Hello Everyone - I am new to this site and think it is a great forum for all of us Rat Terrier owners to get some support and advice from others who may be going or have gone through the same things.  Just this past Tuesday, I got a phone call from one of my co'workers saying that the school site she was working at just found a stray puppy.  So, of course I go down there and fall in love with this little dog.  At the time I wasn't exactly sure what she was.  I took her to the vet that afternoon and was told that I probably have a full-blooded Rat Terrier.  She is approximately 3 months old and I have named her Gracie.  

Issue #1:  I am trying to crate train (as I am writing this, I am listening to her whine in the other room).  It takes everything I have not to go in and console her.  I feel this way because I am not sure what type of past she has had.  She was very skinny and is still a bit skittish.   For the past 3 days I have taken her to work with me and have crate trained her there while she was able to see me.  She is very good in the crate and doesn't make a peep as long as I am within her sight.  She stays in there a few hours at a time.  Now, it has come to the point where I will need to keep her at home while I am at work and I am afraid of the barking/whining while I am gone.  She gets very anxious and whiny if she is not able to see me.  I live in an apartment and it is stressful for me to think that she is making noise while I"m out.  I am also concerned that she isn't hurting herself...  I guess I"m just looking for re-assurance that this is normal and that  she is safe in a crate.  (By the way, she has stopped whining.. is this a good sign?)

Issue #2:  On the weekends, I visit my boyfriend in a different city and we have a Chiauahua (3 years old).  We were concerned that the Chihuahua was going to have some issues with the new family member.  Well, it was the opposite.  Little Gracie has decided that she is the dominate one and has attacked our chihuahua on 3 separate occasions.  They will be looking directly at eachother and then Gracie will growl, bare her teeth and lunge at Chiclet's face.  Chiclet is now submissive and won't come near Gracie (unless there is food to be eaten   I was wondering if there is anything I can do to help with this transition for both of them?  I have decided that I will stay with my boyfriend for the next week or two to get them more comfortable with eachother.  Does this mean that she will be aggressive with all other dogs?  I was planning on doing obedience classes and possibly agility but I am afraid that she may be pre-disposed to being aggressive with other animals.  If this does not get better I may have to find another home for Gracie.  Don't worry... I wouldnt think of giving her to a shelter but maybe to someone who has no other animals.

It just stresses me out and today I was on the verge of tears trying to figure out what to do.  I just want everyone happy and content.  And I'm sure that Gracie can feel my frustration and that can't be helping any.    Any advice you can give would be appreciated.  I am so happy that I found this site!!  And I apologize for this being such a long post!!

Is this your first time owning a rat terrier?  when they play it can sound as if they're attacking each other but (at least with mine) no blood is drawn and if one yelps they stop immediately.  Also, when 2 dogs meet for the first time there can be some drama....but it usually looks much worse than it is.  (With your dog being so young it sounds more like play in this case though.)

Also, where did they meet?  For future reference when introducing 2 dogs it's best if they meet on neutral territory...not at either one's house.

As far as the crating if she is calm in the crate then the lack of whining simply means she is getting used to it.  She can be left in there safely for several hours at her age.  She is safest in there so I hope it works out and she doesn't bark and cause issues with neighbors.  If she does there are other remedies for that (citronella collar, leave her loose but confined to one room, etc.).

Thanks for rescuing her and good luck!!

Welcome.  You are awesome and Gracie is very lucky that you two found each other. 

There are so many others on the site that know so much more than I do.  I'd encourage you to look on the training forum and see some of the posts there that address crate training and other aggressive behavior. There is a lot of good advice there.

Thank you everyone for some great advice.  The last post by buttonbutt sounds exactly like my situation with Gracie and Chiclet.  Gracie tends to be a bit possessive of me and her food.  Not so much toys (they haven't played much together) yet.   Last night was a good night. I had her crated all night and only heard one little whine.  I put her in our bedroom so she didn't feel so isolated.  Chiclet, on the other hand, got brave and had to growl and sniff the cage, etc.  She's little toughy when she knows that Gracie can't get to her.

Today, we are planning on leaving Gracie in her crate alone at home while we go out.  I'm trying to train her while I am at my boyfriends HOUSE rather than my apartment.  Once she is up to date on all of  her shots, we will start obedience classes.  Hopefully I'm doing all the right things!  Thanks again and I'm looking forward to any other information you might share!! 

One more question..... someone stated that Gracie can be left for several hours in her crate.  What is several hours especially during the day?  I work from 8:00 to 5:00 and can come home at lunch.. would this be okay at this point in her training?  Do you think she is ready?  I don't want it to be a bad experience for her. and turn her off.   Thanks for any input.

Since she is 3 months old it should be fine as long as you go home at lunch and let her out.  She's 3 months old, right?  I think the rule is that with pups they can "hold it" 2 hours for each month they're old.  Just a general rule, there are of course exceptions.  But the idea is that you can't expect a young puppy to hold it for 9 hours....so a break at lunch should be ideal!

Also, remember you can give things in her crate to keep her occupied like a kong with some low-fat peanut butter in it.  And a putting a t-shirt of yours (that smells like you) in the crate will help her, too.

You're doing a good job with her!!