As soon as your Chihuahua arrives, establish a potty-training routine. The number of times you head to your dog’s potty spot each day will depend on his age and current level of house training. Some Chihuahua puppies begin house training while they are still with their breeders. A rescued Chihuahua may already be fully house […]
There’s a list of different household dangers you need to be aware, before deciding to bring home a Chihuahua. These dangers can be: electrical cords, power cords to computers, squeeze-in spaces, dropped paper clips and push pins, rodent and roach poisons, kitty litter, teetering objects that could fall. You must be ever vigilant to watch […]
A simple way to keep your Chihuahua safe from chemicals stored in lower cabinet is to install door and drawer locks. These can be found inexpensively at any baby-supply store and are a good answer to those owning inquisitive, problem-solving Chihuahuas. These chemicals includes dishwashing liquids or detergents, wood polishers, floor cleansers or waxes, caustic […]
Many different kinds of foods have been noted for their ability to make dogs ill, and some can be lethal even in small amounts. The risk of becoming ill from ingesting a substance is much higher in the Chihuahua than in dogs of greater body weights. A small amount of food that might make a […]
When flying disks first appeared in the 1950s, it wasn’t long before they became favorite toys for dogs as well as people. They have plenty of advantages for dogs; the curve in their flight makes them less predictable to chase and catch than a ball, and they’re easy to throw a long way. Give your […]
Whether you work full time and need regular daycare for your dog or you take a single vacation a year, you will need someone to look after your Chihuahua when you cannot. If you have a responsible friend or family member with whom you feel comfortable leaving your dog when you’re away, you might be […]
Many veterinarians suggest having your dog tattooed or microchipped, as well—so he can be conclusively identified for the rest of his life. If your Chihuahua is ever lost or stolen and taken to a veterinarian, shelter, or animal control agency, he will be checked for a tattoo and scanned for a microchip. A tattoo for […]
Having more than one dog can be a wonderful experience, but it’s not a perfect situation for everyone. Before you add a second (or third or fourth) Chihuahua to your canine pack, make sure you know the pros and cons of living with multiple dogs. What could be more fun than a pack of Chihuahuas? […]
Chihuahuas aren’t the worst breed when it comes to running away from every means of containment possible. They simply can’t scale fences, jump as high, or bite and pull as hard as many of the larger breeds. Chihuahuas are, however, very athletic, and they often exceed their owner’s estimations, making almost impossible to stop an […]
Chihuahuas do enjoy hunting and chasing after little critters, such as the favored lizard. If a critter goes down a hole, the Chi may attempt to go after it by digging. Not having buckets for paws (as some breeds do), the Chihuahua is not very efficient at moving large amounts of earth in short periods […]
A ball is the absolute best toy, and classic “fetch” is one of the most enjoyable games you can play with your Chihuahua. Some Chihuahuas may need some extra encouragement. Start by playing indoors and throwing the ball only a few feet at first. Arm yourself with two or three balls, so that you can […]
Beyond weight and diet, if your Chihuahua is sedentary, elderly, or has developed back or joint problems or any condition, such as hip dysplasia, get him checked before you embark on a fitness program. Most dogs can increase their activity levels without any problem, but particular activities sometimes need to be approached with caution or […]
The worst mistake you can make in house training a Chihuahua is to call or drag your Chi over to an accident and scold her. Doing this does nothing to speed up her learning; it only teaches her not to come when you call her. In the case of collaring her and dragging her over […]
You’re walking your Chihuahua on leash and another person approaches you with their dog, also on leash. Your Chihuahua hits the end of the leash, rears up on her hind legs, and begins lunging, snapping, barking, and snarling. What do you do? First, count your blessings that the other dog, which outweighs your dog by […]
When you want to answer the front door without your dog’s assistance and just want your Chihuahua to be elsewhere, it’s useful to teach him to go to his bed or crate and stay there for a few minutes. The challenge here is that you’ll be telling your dog to leave his place at the […]
Teach your Chihuahua to balance a treat on his paw and wait to eat it until he’s told he can. If you’ve got a Chihuahua with extra-good balance and excellent self-control, there are also some tips on how to teach the more difficult version of this trick. An accomplished dog may learn to balance a […]
Dogs use their noses over and above their other senses. Setting up a scent track activity for your Chihuahua will be a piece of cake. Lay a scent trail for your dog to follow with a payoff at the end. A scent trail needs setting up in advance, but don’t leave it more than ten […]
This exercise gives your Chihuahua the opportunity to find hidden treats in increasingly hard to access places. Instead of hiding treats around the room, you’re going to try a succession of upturned cups and bowls, boxes, and so on to test his ingenuity in actually accessing the treats. The simplest versions of this game don’t […]
This exercise teaches your Chihuahua to bring his bowl to you at dinnertime. If you practice it before a mealtime, his motivation to learn will be much stronger. Make sure before you start that his bowl is one he can easily pick up, something made from light and sturdy molded plastic in a shape he […]
