Yearly Archives: 2013

how-dogs-learn
There are many mistaken assumptions about how dogs really learn: It’s all in the voice (usually, deep, loud, and booming); you need to show them who’s the boss (by rolling them on their back to make them submit); endless repetitions (often with “corrections” for wrong behavior); old dogs can’t learn […]

How Dogs Really Learn

 in Training A Chihuahua by
clicker-training-your-chihuahua
Clicker training refers to training using operant conditioning principles, using a behavior marker linked to positive reinforcement of high value. Clicker trainers routinely leave out negative reinforcement and positive punishment, due to the unwanted side effects of inhibiting behavior and forming negative associations with the trainer. Of course, not all […]

Clicker Training Your Chihuahua

 in Training A Chihuahua by
reading-your-chihuahua-body-language
You can assume that your Chihuahua’s behavior has some sort of intention, as crazy as that might seem sometimes. Social behavior or signals that are directed at people or other dogs, with intention, is communication. Chihuahuas routinely communicate to their two-legged family members, using a range of signals, including playful, […]

Reading Your Chihuahua Body Language

 in Socializing Chihuahua Dogs by
dealing-with-aggression-in-chihuahuas
  There is a wide array of aggressive behaviors that any Chihuahua has the potential to exhibit. Ethologists identify over a dozen different kinds of aggression, ranging from maternal aggression, the hormonally mediated defense of offspring, to food-related aggression, a subset of resource guarding. Defining the term itself is complex […]

Aggression In Chihuahuas

 in Training A Chihuahua by
raw-food-for-your-dog
Thinking of introducing raw food to your Chihuahua’s menu options? Here are the pros and cons. The growing trend of feeding uncooked meat and vegetables to our dogs has resulted in a whole refrigerated section full of new options. The appeal? Less processing and fewer mystery ingredients. But there’s a […]

Raw Food For Your Chihuahua

 in Feeding A Chihuahua by
common-dog-handling-mistakes
  Avoiding common dog handling mistakes can make all the difference in the world to a dog’s life. By setting up the home properly and abiding by a few time-tested principles, you can prevent disharmony and ensure a loving partnership that benefits all. The following ten bad owner habits are […]

Common Dog Handling Mistakes

 in Dog Behavior Problems by
  Before starting the house training process, it is important to realize that from the perspective of new puppies or untrained dogs, there is no good reason why they should not potty inside the home. It is up to people to give their dogs the tools they need to succeed […]

Different Potty Training Tips

 in Training A Chihuahua by
dealing-with-unwanted-dog-jumping
  There’s a few training methods you can use, to deal with unwanted dog jumping. Find below the most common methods, to correct this bad habit: Redirecting Unwanted Greetings If your dog loves retrieving games with toys or balls, take one with you to the park. For the first ten […]

Dealing With Unwanted Dog Jumping

 in Dog Behavior Problems by
how-to-stop-a-dog-from-jumping
  So how to stop a dog from jumping up at you or at your visitors? Dogs seems to be obsessed with face-to-face contact, wanting to lick and nudge our faces and mouths with theirs. This is rather like our preoccupation with shaking people’s hands when we meet them. Between […]

How To Stop A Dog From Jumping

 in Dog Behavior Problems by
how-to-prevent-play-biting-in-dogs
  There’s a few things you can do to prevent play biting in dogs. From day one, avoid playing any games that involve mouthing. If your puppy tries to solicit attention from you by play biting, ignore him. Just get up and walk away. Alternatively, take hold of the puppy […]

How To Prevent Play Biting In Dogs

 in Play Biting by
aggression-in-dogs
  Many dog owners are asking the same question: why is my dog aggressive? Let’s look in more detail at the many factors that can contribute to or exacerbate aggression in dogs. Lack Of Socialization This cause of aggression is very common. It’s comes about because of poor socialization between […]

Why Is My Dog Aggressive?

 in Dealing With Dog Aggression by
aggression-in-dogs
  Preventing aggression in dogs is much easier than correcting it later on. There are many different reasons why puppies display aggressive behavior, but all aggressive dogs should be handled with the help of a professional. Aggression in dogs can occur when they trying to escape from a frightening situation. […]

Aggression In Dogs

 in Dealing With Dog Aggression by
fear-aggression-in-dogs
  Though fear aggression can be inherited, it mostly occurs as a result of poor early socialization or an early trauma in puppyhood. Most fearful dogs become aggressive as they mature, though not all do. There are still too many breeders who do not like letting puppies go to other […]

Fear Aggression Toward People

 in Aggression Toward People by
dog-beds
  Dog beds can provide your Chihuahua with soft, comfortable place to lie down. Until your puppy is house trained and past the chewing stage, however, you should place the dog bed in a common area of your home where you can supervise. You should not place the bed in […]

Dog beds and crates

 in Dog Behavior Problems by
houseline-for-dogs
  In addition to a basic leash and a long leash, houselines and yardlines are essential puppy training tools. They allow an owner to easily gain control of their puppy without having to chase the puppy around. They are also useful for discouraging unwanted behavior, such as stopping a puppy […]

Houselines And Yardlines

 in Dog Behavior Problems by
how-to-stop-dog-aggression
  Now we have a better understanding of how and why some dogs behave in an aggressive manner toward people, we need to adopt a program to demote the problem dog psychologically, and at the same time implement practical training routines that quickly teach the dog that it will have […]

How To Stop Dog Aggression

 in Aggression Toward People by
house-obedience-training
  Few dog owners realize that obedience training should be practiced using a leash and collar in the home. The home is where many of the problems with dominant dogs crop up, yet people will happily go off to a club once a week to learn training and may even […]

House Obedience Training

 in Aggression Toward People by
general-causes-of-separation-anxiety
  This problem nearly always arises when a puppy is spoiled or not conditioned to accept an appropriate routine. As a youngster, it may have been allowed to sleep in its owner’s bedroom and received constant attention, or its cute and cuddly appearance may have attracted excessive fussing from visitors […]

General Causes Of Separation Anxiety

 in Separation Anxiety by
barking-dog
  For dogs barking is a natural form of communication. A dog would hardly be a dog if it didn’t bark sometimes. However, excessive barking can become a quite a big problem. There are several reasons for excessive barking or howling. Some owners encourage a puppy to bark, to develop […]

Preventing Excessive Barking

 in Dealing With Barking by
chihuahua chewing problems
Dealing with Chihuahua chewing problems is probably the biggest challenge what most Chihuahua owners have to face with. If there’s one thing puppies are known for, it’s their ability to destroy expensive shoes in a matter of minutes. Chihuahuas chew for many reasons – teething, instinct and to explore new […]

Chihuahua Chewing Problems

 in Destructive Behavior by
destructive-behavior-in-dogs
  Coming in to find your dog munching on your favorite slippers is not everyone’s idea of the ideal owner-dog relationship. Of course, from the dog’s point of view there’s nothing wrong with chewing tasty leather or soft material – it’s only natural to investigate objects by smell and taste, […]

Why Are Some Dogs Destructive?

 in Destructive Behavior by
puppy-biting
  Puppy biting is probably one of the most common behavior problems. For puppies, the best way to explore the world around them is to examine every new object by putting it in their mouths. Although nipping and mouthing is normal, young puppies may have difficulty controlling the strength of […]

How To Stop Puppy Biting

 in Play Biting by
possessive-dog-behavior
  Have you ever seen a dog growl, freeze or snap to protect their food? Puppies learn this possessive behavior, also called resource guarding, when they are very young. Some puppies become assertive to protect their food and toys from their litter mates. Most puppies, however, don’t behave this way […]

Preventing Possessive Behavior

 in Dealing With Dog Aggression by
anxiety-related-barking
  Many dogs are over attached to their owners and appear to be incapable of spending time on their own. Use the following methods on such dogs to change their view of spending time alone. It is normal in human society for people to spend time alone. Wolf society is […]

Anxiety Related Barking

 in Dealing With Barking by
  If your Chihuahua is prone to motion sickness, your veterinarian can prescribe medications to help your dog cope with stop and go traffic, long drives, and the monotony of all-day confinement. If you own a vehicle and your dog is not used to long-distance travel, take him on short […]

Traveling By Car

 in Traveling With Your Chihuahua by
travelling-with-a-chihuahua
  Each airline has different policies regarding travel with pets. Nearly all charge a fee. Before paying for a reservation, call the airline to determine its pet policy. Remember, airline policies are subject to change without notice. Because of the Chihuahua’s small size, he may avoid being checked as baggage. […]

Traveling By Air

 in Traveling With Your Chihuahua by
pet-sitters
  The best person to watch your Chihuahua in your absence is a close friend or relative. A Chihuahua is most comfortable in his own home. If that is not possible, consider either a kennel, house sitter, or day care. Boarding kennels, reputable pet sitters, and day cares all require […]

Finding Pet Sitters

 in Traveling With Your Chihuahua by