Success Story: Pixie

​Roughhousing. It’s part of being a dog, right? After all, play is how dogs explore the world, and learn to interact with other dogs and people. However, it can become dangerous if it goes too far. Unfortunately, this is likely what happened to Pixie, an 8-year-old Chihuahua.

While Pixie's parents were beginning their morning, they heard a cry from the other room where they found Pixie with a bulging, scratched eye. They think that Pixie and her older fur sister may have been playing, and that her sister accidentally caught Pixie's eye with her paw.

After rushing Pixie to the vet, they learned that the only thing that could be done was to remove the eye. With a family of six and only one income, they weren’t sure how they would be able to pay for the surgery. That’s when they reached out to Fur Kids Foundation help. We are happy to hear that Pixie is well on her way to being a healthy and happy pup after surgery. However, here are some quick tips on how to keep your dogs from getting too rough when playing:

1. Monitor your dogs while they are playing. If one dog is showing some signs of being stressed (lip licking, turning away, trying to get away) be sure to break up the play until both dogs can calm down.
2. Reinforce calm behavior. If your pet is getting too excited while playing with another pet (or group of dogs), take him away from the situation. Once he calms down, you can allow him to play again. However, if he cannot calm down, remove him from the situation completely.
3. Teach your dog how to calm himself. One way to do this is to leash your dog close to you while you are relaxing or watching TV. If he starts to climb on you, gently remove him from you. If he barks at you, ignore him. Wait until he settles on the floor, and then give him lots of praise. If he jumps up or barks again, repeat this process. By practicing this settling exercise your dog will learn that the best way to get your attention is to be calm.

Want to learn more? Check out some of these articles:

1. ASPCA: Mouthing, Nipping and Play Biting in Adult Dogs 
2. The Bark: Is your dog’s rough play appropriate
3. Cesar’s Way: When dogs play too rough 
4. Victoria Stilwell Positively: Understanding dog play

​If you would like to help Fur Kids Foundation continue to help families with animals, please consider making a tax-deductible donation. The money helps families during a time when they may not be able to afford adequate veterinary care. Check out more Success Stories.