Size
(when grown) Small 25 lbs (11 kg) or less
Details
Good with dogs,
House-trained,
Spayed or Neutered,
Story
Hi, my name is Achilles and I am from Minnesota!
Meet Achilles: A Spicy Little Hero Looking for His Forever Kingdom! 🐾
For the past three months, Achilles, a charming ~5-year-old Chihuahua, has been thriving in foster care. Originally a temporary respite guest, he is now officially ready to find a permanent home. Achilles is a complex, quirky little guy with an adorable, permanent underbite. He is fiercely loyal once you earn his trust, but he is a true Chihuahua who needs an experienced, patient handler who understands "spicy" dog body language and boundaries.
Here is the honest scoop on this handsome boy to ensure his next home is his forever home:
🌟 The Wonderful Stuff (His Likes & Strengths)
Playful & Fun: Achilles absolutely loves chewing on toys and playing a good game of tug-of-war.
Dog Friendly (With Intro): He does well with other dogs following a slow, proper introduction. In his foster home, he even loves safely play-biting and wrestling with a large Great Pyrenees friend!
Trick Master: He is highly food-motivated and has already learned Sit, Stand, Spin/Twirl, and Beg (standing on his hind legs)!
House Trained: While it took him some time to figure out the doggy door, he is now a pro. He has not marked in the house for over a month.
Grooming Champion: He is an absolute angel during bath time and brushing—he will just sit there quietly and let you pamper him.
⚠️ The "Spicy" Stuff (His Quirks & Training Needs)
Achilles is a work in progress and will need a dedicated owner committed to ongoing force-free behavior modification.
Strangers & Guests: Achilles is fearful of new people. When guests come over, he needs to be held until he settles down. Once he calms down, he is perfectly fine as long as the company stays seated. If you give him time, he warms up beautifully, but he cannot be rushed.
Reactive on Walks: He gets very overstimulated and reactive (barking/lunging) when seeing other people or dogs on walks. He pulls on the leash, but using a front-clasp harness makes a massive difference.
Sensory & Handling Sensitivities: Achilles strongly dislikes being picked up or held tightly and is extremely sensitive under his arms. He was mouthy at first when handled this way, so his new family must respect his space. He also dislikes being toweled dry after a bath because of this. He loves belly rubs on his own terms, but firm touching under his arms is a no-go.
Patience with the Harness: Because of his sensitivities, putting his harness on requires patience and a gentle touch, though he happily cooperates once it's on because he loves walks!
Loud Noises: The vacuum cleaner and sudden loud noises will trigger a barking fit. He will also bark at unfamiliar household objects.
Training & Focus: Achilles knows his name and the "Touch" command, but if he goes into a high-alert "barking mode," it is hard to get his attention. Catching his focus before he reacts is key. He is incredibly smart but independent; he currently only performs his tricks if he sees the treat in your hand!
🏡 The Perfect Match
Achilles needs an adult-only home (or a home with dog-savvy older teens) that understands small-breed reactivity. A patient environment where he can build trust at his own pace is essential. He has not been tested with cats. His black nails stay naturally worn down from his walks, but future nail trims will require a slow, cooperative care approach.
If you have a quiet home, love a dog with big personality, and are ready to celebrate the small victories of training a stubborn but brilliant pup, Achilles will reward you with a lifetime of fierce loyalty.
