After pondering many recent postings, I have decided to ask for help rather than rely on my usual and possibly archaic methods and I am always willing to open my mind to new techniques...I was at the vet's yesterday when animal control brought in a little chi for euthanasia...the officer had on welding gloves and the chi was grabbing at anything he could get a hold of...of course, being the crazy chi lover that I am, I asked that the little dog be released into my custody because I know how traumatic the system can be for such a wee one...well, my vet agreed to give him his shots, and we trimmed his nails which were possibly the longest I have ever seen, and we put on some Frontline since the poor little guy has a nasty case of flea dermatitis...he kept trying to bite the whole time and he cowered at the back of the small kennel that I borrowed to take him home and lunged at the door snarling if anyone got close...my vet wanted to go ahead and euthanize him, but I asked for 1 week's reprieve...midway home, the little guy seemed to relax a bit as I talked to him and explained that I was taking him home...I stopped by the grocery store on the way home because my usual travel companion wanted a treat so I offered the new guy a bite through the kennel door...leary at first, he took a bite from me and then another and another...once home, I gave him a few minutes to settle down, then I opened his kennel door...he crept out and looked me over...he was still very skiddish. I did not attempt to touch him. I let him check out the kitchen and then I called him to the door to go out to potty...I have a fenced in yard...he followed me out and then back in again...I gave him another treat and asked him if he would like to get back in his kennel, which he did...no touching involved, just a calm, soothing voice...a little while later, I introduced him to the other dogs through the kennel...he came willingly to the door and showed no signs of aggression toward the others...in the afternoon, I opened his door and let him come out and meet the others face to face...no problems...after going out to potty again, I asked if he wanted to go back into the kennel, which is his safe place right now...later on, I sat on the floor outside his kennel and talked to him and the other dogs sat on my lap and were given affection...he began to whine, so I opened his kennel door...he stayed inside but he watched me interact with the others very intently...I did not reach for him or make any attempts to touch him...by evening time, he was getting very close to me, so I held out my hand and let him sniff me...he seemed relaxed so I stroked his back...he liked it, but he was still very nervous, so I kept it light and pleasureable...at this point, I can touch him although I have not attempted to pick him up....my question to all of the trainers out there is how should I proceed with this little guy? I normally try to build a repoir slowly and allow them to trust me and when they come to me, I move forward...I am by no means a pro, I have just always tried to follow my heart, but I would like some professional advice...he seems nothing like the viscious biter that was dragged into the vet's office....he isn't aggressive toward my husband...no question this little guy was just scared to death and traumatized by the events leading up to and including his incarceration...he sure would have failed a shelter temperment test, but I think with a little love, patience and training, he will be just fine...any suggestions will be appreciated!