Chihuahua questions?

Question

1. Best method to potty train a Chihuahua puppy?
2. Male or Female? In a dog book I read, it said that males tend to be more macho, and female are closer to their human family. it also said that in dominant breeds, males tend to be more agressive. Chihuahuas are considered dominant breeds, aren't they? Unfair! also, my mum only ever sees male Chihuahuas on the dog whisperer and on dog borstal so she says that males r more agressive dogs.
3. Would a Chihuahua puppy learn to live with a rabbit and hamster? we dont expect them to play, we just want the Chihuahua to ideally ignore the current pets.

Also, plz can no-one reply saying Chihuahuas are yappy snappy dogs. they are not. Any breed of dog can be yappy and snappy, not just Chihuahuas.

Also, should we get a short-haired or a long-haired? in a dog book it said that long haired chihuahuas tend to be more independant and untrustful fo strangers than short haired and also, short hairs shed all year round a long haired shed twice a year

Answer 1

Hi, first of all chihuahuas are friendly, loving, kind dogs, not usually aggressive or dominant. They breed is very badly protrated as yappy snappy dogs which they are not.

Regarding getting them clean, if they are the only dog in the house then its not a problem, easy to get clean, girls are more noticeable when they want to go because they swatt, where boys just stand still and wee, this is puppy age.
A male chihuahua is not really dominant, but of course one of the dogs will be come the dominant male (alpha male).
When you see puppy about to wee, put him/her on newspaper and say go we we, and lots of praise and reward, puppy will learn very quickly. But if you are at work all day then this will become much harder for you. Chihuahua's like company from people, dont like being on there own.

Yes if you have a chi from puppy age they would grow up with rabbit and hamster without a problem.

Long coat chis need grooming more than a smooth coat , but, both loss hair just the same, people think smooth coated chis, wouldnt loss so much hair but they do.

I have 5 chihuahuas and weekends i have 11, i have 2 rabbits and a bird, all of my chihuahuas which are log coated and smooth take no notice of my rabbits and are happy to walk, lay next to there hutch. My old rabbit (which passed away this year) was happy to walk around the house with my dogs, all very well behaved.

If you have any questioned happy to help, if you want to email me via my 360 you are more than welcome, i have always had chihuahuas, great little dogs, my children love them to bits.

All i would say if you get a puppy, go careful with young chidlren as they are very fragile, as soon as injections have been given take them out let them meet new people and dogs, this will prevent them being scared of strangers and dogs.
Good luck with your choice. Long/smooth/boy/girl makes no difference.

Answer 2

1)I crate train and always suggest crate training.
2) It's the individual dogs personality not the sex. A male can be more aggressive when a female in in heat if not fixed ( suggest getting fixed between 5 and 6 months) A female of course can be very protective of their pups. I have both males and females and it's the individual dog.
3) If trained yes I have rabbits, chinchillas, and cats as well
4) Both shed all the time it's just that the short hair sticks in everything. all dogs have more of a shed out beginning of summer and beginning or winter. keeping the dog brushed everyday or every other day it shouldn't be bad. I use a slicker brush and comb on the ling hair and a curry brush on the short hair.
As far as the long hair being more independent I haven't noticed that.
I will say that a chihuahua can easily become yappy and snappy if not trained and socialized but this can be with any breed.
Good luck with the new chi.

Answer 3

1. Be persistent.... chi's are one of the hardest breeds to house break.
2. Not true... depends on the personality of the dog not the sex.
3. Chi's are no more dominate or submissive than any other dog.... they are a dog and do the job they are expected and trained to do. Males by nature are more aggressive DURING breeding season.. females in all animals are the dominate ones and are far more aggressive than a male. This doesn't go for un-trained or over spoiled dogs.
4. If a dog is raised with other animals, and is taught to respect the others, is not aggressively attacked or teased by the older larger animals then it is not normally a problem. However, there are some that just refuse to share anything and will not get along with others. I can't see any dog getting along with a rodent that runs freely because the temptation is far to great not to play and accidentally kill the play thing.
5. I have raised long and short haired chi's for many years. ALL dogs shed constantly, weather one hair or lots. If your chihuahua looses more than hair at any normal time of the year, then you need to learn better nutrition and care for your dog.

Answer 4

The suggestion of an obedience class is an excellent one. Read here https://tr.im/05juU
It will help your dog learn to behave around other dogs, and help keep your training moving forward as you'll want to be prepared for the next class. Also, a good instructor can be a wonderful resource, someone to help you with any questions or concerns about your dog. Leash training can take a LOT of time and patience, depending upon the dog. I'm not sure what you mean by 'horrible on a leash' but my basic suggestion is that you take a lot of yummy treats with you on walks. When your dog behaves well on the leash (not pulling) praise her and give her treats. Change direction a lot so that she learns to pay attention to YOU and where you are going. It's also helpful to teach a "Watch Me" command such that whenever your dog looks at you you praise her and give her a treat. About chewing, yes a Kong is a great chew toy. Some dogs also like Nylabone brand bones. I suggest also teaching a "Leave It" command. You use this when she shows interest in chewing on something she shouldn't. Then immediately give her something she is allowed to chew, such as the Kong stuffed with somethig yummy. This same command will be helpful on walks when she wants to sniff or eat something she shouldn't. Again, when she does leave the item alone, be sure to give lots of praise. I would look into an obedience class right away. I think that you'll find that a good obedience class can help enormously! Good luck and enjoy your new dog.

Answer 5

My manager and I got Chihuahuas together. They're brother and sister. I got the girl. She's a people person and loves to play! My manager's dog is really mean and aggressive! Also, if you get a short haired one you'll have problems! My Chihuahua is short haired. Not only does she get extremely cold (which leaves me buying clothes for her so she'll stop shaking), but she also gets very dry skin so I have to buy special shampoos. Think of it this way: clothes and special shampoo or paying to get the dog groomed. I think the first way is less expensive.

Potty training: You may have problems there. If you get a short hair sometimes they absoultely DO NOT want to go outside in the cold rain or snow so they're prone to accidents. Recently, I moved to Florida so I don't have this problem any more. My dog always asks to go out. Train the dog to speak and tell them to speak if they have to go potty. They're smart dogs and they'll pick up on it very quickly!

As for the rabbit and the hamster, if you keep them in cages I don't think you'll have a problem, but if you let them go free and get a girl you will! As I said, girls are really friendly. They love to jump! My dog will not leave the cats alone for anything in the world (although she has grown fond of one of them and sleeps with her). She always wants to play! Make sure you watch for their claws too. They can jump really high and could scratch you. Petco trims them for $12 or you can buy a cat nail clipper. I cut my dogs claws for a long time, but recently she jerks back and I'm afraid I'll rip her nail out so I take her to Petco now.

Good luck and e-mail me if you have anymore questions.

Answer 6

You have to do your own research on whether to get a dog or a b1tch. Dominant breeds tends to refer to large "Macho" breeds like Akitas and Malamutes - nothing wrong with a dominant dog as long as he knows you are boss! Can't believe there is much difference in temperament between long & short coats, since they all descend from the same stock.
Have a look at this site, it will give you useful information, particularly about where to buy a healthy puppy.
http://www.the-british-chihuahua-club.org.uk/Care/AboutChis.php

Answer 7

Usually, which too long for me. I think it depends on the guy and also his face though. Certain guys can pull off long hair and others can't.

Answer 8

I have pretty lengthy hair, I like them but We think I would have them reduce short in about some two yrs

Answer 9

My sisters chihuahua is crying every time u pick her up and she is having a hard time to eat and she thinks her front paws are hurting her so can u please help us Thank u

Answer 10

chihuahua's aren't little, they are condenced.