Monthly Archives: March 2013

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
dog-barking
  Most dogs love cars and all the accompanying excitement of going for a drive. They associate cars with fun-being with you, going on a hunt, a walk in the park. Riding in the car has all the visual stimulus of a hunt, with other dogs and animals flashing by. […]

Barking In The Car

 in Dealing With Barking by
  What’s more fun than watching a puppy play? Watching several puppies frolic together and then your Chi being invited to join in. This treat awaits you after your dog has been immunized and can safely attend puppy kindergarten. When your puppy is between 4 and 6 months old, she’s […]

Attending Puppy Kindergarten

 in Socializing Chihuahua Dogs by
coat-care-for-chihuahuas
  Grooming your Chi’s coat daily is ideal, but if that isn’t possible, make three times a week the bare minimum. Caring for his coat gives you a chance to look for lumps and bruises, scratches and skin infections, and for signs of external parasites like fleas and ticks. Everything […]

Coat Care For Chihuahuas

 in Grooming A Chihuahua by
dog-dental-care
  It is very important to start your dog dental care as early as possible to avoid later complications such as gum disease. According to the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), 80% of adult dogs develop gum disease by the time they’re 3 years old. That is outrageous and unnecessary. […]

Dental Care For Chihuahuas

 in Grooming A Chihuahua by
cutting-dog-toenails
  A Chihuahua’s toenails are too long if they make clicking noises on the floor when he walks or touch the ground when he stands still. Dogs with long nails are forced to walk on the backs of their feet, leading to splayed toes and an awkward gait. When untrimmed […]

Cutting Dog Toenails

 in Grooming A Chihuahua by
bathing a chihuahua
  Your Chihuahua seldom needs a bath if you brush him regularly. And that’s a good thing. Shampooing washes away the natural oils that moisturize his coat and skin, so bathe your Chi only when necessary- no more than once a month, unless he rolls in something smelly. Actually, many […]

Bathing A Chihuahua

 in Grooming A Chihuahua by
puppy-mouthing
  Here we list a few common questions with answers to it, what most dog owners are having problem with. Some of these questions are related to different dog behavior issues, dog health issues and other general problems. How do I correct my puppy after an accident? You can’t. You […]

Common Dog Related Questions

 in Dog Related by
cleaning your chihuahuas ears
  Bath time is an excellent opportunity for ear cleaning, but it should not be the only time for this task. Unlike a human’s, the dog ear canal is L-shaped, creating a moist environment that is both difficult to properly clean and especially susceptible to infection. Ear problems are uncommon […]

Cleaning Your Chihuahua’s Ears

 in Grooming A Chihuahua by
dog sports
  There’s a wide-open field for different types of dog sports. Purebreds and mixed breeds compete against each other for a prize or national title. Other times they do it just for fun. Whether your dog performs flawlessly to the applause of hundreds or stumbles on the course, he must […]

Popular Dog Sports

 in Chihuahua Sports And Activities by
reducing-dependence-in-dogs
  If your puppy starts to cry when it’s alone in its pen, wait until silence occurs, then go in and make a mild fuss, but not too much, otherwise you may encourage separation anxiety. Don’t let the dog think that every time you come to its area it will […]

Reducing Dependence

 in Separation Anxiety by
  Sometimes your Chihuahua may exhibit a dry, honking cough after excitement or play. After exercise or a big burst of excitement, your Chi might have labored breathing, be overly fatigued, even faint. The honking cough and these other clinical signs suggest your dog may have a tracheal collapse. This […]

Tracheal Collapse In Chihuahuas

 in Chihuahua Health Problems by
dog-agility
  Agility has quickly become an exciting pastime in the US for many dogs and owners, as well as a mass of intrigued  onlookers. Developed in England in the late 1970s, the sport was first recognized by the AKC in 1994. Dog agility resembles equestrian jumping competitions. It is conducted […]

Dog Agility

 in Chihuahua Sports And Activities by
flyball for dogs
  In the 1970s a group of dog trainers added tennis balls to an obedience and scent-discrimination exercise. At first the addition seemed like no big deal, but dogs and their owners picked up on the intensity of the new sport, and it slowly built up a steady fan base. […]

Flyball For Dogs

 in Chihuahua Sports And Activities by
physical limits for chihuahuas
  Although Chihuahuas can generally do anything a larger breed can, there are some dogs that should not be involved in certain physical activities. Puppies less than eight months old should avoid rigorous jumping, as the landing process can easily injure their immature legs. Overweight dogs can also easily injure […]

Physical Limits For Chihuahuas

 in Chihuahua Sports And Activities by
chihuahuas as therapy dogs
  Pet therapy , also known as animal assisted therapy, has come a long way since the 1960s. Patients with problem behaviors displayed improvements when the dog was present. Today four-footed therapists provide therapy in hospitals, long-term care centers, schools, day care centers, domestic violence shelters, and crisis nurseries. Therapy […]

Chihuahuas As Therapy Dogs

 in Chihuahua Sports And Activities by
  Developed in 1989 by the American Kennel Club (AKC), the Canine Good Citizen test is a ten-step program that evaluates all breeds for temperament, behavior, obedience, and other relevant skills. Dogs do not have to be agility champs or show stars to earn a certificate either. Any well-mannered dog, […]

Canine Good Citizen Test

 in Chihuahua Sports And Activities by
submissive-urination-in-chihuahuas
When you come home, does your dog greet you happily but with a hint of shyness, while squatting and dribbling several drops of urine? That’s called submissive urination. Though often mistaken for a house training problem, this is really an anxiety problem and has nothing to do with house training […]

Submissive Urination In Chihuahuas

 in Training A Chihuahua by
patellar-luxation-in-chihuahuas
Quite common among Chihuahuas, bad knees known as Patellar luxation (slipped kneecap), an orthopedic problem, is one of the most common causes of lameness. It’s usually caused by abnormalities in the patella ( a flat, movable bone at the front of the knee) and is a hereditary disorder. Generally, the […]

Patellar Luxation In Chihuahuas

 in Chihuahua Health Problems by
aggressive-chihuahua-behavior
Many times you ask yourself: why is my Chihuahua aggressive towards me? Aggressive Chihuahua behavior in many cases may extend beyond the food dish. Some Chihuahuas demand sole ownership of their favorite chairs, their end of sofa, or even their snuggle spots on the bed. And when anyone tries to […]

Why Is My Chihuahua Aggressive?

 in Training A Chihuahua by
outdoor-dogs
  Chihuahuas are generally not outdoor dogs. Although they enjoy taking leisurely walks with their owners and romping outside on sunny days, they typically prefer cuddles to hike -and whether seeking love or warmth, often prefer to be touching you. Chihuahuas are extremely vulnerable to cold weather, their size and […]

Indoors or Outdoors?

 in Characteristics Of The Chihuahua by