“Wait” and “Let’s Go” are basic training exercises for dogs. As with “Sit” and “Down”, if your Chihuahua already knows these exercises but in a slightly different form, don’t confuse him by reteaching them. Incorporate them into your daily teaching session using the cues and methods he knows.
It’s probable that “Sit and Down”, “Wait”, and “Let’s Go” were the first things you taught your Chihuahua – even if you used different cue words – but it’s good to build them into your routine along with games or tricks. It is better to make sure that your pet stays responsive and reacts promptly […]
There’s certain rules you need to follow if you want to be successful at teaching your Chihuahua. Your dog won’t differentiate between exercises and play if he’s having fun. To make sure that your training time together is both enjoyable and useful, get into good habits and stick to them.
Is your Chihuahua obsessed over a certain toy? Sometimes a dog will become completely obsessed over a particular item, usually a toy. This isn’t the same as having a favorite toy that he enjoys carrying around and perhaps taking to bed with him, or being excited by a game of “Fetch” or football.
What toys to use when playing with your Chihuahua? For many of the games and exercises, you’ll need some toys, preferably ones that your Chihuahua is already interested in. Whether he already has a box full of toys with plenty of favorites or prefers a found toy, such as an empty plastic bottle, most play […]
Chihuahuas have limited options when it comes to carry something: they can hold things in their mouth or not at all. When playing with toys, “Take It” is the cue for your Chihuahua to take the toy from your hand and hold it in his mouth. Over time, you can extend it to encourage your […]
A treasure hunt for treats with your Chi can make a popular break in between some serious training exercises. Limit the game to one room. Set it up before your daily session, shut the door, then take your dog there when he’s completed something difficult.
“Play Dead and Roll Over” is a party trick that is easy to teach your Chihuahua, who will be happy to show off in front of your friends. Its purpose is simply for him to do what you want him to do, in exchange for treats and praise, naturally.
According to Chihuahua rescues, the number-one behavior problem they see with dogs coming into rescue is fearfulness. The level of a dog’s fear can range from pronounced cautiousness to such terror that it causes the release of its bladder and bowels.
There’s a variety of training methods you can choose from, when it comes to your Chihuahua.The question is which training method will fit the best for your little friend. Not only do dog owner temperaments and personalities differ, but so do dogs. Breed heritages differ, too.
Training your Chihuahua to eliminate indoors can be convenient if you live in a high-rise apartment or have a tiny or small dog. Puppies normally have to eliminate as soon as they wake, so rushing a puppy down fifteen flights to get outside is problematic.
Just like children, Chihuahuas need toys. Dogs love to play, and Chihuahuas are no exception. From providing a proper outlet for chewing to thrilling your dog with an enticing squeak when they are pounced on, toys can be very important possessions.
Knowing what kinds of things trigger a Chi’s need to relieve herself can help, too, in knowing whether you crate your Chihuahua or if you need to give her a quick walk. In general, Your Chihuahua will need to relieve herself at the following times:
How do you know when you need to bring your Chihuahua to the vet? One way is to do a quick at-home physical exam of your pet’s health. Start by checking out the top five visuals: energy, coat and skin quality, nail strength, eye brightness, and nose luster.
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 […]
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. […]
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 […]
