Cricket, 8mths-1.8 lbs. female chihuahua

Question
Hi, I have been trying to train my pup with a harness and leash in our yard and trying the sit, come etc.  She hates it and even acts afraid.  She will run to her bed and ignore me for the rest of the day and won't eat or drink at all.  Other than that, she is a very good pup that doesn't bark at anyone and is very friendly.  I'm not sure if I should try the leash again or wait until she is older because she is so small, she can't aford to lose any weight.  Thanks, Sheila

Answer
Don't wait.  The longer you put off, the harder it will be.  This sounds to me like the common case of a small dog controlling its owner by its eating pattern.  If the dog never did eat very well, and has seen the vet since the problem existed, you may be over feeding it. A vet check still won't hurt. Many dogs will snarf down more than is good for them and look for more. Others refuse to eat more than than they need. Evaluate the dog as illustrated in this link, http://www.longliveyourdog.com/twoplus/RateYourDog.aspx  You may want the vet to confirm your judgment. Adjust the dogs food and exercise as needed to reach its ideal body condition. Some German Shepherds and other breeds may refuse to eat enough to completely hid their ribs. As long as you are feeding a concentrated, meat based chow, the best thing is to accept it.

The worst thing you can do is to bribe a dog with rich foods into eating more than it needs. Instead, Put down the dish with what the dog should eat, and give it 15 minutes to eat. Then take it up. Do not give it anything to eat until its next scheduled meal. In a few days, it should be eating what it needs. Continue to check its ribs and adjust the food as needed. This is not easy. I had a Shepherd go 3 days on a few nibbles. I was a wreck, but she was fine. It is almost unknown for a healthy dog not to eat what it needs. Unfortunately, in too many cases, it is less than the package says, and less than the owner thinks the dog should have. Many dogs are quite good at holding out for tastier chow. Like kids, sometimes it calls for tough love.  As long as your vet doesn't say it will harm the dog, I would go ahead with the above.  

With the problems you are having, I would find a class, making sure the instructor respects small dogs.  Some idiots don't.  The key to most behavior problems is approaching things using the dog's natural instincts.  Dogs see all the people and dogs in the household as a pack with each having their own rank in the pack and a top dog.  Life is much easier if the 2 legged pack members outrank the 4 legged ones.  You can learn to play the role of top dog by reading some books or going to a good obedience class. A good obedience class or book is about you being top dog, not about rewarding standard commands with a treat. Start at http://www.dogsbestfriend.com/  For more on being top dog, see http://www.dogbreedinfo.com./topdogrules.htm

It is a common, but severe mistake to fail to take small dogs seriously.  You are an above average small doing owner recognizing that you need to.  Your dog is still young enough that you need to keep sessions short.  Look for a puppy kindergarten class.