Dachshund and Chihuahua House Training Dilemma

I use Dachshund and Chihuahua as a foundation for starters because my little dog, Hollie, I believe is part Dachshund and part Chihuahua. When I found her at a rescue, the information I received was that she was a four month old miniature Dachshund. But as she grew her legs got very long and her belly area became more concaved like a Chihuahua. I also found her mannerisms to be mixed between the two breeds as well. This included the dilemma of housebreaking.

Because the Dachshund is a strong working dog, they have a very willful personality. This tends to make them stubborn and/or independent. Although the Dachshund is trainable they may not be easy to train. As a matter of fact the Dachshund may attempt to train its trainer. The owner of this breed needs to be comfortable letting the dog know just who the “leader of the pack” really is. The stubborn temperament of this dog makes them resistant and not the easiest to house train. With positive and continual scheduling the Dachshund does learn and with a determined owner the Dachshund will develop the training quickly.

The fact that Chihuahuas are so small makes house training them a little challenging. Chihuahuas can hide under furniture or sneak into corners unnoticed and leave little surprise piles to be found at a later date. Patience will be needed in the house training process of this dog. The Chihuahua will learn quickly with positive reinforcement training. Some owners never get their Chihuahuas fully house trained especially in bad weather. The Chihuahua does not like the cold and tends to shiver. They do not like to get their feet wet so going outside to damp grown or wet grass deter the Chihuahua from going outside to potty.

In either dog breed there are two recommended training methods to house training your dog. The first is to crate train or confinement train your dog. The second is to paper or puppy pad train your dog. In either case, consistency is the essential key. Once a bad habit starts, it is much harder to break and retrain your dog.

Hollie, my Dachshund-Chihuahua has a little of both temperaments which has made house training her quite the challenge. She was originally paper trained when I got her. As she got a little older I put her in a pen during the day with a doggie door access to the outside. Hollie would use the carpet piece just inside the door as her potty. She did not like the grass because she was so small that the grass rubbed her belly. When the grass was watered she did not like getting her feet wet. So, when she did go outside she would use the patio instead of the grass and the carpet piece right outside the door as her potty. When she visited other homes she would go to another room and leave the owner a little surprise in the corners even though they had a doggie door she was able to use. As last winter set in the pen was too cold to keep her in and she was given a little more room to roam so to speak. Now she thinks the throw rugs are her bathroom area.

With this frustration at hand, I set out to find some answers. I never had a dog previously that had these issues. Once introduced to the doggie door the rest was a done deal. Not with Hollie! I found a training for dogs that has helped me to overcome Hollie’s behavior issues.

Identifying the Right Chihuahua Breeders

Identifying the right Chihuahua breeders is not easy. As for the dog itself, you might have seen the Chihuahua on the cover of some tabloid magazine being held close by a celebrity. But the drift is not that, the point is that the Chihuahua, rooted from a small place in Mexico, is one of the more famous dogs around. Given more airtime than some boy bands, the famous little tyke of breeds has shown its famous face and tiny body in many Hollywood movies, in TV shows and even in comic strips.

If you choose to purchase one of these Chihuahua’s, then you need to know how to identify the right Chihuahua breeds, the ones that fits your needs and what you expect out of a dog. The Chihuahua is truly your best friend and will be with you all the way. It is also known to be an extremely jealous and sometimes over protective dog, but this is because of the fact that much of it is due to the almost instant emotional connection the dog has with it owner.

The breed of Chihuahua will set the scene for many things, as some breeds are more excitable than others, while others are much more temperamental. Some breeds even require special care that includes caring for their health when they are transported from their normal environments to your home.

Choosing the right Chihuahua breeds also depend a lot on you. Are you living alone or do you have a family? If you do have a family, does it consist of many infants or small children? Where do you stay? It also depends a lot on the climate conditions of your country as Chihuahua are usually used to warm climates. Transporting them to the fringes of Alaska is usually not a good idea.

Another thing, where you live is also very important. The type of breed that you will purchase depends on factors like if you live in a high rise apartment or if you live in a landed house with a large field. Try to find a breed that is not so energetic if you are staying in a rather small apartment, or if you do have an extensive backyard to offer them, then you might consider those with high energy levels and a higher tendency to run around a lot.

Also, you must understand that owning a Chihuahua is not well suited to those who have a lot of kids in their company. Because of their size, they are more than likely to get frightened, especially with strange infants who start to play with them and this will make them react in the most natural way they know how – which is to bite.

Don’t let the size of the dog fool you, Chihuahua’s are known for their ferocity and loyal devotion. Choosing the right Chihuahua breeders is really about matching your needs with the realities of owning this cute but fierce dog. Once you are able to find the right balance between situation and price, then you will be able to find the right Chihuahua for you.

Raising a Chihuahua – Free Tips

Raising a Chihuahua is a fun and challenging time. Chihuahua’s are very loyal, loving and very stubbornly smart dogs. So when you are raising a Chihuahua it can very much test your patients.

Chihuahua’s are temperament and can be neurotic if not raised correctly. So it pays to do your research before you own a Chi, to make sure that you know what is expected while you are raising a Chihuahua.

Toilet training is a big issue for Chi’s. As they hate the cold and wet, they are happy to go wherever they want. As they are stubborn when it comes to toilet training it does pay to get training advice that is Chihuahua related. This way you know how to get the best out of your Chi.

As they are small and have low body fat they do get cold and will shiver a lot. They usually are happy to wear a jumper or jacket to keep warm. They also tend to like burying themselves under blankets, clothing or even towels to sleep, so it pays to be careful where you stand or sit down.

Chihuahua’s suffer from health problems. The main one being low blood sugars, this means that you can not over exercise them and that they must have food to snack on available. Low blood sugars can kill your pup or adult dog.

As they are small they are easily hurt and small children tend to be rough with animals so it pays to have larger dogs that won’t get hurt as easily.

If you have small children, then a Chihuahua is not the dog for you.

Tips On How To Give Your Chihuahua Pups The Proper Care

Small in stature, Chihuahuas are relatively fragile dogs. It is thus, important for owners of Chihuahuas to be equipped with proper knowledge and tips for caring for their Chihuahua pups. Care for Chihuahua pups covers many aspects and includes socialization, safety, nutrition and health. Responsible Chihuahua owners make a checklist on these aspects in order to ensure the overall well being of their Chihuahua pups.

As lively animals, Chihuahuas tend to come into constant contact with their owners, family members as well as other pets that its owner might have. It is necessary for Chihuahua owners to start socialization with their Chihuahua pups before they turn full grown. This is to ensure less aggressive behavior in the future when the Chihuahua pup turns into a full grown Chihuahua. Chihuahua owners should spend time familiarizing their Chihuahua pups to the surroundings and their living environments by letting the pup roam freely around the house and facilitating interaction with the family as well as other pets in the house. This would allow the Chihuahua puppy to adapt easily into its new living environment, preventing aggressive behavior in future.

Safety issues are a necessary area for Chihuahua owners to look into. Appliances around the home such as electrical outlets, cables and vases can present potential dangers to Chihuahua pups. Electrical outlets should be switched off and covered with plastic guards when not in use to prevent Chihuahua puppies from licking these dangerous areas. Cables should be shortened if possible, and kept when not in use to prevent the Chihuahua puppy from tripping over them. This is to prevent objects such as radios from crashing onto the puppy should it trip over such wires. In general, unstable objects should not be placed around the house to prevent death and injuries.

Chihuahua puppies should be given adequate nutrition with two meals a day. Dried dog food is preferable as it prefers tartar and plaque from accumulating in the young puppy’s teeth. Plenty of water should be given to ensure sufficient hydration and unfinished food should be disposed off after each meal to prefer the growth of bacteria and germs which might potentially cause illness to the Chihuahua pup. Sufficient nutrition is necessary in order to prevent illnesses and ensure healthy gum, skin and coat. Never ever feed your Chihuahua puppy with chocolate. Chocolates are harmful to Chihuahuas in any amount and may prove fatal if given in large amounts. Symptoms of chocolate poisoning include diarrhea, vomiting and excessive thirst. Do not hesitate to bring your Chihuahua puppy to the vet if such symptoms are observed.

Chihuahua owners who have a personal preference to feed their Chihuahua puppies with home cooked food should keep in mind that all food has to be cooked and should consist of a meat protein, carbohydrates and a vegetable. All food should be fully cooked and cooled before feeding. Popular meat choices include beef, lamb, chicken and pork while vegetables include carrot and peas. Grain choices vary according to culture. Popular choices include potatoes or rice.

Chihuahua puppies should be taken to regular visits to the vet. This is to ensure that the puppies are in good health, receiving adequate nutrition as well as for vaccination against illnesses such as Parvo. Relatively inexperienced Chihuahua owners should also get advice from the vet with regards to their Chihuahua pups well being. Regular walks are also necessary to ensure healthy development of the puppy’s limbs as well as to prevent obesity.

Raising a Chihuahua requires effort and commitment. While not an easy task, the process of doing so would definitely result in wonderful memories in time to come.

Taking Care of a Chihuahua and Why You Would Enjoy One

Having had dogs all my life yet I never thought much about them until that day I got my first long haired Chihuahua. And here it was, a small bundle of love. You will never forget that first moment you held him or her. Those big eyes will tell you that you are the person they want to live with.

Chihuahuas are love personified. They are dedicated to their owners and love to be held, played with, and as small as they are, they want to protect their owners. They have such acute hearing and eye-site that they will bark and let you know when someone or something approaches your home.

The first thing you will immediately need to learn is the proper care of your Chihuahua in the comfort of your own home, at your own pace. Select their food with care as they do not particularly like to change their food. Also, remember that they have very small teeth and if you are going to have dry food available for them be sure to pick the small puppy sized dry food.

Another must is to learn simple health tips which could potentially save your puppies life in an emergency.It would be beneficial to you to know as much about your puppy’s breed before you bring him or her home.

I know before I brought our Chihuahua home I was concerned about how our other dog would react. What a pleasant surprise! Our miniature mixed breed who is a mixture of poodle and rat terrier took to her new “sister” as her own puppy. It’s been a wonderful relationship for over five years.

Most importantly in my mind is for you to carefully select your new puppy from a licensed breeder, and have him or her checked out by your veterinarian after your and the new love of your life pick each other out. Believe me, Chihuahuas will pick you out just as you pick them out.

What a wonderful feeling when you come home and your new pet knows when you are coming to the door and is there wagging his/her tail and just waiting to see you and be picked up. There is no other breed like the Chihuahua you have in your life. Enjoy their wishes to kiss you and cuddle in your arms or on your lap. That makes life truly enjoyable.

Tips on How To Raise a Healthy Chihuahua

Being the smallest breed in the world comes with its fair share of health related problems, which is why raising a healthy chihuahua should be a priority for every loving chihuahua owner. However, taking some simple steps can help you raise a healthy chihuahua.

One problem chihuahuas have is that being so small makes them more susceptible to the dangerous effects of toxins. Unfortunately chihuahuas like to lick to taste things and can easily get into fertilizer, pesticides, and other household chemicals. Be sure to keep an eye on your chihuahua to keep them from eating toxic chemicals from the ground.

A daily walk is a must for every healthy chihuahua. Many chihuahuas get cooped up in their owners apartments, in their cage, or just stuck inside the house and don’t get the needed exercise their body requires. Chihuahuas, like all dogs, have their primal instinct to run around and play. If you deny your chihuahua of this it can cause other health related problems. So take your chihuahua for a walk or if you have a fenced in area, let them run around and play.

Be sure not to overfeed your chihuahua. As unusual as this may sound, there is a growing epidemic of overweight chihuahuas. This is a serious health problem which can cause diabetes and decrease your chihuahuas life expectancy. When choosing chihuahua food you should also avoid a beef blend, as this may be a bit too heavy for the tiny chihuahua. Choose a rice and poultry blend instead. If you just got your chihuahua as a puppy from a breeder, then use the same food the breeder was using.

Another thing to remember is that chihuahuas simply get more cold than humans do, even the long-haired ones. Get your chihuahua some warm blankets and limit the time they are exposed to extreme cold. Sweaters and jackets can help and your chihuahua may actually like wearing it when its cold.

Chihuahuas have a very long life expectancy of over 15 years and It’s simple things like this which can lead your chihuahua to have a healthier, happier, and longer life.

Rearing a Tempermental Chihuahua With Your Family

Chihuahuas are loyal little dogs that usually bond well with one or two people. They are noted for their fierce personality and being a high strung breed, are not good to mix with children. However, with proper training and a lot of socialization, a Chihuahua can learn to adapt to almost any type of environment.

Children and Chihuahuas:
Nervous by nature, a Chihuahua can bite without any type of warning or provocation. Chihuahuas are not good breeds for homes with children under 12 years of age.

Any responsible Chihuahua owner will teach their children the best way to handle a family pet, both as an added precaution and because of a moral obligation to the wellbeing of the pet.

Socialization of a Chihuahua :
The best time to bring a new Chihuahua into your household is between the ages of 12-20 weeks old. Once your pup has settled into the household, you need to begin socializing immediately. Since Chihuahuas are preferential to one or two people, and other Chihuahuas, it is very important they learn to coexist and get along with everyone in the household including; adults, children, pets and visitors.

One of the first things your Chihuahua needs to learn is how to accept being handled by family members and others. Constant handling will help the dog overcome fears and prevent it from becoming frightened, startled, growling, teeth baring and biting. It will also help ease the acceptance of being handled by a veterinarian.

To get the process started, your Chihuahua needs to get used to being petted and having its ears, teeth and paws examined. Once the puppy is comfortable with these types of things, you can allow other people to hold the dog.

How to Eliminate Any Chance of Food Aggression:
Your Chihuahua must also learn at an early age to deal with the fact that food might have to be taken away. If you have several animals in your home, it is possible that another one of them may eat from the Chihuahuas bowl. Praise your puppy when he resists showing aggression towards other animals when this happens.

Taking Your Chihuahua in Public:
You can train your Chihuahua to be comfortable around a variety of noises and strange sounds. A Chihuahua puppy used to living in a quiet home might have a harder adapting to a public environment. You may also want to consider taking the puppy out on a leash and allowing strangers to pet it. This will also help foster better socialization.

Traveling with Your Chihuahua Companion:
Since a Chihuahua may be timid or aggressive in a crowded situation, it is important to introduce it to public transportation methods. This training is quite valuable if using public transportation is the only way you and your pet can get to a veterinarian. Always carry your Chihuahua in a pet carrier big enough to allow the dog to go to the other end of the carrier to find a calm place.

A Chihuahua will need to be familiarized with the motion of a moving car, especially if you plan to use a car to transport your pet to the vet. A scared dog may urinate in the car, vomit, bark or whine and jump around and distract the person driving. Begin with short trips around the block and instruct your Chihuahua to lay down or sit in the car.

How to Handle Excessive Barking:
If your Chihuahua is an excessive barker, you will need to break him or her of this habit. Chihuahuas can make vigilant watchdogs by alerting owners to strangers through barking. The downside of barking is that they might do it to be petted, when they are lonely, cold, bored or overexcited.

Your Bored Chihuahua :
Many Chihuahuas will bark if left alone for any given time period. They suffer from severe separation anxiety. You can get the dog used to spending time alone by leaving him or her for short intervals and gradually increasing the amount of time you spend away.

A well trained and properly socialized Chihuahua can temper most behavior issues and allow the dog to be a great family pet.

Long Haired Chihuahua Puppies

There are many types of breeds of Chihuahua’s, from the long coat dogs with tiny short hairs – which also are similar to the smooth coat dogs which are also known as short haired Chihuahuas. Long-haired Chihuahuas have soft, fine guard hairs which are smoother to touch. The short haired Chihuahuas actually require very little or no grooming, so you don’t have to go overboard when it comes to their daily grooming and shampooing. Just normal soap and dog shampoo is enough to keep them clean and lice free. The long haired Chihuahua puppies, like their short haired ones, actually do not shed as much hair as you think, but definitely more than their short haired counterparts.

While the subject is about puppies, you should be interested to know that it takes quite a long time, up to 24 months for the puppies to develop their full, long haired coats. Preparations will include things like preparing your house to collect the hair when they do shed. It is more a question about normal cleanliness – especially if you have people in the house that are either sensitive to dog hair, or even those with breathing ailments like asthma. It is a good idea to by a small vacuum cleaner near the dogs or in places where they are known to hang around.

Also, it is a great idea to purchase a small pair of scissors as Chihuahuas are known for their irregular grooming. Hairs can come off at different times, and for some owners, who want to keep their dogs looking great, keep at hand a small pair of relatively sharp trimming scissors. These long haired pups and dogs also have a tendency to garner a lot of lice within their coat, so a good anti lice soap or shampoo would be a good idea to keep around. Getting rid of lice has a twofold purpose. One, it keeps the dogs happy and healthy, and stops them scratching all over the place, which means they cannot damage their coat and even scratch themselves on occasion. It also helps that lice don’t get all over the furniture, which can be a nasty by product of their long shiny fur coats.

While you don’t need a whole host of products to keep them in good grooming health, you do need to prepare some shampoos and even a comb would be a good idea for them. Get an anti lice and mite comb, which helps to scrape away excess dry skin and even lice. Taking care of long haired Chihuahuas is actually quite easy, as their long fur coats are not the longest in the dog world. Their relatively diminutive size also allows them to be groomed pretty easily and pretty quickly, so it doesn’t take up much of your time. Talk to a vet to get some more tips to groom long haired Chihuahua puppies as well.

Overweight Chihuahua

Have you ever seen an overweight Chihuahua? Unfortunately they aren’t hard to come by. But for such a little dog, why is there a problem with this breed tending to be overweight?

This is not something that is inherently born in them, but many of them tend to gain weight because their owners overfeed them. This is why it is important to be aware of how much you feed your Chihuahua.

The more weight that your Chihuahua gains, the less active they will become. Most Chihuahua owners do not realize the dangers of their dog being overweight. They just think of their little pooch as being fat and cute. The fact of the matter is that obese Chihuahuas are vulnerable to a variety of illnesses that are related to poor eating habits. These include serious issues such as diabetes and heart attacks. Therefore, it is important to slim down your pleasingly plump doggie.

How do you know if your Chihuahua needs to lose weight? The first thing you must do is to do a physical assessment on your dog. If you are not able to feel your their ribs when run your hands their its sides, or if you cannot feel the tail bones of your pooch, you know that something is amiss.

Once you’ve determined you have an overweight Chihuahua you should take them to the veterinarian to see about putting your pooch on a weight loss program. You should not only determine how long your dog should be on a weight loss program, but also what weight your Chihuahua should attain.

You have to begin by putting your Chihuahua on a well-balanced diet. That means it should be made up of carbohydrates, proteins, and vegetables. Your doggie’s diet should also be low on salt and sugar. Should you be feeding your dog table scraps? That would probably not be a good idea as it will only add to your dog’s waistline. Just do comparison shopping of different dog foods. There are some foods that contain fewer calories than just regular dog food. Therefore, your dog can still eat the same amount of food, but will be consuming fewer calories. If you are one of those dog owners who believe that it is better to prepare your dog’s food yourself, then you are going to have to reduce the portions that your dog will be eating. You should not cut the portions by more than 20% of the average size, as you want to take care not to starve your Chihuahua.

Just as it is important for people to exercise when on a weight loss program, Chihuahuas should too. It is advisable to take them on regular walks either in the park or around the block. Begin slowly at first, then gradually increase the speed and distance, as well as the amount of time you spend walking. It will not only do your doggie good, but the exercise will do you good as well. It is best for your Chihuahua to lose weight gradually. The slower it comes off, the less likely it is that it will return.

To best evaluate the progress that your Chihuahua is making with their weight loss program you should take them to your veterinarian.

With a healthy diet and the right kind of exercise, you will soon see the trim Chihuahua that you once had.

Best Way To Care For Sick Chihuahua Puppies

When searching for Chihuahua puppies for sale be sure to check with the National Kennel organizations first. Searching the Internet is another good idea when looking for Chihuahua puppies, but be sure and check out the sources very carefully. Educating yourself on Chihuahua puppies will help you understand the breed and locate a reputable breeder. When you choose a breeder make sure your Chihuahua puppy has its AKC papers and shots. He should also be wormed and have a generous health guarantee. Finally, be sure your breeder gives you a sample of dog food for your new puppy.

The Chihuahua breed is the oldest and smallest breed in the United States and is very popular. There are many reputable Chihuahua puppy breeders and with a little research you should be able to find a good one close to wherever you live. Find a good vet before you buy and have your new puppy checked out right away.

Because of the stature and size of Chihuahua puppies they are very easy to groom. The smooth, shorthaired variety takes no time at all. Bathing once a month in the kitchen sink will clean one of these puppies sufficiently. Brushing this variety of Chihuahua puppy once a week is all it takes to make him shine. Being short haired and smooth does not give him much hair so you should be very careful as to what brush to use on him. Soft bristles are a must for shorthaired, smooth Chihuahua Puppies.

The longhaired coat variety of Chihuahua puppies also needs to be bathed once a month. However, they should really be brushed about twice a week in order to keep the puppy looking graceful and beautiful and free of tangles in his long hair. Matting and tangling can lead to health problems so brushing a longhaired Chihuahua is very important. These Chihuahua puppies are cute with bows in their hair.

Owning an AKC puppy means your puppy has a specific pedigree. The breeders are very aware of this and should abide by the rules and regulations of the AKC or the American Kennel Council. There are many breeders ofChihuahua puppies and doing your homework on these breeders will save you a major headache in the end. Each of these breeders should provide your puppy with the appropriate AKC papers, be wormed and have its shots.

The puppy should also come with a very good health guarantee. If the breeder does not provide you with all of these items, then he is not a reputable breeder and spending your money with him will be a major waste of your time. Contact the AKC for a list of reputable Chihuahua puppy breeders. You should purchase a good crate and a few toys to help make the transition easier to its new home.