Potty-Training Your Chihuahua The Right Way

Chihuahuas make wonderful pets. They are loving, loyal, and make great watch dogs. However, if you are thinking of getting one, you need to know how to potty-train your Chihuahua the right way.

Just like all small dog breeds, Chihuahuas oftentimes have difficulty becoming potty-trained. But don't let this hinder your decision to own one. The benefits owning one outweigh this. Just follow these guidelines to help ensure your Chihuahua becomes potty-trained.

The best time to start potty-training your Chihuahua is when they are a puppy. But, keep in mind that puppies bladders are not fully developed until later.

* Take them outside to potty often. I recommend once an hour, every hour, for a puppy.
* Always take your Chihuahua to the same area outside. They will recognize the area and are more likely to go potty where they have already been.
* Say a simple phrase, such as "go potty" when you take your Chihuahua outside. They will start to associate the command with the action. Remember to only say one specific phrase, and keep saying it while you are outside. Saying different phrases can confuse your Chihuahua.
* When your Chihuahua goes potty outside, give them a doggie treat, and lots of petting. As you probably know, they love treats and will do about anything for them, including going potty.
* Unfortunately accidents will happen. When you see your Chihuahua going potty inside the house, just speak loudly "STOP", or "NO", and immediately take them back outside. You should never physically hurt your Chihuahua or stick their nose in it. This can have an adverse affect and really disrupt the training process.
* You should put your Chihuahua in a crate at night times and when you are away from home until they are potty trained. Most dogs don't want to sleep in their own pee, so they will hold it. When you wake up or get back home, you should take your Chihuahua outside first thing.
* Monitor how much water your Chihuahua is drinking. Some dogs will literally drink until the bowl is dry, and what goes in must come out. You shouldn't give your Chihuahua any water right before you put them up in their crate.

Potty-training your Chihuahua doesn't have to be a headache if you follow these steps. Just be patient, consistent, and success will follow!

Chihuahua Obedience Training Tips

Teaching your chihuahua obedience is often a difficult task. Many chihuahuas have a stubborn personality making them less likely to obey you. But think twice before taking your chihuahua to a dog obedience training class at the local pet store. Oftentimes they are filled with large dogs and unprofessional trainers, which actually creates a dangerous environment for your chihuahua. This is why more and more chihuahua owners are learning how to teach their chihuahua obedience on their own.

It is best to train your chihuahua the first day you get them as a pet, as this will help them become potty-trained much quicker. But don't worry if you didn't, there are many different actions you can take to help potty-train your chihuahua. Take your chihuahua to go in the spot outside. They will recognize the smell and want to do their "business" there. At night time put your chihuahua in a crate (which isn't too large for them), with a comfortable bed in it. Crate training works great for all small dogs including chihuahuas. Chihuahuas are less likely to potty in their own bed since they have to sleep in it. Be sure to take your chihuahua outside first thing in the morning.

Training your chihuahua commands such as fetch or sit can also be a tedious process if you are inexperienced. Be sure to have on-hand lots of their favorite treats, only giving them treats when they successfully obey your command. Chihuahuas respond well to treats and positive attitude. You will want to teach your chihuahua to associate certain words with actions. So use simple words and announce them clearly to your chihuahua, such as "Fetch" and "Sit". If they don't get the hang of it you can say the command then place them (very gently) in the desired position and then give them a treat. Never punish your chihuahua during your training, chihuahuas don't respond well to negative actions.

Make your training sessions scheduled for a certain time of the day and keep them short, usuaully around 15-20 minutes. Chihuahuas tend to tire quickly and want to rest.

Train your chihuahua in an area free of distractions. Turn off your television, radio, and keep the kids away! If your chihuahua is distracted he cant focus on the training session.

Many chihuahuas have a problem barking at guests or when the doorbell is rang. To make your chihuahua stop, you need to make a loud noise or a whistle when they start barking. Your chihuahua wont like this noise but it will let your them know it is unacceptable.

Your chihuahua will learn, just be patient and don't get frustrated. Sometimes you will have a fast learner and sometimes you may not. Chihuahuas are notorious for having such unique personalities. Just remember, training should be fun for both the chihuahua and the owner!

The Different Kinds Of Chihuahua Breeds

The smallest dog breed in the world, the Chihuahua was discovered in Mexico in 1850, and subsequently introduced to America. The popularization of the Chihuahua as a pet was a result of media coverage given to celebrities who adopt Chihuahuas as pets such as Marilyn Monroe and Paris Hilton. There are two official Chihuahua breeds recognized by the American Kennel Club today. These are the Long-haired Chihuahua and the Short-haired Chihuahua. Unofficially, other different breeds of Chihuahuas exist. These include the Teacup Chihuahua, Mini Chihuahua and Toy Chihuahua amongst others. The origins of these unofficial names were a result of Chihuahua breeders who dub their dogs accordingly based on their full grown size.

The Long-haired Chihuahua is characterized by their smooth undercoat and long overcoat. The texture of its coat is long, thin and smooth to touch. The Long-haired Chihuahua has large eyes and erect ears, similar to that of a Pomeranian. In fact, it is not difficult for most people to mistaken a Long-haired Chihuahua for a Pomeranian given such similar characteristics. Surprisingly, this Chihuahua breed sheds little hair as compared to its Short-haired cousin. As a result, it is relatively popular with people who suffer from allergies. However, its long overcoat of hair can take a relatively long time to reach its full grown length, in most cases as long as a few years. It is important for owners of this breed of Chihuahua to frequently brush the hair of their Long-haired Chihuahua to prevent tangles that may occur to the hair of the Long-haired Chihuahua. It is also important for owners of the Long-haired Chihuahua to bath their pets on a regular monthly basis to prevent fleas and to maintain hygiene standards of their Long-haired Chihuahua.

Comparatively, the Short-haired Chihuahua as its name suggests has a shorter coat of hair as compared to its Long-haired cousin. However, it tends to shed more hair as compared to the Long-haired Chihuahua. Texture of the overcoat of this breed of Chihuahua is also different as compared to the Long-haired Chihuahua. Given its shorter coat of hair, the Short-haired Chihuahua is popular amongst people living in relatively warm countries.

Unofficial breeds of Chihuahuas such as the Teacup Chihuahua, Mini Chihuahua and Toy Chihuahua. These breeds of Chihuahuas are comparatively smaller as compared to regular Chihuahuas. Amongst these unofficial breeds, the Teacup Chihuahua is the most popular as a result of extensive media coverage of Paris Hilton's Teacup Chihuahua, Tinkerbell Hilton. Spotted everywhere with Paris Hilton, Tinkerbell's small size allows it to fit snugly into the socialite's handbag. The small sized of these dogs make them popular with apartment dwellers as they do not require big open spaces as compared to other dogs. They are also relatively easy to train, sparing the owner the need to send them to dog schools for training. However, their small size results in greater fragility. These adorable dogs are extremely prone to health problems such as dehydration and respiratory problems. Their small size also means that they are unable to provide sufficient warmth for themselves, especially in colder countries.

In any case, Chihuahuas are relatively fragile pets and special attention must be accorded to taking care of them. Chihuahua adoption is also a long-term commitment as the average lifespan of these dogs is between 11 - 18 years. Given such, its is important for potential owners to consider carefully their ability to commit to their pets before adopting one.

Chihuahua Puppy Care - 5 Easy Tips to Get Started Right

Did you get Chihuahua puppy care instructions with your dog? They don't usually come with directions. Really every puppy is a little different, but there are some basics that are the same for your puppy and mine. A Chihuahua puppy wants to please you. That's the way they're made. It's just a matter of communicating with your dog and dealing with those issues that come up with every dog. Here are some basic tips to get you started.

Tip 1: Remember this is a baby.

A Chihuahua puppy is just a baby and still has to learn about most everything. Your job as puppy owner is to patiently guide your puppy in the right direction, based on what you expect from your puppy. A Chihuahua puppy faces extra challenges just because he or she is so small. Just imagine how it would feel to be so small. Pretty scary?

Tip 2: No time for roughness.

Some dogs can deal with rough handling, even though they shouldn't have to. Chihuahuas cannot handle any rough treatment. Any rough treatment will turn a Chihuahua into a neurotic terror just out of fear and self-preservation. You must be patient and gentle with a Chihuahua.

Tip 3: Chihuahua potty training.

Make sure your puppy is old enough to control elimination before you start potty training. Watch your dog closely during potty training and you should be able to quickly tell when the time to go out is near. Elimination usually happens shortly after eating and of course after sleeping at night. Persist to get your pup to the right place for elimination and you will usually have a house trained Chihuahua.

Tip 4: Chihuahua food.

Choosing quality feed is an important part of Chihuahua puppy care. Feed your Chihuahua puppy food designed for small dogs for about a year. Most dog food makers recommend a ration higher in meat for small dogs. Do not over feed or your tiny Chihuahua will get fat and have many health problems.

Tip 5: Chihuahua training.

Chihuahua training that includes some basic obedience training will help you and your dog have a better relationship. Basic training can help avoid many Chihuahua behavior problems and also can help your dog lead a safer and happier life. Chiahuahuas are not the easiest dogs to train, but persistence and patience will work over time to make training successful.

Be persistent and get help with any problems that you can't solve quickly. Your Chihuahua puppy will grow to be an important part of your life.

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.

Chihuahua Dog History

Chihuahua Dog History is the history of all dogs contending that is all dogs may be traced to one ancestor and that is the wolf. There are many different theories about the originally of the chihuahua dog. Chihuahua dog history and the history of all dogs may be traced to one ancestor and that is the wolf. Even the smallest breeds are directly linked to the larger canines. Even though there are no true wolves that inhabit South America, a small, dark subspecies called the Mexican gray wolf still exists in Mexico today. It is often referred to as el lobo and this is the animal which many experts believe the Chihuahua dog descends.

Who knows why but for some reason, probably his diminutive size the Chihuahua dog is often considered by the uninitiated to be somewhat less of a real dog that other canines. This is ironic, because when proper research is done, what is learned is that the Chihuahua dog is the oldest dog breed on the American continent and one of the most authentic of all dogs. Those who know the Chihuahua dog best do not need to be convinced of the breed's indisputable right to his place among the most remarkable of all dogs, past and present.

The Chihuahua dog will always be regarded as a Mexican, an assortment of contradicting theories suggest that the Chihuahua dog's origins actually may lie much farther away than Mexico. A lot is based on speculation, but the stories are compelling and have yet to be proved as either fact or fiction and it is unlikely one will ever know for sure which is true.