Lazy chihuahua with active Akita. Playtime and general habits questions...?

Answer to paragraph 2: Yes, he may be scared/fearful and making that noise to warn the dog not to touch him.

Answer to paragraph 3: She is keeping an eye on him. Possibly because she wants to play. Possibly because dogs get "attached" to one another and she could be one of those dogs that doesn't like when her companion dog is out of sight.

Answer to paragraph 5: Thor is only 2, so it may not be normal. I would definitely bring that up in your next vet visit. The norm is 12-14 hours but 20 hours may not be uncommon either. Again, bring it up with your vet.

Answer to paragraph 6: I would take them on neutral ground, somewhere open, where they can play or just be in each others presence without territory of their home. They will eventually learn to deal with each other. It took my dogs a good 3 - 4 months to get used to each other. 6 months until they were playing with each other. Patience is the key.

Chihuahua's are known to be breed snobs. They do sleep a lot and play about 4 or 5 hours a day. I have had a dozen Chi's two at a time for 55 years. The Akita and the Chi should not be left on their own together. Chi's are more delicate than they look. They like squeaky toys and have a very fragile head. Thor will never be interested in Jasmine unless she goes into heat. Jasmine believes him to be her very own little toy. A small Terrier would make right up to Jasmine. Thor knows she is too big to be a Chihuahua. The only reason Thor does not ignore her entirely is they are the opposite sex. Chi's are very smart but independent. They insist on being spoiled. They basically will not work unless you make it worthwhile. Their currency is food and they love chicken. You must be careful that they never get bones. He is smart enough to steal from her or tell on her by his shrill bark. Chi's were born to bark and they know it. They bark at any strange or different sound. They will bark from the time a car stops if it is a friend they use a measured bark and wag their tail. As though they are calling to the ;person. If it is a stranger they yep fast and hard and do not have a happy wag. My Mia lived 17 1/2 years and died of a heart attack. My Trevor at six is a retired stud, now neutered he lays in his heated bed to bark unless it is my caregiver who also feeds him. When he hears her car he comes running and wagging to me as though to let me know who is here. If she comes right in he goes to the door to meet her. If she stops to get the mail or cut flowers he barks to her. I have two care givers and they each can change off cars with their husband and it does not confuse him. I now have a young female Chi that was rescued from a puppy mill. She was a year old when I got her. It took me 5 1/2 hours to teach her a new name. I have had her seven months and she knows everyone that has been here 4 or more times. She is still some afraid of strange males. Chi's all have very bad teeth. They stop chewing after they stop cutting teeth. Their teeth usually fall out but if they have a bad breath it is usually bad teeth.

1. a healthy dog sleeps 15+ hours a day and if he is a lap dog then that just gives him even more reason to cuddle up and have a nap. he is completely fine, he is eating well and interested in things.

2. The staring is a sign of dominance (unless she isnt just staring and she is looking) and it sounds like when he gets backed up into a corner he is showing aggression. So if you see a situation like that then i sugggest you just call your girl over and make sure they are in an open space so you dont develop problems later on.

3. They are obviously friends though so i dont think you have anything to worry about, i think its great how well they do play together when the chi gets into it. But as i said look out for any aggressive situations to make sure they stay good friends!