limited human contact it's easy to miss a problem where the dog will get a lot of interaction with people.
 
I know exactly how you feel as we adopted a merle blue sheltie years ago we had to send back. The dog was kennel raised and with both of us working at the time we didn't have the time or training to socialize him. He actually retrained our other sheltie to kennel behaviour.
It was like giving back a child after you adopted it.
 
Again I'm sorry for your entire family.

[NightOwl]

Having  been a parent to  a Chihuahua, a toy Manchester, a Toy Fox Terrier and  9 Yorkshire Terriers, I  have learned a bit from these guys.  And small dogs have special needs.  

Birol, consider  very carefully  what Terri said about the breed you get  before you get another  dog.  she gave you really good advice to get a dog you can all enjoy even if it is a little bigger than Milo

It makes sense:  how much does Milo weigh?  3 or 4 pounds at most?  How much does an average adult  weigh?   Let's say 150 pounds.  How tall is MIlo to his shoulder?  6 to 8 inches?  How tall is an adult?   Probably close to 70 inches or so.  So an adult human weighs about 50 times as much as the dog and is  maybe 10 times taller.  

It must be scarey as hell for such a tiny  animal to have to maneuver around amongst the feet of THESE GIANT CREATURES.  Imagine if WE had to live in the presence of an animal about as big as an elephant by comparison with our size/ I guess we would need lots of reassurance and gentle  care.  and we might nip and snap out when we were feeling defensive or overwhelmed by the size of our Giant.  

Life must be very stressful for many tiny dogs!  Just the logistics of everyday life must present  many challenges for them.

Of course, this business of being  shy doesnt work with all small dogs.  It was true of Popo our Chihuahua, but  Yorkies have the soul of a lion in the body of a butterfly and ours werent scared of anything..  Three of them got away from us one day in a  state forest and took out after a large black Chow-Chow barking their silly heads off.  He ran away as fast as he could and hid behind his master's legs just terrified.  Billy said later that the Chow ran because he was certain the Yorkies were not dogs at all but some kind of fiendish and very dangerous  wind-up  device :J

[angelsmom10]

Since this was a "foster home", who sponsors them.  I'd get in touch with them and talk about the situation.  I'm sure that under the circumstances they would consider another dog for you.  Fostering can get very expensive and they sure want to keep people happy because a lot of their business comes from referrals.  
 
A friend of mine fosters St. Bernards (and DH thought we were crazy for our 5).  The group she works for fosters out all types and sizes of dogs.  They are always careful about the temperment of the animal and the satisfaction.
 
You know your situation, but it could be a lot of just adjusting as he is in a strange place with strangers constantly around him; attention he may not be used to.
 
Since you have already paid for it, and if they won't "work" with you.  Watch the local papers for "free to good home" or talk to your vet.  A lot of times vets know of families that for one reason or another cannot keep the dog.  
 
Good luck and you'll find the perfect dog!
 
I could always watch locally if you want to drive.

[campingboaters]

This is such sad news to have your hopes dashed so quickly, but you MUST take the welfare of your family first above any animal or thing.  THINGS (yes even dogs) can be replaced... PEOPLE can not.

Keep your chin up and hopefully, you will find another dog to love and that will immediately love you back.  I would talk to the organization that uses the foster house where you got the dog.  I am sure they would not want bad press and might even consider terminating their relationship with that foster house because they are not doing the animals justice -- placing an animal that should not be placed.
 
While I don't have the time or patience for a dog right now, I do know how much joy they can bring to people's lives. DO NOT get discouraged!  You WILL find that joy again.  Be patient!!

[NCSunshine]

Birol, sorry to hear about Milo.  My family has had Chihuahua's before and they were good family dogs.  Do you think this particular one had been mistreated before?  We got a Border Collie mix from the humane society, and she had just been abandoned near someone's home.  She is hyper but a good dog in all.  

Since you are wanting a small dog, I would highly recommend a Shih-tzu.  We got one that has a bald spot on his tail, but is healthy otherwise.  They make great indoor pets, he is great with my girls, don't shed as much as other dogs and you have to cut their hair.  So far the only time he has made noise was when he is put up at night or when we leave to go somewhere.  This might be a choice you could check into.

[MommaMia]

B~

Is it the foster family that said they won't give you $ back?

Is the returning and getting your money back or the option of exchanging for another dog actually up to the foster family, or is it up to the adoption agency?

Did this foster person do the rescue work themselves or are they "working" for an adoption agency?


If the foster family actually volunteers to care for animals through an adoption agency like a humane society, then they really don't have the final word on whether you can get a refund or exchange. You would be best to contact the actual rescue group.

If the foster family is the "agency" then you have run into a person who picks up dogs from the pound and turns around and sells the dogs for a profit.
If this is the case, the person is considered a pet dealer or broker and is usually required to be licensed.  You may want to check with your local agencies about required business practices for pet dealers.  You may have a legal leg to stand on to get your money back or an exchange.

[NightOwl]

Birol, sorry to hear about Milo.  My family has had Chihuahua's before and they were good family dogs.  Do you think this particular one had been mistreated before?  We got a Border Collie mix from the humane society, and she had just been abandoned near someone's home.  She is hyper but a good dog in all.  

Since you are wanting a small dog, I would highly recommend a Shih-tzu.  We got one that has a bald spot on his tail, but is healthy otherwise.  They make great indoor pets, he is great with my girls, don't shed as much as other dogs and you have to cut their hair.  So far the only time he has made noise was when he is put up at night or when we leave to go somewhere.  This might be a choice you could check into.

I second NC:S's vote for Shi-tzus if you can find one.  We've known at least half a dozen and they are really sweet-tempered, smart,  fun little balls of fur!  Those cheery  little faces peering out at you are just about irresistable!

And I also strongly suspect that poor little Milo has had some bad experiences before you got him.  Our Popo was a bit high-strung but had a sweet disposition which I think is true of most Chi's if they have been thoughtfully cared for.