My basic info
Size
Small 25 lbs (11 kg) or less (when grown)
Here's what the humans have to say about me:
Adoption Area: East Tennessee
Mia needs:
-Someone dog-savvy and home part of the day to help her with her housetraining
-To watch out for her knees - she shouldn’t gain weight or jump up or off furniture
-If there are children, they need to be at least 10 years old
-No apartments since she likes to talk a little bit
Hello everyone! This is Mia, a 6-year-old, 8-pound chihuahua mix girl. She came into rescue from a sad living situation, had no fur from mange and other skin conditions. She had two very bad knees and her mouth was full of infection and rotten teeth. In spite of all that negative, this little girl wanted to be loved and held every second.
As much as she wants to be in my lap, she’s a true velcro dog, she is also a bit afraid of sounds, brooms, vacuums, etc. She looks for a comfort place in every room and waits there to see what’s happening. Luckily we have dog beds all over and she’s mastered dog steps to get up onto my bed or the couch.
She’s been through a lot. The treatment for mange involved many medicated baths, medication, and being very smelly! When she healed enough, she was spayed and had a dental where 10 teeth were removed. When she recovered from those surgeries, she had the first knee surgery. Recovery meant more medicine to help with pain and possible infection, painful walking to use the leg and lots of sleep. Several weeks later, she went through the same surgery on her other knee.
Mia has begun playing with toys and loves treats! She gets very excited at times and gets pretty mouthy until she calms down. I try to keep a toy around to give her to chew on during these times. Also as a chihuahua, she loves being burrowed under blankets so she calms down once I cover her up. She is also a licker so beware!
When she knows food is coming, Mia gets very excited and will bark. She’s very food-motivated and after eating she will try to get the other dogs’ food so I feed her in an expen or crate until other dogs have finished. I use a slow feeder for her too and have added green beans to help her feel full. After she’s done, she will bark to be let out of the pen. Her bark can be loud so an apartment may not be the best idea.
Mia loves people and is interested in other dogs. The dogs in her foster home are not interested in playing, but I’ve seen her go up to them with the intention of starting a game so with other friendly dogs I could see some fun happening.
Housetraining has been interesting to say the least. Where Mia lived there was no going outside for pottying so it was done anywhere, even up on furniture. What I’ve done is make sure to carry her outside and praise her like crazy when she goes. She will poop twice a day - once in the morning and within 10-15 minutes after eating her dinner. I set a timer so I won’t forget, because she will poop whereever she is at that time. There have been exceptions but this is how it is most days. I also take her out to pee several times a day as well. She gets praised and treats each time. I am working on having her walk out herself to the fenced yard for pottying but she is hesitant and takes a long time to get to the door. I will allow her to nap on my bed or chair after going outside, but she sleeps buried in blankets in a crate at night.
This little girl will be such a happy addition to your family! She is up to date on her vaccines, flea and heartworm preventatives. Her adoption fee is $175.
