Attention chihuahua owners, any advise?

Question

I am the new mother of a beautiful long haired chihuahua girl. I have owned dogs all my life but this is my first chihuhua. Just wondering if anyone out there has any helpful advise about the breed I should know.

Answer 1

Congratulations! I raised Chihuahuas for many years, in the 1960's-70's..They are awesome little dogs. So much love in such a tiny package!
Be sure to feed a really high qualiity kibble, as they can eat so little that it needs to be packed with nutrition, and not fillers..
The best kibbles are those made with all human grade ingredients, such as Canidae, Innova, Wellness, Natural Balance, Wysong, and Solid Gold. You will find at least a few of these brands at any local pet supply..

Just a caution..don't feed her any treats that have nitrates in them, such as ham, hotdogs, balogne, or jerky..

Answer 2

I have one, but I'm not an expert on the breed. I also worked at 2 boarding kennels, but only boarded a few, so my answer is limited to my experience with maybe 10 or or so.

Yes, they make good pets for the right people. They need TONS of socialization otherwise they will become those "annoying little ankle biters" everyone talks about. They can be hard to house break. They do shake alot and they get cold EASILY. They love to lay in the direct sun, even when most dogs prefer the shade. Usually not the greatest with other dogs but tend to love the company of other chihuahuas. Care must be take that larger dogs do not trample or fight them, especially because they are usually the one that started it. Make sure that you TRAIN it and treat it like the REAL DOG that it is. Even though it is small, It still needs to be corrected, I hate it when people laugh when tiny dogs are to aggressive, but when a larger dog does, it is "vicious" They need alot of attention, and give back TONS of love. They are wary of strangers, and make great watch dogs, but not good guard dogs (obviously). They are a one person or a one family dog. Sometimes they will adopt and love to pieces other people that come over even if not part of the immediate household. Typically not good with kids, but there are exceptions. Kids often unintentionally hurt them

P.S. the book "Chihuahua's for Dummies" is WONDERFUL

Answer 3

Congratulations on your new dog! Is it a puppy? One thing with puppies is you have to watch out for hypoglycemia(low blood sugar). Leave food out got her all day, taking it up only at night. It will help keep her sugar levels up. You should get some nutrical at the pet store or vet's and give her a little in the morning and at night. You have to watch where you walk, sit or lay down, because they are often underfoot, under blankets and pillows, etc. You learn to do the chihuahua shuffle, keep your feet close to the floor/ground so as not to step on them. They need lots of love and attention, more so than a lot of other dogs. Check the head also to see if there is a large soft spot. All chihuahuas are born with a soft spot, some will close all the way, some will not. If your baby's soft spot is very large, you should have the vet check it. It could have hydrocephalus, water on the brain. Not likely, but check to make sure. Just love that baby and enjoy it and you may have 20 or more years with your wonderful little one. I know of instances where the chihuahua lived to be 25+ yr. I raise chihuahuas. Have owned them for 30+ yr, been breeding them almost 9. Here is a site that might be helpful to you. I posted a second link to to a second page with even more tips on caring for your new baby.

http://community-1.webtv.net/je2u/doc1/

http://community-1.webtv.net/je2u/doc1/page2.html

Answer 4

Hello... I too am a recent Chihuahua owner. I never thought I'd say it, either... being a die-hard 'cat' person up until I met my girlfriend and her 3-year old Chihuahua, Trixie. Trixie is a bit of an agressive "ankle-biter" due to a harsh puppyhood and being at the "pound" but is slowly coming around in a more loving environment. She absolutely adores me now and it has taken about 6 months to get her to come around. I'd say the first 2 months were the toughest.

But I fell in love so much I just purchased my OWN Chi (7-months old) about two weeks ago... whom I've named Sasha. She was already crate and puppy-pad trained and had never really been outdoors before I got her. But I've had very few problems with her... if I'm not around she ALWAYS goes on a puppy pad... and in just the two weeks I've had her, she already knows to "go potty" outside.

Trixie and Sasha get along VERY well, though it took Trixie a while to warm up to her. What helped was reinforcing Trixie as the "alpha" dog. We greet her first, give her treats first, feed her first. These actions really calmed down Trixie's jealous issues and they play and snuggle up to sleep together like they were born together.

I agree... socialize the puppy! Take her different places, let her meet new people. DON'T tote her around everywhere... let her walk and run and play.

Good luck and I hope you enjoy your little bundle of love.

Answer 5

get a heating pad. use a potty pad is she trained? they are hard to train but females ususally are quick to learn. get them coats to wear cause they do get cold easy.

Answer 6

I have my first one too after having Labradors for years. It is a delightful change. I find he needs a lot more attention than the big guys. He loves to sleep with us, and will sleep in late by himself:)
They are terrible at housetraining. Just try to remain calm and persistent. Wouldn't hurt to crate train him if this is a real problem for you.
They really need to be well socialized. Here is a wonderful guide I found when my guy was little. He loves everyone and rarely shivers.
Enjoy!

Make sure all experiences are safe and positive for the puppy. Each encounter should include treats and lots of praise. Slow down and add distance if your puppy is scared!

By the time a puppy is 12 weeks old, it should have :
(If your puppy is over 12 weeks start right away with this socialization guide.)
• Experienced 12 different surfaces: wood, woodchips, carpet, tile, cement, linoleum, grass, wet grass, dirt, mud, puddles, deep pea gravel, grates, uneven surfaces, on a table, on a chair, etc......
• Played with 12 different objects: fuzzy toys, big & small balls, hard toys, funny sounding toys, wooden items, paper or cardboard items, milk jugs, metal items, car keys, etc.......
• Experienced 12 different locations: front yard (daily), other people's homes, school yard, lake, pond, river, boat, basement, elevator, car, moving car, garage, laundry room, kennel, veterinarian hospital (stop by sometimes just to say hi & visit, lots of cookies, no vaccinations), grooming salon (just to say hi), etc....
• Met and played with 12 new people (outside of family): include children, adults (mostly men), elderly adults, people in wheelchairs, walkers, people with canes, crutches, hats, sunglasses, etc….
• Exposed to 12 different noises (ALWAYS keep positive and watch puppy's comfort level – we don't want the puppy scared): garage door opening, doorbell, children playing, babies screaming, big trucks, Harley motorcycles, skateboards, washing machine, shopping carts rolling, power boat, clapping, loud singing, pan dropping, horses neighing, vacuums, lawnmowers, birthday party, etc…
• Exposed to 12 fast moving objects (don't allow to chase): skateboards, roller-skates, bicycles, motorcycles, cars, people running, cats running, scooters, vacuums, children running, children playing soccer, squirrels, cats, horses running, cows running, etc…
• Experienced 12 different challenges: climb on, in, off and around a box, go through a cardboard tunnel, climb up and down steps, climb over obstacles, play hide & seek, go in and out a doorway with a step up or down, exposed to an electric sliding door, umbrella, balloons, walk on a wobbly table (plank of wood with a small rock underneath), jump over a broom, climb over a log, bathtub (and bath) etc....
• Handled by owner (& family) 12 times a week: hold under arm (like a football), hold to chest, hold on floor near owner, hold in-between owner's legs, hold head, look in ears, mouth, in-between toes, hold and take temperature (ask veterinarian), hold like a baby, trim toe nails, hold in lap, etc…
• Eaten from 12 different shaped containers: wobbly bowl, metal, cardboard box, paper, coffee cup, china, pie plate, plastic, frying pan, Kong, Treatball, Bustercube, spoon fed, paper bag, etc......
• Eaten in 12 different locations: back yard, front yard, crate, kitchen, basement, laundry room, bathroom, friend's house, car, school yard, bathtub, up high (on work bench), under umbrella, etc....
• Played with 12 different puppies (or safe adult dogs) as much as possible. [This does NOT mean at the dog park.]
• Left alone safely, away from family & other animals (5-45 minutes) 12 times a week.
• Experienced a leash and collar 12 different times in 12 different locations.
____



Seems like a good guide to follow.