Chiquis

Chiquis is an adoptable female Chihuahua looking for a home at Maricopa County Animal Care & Control - West in Phoenix, Arizona. She is a young adult and small in size. She is currently on the shelter's euthanasia list with only 4 days left, listed due to behavior. Adopting Chiquis, or even sharing her story, could save a life before it's too late.

Memo 9/18/2026 09/18/26 12:42 Canine has demonstrated low tolerance for leashing and kennel exit, with escalating responses. Placement with a New Hope Partner is needed by close of business 9/23/26 to support behavioral assessment in a different setting. May be at risk for euthanasia 9/24/26 or sooner if warranted. Intake 9/8/2026 What is the reason for surrender? SOURCE GOT ONE LARGE UNSPAYED FEMALE PET AFTER GETTING THIS PET AND THIS PET STARTS FIGHTS WITH THAT DOG. SOURCE STATED THEY ARE WORRIED THAT THE LARGE DOG WILL KILL THIS ONE. THIS PET ALSO JUMPS ON THE CHILDREN. SOURCE KEEPS THIS PET CRATED TO KEEP SEPARATED FROM CHILDREN IN HOME. How long have you had your pet? SINCE 7-8 WEEKS OLD. Where did you get this animal from? GIFT. Is your pet spayed/neutered? NO. Is this animal currently showing any signs of illness, taking any medication, or has the animal been diagnosed with a medical or behavioral condition? NO. We offer resources such as low-cost veterinary care, trainers, food/medication coupons, and financial assistance. Would you like any resources instead of surrendering? NO. Has the animal bitten anyone? If yes, please explain? NO. Any near bites (contact but did not break skin)? If yes, please explain? NO. Do you have pictures of injuries/bites? N/A Did the bite occur within the last 10 days? Date of bite? Has the animal shown any signs of aggression toward people or animals? YES. BARKS AT CHILDREN. BARKS AT, CHARGES AT AND TRIES TO START FIGHT WITH OTHER DOG IN HOME. Has the animal ever seriously injured or caused the death of another animal? NO. How is the animal around children? THIS PET HAS LIVED WITH CHLDREN RANGING IN AGE FORM 2-13. Please describe behavior around children? THIS PET HAS ALWAYS BARKED AT YOUNG CHILD IN HOME. SOURCE KEPT THIS PET SEPARATED FROM YOUNG CHILD. THIS PET DOES WELL WITH OLDER CHILD IN HOME. PLAYS WITH, SEEKS ATTENTION FROM AND ENGAGES WITH OLDER CHILD. Please list all household members the animal lives with or regularly interacts with, and describe interactions? THIS PET IS FRIENDLY WITH AND SEEKS ATTENTION FROM ADULTS IN HOME. Please describe how the animal interacts with other animals? Cats? NO. Dogs? THIS PET BARKS AT LARGE DOG IN HOME AND TRIES TO INSTIGATE FIGHTS. WHEN OUT FOR A WALK, THIS PET PULLS TOWARDS AND BARKS AT OTHER DOGS. Livestock (horses, cows, goats, chickens, etc.)? NO. Other Animals (birds, small mammals, reptiles, etc.)? NO. Resource Guarding: Describe any known guarding of food, toys, people, or space? NO. Is the animal house-trained? YES. Is your pet potty trained? YES. Familiar with a dog door? NO. Crate trained? YES. Leash trained? YES. Knows commands? KNOWS NAME. SIT, CAGE, GO OUTSIDE, COME INSIDE IN AND BOTH ENGLISH AND SPANISH Where was this animal kept? BOTH. Any history of destruction? If yes, please describe? NO. Last vaccinations / last vet visit? NO. How would you describe your pet's energy level? VERY HIGH. Any known fears (fireworks, car rides, baths)? NO. What are your pet’s Likes (favorite toy, activity)? LIKES TO GO OUTSIDE AND RUN. LIKES TO PLAY WITH SMALL TOYS/BALLS. Any escapist behavior? YES. Any Door Dashes/Runs away, if so, describe? SQUEEZED OUT UNDER GATE. Any Additional details/notes on behavior? Evaluation Comments (Observations from our staff and volunteers) 9/17/2026 09/17/26 13:42 Whined and solicited attention today and allowed petting all over. Able to pick up easily. Saw mylar in sleeve and put it on her. 9/15/2026 Stiff bodied, alarm barking at handler and low growling, lunging at front of kennel baring teeth, took interest in treats tossed in but would continue to lunge towards handlers hand at front of kennel while opening kennel door, began biting at kennel lock when lock was placed at front of kennel before retreating quickly to corner of kennel, wide eyed and pupils dilated, stiff bodied, low growling and baring teeth while low growling, never settled. Will eat treats tossed near, false lunged towards handlers hand when extending hand out to offer treat. Continuously bit at leash during lasso attempts, directs lunging towards hand if close but never made contact, flinching heavily and chewing thru leash when leash is near. Able to distract with treats to quickly lasso, would freeze in place low growling at handler, whale eye, stiff bodied, baring teeth if handler extended hand out. Used blanket dog was laying on to wrap dog up, low growling throughout but tolerating handling as handler secured dog, able to lift and carry to m&g room with no issues, some low growling while being carried. Once in room dog began urinated when scurrying over to handler with body low to ground, fast wagging tail, wiggly body, immediately jumped up placing front paws on handlers lap with soft body and eyes, accepting pets all over, allowed handler to pick up and place in lap, becomes wiggly with more wagging tail when offered treats, accepted treats gently. Soliciting attentions throughout time in room. Allowed handler to pick up and carry to office with no issues, timid but becomes soft and wiggly with wagging tail when offered treats. No issues carrying back to kennel but when lifting dog up to place into kennel dog became stiff, began low growling, removed leash by hand before placing into kennel. Once kennel door was shut dog would shake off and having wiggly body as handler exited. 9/13/2026 Dog was low growling while baring teeth in corner of kennel on approach. Not interested in treats. Would air snap towards leash as handler would cast large loop leash. Attempted to place blanket over dog, dog would bite towards blanket. Placed a large behavior tote into kennel, dog would stand on hind legs while biting @ tote. Would push past behavior tote & false lunge towards handlers hands, air snapping & growling, not making contact & quickly retreated back to corner. Used lid as a sort board to guide dog into behavior tote while dog would continue to growl, baring teeth. Carried to M&G room, once lid was removed handler would offer treats in hand after a few minutes of sitting quietly in room. Dog would gently take treats then stand up with soft tail wags. Handler repositioned behavior tote for dog to exit. Approached handler with a soft body, placing front paws onto handlers knees allowing petting with a relaxed body, closing eyes & leaning into handlers legs with fast tail wags. Would follow handler around in room with a relaxed body, jumping up against handlers legs, allowing petting. Able to pick up & carry dog to a new kennel to help provide 2 kennel spaces for cleaning. Placed into kennel & removed leash by hand. Offered more treats in hand then closed door as dog would have a soft & wiggly body. 9/12/2026 Dog was in back of kennel when approached; dilated pupils; furrowed brow; low growling. Handler offered treats and dog softened; spoke softly; dog had low tail wag at front of kennel; taking treats; soft features. Handler began unlocking kennel and dog retreated back; handler placed towel at front of kennel for dog to sniff; motioned for dog to step to towel; baby talking; remained in back; nervous. Handler offered treats; dog would take them cautiously; paw raised; trembling; very treat motivated. Handler could not coax dog to front to pick up; tried to slowly drape towel and dog low growled. Closed door and offered more treats; settled but never fully softened again. Handler presented large leash loop and dog would retreat; low growl; air snap at leash. Handler stopped attempts to leash and instead tried to coax dog with treats again; worked on desensitizing towel and leash for a few minutes; unable to lure; resumed attempts to pick up/leash. Dog would sniff towel calmly but growl when placing towel too close; would air snap and bare teeth at leash; handler continued leashing attempt slowly; dog would show high FAS snapping and grabbing leash in mouth. Handler decided to allow dog to decompress. Offered more treats and hand to sniff at front before ending interaction. 9/9/2026 Low growling at handler on approach, stiff bodied and hard staring. No interest in treats or coaxing, did not settle until handler was out of sight. 9/8/2026 in kennel, leash placement, alligator roll on leash, used blanket to pick up, vaccinations given,carried to kennel 9/8/2026 On approach k9 growled at handler. Handler slowly opened kennel door and offered hand out to k9, k9 did not react. Stopped growling, remained wide-eyed. Handler used blanket to pick up k9 slowly, k9 allowed spay check without issues, Once placed back into kennel k9 afford tail wags, and allowed both handlers to pet all over. Small tail wags and kisses offered. Name: Chiquis Animal ID: A5171277 Breed: RED CHIHUAHUA SH/MIX Sex: Female Age: 1Y 2M Weight: 11.0 lbs Kennel: West Kennel, Wing K - 457 Intake Date: 9/8/2026 Deadline Date: 9/23/2026