[cleo53]

I recently acquired a new 4 yr old female chihuahua. From day 1, and it's now day 4, she's afraid of me. She went right to my boyfriend friom the first minute. Whenever he's at my house she sits with him, and puts her head on his leg. If i even try to pet her she runs away. We think something happened to her somewhere along the line. I feed her and change her pee pads. She wags her tail when i get home so why is she so skittish with me and not him? Help .

[RWuest]

Possible that she had a bad experience with another female, and the male was her safe haven, or maybe someone with the same skin tone, or hair color... I'd just make sure that you reward her every time she comes to you or you go to her without her running.

[linnealand]

The rewards will definitely help. Make sure they're special! Turkey cubes, chicken cubes and cheese are usually irresistible. Until the bond increases, make sure you're the only one who feeds her. You also want your scent on her food bowl. Keep some of your used laundry where she sleeps and in her favorite spots if she can handle it. If you can walk her, you should be the main person walking her. If she will only walk with your boyfriend, walk with both of them. Eventually, you'll know when you can take the lead. Try to play with her in any game she will accept. My dog will go crazy if I offer him a peacock feather. Give her time, and build up gradually. She'll love you, too!