Sometimes waiting for your Chi to produce the desired behavior on her own may take too long. In this case, using food lures to shape your Chihuahua into position can be very effective and is absolutely nonconfrontational and nonthreatening. A really good example of using a food lure to shape a behavior is the sit. […]
Year: 2017
Chihuahuas love other Chihuahuas. Whether they’re long haired or short haired, if that dog is a Chihuahua, your Chihuahua is likely to want to engage her in some good old wild Chihuahua play. Introducing two Chis to each other is therefore rarely a problem. The Chihuahuas will want to sniff each other to check each […]
You’ve found a breeder you think you like. Now what? One of the best predictors of a Chihuahua’s temperament and personality is the temperament and personality of the Chihuahua’s parents. Temperament is roughly 60 percent inherited, which means pups are born with a predisposition to be easygoing, nervous, timid, or aggressive. The other 40 percent […]
The Chihuahua is often considered a relatively healthy breed. This may have been true prior to the most recent surge in popularity, and it still may be true of many well-bred lines of Chihuahuas. However, today the average Chihuahua has at least as many genetic diseases and chronic disorders as most other breeds.
Knowing what makes for a good Chihuahua breeder and actually finding one can be two different stories. A few reputable breeders do advertise litters in the newspaper from time to time, but most don’t. Newspaper advertising tends to draw a wide range of potential puppy buyers, and many breeders frankly don’t want to have to […]
We all have the same dilemma when it comes to purchasing a new dog; Whom we should go to in order to find a quality Chihuahua puppy? As the saying goes, quality begets quality. In other words, find a quality breeder and you will find quality dogs. For those who have not been dog fanciers […]
It doesn’t matter that the Chihuahua puppy has a small mouth, she’s got teeth. And is able to bite quite hard. Before her milk teeth fall out and her adult teeth grow in, your Chihuahua’s teeth are quite sharp. Adding to your problem is the very nature of a puppy. These guys are very oral […]
If you’ve purchased a new dog or adopted an adult rescue, you want initially to introduce her to your Chihuahua, which should go as smoothly as possible. One of the best ways to introduce two dogs to each other is in neutral territory. For example, try to have the pair meet in a park or […]
Teaching your Chihuahua to come when called will not only save a lot of frustration, it could also save your Chihuahua’s life someday. Countless pet owners retell stories of narrow misses when a dog or puppy got loose and only avoided a car accident or encounter with an aggressive dog because she actually came when […]
The best training collar for your Chihuahua will be one that fits well – in other words, that she can’t slip out of – but that is still comfortable and will not hurt her or restrict her delicate windpipe. Here’s some of the more common types of training collars used with Chihuahuas.
Whether you choose crate training or another method of house training for your Chihuahua, a crate is an incredibly useful and versatile item for most dog owners. For a Chihuahua owner, it is a handy method of transportation that helps keep your dog safe during travel, whether you are taking a quick ride in the […]
Many breeders recommend choosing a harness instead of a collar for your Chihuahua due to the dog’s particularly small and fragile trachea (windpipe). This, combined with their excitable nature, can cause a Chihuahua to wheeze excessively. This seemingly uncontrollable gagging sound can easily frighten a new Chihuahua owner. Many dogs also seem to prefer the […]
Before bringing home a newly adopted Chihuahua, make sure that you lock away all the common household items that could present some dangers to your dog. Some of the necessary tasks of puppy-proofing a house or apartment are quite similar to those of expectant parents preparing their home for a baby’s arrival. Like babies, young […]
Although this breed is highly adaptable, one thing to which a Chihuahua should not have to adjust is being alone for extended periods of time. Does this mean you are not a suitable Chihuahua owner if you work? Certainly not. For most people work is a necessary part of life. Americans work more than anyone […]
Teaching your Chihuahua to respond to basic commands is the obvious benefit of training. Including these training skills into your daily life will make your interaction with your dog a success!! For example, perhaps your Chihuahua regularly launches into a barking frenzy when the doorbell rings. Chihuahuas are naturally territorial, and this may have begun […]
The difference between practicing obedience skills with your Chihuahua at home or as part of a class and competing in formal obedience trials may be subtle to some owners, while quite significant to others. Your perspective may largely depend on both your own personality and the general temperament of your dog. A Chihuahua should be […]