taming my chins

[sweetchins26]

Was wondering if I could get some help.... I have two chins and my female is a little over a year old. I adopted her from work (I work at a PetsMart) because a woman dropped her off saying her son was allergic to the dust. I don't think she was handled that often and really doesn't like being held. We got her in January and she has gotten a lot better... but I get frustrated when I read about people who have chins that will fall asleep in their lap -- My male chin likes being held, but won't really stay in my lap. How can I go about getting them that tame so that they will just "hang out"? Or does it just take a lot of time??? Can anyone give me some advice??

[tunes]

How can I go about getting them that tame so that they will just "hang out?"

You probably won't. There are few people who have "lap chins" like you are talking about. Chins are very independent little creatures who prefer using you for a racetrack rather than a cuddle buddy. It's just their personality. Some are cuddly, some are not.

[Oseris]

i often get the impression that people treat chins like cats or dogs, huggable and 'lap-py'. like tunes said, they aren't. in fact, behind that cute little face, is attitude :banana:

[sadukie]

Of my 5 chinnies, I have only one that can be a arm chinnie (she rests in the crook of my arm rather than my lap). I can take Tequila out and hold her and pet her while watching TV and she grinds a little to let me know she's comfortable and sometimes falls asleep. The others - they don't like being held. They like running free and wreaking havoc and just getting into trouble and being mischievous :D

I think it's just a rare personality in a chin to be held and petted and cuddle regularly.

[dustbunnies]

I think all of us would love to have a chin that would sit in our laps and snuggle, but those are few and far between. I even have one female that still refuses to come out of her door to take a bath although she begs to be let out. They all have their little idiosyncrasies, but that is what makes me love them all the more. :hearts:

Most of mine will play on the couch as long as they can get under the blanket that I keep there. Then they bounce of the couch, me, my husband, and even the cat if he happens to come watch. I have a couple that also will sit on my shoulder, but as soon as I stop, they jump off and play "catch me if you can"! :winkgrin:

If you can train yours to be a lap chin, let us know the secret !

The pic below is of Kismet helping my husband read and then running up and down the couch.

http://img244.imageshack.us/img244/9326/chins0047vs.th.jpg (http://img244.imageshack.us/my.php?image=chins0047vs.jpg)

[foxbite2]

I have one REALLY tame chin.. and one chin with an attitude the size of New York. My older girl follows me around the house where ever I go.... and when I sit down, she's normally jumping and climbing all over me.. but as for the actual "handlng" of her.. she wants to be held when SHE wants to be held.. it's on her terms.. not mine.

[Chinch]

I agree with what tunes said, chinnies are not really the cuddly type animal. almost every night though, when he is playing, if he gets tired, Andey will run under the blankets of the bed, and lay down next to me. this only goes on for probably 15 minutes, and then he is off running. dont try to force him, it wont happen. chins do things when THEY want to do it, not when WE want them to do it.

[Karin]

most books or magazines you read, will clearly state that if you want a cuddly animal, a snuggle partner.. then chin's are not for you...
and that can't be said anymore perfectly..
the closest dusty has ever gotten to "cuddling" is under the covers.. and still, he isnt cuddling.. he's taking a nap..
i think of chin's personalities as, "free spirited".. they want to do there own thing.. maybe as they get older? some may be more perseptive of being held and loved.. :dunno:

[littlelaughie]

You might be able to over time, but he'd have to be worn out and treats in your lap. Some chins just aren't going to ever be lap chins, but why not try? It's always worth a shot and I never say never : o ) My youngest Chinny won't let you touch him but he will crawl all over every inch of you; Bob LOVES to be held and pet so when I put food in his bowl or wipe shelves, he'll jump in my arm and snuggle with it (when he's done humping it, that is) and fall asleep there

[Crittermama]

Yup, one thing about chins is they are like snowflakes, no two alike.....you gotta learn to love em as they are. You can definately try to win em over, but don't push or you're likely to push em away. Out of my 10, 1 is my sweet boy when it comes to being held, the rest say, let me run!!!