we have a chihuahua in our neighborhood named Annabelle Peapod. I've watched her chase Rottweiler puppies. She tangled with a raccoon and lost , but that doesn't mean she doesn't want to go after it again

She tangled with a raccoon and lost

The raccoon must have been a dirty fighter. I think Porkchop has taken on a 'possum and run it off.

I've got a Yorkie client (named for a high end fashion line, no lie) who weighs in at 4lbs and runs the house. Sigh. Humans can be really, really silly.

annabelle doen't rule the house, just all 4 legged creatures. her owners (?) spent a lot of time socializing her -- and most of the time she doesn't shake -- unless she remembers to be nervous.

Humans can be really, really silly.

Who, us?

bonny, tell me how to stop Sass from waking me up at 5 a.m. by licking my face? Ignoring her leads to pawing at me. For 30 minutes. She's looking for breakfast, not to go out, and she learned to think she should eat that early when I had morning sickness and was up to nibble on crackers, and then when I was up because I was too uncomfortable to sleep in. So, it's all my fault. Oops.

Sparky, tell Sass I'm going to come and shake my very authoritative finger at her. Bad Sass. No biscuit. Literally!

You just described the perfect storm of how bad habits get started. One of my people clients couldn't figure out how 'all of a sudden' her dog started getting up at 4, demanding food. Turns out, the hubby couldn't sleep and 'thought he looked hungry'. ::facepalm::

Unless you restrict her range, so that she can't get to you in the night, then you just have to be ZEN. The asscaps here acknowledge the seeming impossibility of this suggestion.

The behavior will continue as long as it is rewarded. Unfortunately, when you are half asleep, it's pretty hard to distract and redirect, which is the optimal technique.

I was about to suggest a redirect, but honestly, I don't see how that will get you any where. If you can stay awake long enough, reward in a very low, quiet voice (so as to avoid spinning up her energy) when she lies down and is calm.

If you can stay awake long enough

Did I mention that I get up during the week at 5:30 a.m.? So, since she can nag me for 30 minutes, she does seem to get rewarded in the end. Sort of like barking at the mailman, who always goes away!

kitchen √
Dining Room √
Living Room √
Laundry (almost √)
Bedroom (there is a door for a reason)

Now for the bathroom, and food shopping, and make a lasagna. Oh procrastination. Why do you always mock me?

I myself have never met a viscous Chihuahua

It's really hard to get viscous Chihuahua off your shoes.

I myself have never met a viscous Chihuahua

My aunt and uncle had a Chihuahua that, while not thick and sticky, was indeed mean as hell and would attack with abandon. I hated that little dog.

At KBD's. Have achieved Wendy's and a shower, though my spicy chicken sandwich sandwich had an inexplicable layer of cheese. KBD is playing Uno on his phone and randomly quoting "Motherlover." Bear Grylls is doing nasty shit on tv. There is a Frosty waiting for me in the fridge.

Life is good.