Question:
For all you chinnie owners out there, how much patience is required when owning a chinnie(s)? I know every animal has its pros and cons and some people are more tolerant than others when it comes to the cons. There are three areas in which I can see a chinnie owner being tested to the limits of patience:
* Being destructive during playtime
* Getting along peacefully with other chinnies
* Overall temperament of the animal
There are times in which my chinnies have tested my patience during playtime but I found ways in which to rectify the situation. I have protected my baseboards as much as possible, covered exposed electrical wires, and provide many 'distractions' for them so they won't be tempted to chew on furniture. Some of my chinnies are more destructive than others so I always pay keen attention to them when they are running around in the room.
Overall, I have had very good luck with my chins getting along with their mates (whether female/female or male/male). Sometimes Griffin acts up and chases Baxter and I have to separate them for a few days. It could very well be a female is in heat but I notice Griffin is very bossy and likes to provoke Baxter on ocassion.
With the exception of my first chinnie, I have also been blessed with chinnies that have great temperaments. None of my females spray and I can handle all of them without fear of getting bit.
The first chinnie I ever had did not have a nice personality and liked everyone but me. I tried for 2 years to work with him but my attempts were futile. I ended up giving him to someone and he was a lot happier.
I have noticed there are people that want to give up on their chinnie because of one of the reasons I mentioned above without giving them a fair chance. I have known people to work with females that spray on a constant basis and the end result was very positive.
These little animals do require patience and sometimes it can be a time consuming effort but it usually pays off in the end.



Answer:
My chins are MUCH more destructive than my dog or cats. But, like you, I have gotten around it by carefully choosing a play area and keeping them distracted with toys and treats when they are out. There were a few nibbles in the baseboards at my old place but nothing that was obvious. It does take more time and energy to monitor them all of the time but it's also fun to watch them try to get away with something that they know is wrong.
As for getting along with other chins, I have only had to introduce two males. It was quite the process. It took 4 months for them to finally get along to the point that I could leave them together. Now they love being together and even call to each other if they are separated (ie. I'm holding one). They haven't fought for a long time but when I first brought Hazel home, they were a little crazy.
When it comes to general temperment, I think that some people (especially those who don't research chins) expect WAY too much. Chins are not, for the majority, cuddly animals. Santos prefers not to be held so I usually keep it short. I will check his teeth, hair rings, etc. and then let him go on his way. He'd much rather bounce off of walls than be held. That is just something that I have accepted and I don't have a problem with it. The girls are a different story. Zoya doesn't mind snuggling but HATES being caught...although she is getting better. Usually, I just funnel her into my arms instead of picking her up. Anya likes to be held, especially when there is a treat involved. Hazel is now "holdable". She was quite nasty with Jen (her previous owner) but has come around since. For awhile, I was a bit afraid to try anything with her for fear that she would bite...but with a little patience and a lot of work, she will now tolerate being pet and held.
It is easy to see how someone can get frustrated...especially when they aren't experienced with chins. However, chins will be chins and to give up on an animal because of it's natural temperment causes me to think that they didn't do their research and really shouldn't own chins at all.


Answer:
I think they require a LOT of patience from their owners. It's like having perpetual two year olds who like to chew on things and hide. Thankfully with patience and bribery, mine always come around. Even Audi will sit contentedly for a scratch on top of her head (anywhere else and I get sprayed but ...). I'm still trying to find the best ways to cover my base boards and window sills ... someday! They like the cardboard I'm currently using.


Answer:
My chins don't frustrate me at all... OK, maybe I was a 'little' annoyed when Lucia chewed my stereo wire.. then my TV wire... Hehehe... you just can't get angry at those little faces.... I love their personalities though... each of them are so different... and I agree with you about their lack of cuddliness (mine anyway).. and if a new owner is not aware of that and expects them to love being held, that could pose a problem... I thought that if I loved them enough they'd come around but after a few years Pablo still doesn't want to be held... I can accept that!


Answer:
I think most peoples 'lack of patience" comes from their own lack of knowledge of what to expect from a chin. As Denise said, most chins given up (other then for the I'd don't have time/room/money thing) are for these reasons. Unfortunatly I think that alot of this has to do with where most people get there chins too. Pet stores (as we have said many times) do not always know them well and can sell them under false pretenses. They (the chins) are often not socialized well either, which interfers with their bonding.


Answer:
I think my husband would deny that I have any patience at all, but, of course, he is wrong! Well, okay, I have had the odd grumble....
Two weeks ago I had to sand a shelf that one of the furballs had peed on. The furball in question jumped onto the shelf and was being very cute, so I forgave him. He sniffed my hand, let me give him scritches all over, even a belly scritch (odd for him), and then, turned around, and again, peed on the shelf! Ack! When I tried to remind him that he had a perfectly good spot on the shavings where he usually peed, he just looked at me with that cute little face. Inncoent, my fanny! I swear, he waited for me to sand that shelf...but I got even...oh yes, I got even. He was forced to wait a full three seconds before I forgave him again. I sure showed him....


Answer:
I have to say I have tons patience for all of my animals. They get away with murder. There just too cute to yell at. Only a few of my chins will let me cuddle them. I never force them to cuddle and thye know they can get away if they want. Peeps let's me do what ever I want to her. She let me file her toe nails the other day because she was scratching the crap out of my legs. Durring paytimes they are rotton, LOL. When I keep saying no and pulling them away they just look at me and do it again. Chucker was a huge sprayer and finally I got her to stop and she passed away. Chins are not big cuddlers at all but it's just who they are unless you raise them from birth.


Answer:
I have the patience for most of them...they really aren't too distructive when out for playtime...but some areas needing patience with individual chins are:
All the males during hair ring checks
Trying to get Kir, Ty and Phil out of their cages
Mercedes squishing herself under her cage when out for playtime and I can't get her
Jax CONSTANTLY thinking it's playtime no matter whose turn it is...usually I just let him out with all three of his girlfriend's playtimes...but I can't let his girlfriends out together because they fight.
Mercedes spraying any chin who comes near her cage with the exception of Ty (thank God I had already decided to pair those two when the time comes)
Jetta going through a hanging chew toy EVERY week and kicking all her bedding out of the litter pan and dumping it on the floor of her cage
Sage bolting for the door whenever her cage gets opened
Phil not taking longer in his dustbath
The list goes on...but I wouldn't change them for the world Each has his/her own personality and that makes them who they are.