Chihuahua dogs can make wonderful pets! 

And Chihuahua dog adoption is an easy way to bring one into your home. Before you do though, it’s very important to understand both the Pros and the Cons of ownership before proceeding adoption or rescue.

The Pros:

• Chihuahuas are adorable.  They are the perpetual puppy.
•  These little guys are perfect for apartment dwellers. Because of their pocket size, an apartment provides plenty of room for a Chihuahua to move around during the day.  You’ll still need to take them out for walks though!
• Known for being “yappy”, Chihuahua’s make great watchdogs.  They are territorial, and although not physically frightening, their consistent warning alarm can be very foreboding for a potential burglar.
• Chihuahua puppies can be taught to use a litter box or artificial grass area.  This is a huge advantage in the middle of the night or on a rainy day!  There is also a wonderful Dog Training Pad that can be purchased that uses “puppy pads” that are scented to encourage your puppy to go.
• The short hair variety are easy to groom. The long hair type isn’t that difficult either. They need to be bathed and have their nails clipped monthly, but that is about it.
• In general, when these little guys have good health and feel loved and cared for by their owners, they have a long lifespan.  They can live anywhere from 10-14 years.

The Cons:

• Due to their tiny size, Chihuahuas can injure easily. Owners must be very careful not to step on, drop or drop something on top of their little Chi.
•  Chihuahuas and toddlers don’t mix. Young children may not realize how fragile they are, or may think it is a toy. It’s easy to accidentally drop or step on one. Care must always be taken due to their being so fragile.
• These dogs do not like cold weather.  They are considered “hairless” and they are true heat-seekers. Most Chi’s hate cold or wet weather and will do just about anything to avoid it.  Care must be taken to ensure your dog has a COVERED bed to snuggle in and warm clothes if brought outside in bad weather.  We like this one.  We like this one best because the top part of the bed, the cover, is heavy enough for the dog to burrow for warmth, and it stays covered.  Some others are too light and do not stay covered.  Or they have a foam insert and it doesn’t actually cover the dog well.

• Same as number 3 above, these guys due tend to bark – A LOT.  If you live close to neighbors, or can’t tolerate the “warnings”, then this breed may not be your best choice.

Generally, Chihuahuas are friendly, cuddly and fun!  Take care to ensure they are the right choice for your family.  They are one of the most popular breeds abandoned to shelters.  This can be avoided with doing your adoption homework before bringing a  puppy home.

Chiwawa Dogs

Chihuahua puppies! What could be cuter? They are so cute and so tiny.  How can you possibly housebreak a dog that is this small?  Let’s take a look at housebreaking your Chihuahua and see how easy it can be. A little helpful fact to note, chiwawa dogs greatly dislike going outside to do their business during anything but warm, sunny weather. And, they can be down right stubborn to go out to potty if it’s raining.

With crate training or pen training you’ll be housebreaking your Chihuahua the easy way. 

Your puppy’s crate should be large enough for the adult dog to stand, sit and stretch out. For your new puppy, it might work best if you start out with a smaller crate. The key goal is to teach your new baby that you don’t mess where you sleep and eat. Ideally, you will place the crate in an area where you will be spending the most time.

Your chiwawa is a pack animal, and he needs to feel part of your family activities.

Place the crate in the kitchen or family room. There are wonderful, inexpensive crates and portable pens that are easy to move with you from room to room. It may seem to be a lot of work, but in the long run, your dog will be well balanced and want to please YOU, his pack leader.

After making the crate comfy, enclose the puppy in his crate at regular one-to-two-hour intervals, and whenever he must be left alone, for up to three or four hours. Then, take him out to a designated outside spot, or “potty pad” area, and say a word like “make” or “potty” and then wait.

When he does as you asked, praise him well!

If possible, at night the crate should go in your bedroom. Not only does this provide comfort to the puppy, it will teach your dog that the pack sleeps here, all night. And in the day we are active. If there is any fussing, you’re there to deal with it. It may seem mean if you are not used to this routine, however your puppy will come to really enjoy his quiet space in his “den” and will willingly go to it upon your request.

Pen training can be done, however it can be harder to train a chiwawa that has been kept in a playpen. This is due to the fact that they have already become accustomed to peeing and pooping in their living/sleeping quarters and it is a hard habit to break.

Try not to take your pup out of his crate when he is whining. This will teach him to do it more, as he has been rewarded for it. Wait until he stops fussing and is calm before you take him out. You can give him a special chew toy or treat just for when he is in the crate. And be sure to include a blanket for your chiwawai baby. They are always on the cold side and love to dig underneath to make a warm den for themselves.

Be sure to give lots of praise when he’s inside his crate, lengthening the periods you leave him in.

Remember, putting your dog into a crate does not of itself house train a dog. To be successful, you want to prevent your puppy from making mistakes, and that means you must be consistent and attentive to your dog. Many people punish a dog for pooping in the house, and they never provide any positive praise when it goes outside. Please praise your baby well when he hits his target outside.

To prevent surprises, don’t let your pup have the run of the house. He needs you to watch him 100% of the time, just as you would a new baby. If you must leave the room, even for a phone call, he goes with you. Just crate him or take him with you.

With consistency and patience your new Chiwawa baby will be potty trained in no time. All the effort you provide in these first few weeks will provide rewards for years to come.

Chiwawa Dogs

They are so cute!  And yet you hear yourself saying: “I don’t know how to do this….he’s too small. How To Train My Chihuahua? Help!”  Let’s take a look at some Chihuahua training tips to get you rolling.

Of course due to its tiny size, you must treat your little guy differently than if he was a larger breed. Also, due to it’s smaller size some Chihuahuas startle very easily, and you might startle too if a gigantic human was looming over you in a threatening manor. Since we can be a bit intimidating to such a tiny guy, maybe just putting yourself down on the ground with your student might be the best way to begin. Once he is comfortable with you, and your different tones of voice, you’ll find it’s an easy segue way to more vertical training standing up. Although, since you are training a Chi, there will always lots of bending over to reward and praise your baby.

Chihuahuas are very intelligent and they want to please their owners. Nevertheless, if you are trying to train a dog that is timid, or perhaps previously mishandled, you may be required to be a bit more patient with your Chi.

I have personally tried a technique called “Clicker Training” with my little puppy, Frisco. Clicker training, just as it sounds, uses a little plastic “clicker” as a signal to your dog of positive reinforcement. There are many books which claim it is very effective. It is said to be more effective than providing tasty treats. However, to me it was just a replacement for saying “good dog” and a nice pat on the head. Also, if I didn’t happen to have the clicker in my pocket, Frisco, would look at me like, “Well, where’s my “good dog” click sound/”. So, for me, I just use regular old verbal reinforcement, and the occasional treat in my pocket as a surprise.

One of the areas where a Chi dog needs to receive training that is frequently overlooked is socialization. A Chihuahua must be exposed to other dogs and people as early as possible. It is best to teach your pet how to socialize when he is still very young. They may be timid, but it’s important. When socializing your pet to mingle with other dogs, please always be nearby, because your little Chi may be socialized, but the other dog may not. And take it slow, you want this process to be a good experience for your dog.

Here are some ideas on ways to begin to socialize your Chi:

• Ask your friends to come over and meet your pet.

• Bring your pet to crowded places.

• Take your dog with you while driving in the car

• Get him used to being bathed and brushed regularly.

• Expose your little guy to any experience that you might want him to feel comfortable being surrounded by.

Gentle training is necessary if you want your Chiwawa dog to grow up as a well-balanced pet. You can still and should discipline your dog of course, but you must show a lot of gentleness, patience and love. Obviously, never do anything that can hurt your puppy such as slapping, kicking or pinching. Being so small, these dogs are  fragile with tiny bones. He may act tough, but if you treat him rough, he might even develop anxiety or aggression. You don’t want that.

Look for opportunities to say “Good Dog!” and reward your dog for his good behavior. He will enjoy small treats and praise.  If you start your training early, before 3 months, with consistency and care you will soon see a well behaved Chiwawa dog looking back at you very soon!

Chiwawa Dogs