Chihuahua Care and Training

A Comfortable Dog Bed for Your Chihuahua

2012-01-29T01:07:00.000-08:00

Your favorite canine pooch would more than likely welcome a comfortable and cozy dog bed. Usually dog owners select a good dog bed, along with a new collar, leash, healthy dog food and water dishes for their new puppy.

You may want to consider your dog's personality, lifestyle and age when selecting a style to match your dog's needs. Your Chihuahua may be so happy to have his own special sleeping space, so he can routinely get a good night's sleep.

You may wish to read Why Every Dog Needs a Bed: "Dog beds provide both physical and emotional comfort. HOW TO PICK THE RIGHT ONE".

Dog beds can also be very beneficial for dog owners. Once your dog gets accustomed to using his own bed, he might not be so likely to jump up on your bed or couch at night.

This may possibly help to prevent injuries by keeping your dog from jumping up and down on your furniture. Having a dog bed located in one specific area in your home may also help in controlling the spread of dog hair and dander.

Sometimes dog owners may even choose to have a couple of dog beds for their pets. People may decide to put a comfortable dog bed in their home office area, the living room, the family room, or in the finished basement where the family may watch TV. Their pet can relax and enjoy their company while they are working on their computer, talking on the phone, or enjoying a movie.

Your Chihuahua can use his comfortable bed just to relax when he is tired out or to get some quiet time if the household is extra busy and chaotic at times. You may want to read the following article: Dogs & Dog Beds.

A good quality dog bed can offer some cushioning support for your dog's joints and bones. An appropriate dog bed can help to provide warmth and protect him from a cold, uncomfortable floor. It can also give him a feeling of security.

There are a few essential things to think about when selecting the right bed for your own dog. First, you will want to make sure the bed is big enough for your dog. The dog bed should be large enough in size to comfortably support him when his body is stretched out and relaxed at night for sleep.

You can take into consideration your dog's unique sleeping habits. Also, you can observe your dog where and how he sleeps to check for special sleeping patterns. Does your dog like to curl up on a chair or sofa with a blanket or does he really like to stretch out?

It is not uncommon for some dogs to even sleep on their owner's bed with their head right on a soft pillow. With the help of some of these clues, you will want to determine exactly what kind of bed would be best suited for your dog.

There are many good quality dog beds to select at the pet store or while shopping for dog supplies online. There are roomy, square or round lounging dog beds that are nice and soft. Another style is a nestling type bed, which has supportive sides for your dog to rest his head. There are also bolster beds, which may be good for dogs who love to sleep with their head resting on an armrest of a chair or a pillow.

The veterinarian may recommend certain types of supportive orthopedic dog beds for older or arthritic dogs. They are often made of foam and/or box spring construction. The traditional or classic dog beds may come with machine-washable covers. Another style would be the mats or pads, which are usually made of foam construction. There are also travel dog beds for families on the go.

A responsible dog owner will want to make sure their dog's bed is safe and made very well. The construction of dog beds may consist mainly of foam, polyfil, or box spring support, or a combination of all three. Hopefully, your dog will benefit from the support for their bones and joints, comfort and warmth, and also a nice feeling of security.

Don't forget about the outdoor dog that sleeps in a doghouse. You may wish to get an outdoor-safe bed for an outdoor dog. It is so important to protect your outside dog. They make dog beds that are tough and water-resistant.

Where you place your dog's bed in your home is also an important factor. You may want to have the dog's bed in a quiet, safe place in the house. A peaceful and comfortable corner or section of the room may be nice.

You probably will want to pick a special sleeping area for the dog where there is not much noise that would disturb him. The Chihuahua may feel a little more confident and secure if he can still see the people in the house from his sleeping area. Just knowing that you are there may help him to stay relaxed and calm.

Most puppies in a new home environment may feel somewhat anxious and have a difficult time at first trying to quiet themselves down to sleep for the night. I will offer some helpful tips on how to help a new puppy sleep through the night.

A new puppy may whine to get your attention. Everything may seem so new to your puppy in the beginning until he gets a little used to his new home. He may miss his mom and family litter in the beginning.

The puppy may enjoy having a favorite, safe dog toy or dog blanket with him for a feeling of familiarity and security. Dogs sometimes instinctively circle around their sleeping place where they are going to sleep.

If you want the Chihuahua puppy in his bed at a certain time, you can begin a daily routine schedule and try to have him go to bed around the same time every night, so he gets used to this habit.

However, if the puppy leaves his dog bed, you can nicely put him back in his bed, so he gets the idea and learns to get comfortable in his special sleeping space.

When the puppy gets accustomed to where his bed is, you may tell him to go into his own dog bed when you want him to go to sleep at night. Dogs like to know what is expected of them. Hopefully, he will soon learn a nice bedtime routine.

So the puppy can sleep good at night you may want to allow for adequate and appropriate exercise for the puppy throughout the day. You can plan a routine schedule for meal times for the puppy.

Dogs usually respond well to a nice schedule. It may be helpful to get into the habit of some calm, quiet time before the actual bedtime. The Chihuahua puppy may need to go outside to eliminate immediately before bedtime.

Providing background sounds, such as a very soft background sound of a TV or radio may calm the puppy down and relax him at night.

A puppy may need to eliminate in the middle of the night. If the puppy needs to go out during the night, he may whine, pace or bark. You can take him outside in a safe manner to eliminate and bring him right back to his sleep area to go back to sleep.

He should learn to understand that it is time for sleep and not time to play during the night. The Chihuahua puppy will learn that his owner is a good leader and he will feel loved and protected. Hopefully, with a few helpful ideas you and your puppy will get sufficient sleep every night and be happy!

As a “Dog Owner” You Can Learn How to Be a “Good Leader of the Pack” for Your Chihuahua

2012-01-21T23:30:00.000-08:00

Photo Credit: By apdk

It is interesting that dogs actually like to know what they are supposed to do and what is expected of them. The puppy's mother is their very first pack leader.

Your new Chihuahua probably looks to “you” as the leader, now that your puppy is home with you. You may wish to set reasonable house rules for your Chihuahua. If you don't provide your dog with specific leadership and direction, he may begin to make his own house rules.

An example: Your Chihuahua may steal a portion of your delicious sandwich and then try to hide and bury the rest of it in your living room couch and you happen to laugh and say isn't that cute! Your Chihuahua will get the wrong idea and think this type of behavior is acceptable and OK to do. You may have reinforced the fact that he is in charge and you may have reinforced his bad manners. As a matter of fact, dogs can easily become stressed when they think they can do anything they want.

Often times, dogs feel secure and confident when they understand exactly what you expect from them and having some fair house rules. A Chihuahua usually looks for their owner's positive approval.

Your Chihuahua's well-behaved manner may depend on your good teaching and leadership! You can teach your Chihuahuas what you want them to do or not do and you can praise them when they obey and they will very likely be happy companions!

Pet Sitting and Dog Walking Video

2012-01-21T01:46:00.000-08:00

Another Cute Dog Video!

2012-01-19T19:20:00.000-08:00

Cute Chihuahua Video

2012-01-19T19:14:00.000-08:00

Basic Rules In Training Your Puppy

2011-12-11T00:58:00.000-08:00

By Sandy Rutherforde

Having a new puppy is always a joy as they can brighten up any home. However, training your puppy can be difficult, especially for first time owners. When it comes to house training your puppy, the rule is the earlier the better. Just like people, puppies develop differently. It's crucial that owners not push their pets. Instead, follow their pace of learning. At the same time, owners need to get into the mind of their puppies and understand what they are thinking in order to avoid frustration.

Puppies, or any animal for that matter, have only one thing on their minds when it comes to relieving themselves - they will do it when and where the need sets in. This is exactly why an untrained pet will see nothing wrong with doing it right on your living room floor. At the same time, dogs tend to look for a spot which is away from their feeding and sleeping quarters, and which provides them with some privacy.

Owners need to pick a specific spot in the backyard where they want their pets to do their business and be very consistent about it. The main principle of training your puppy has to do with consistency and getting used to a routine. It is also necessary to know when a puppy is more likely to feel the need to relieve itself. Most of the time, pets feel the need right after they have woken up, after they have eaten, and when they are excited. Owners have to be very quick with letting their pets out during these instances because puppies are unable to control their bladder that well.

Training a pet means that one has to keep an extra eye on the pooch. A pet who has to go will exhibit a few signs which include walking around in a circle with an upright tail and sniffing the ground. After seeing that ritual, the owner has to take the puppy out to the designated spot and then wait for the pup to urinate or defecate.

There are some times when a puppy will not immediately do anything. In this case, it is not advisable to have the dog linger for a long time in the yard or garden, and the owner should take his or her pet inside. This is to keep the puppy from thinking that taking him out means play time. Instead, the owner has to keep his or her eyes peeled for more signs and then take the pup out again in ten minutes or so.

Training a puppy does not come easy and the pooch will have a few accidents in the course of the training. Owners should never punish their pets for these accidents since doing so will only lead to trauma and fear. Practice and constant positive reinforcement is the way to go in house training any pet.

Do you need help with puppy behavior problems? Be sure to visit my site to learn how to stop puppy begging and puppy jumping.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Sandy_Rutherforde

Why Do Chihuahuas Bark and How to Help Prevent or Control Excessive Barking

2011-10-15T00:03:00.000-07:00

Dogs of all breeds usually bark to try to communicate with humans and other animals. It is important for your Chihuahua to understand when to bark and when to be quiet. It is common for dogs to bark for a variety of reasons. It's their way of expressing themselves.

Here are some common reasons why dogs bark listed below.

To Get Attention: They may begin this process as young puppies with a little crying or whining sound to communicate with their mom and family litter. Puppies or grown dogs may whine when they want something like food, or when they scared, or even when they are frustrated or lonely and want some attention. It is common for a new Chihuahua puppy to whine at night because they may be lonely.
Dog owners may not realize it, but they may actually reward the puppy for whining by giving the puppy the attention he wants. It may be beneficial not to reward a puppy or grown dog that may be whining just for attention, but when he is quiet and relaxed you may wish to reward him with nice praise or a favorite treat. You will want to reinforce the puppy's positive behavior. It is usually so much easier to teach your Chihuahua puppy appropriate behavior from the start, than changing undesirable behavior later on.

Keeping in mind the fact that dogs sometime bark because they are scared, you may want to think about socialization and your puppy. Properly socializing the Chihuahua puppy is important to help alleviate unnecessary fears. You may want to safely introduce the puppy to situations that may cause anxiety later on. It is helpful for puppies to learn how to cope with their environment in a healthy and positive manner. Positive influence in the early weeks of the puppy's life can be very beneficial.

You could gradually introduce your Chihuahua puppy to a variety of items and sounds that are routinely around the house, so they become a little familiar with them. Some sounds that may be new to your puppy are the following: doorbell ringing, telephone ringing, sound of the television or video games, music playing, and also the noise from a vacuum cleaner.

Barking from Playful Happiness or Happy Excitement: Your puppy or grown dog may just be barking because he so happy about playing outside, or going for a nice walk, or going for a ride in a car. He may have a habit of routinely barking when he sees his favorite relatives or friends of the family coming over to visit at your house.

Barking when He Hears Other Dogs Bark: Your Chihuahua may be barking to respond to other dogs he hears barking in the neighborhood.

Warning Bark: It is common for dogs be protective and bark if they see a stranger approaching the house. Dogs often bark at mail carriers, joggers, or people riding bikes on the street by the house.

Bored Barkers: Dogs who are bored need something constructive and positive to do besides barking. It is important to routinely provide enough appropriate exercise and attention for your dog each day.

Separation Anxiety: You are probably the most important thing in your dog's life. When a Chihuahua that is routinely used to constant human companionship and attention is left alone, he can experience some anxiety about where his owner might be going. Your dog may not understand why he cannot go with you, and he may worry about whether or not you will be coming back home to be with him. Your Chihuahua may bark, whine, cry or howl when he is experiencing separation anxiety.

Here are a few ideas that may possibly help minor separation anxiety listed below.

Try not to be dramatic when you are leaving or returning to your home. When you return back home you can calmly pet your Chihuahua and reassure him.

When you have to leave your dog in the house, you may decide to let him have something of yours like a piece of clothing that smells like you.

You can make a reassuring habit of using a certain word or phrase that you routinely use every time you leave that tells your dog you will be coming back home.

Possibly, if the dog could hear the sound of a radio or television, it may be calming.

Sometimes having their safe and appropriate dog toys available for them will be a little distraction for them and help to keep them busy.

In summary, these are ideas to help prevent excessive barking listed below.

Try to have your Chihuahua get enough routine daily attention.

The dog should get adequate appropriate exercise.

Try the methods listed above for proper socialization and to help separation anxiety.

Try not to give positive reinforcement to the grown dog or puppy when he is only barking or whining just for attention. You can reward your Chihuahua for the quiet, relaxed behavior instead.

Learning How To Train A Chihuahua

2011-10-02T01:24:00.000-07:00

By Sandy Rutherforde

The first steps to learning how to train a chihuahua are to get a healthy dose of courage about you, lots of patience and a big bag of treats. Chihuahuas are very intelligent and inquisitive dogs by nature, so training them will provide the mental and physical stimulation they crave. However, because they are just as spirited as they are smart, they can easily manipulate the situation causing you to be the one being trained.

Chihuahuas respond to lots of positive reinforcement and praise. They are fiercely loyal to their fellow housemates and will do anything to make them happy and so we need to return this favor by constantly praising their good deeds. Treats help in that your chihuahua will quickly figure out that if there is something in it for her, she will do what is asked of her.

Books on how to train a chihuahua even note that training them to do their business outside is no small feat, so this is where learning their individual temperaments and behaviors is crucial. A chihuahua is only going to give you a small window of opportunity when she is trying to tell you she needs to go outside. She may run to the door and sit there for a moment or she may scratch your leg at which point it is up to you to figure out what she is asking for. High praise and a handful of treats will teach her it is more fun to go outside than in the house. However, they are small dogs with brittle bones and there are no treats in this world worth the warmth of her home so you need to stay on top of those subtle clues when there is inclement weather about.

Keep it fun, to the point, and never try and train them when you are tired, impatient or angry. This will only hasten disobedience which they are good at anyway. Chihuahuas are naturally inquisitive dogs and so learning new things is exciting to them and the attention they are receiving provides even more stimulation. But if they catch wind of the fact that they may be working, all bets are off and they will give up. A good thirty minute routine everyday is a good place to start.

There are several steps involved in how to train a chihuahua not to bark. The first of which may include understanding why she is barking. Chihuahuas are fiercely protective of their housemates and property causing them to perceive everything as a threat. They may be barking as a warning for the intruders to stay away and a good stern "No!" will suffice in this situation.

It is a futile attempt to yell at them while they are barking because the sudden loud noise may cause them to bark more. One of the best things about chihuahuas is that they do not bark just to be barking, there is always a reason for it. Diverting their attention to something else usually makes them stop and when other dogs in the neighborhood are barking, it is best to let them go outside to see what all the fuss is about and once they realize there is no emergency, they usually quiet down and high praise to that end will encourage them even more.

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Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Sandy_Rutherforde

It Is Easy To Train Your Papillon Dog

2011-09-29T23:27:00.000-07:00

By Mary Stevenson

The Papillon dog gets its name from the French word for butterfly. If you ever seen one of these cute little guys you understand why they were named this way. They look just like they have been disguised by using a beautiful butterfly mask. This little dog is very appealing to so many people do to its masked appearance, that is a result of the specific facial coloring mixed with the upright and feathered looking ears of the papillon dog.

The owners of the dogs of the this breed say their personality, their courage and the large amount of affection they show for their owners overpass their quite small stature. The breed also called a toy spaniel and even squirrel dog is one of the oldest known toy breeds with pictures of these little dogs dating as far back as the 1500. There are really two types of these dogs the ones with the erect ears known as the papillon and ones with dropped ears called Phalene for the moth dog. In some countries, the dogs are considered two different breeds, but in others, like the United States, they are currently considered to be the same breed.

They are extremely hearty dogs who have few if any major health problems as a breed, they measure between 8 and 11 inches high and weigh a mere 8-10 pounds, looking extremely delicate.

Main Physical Features of The Papillon Breed of Dogs

Cute and cuddly is most people's first impression of these dogs. These little dogs have small and rounded heads, short muzzles and dark, rounded eyes. Many times their eyes are blacked rimmed as though they are wearing mascara. They have long coats that are fine and silky, and have some extra feathery frills over the ears, chest and the back of the tail. Their coats are usually white with different colored patches. Extended to cover both eyes and symmetrically on the back of the head, the coloring on the ears, that can be any other but white, gives these dogs the butterfly appearance.

Personality Features Of The Papillon Breed Of Dogs

Bred as a companion dog the papillon dogs normal personality is one of a happy, friendly nature who gets along with other pets and animals and is loving, affectionate and extremely devoted to their owners. They are a toy breed and not a lap one, as they enjoy playing, running and being intellectually challenged.

These dogs are quick learners and exceptionally easy to train if one is consistent with training and take well to both obedience and agility training and love the mental stimulation that both of these types of training supply. They love to learn new things and a lot of tricks.

These energetic dogs will keep you smiling all day at their antics, but they also need exercise. If you want them calm and happy inside the house, spend time outside for long walks and playing. While these dogs love to run and play they prefer to do so in the company of their human family and become very attached and loyal to those they bond with.

People are delighted to own Papillon dogs which make them laugh all day and keep them feel young.

The papillon dog name was inspired from the French name for butterfly. Their personality, courage and affection overpass their quite small staure. The papillon dog needs an average amount of exercise.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mary_Stevenson

Cute Dog Video

2011-09-13T22:25:00.000-07:00

Tips on How to Get A New Chihuahua Puppy To Sleep Throughout the Night

2011-06-09T22:40:00.000-07:00

This may be a very exciting time if you are bringing home a brand new puppy or new adult dog into your family! You may have decided already on exactly what dog supplies you intend to have available, like feeding dishes, appropriate puppy or dog food and treats, collar and leash, and perhaps a really nice dog bed.

If you are bringing home a brand new Chihuahua puppy or a new adult Chihuahua dog into your family, you may need some patience and planning to come up with a daily routine for your puppy to help him sleep throughout the night, so that you'll both feel rested and happy! Every dog needs their very own safe and comfy place to sleep.

You may want the puppy's bed in a quiet, safe place in the house. A peaceful and comfortable corner or section of the room may be nice. Maybe you'll choose a nice, safe, cozy dog bed for the Chihuahua puppy. You most likely will want to pick a special sleeping area for the puppy where there is not much noise that would disturb him.

The puppy may feel a little more confident and secure if he can still see the people in the house from his sleeping area. Just knowing that you are there may help him to stay relaxed and calm. Most puppies in a new home environment may feel somewhat anxious and have a difficult time at first trying to quiet themselves down to sleep for the night.

A new puppy may whine to get your attention. Everything could seem so new to your puppy at first until he gets a little accustomed to his new home. He may miss his mom and family litter in the beginning.

The puppy may enjoy having a favorite, safe dog toy or dog blanket with him for a sense of familiarity and security. Dogs sometimes instinctively circle around their resting place where they are going to sleep.

If you want the puppy in the bed at a specific time, you may begin a daily routine schedule and try to have him go to bed around the same time every night, so he gets used to this habit. But, if the Chihuahua puppy leaves his bed, you can nicely put him back in his bed, so he gets the idea and learns to get comfortable in the special sleeping space.

When the puppy gets accustomed to where his bed is, you may tell him to enter his own bed when you want him to go to sleep at night. Dogs want to know what is expected of them. Hopefully, he will soon learn a pleasant bedtime routine.

So the Chihuahua puppy can sleep good at nighttime, you may want to allow for adequate and appropriate exercise for the puppy through the day. You can actually plan a routine schedule for meal times for the puppy. Dogs usually respond well to a nice schedule. It might be helpful to get into the habit of some calm, quiet time before the specific bedtime.

The puppy may need to go outside to eliminate immediately before bedtime. Providing background sounds, such as a really soft background sound of a TV or radio may calm the puppy down and relax him at night.

A puppy may need to eliminate in the midst of the night. If the puppy needs to go out during the night, he may whine, pace or bark. You might take him outside in a safe manner to eliminate and bring him right back to his sleep area to go back to sleep. He should learn to understand that it's time for sleep and not time to play throughout the night.

The Chihuahua puppy will learn that his owner is an effective leader and he will feel loved and protected. Hopefully, with a few helpful ideas you and your puppy will get sufficient sleep every night and be happy!

Positive Benefits of Owning a Chihuahua

2011-05-14T23:24:00.000-07:00

There are so may wonderful emotional benefits of owning a dog. The emotional bond that forms between a new puppy and their owner may develop quickly. Your new Chihuahua puppy may look and act so cute. Our pets can influence how we feel about ourselves in a positive way. As the time goes by, all the experiences that you share with your dog, both happy and sad help to strengthen the emotional bond.

People that happen to live all alone may feel a little isolated. If they choose to have a dog or cat and they are physically able to take care of their pet, it may help to make them feel they are needed. They may feel happy to have a special pet to share their life with. A Chihuahua can be a very nice companion.

When your puppy is about one year old or more, each family member usually develops a special emotional attachment with their Chihuahua. Sometimes, children even turn to their pet for comfort if a family member leaves the family or becomes ill. Adults that may have lost a loved one may feel comfort if they have a pet.

Our daily lives may be full of so many responsibilities, whether at work or at home. Dogs can help us focus our attention away from our worries. Sometimes when we feel sad or stressed spending a little time with our friendly dog or cat can hopefully brighten our day.

Often times, our Chihuahua may do some cute funny things, which may help us to relax and laugh. When we come home from a frustrating work day it can be so nice to be greeted by our family dog, with their big beautiful eyes and their tail wagging because they are so happy to see us. It is a wonderful thing that our pets can accept us just as we are and we can be ourselves when we are around them. Our pets don't care if we are disabled, old or young, rich or poor. Dogs can provide great companionship.

Dogs can add some consistency and routine to our lives and give us something nice to look forward to every single day. Many people may come and go in our lives, but our dogs are usually with us everyday.

Your Chihuahua can help to keep you active by getting more exercise, like when you are taking your dog for a nice walk and getting some fresh air and sunshine or playing Frisbee outside with him. The general basics of caring for a dog, such as daily feedings, grooming and playtime will help to keep you both active.

Your Chihuahua may view all the family members with great affection. Each family member may play an important role for your dog. The man in the house may be the one that usually takes the dog out for his walks and plays fetch outside with him in the backyard. The woman in the house may be the one that routinely gives the dog his meals and lots of attention. If there are any children in the family they may offer the Chihuahua a lot of hugs and fun playtime together.

The dog appreciates the family interaction and affection and he has probably established great trust in his family. As a proud pet owner you will be able to recognize the maturity in your dog and as time goes by you will learn the favorite things that your dog likes, his strengths, weaknesses and any fears he may have at times.

The human-animal emotional bond between an owner and their dog is one of trust, affection and love. Chihuahuas enjoy being part of the family and a loyal dog can be a best friend. If we love them, they usually show us unconditional love in return!

Schnauzers available, www.MaximilianSchnauzers.com

2011-05-14T22:56:00.000-07:00

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How To Teach Your Chihuahua Good Manners and House Rules

2010-08-31T19:26:00.000-07:00

You will be happy to know that you can train your Chihuahua to have good manners and be well-behaved. It will take some time and effort on your part, but it will be worth it. Your dog can learn to be polite around your family and friends. A well-mannered dog can be a wonderful companion. You are your dog's leader. Positive reinforcement or a reward, such as nice praise or a favorite treat can be very helpful when teaching good behavior to your dog. A dog owner should appreciate his dog’s good behavior. A Chihuahua with good manners doesn’t bark uncontrollably at people or other dogs. He doesn’t jump on people or chew up your expensive furniture. Also, good housetraining habits are very important for your dog.

Be consistent when training your dog. Remember to keep your dog's attention and have some fun during training. Reward your dog when he demonstrates the desired behavior that you are teaching him. If your dog does something right, it is helpful if you praise him immediately. Focus on the good behavior that your dog demonstrates, not the bad behavior. If you happens to see your puppy starting to chew on your expensive shoes, try to offer him a safe and appropriate dog toy made for chewing instead of the shoes.

Some behaviors you may want to discourage are the following:

Jumping up on people

Barking too much

Chewing on household or personal items, such as furniture or shoes

I will try to give some helpful tips on how to improve these behaviors.

1. Teaching Your Chihuahua Not To Jump Up When Greeting You, Your Friends or Family Members

You probably really love your dog and you may actually be happy when he jumps up to greet you when you come home. However, this is not always practical for you or for other people that may come over to your house to visit. Many people are a little scared when dogs jump up on them. Your friends and other visitors may wear very nice clothing that they don't want ruined by accident. Sometimes, you may have a few large grocery bags in your arms that you are carrying in from the store, or you may have some expensive clothing on that you happened to wear for work or a special occasion. It is up to you whether you want to routinely allow your dog to jump up when he greets you. If you decide that you don't want your dog to jump up, you will need to teach him not to do this and be consistent about it.

To teach your dog not to jump up, you can carefully help him get back down when he jumps up on you and tell him to sit. Give him nice verbal praise when he obeys you. It is good to be consistent when teaching your dog not to jump up when greeting you.

For example, if you are wearing your old clothes on the weekend and you think it is fine for him to jump up during these times, but not when you are wearing your expensive clothes, he will get confused. The important thing for your dog to understand is that he is definitely allowed to greet you, but instead of jumping up, it will be in a sitting position. If you continue to praise your dog when he obeys, he will probably quickly learn what is expected of him.

2. How To Help Prevent or Control Excessive Barking

It's only natural, dogs bark to communicate with their owners or other animals. It is important for your dog to understand when it is appropriate to bark and when it is good to be quiet. Dogs will bark for several different reasons. It's their way of communicating and expressing themselves. Listed below are some common reasons why dogs bark.

Dogs may bark to try to get your attention. They may start young as puppies with a little crying or whining sound to communicate with their mom and family litter. Puppies or grown dogs may whine when they want something like food, when they are frustrated or scared, or just when they want some attention. It is common for a new puppy to whine at night because they may be lonely or frightened. Sometimes, we may not realize it at first, but we may actually reward the puppy for whining by giving the puppy the attention he wants. It may be helpful not to reward a puppy or grown dog that may be whining just for attention. When your puppy is quiet and relaxed you may wish to reward him with nice praise or a favorite treat. It is important to remember that teaching your puppy good behavior from the start is easier than changing inappropriate behavior later on.

Socializing your puppy is very important. You may want to introduce your puppy to situations that may cause anxiety later on. It is helpful for puppies to learn how to cope with their environment in a healthy and positive way. Positive influence in the early weeks of the puppy's life can be very beneficial.

You can go slow and gradually introduce your puppy to a variety of items and sounds that are routinely around the house so they become a little familiar to them. Some sounds that may be new to your puppy are the following: doorbell ringing, telephone ringing, sounds from an alarm clock, noise from a vacuum cleaner, sound of the television or any music playing.

Your dog may bark because they are so happy about playing Frisbee outside, going for a walk or for nice ride in a car. They may also bark because they are excited when friends come to your house to visit.

Your dog may bark when he hears other dogs in your neighborhood barking.

Your Chihuahua may bark to try to warn you, if he sees an unfamiliar person coming to your home. It is common for dogs to bark at mail carriers.

Another common reason why dogs bark is because they are bored. It is important to routinely provide enough appropriate exercise and attention for your dog every day.

You may need to understand that chances are you are probably the most important person in your dog's life. When a dog that is routinely used to constant human companionship and attention is left alone, the dog can experience some separation anxiety. Your dog may not understand why he cannot go with you and he may worry about whether or not you will be coming back home to be with him. Your dog may bark or howl when he is experiencing separation anxiety.

Some ideas that may possibly help minor separation anxiety include the following:

Don't be very dramatic when you are leaving or returning to your home. When you return back home you can calmly pet your Chihuahua and reassure him.

When you have to leave your dog in the house, you can give him a piece of clothing that has your scent.

You can make a reassuring habit of using a certain word that you routinely use every time you leave that tells your dog you will be coming back home.

Possibly, if the dog could hear the sound of a radio or television, it may be calming and relaxing.

Sometimes, having safe and appropriate dog toys available for your dog will be a little distraction and help to keep them busy.

Next, I will mention ideas to help dogs that may have a habit of chewing furniture or some of your personal items.

3. Why Dogs Chew and Some Helpful Tips About Chewing

There are some basic reasons that dogs chew. Puppies may check out some of the new things in their environment by putting objects in their mouths. Puppies may also chew to relieve pressure of their new little teeth erupting through their gums. They may teethe for about 6 months, which usually causes some discomfort. Chewing can make their sore gums feel better.

Some dogs chew because they are bored. It may be helpful to give your dog enough daily attention. Safely taking him with you when you do errands, if possible, may give him a change of scenery and some variety.

Dogs chew to relieve stress. Maybe, your Chihuahua is experiencing separation anxiety. Dogs that don't get enough exercise use up some energy by chewing. Another reason why dogs may chew is because as a puppy, they were not taught what to chew and what not to chew. For example, chewing can be done on a safe bone or safe chew toy.

A Few Helpful Tips About Chewing

You can make a good habit of keeping clothing, shoes, books, trash, and children's toys out of your dog's reach.

You may decide to use a safe place that's dog-proof in your home and provide fresh water and safe and appropriate dog toys.

It is helpful for your Chihuahua to have enough attention and exercise each day. When you are deciding on the amount of exercise, keep in mind his age and health.

If you happen to see your dog chewing on something he shouldn't, you can offer him a safe chew toy instead. You may also wish to offer your dog a treat in exchange for the item in his mouth.

Your dog will need time to learn the rules about chewing and remember to take precautions, and keep things out of his reach that you don't want him to get. Training your dog to learn good behavior is so important for your dog or puppy. Effective communication is necessary to teach your dog what you want him to do or not to do. Hopefully, it will be a positive experience if you teach your dog not to jump up on you or your friends, and not to chew the furniture.

A dog may be more calm and relaxed when he knows what is expected of him. Always remember the following factors are very important when training a dog: attention, consistency, repetition, patience, love, rewards and understanding.

It is also important to routinely spend quality time with your dog. You will want your dog to trust and respect you and feel secure. A dog should feel that his new home is a safe and dependable place. Dogs enjoy spending time with their families. A dog usually appreciates an owner who will love, lead and protect them.

A few ideas for spending quality time with your dog include the following:

You can enjoy walks together.

You may wish to take your dog on errands with you, if possible.

You may want to let him sit with you while you watch television or talk with friends on the phone.

You can provide a special place for your dog to sleep, like a nice dog bed.

Maybe, you can get into the daily habit of brushing his coat, while he sits nice for you.

Dogs usually respond well to a daily routine schedule. A good schedule may help him stay relaxed and confident. Your dog can understand your house rules.

Hopefully, some of these things may help you develop a nice relationship with your Chihuahua. Reward your dog when he has done something right. You may want to reward him with lots of positive praise, a big hug, a favorite treat or some nice play time.

The Responsibilities of Caring For a Puppy

2010-07-13T23:20:00.000-07:00

By Jeff Van Dalsum

Caring for puppies is not something that should be taken lightly. A large percentage of puppies are later abandoned due to the fact that the owner was not fully prepared to care for another life. Typically, the owner later realizes that he doesn't have enough time, energy, or money to make the commitment.

To comprehend this immense responsibility, think of it as adding a new baby to your family. He will require constant attention, supervision, care, and love. It's a lot of hard work at first, but the results are very rewarding.

To fully understand what it means to care for a puppy, there are several aspects that you will be responsible for and that you should understand before you make the commitment.

Health
Caring for a puppy means constantly monitoring his health. One of the first things you should do as a new puppy owner is to select a veterinarian and schedule an appointment. Your new puppy will need certain vaccinations to prevent common diseases. Worms and fleas can also be a problem for puppies so make sure to discuss this with your vet. Always be on the lookout out for signs that could indicate that your dog is sick. Ideally, a perfectly healthy puppy should have smooth skin, a clean coat, and bright eyes.

Sleep/Rest
Caring for a puppy also involves preparing a safe and cozy sleeping place. Choose which room he will sleep in ahead of time. If you decide to let him stay in your room, you should know that there could be howling, whimpering, and barking as the puppy deals with separation anxiety the first few nights. A good way to ease this transition is to bring his bedding to the breeder or shelter (wherever you receive him) a few days before taking him home to give the puppy a familiar object in your house.

Feeding
You will also be responsible for feeding your puppy each and every meal. If you have other pets, you should be sure that each one has his own set of bowls for water and food. Sharing bowls tends to lead towards territorial conflicts and bullying as each pet tries to assert their dominance over one another.

Also, the quantity of the food that you give him varies over time. Puppies eat much more frequently than older dogs and also have extremely different nutritional requirements. Therefore, it's important to select the right type of dog food for each stage in his life. As a general rule of thumb puppies 6 to 8 weeks old eat four times a day, 12 to 20 weeks old eat three times a day, and 20 weeks and older eat only twice a day.

Play/Exercise
Another aspect of caring for puppies that is very important not to overlook is play time and exercise. Make sure to establish a safe place where your puppy will be allowed to be himself. This may be indoors or outside, but either way the area should be a controlled environment for the first few months of your puppy's life. Play with your puppy regularly to promote socialization and healthy development.

Also, make sure to buy appropriately sized toys for your puppy. If he is small, he should have smaller toys. For larger breeds, small toys can be a choking hazard. Most toys such as bones, ropes, stuffed animals, and balls come in all different shapes and sizes.

Potty Training
Potty training can be one of the most frustrating parts of owning a new puppy, but it's very important to get right. When and where to potty are the things that your puppy has to learn, and it may take some time. If you're at work during the day, you should seriously consider crate training.

Grooming/Cleaning
Proper upkeep, such as grooming and cleaning, are an essential part of puppy care. Not only will it encourage healthy development, but it will also remove unpleasant odors. Most puppies love to be brushed so don't be afraid to give it a try. It will remove dead hair and keep his coat beautiful. Also, don't forget about brushing his teeth and gums regularly.

Now that you understand what it takes to properly care for a puppy, you might be feeling slightly overwhelmed, but you shouldn't. Caring for a puppy is only difficult at first. The adjustment is the hardest part. Once you establish routines and good habits, the only thing left to do is enjoy the company and make memories together. The most important thing is to prepare your life for a puppy ahead of time to reduce the time it takes to adjust to your new family member.

Perfect Puppy Care is a website dedicated and developed by puppy care enthusiasts who have taken it as their goal to help you raise a happy, healthy, and well-behaved puppy.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jeff_Van_Dalsum

A Safe and Comfortable Dog Bed for Your Chihuahua

2010-07-13T00:11:00.000-07:00

Your loyal dog would more than likely appreciate and welcome a very comfortable and cozy dog bed. Usually dog owners select a good dog bed, along with a new collar, leash, healthy dog food and water dishes for their new puppy. You may want to consider your dog's personality, lifestyle and age when selecting a style to match your dog's needs. Your Chihuahua may be so happy to have his own special sleeping space, so he can routinely get a good night's sleep. You may wish to read Why Every Dog Needs a Bed: "Dog beds provide both physical and emotional comfort. HOW TO PICK THE RIGHT ONE".

Dog beds can also be very beneficial for dog owners. Once your dog gets accustomed to using his own bed, he might not be so likely to jump up on your bed or couch at night. This may possibly help to prevent injuries by keeping your dog from jumping up and down on your furniture. Having a dog bed located in one specific area in your home may also help in controlling the spread of dog hair and dander.

Some dog owners may choose to have a couple of dog beds for their pets. People sometimes put a comfortable dog bed in their home office area, the living room, the family room, or in the finished basement, where the family may watch TV. Their pet can relax and enjoy their company while they are working on their computer, talking on the phone or enjoying a movie. Your Chihuahua can use his comfortable bed just to relax when he is tired out or to get some quiet time, if the household is extra busy and chaotic at times. You may want to read the following article: Dogs & Dog Beds.

Hopefully, a good dog bed can offer some cushioning support for your dog's joints and bones. An appropriate dog bed can help to provide warmth and protect him from a cold, uncomfortable floor. It can also give him a feeling of security.

There are a few important things to think about when selecting the right bed for your own dog. First, you will want to make sure the bed is big enough for your dog. The dog bed should be large enough in size to comfortably support him when his body is stretched out and relaxed at night for sleep.

It is a great idea to take into consideration your dog's unique sleeping habits. You can observe your dog where and how he sleeps to check for special sleeping patterns. Does your dog like to curl up on a chair or sofa with a blanket or does he really like to stretch out? Some dogs like to even sleep on your bed with their head right on a soft pillow. With the help of some of these clues, you will want to determine exactly what kind of bed would be best suited for your dog.

There are so many varieties of good quality dog beds to select at the pet store or while shopping for dog supplies online. There are roomy, square or round lounging dog beds that are nice and soft. Another style is a nestling type bed, which has supportive sides for your dog to rest his head. There are also bolster beds, which may be good for dogs who love to sleep with their head resting on an armrest of a chair or a pillow.

The veterinarian may recommend certain types of supportive orthopedic dog beds for older or arthritic dogs. They are often made of foam and/or box spring construction. The traditional or classic dog beds may come with machine-washable covers. Another style would be the mats or pads, which are usually made of foam construction. There are also travel dog beds for families on the go.

A good dog owner will want to make sure their dog's bed is safe and made very well. The construction of dog beds may consist mainly of foam, polyfil, or box spring support, or a combination of all three. Hopefully, your dog will benefit from the support for their bones and joints, comfort and warmth, and also a nice feeling of security.

Don't forget about the outdoor dog that sleeps in a doghouse. You may wish to get an outdoor-safe bed for an outdoor dog. It is so important to protect your outside dog. They make dog beds that are tough and water-resistant.

Where you place your dog's bed in your home is also an important factor. You may want to have the dog's bed in a quiet, safe place in the house. A peaceful and comfortable corner or section of the room may be nice. You probably will want to pick a special sleeping area for the dog where there is not much noise that would disturb him. The Chihuahua may feel a little more confident and secure if he can still see the people in the house from his sleeping area. Just knowing that you are there may help him to stay relaxed and calm.

Most puppies in a new home environment may feel somewhat anxious and have a difficult time at first trying to quiet themselves down to sleep for the night. I will offer some helpful tips on how to help a new puppy sleep through the night. A new puppy may whine to get your attention. Everything may seem so new to your puppy in the beginning until he gets a little used to his new home. He may miss his mom and family litter in the beginning.

The puppy may enjoy having a favorite, safe dog toy or dog blanket with him for a feeling of familiarity and security. Dogs sometimes instinctively circle around their sleeping place where they are going to sleep. If you want the Chihuahua puppy in his bed at a certain time, you can begin a daily routine schedule and try to have him go to bed around the same time every night, so he gets used to this habit. But, if the puppy leaves his dog bed, you can nicely put him back in his bed, so he gets the idea and learns to get comfortable in his special sleeping space.

When the puppy gets accustomed to where his bed is, you may tell him to go into his own dog bed when you want him to go to sleep at night. Dogs like to know what is expected of them. Hopefully, he will soon learn a nice bedtime routine.

So the puppy can sleep good at night you may want to allow for adequate and appropriate exercise for the puppy throughout the day. You can plan a routine schedule for meal times for the puppy. Dogs usually respond well to a nice schedule. It may be helpful to get into the habit of some calm, quiet time before the actual bedtime. The Chihuahua puppy may need to go outside to eliminate immediately before bedtime. Providing background sounds, such as a very soft background sound of a TV or radio may calm the puppy down and relax him at night.

A puppy may need to eliminate in the middle of the night. If the puppy needs to go out during the night, he may whine, pace or bark. You can take him outside in a safe manner to eliminate and bring him right back to his sleep area to go back to sleep. He should learn to understand that it is time for sleep and not time to play during the night. The Chihuahua puppy will learn that his owner is a good leader and he will feel loved and protected. Hopefully, with a few helpful ideas you and your puppy will get sufficient sleep every night and be happy!

A Healthy Chihuahua Puppy

2010-07-12T22:14:00.000-07:00

When you are choosing a new Chihuahua puppy you may be thinking about some very important things that you might want to check for in your new puppy, such as the following few examples that I have listed for you below:

A Chihuahua puppy that has a normal, active energy level, not a lethargic appearance.

A Chihuahua puppy that has bright, clear eyes (not running eyes or running, crusted nose).

A Chihuahua puppy that has a shiny, healthy looking coat (clean and soft) as compared to a dull coat.

A Chihuahua puppy that shows a happy expression and appropriate actions (not shy, fearful or nasty).

A Chihuahua puppy that has pink, healthy looking gums and clean white teeth.

A Chihuahua puppy that might be pleasantly plump, but not fat (not one that looks sick or in poor condition or undernourished).

The inside of the puppy's ears may be pink and clean, with no discharge or strong odor.

Careers for People Who Enjoy Working with Animals

2010-07-08T00:23:00.000-07:00

Did you ever happen to think about having a career in which you would be able to work with dogs or other animals? A pet sitter is an animal related career option. Sometimes dog owners may have to leave their home temporarily for a few days or more and they are unable to bring their dog with them, so they may hire a professional pet sitter. They usually look for a reputable pet sitter that is honest, reliable and knowledgeable about dog care in general.

The pet owner may carefully prepare a list of the duties and responsibilities that they would like the pet sitter to fulfill while they are away. This is an ideal time for the owner to write down any important information about their pet, such as any medical problems, special requirements (like any necessary medications prescribed by their veterinarian for their pet or special diet). They should write down their veterinarian's phone number in case of an emergency. They will want to definitely include the phone number and the place where they can be reached.

The pet owner will want to talk about what specific food to feed their pet and how often to feed their pet. They may want to explain where they routinely walk their dog and how often their dog needs to be walked. The pet owner will want to know their pet will be cared for in a safe and comfortable manner while they are away.

Another option that involves working directly with dogs is a job working in a doggy daycare. Doggy daycare is an available option for dog care if dog owners just need supervised care for a few hours a day, or during certain occasions. Sometimes dogs just need some additional companionship. Doggy daycare should be a safe place, fully supervised by trained staff members. It is a place where dogs can play with other dogs that match their similar temperament.

There may be safe and appropriate dog toys and comfortable dog beds for napping. Most doggy daycares have an outdoor area for exercise. You may wish to read the following article: Doggie Day Care? Really? The staff should be trained to understand and appropriately respond to dog behavior and interactions.

There should be enough humans around to give each dog nice attention and positive reinforcement. Doggy daycare should be secure and safe. All dogs in doggy daycare usually need to meet minimum health requirements. Dogs must have their current vaccinations and be free of infectious diseases. The dogs may be evaluated to make sure their temperament is fine for the daycare environment.

A dog groomer is another career option for people who enjoy working with dogs and have patience. If you think you may be interested in this line of work, you may wish to visit and talk with a professional dog groomer in your area.

Another job for people who like to work with pets is to work in a pet shop. You could also decide to volunteer or work in an animal shelter.

A professional dog trainer is another career option for people who enjoy working with dogs. I recently read there is an increased demand for dog trainers. There are many kinds of professional dog trainers. Dog trainers understand how dogs learn and they may help dog owners correct their pet's specific behavior problems. You may wish to read Why Become a Dog Trainer?: Careers in Dog Training Offer a Variety of Opportunities.

If you feel you have the interest and patience to become a dog trainer, you can talk to other professional dog trainers in your local area for more information. There are dog training schools as well as some online dog training courses. A certified dog trainer may decide to start their own dog training business. They may offer dog training classes or work individually with an owner and their dog. You may wish to check out the following:

Funny Chihuahua Video

2010-07-08T00:14:00.001-07:00

Certified Dog Trainer Qualities

2010-07-07T23:45:00.001-07:00

By: Lars Rohde

All dog lovers know just how much company these four-legged friends can be. They are special pets that can provide so much love and entertainment. It seems like they can predict when you feel good and when you don't. They are loyal to the very end.

However, this doesn't mean that you can't run into problems with these adorable pets once in awhile. That is when you need the expertise of a certified dog trainer to step in and help you get or keep control over your pet. So what are some of the qualities of a certified dog trainer?

Some qualities of a certified dog trainer that you need to look for includes confidence. A good trainer will know they can benefit and improve your dogs overall attitude and your pet can sense if they do not have this quality. Kindness is very important.

A qualified trainer will have the ability to be kind and firm at the same time. They will make training a fun and exciting time for your beloved dog. Safety will also be a huge aspect of their training technique. They will also understand how different breeds of dog learn and be able to teach by understanding the individual personality of your pet.

Qualities of a certified dog trainer include keeping up to date on all the latest training techniques. There are always new and improved items that can assist in the way your dog is being trained. Knowing and understanding these techniques is the only way that a trainer can be completely efficient and do the best job with your pet.

New information is also being reported that can be very beneficial. A certified trainer always stays on top of this information. They also follow the ''code of ethics'' which includes being honest, dependable and professional at all times.

You will be able to see a happier, healthier pet when the training has been completed. These are reasons why you should use a certified dog trainer to help teach your dog how to be a better pet and companion. You will see the bond between the two of you grow stronger every day. It will be the foundation of a new life together.

A professional trainer can teach your pet how to interact in social gatherings. This means you don't have to worry about how they will act when in the company of other pets and people. Imagine how proud you will be to have the best behaved dog in the park.

Author Resource: Want more stuff from a dog lover, then head over to our sites WestiesInfo and DogPractice.com. He strives to provide his readers with quality information on dogs and you will always find good content and useful resources at our sites.

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Video on How to Crate Train Your Puppy

2010-07-07T23:41:00.000-07:00

Doberman and Chihuahua Video

2010-07-06T23:13:00.000-07:00

Create A Bond With Your Dog Through Puppy Obedience Training

2010-07-06T22:57:00.000-07:00

By: Mark Robert

Just because you love your puppy with all of your heart does not mean you shouldn't get the little fuzzy guy some obedience training.

In fact, if you have a new puppy, you should really look into all of the advantages and disadvantages of the training so you can make an educated decision on whether to enroll your pet or not.

There are a plethora of reasons why obedience training should be considered.

In the first place, there are some people who visit you who may not share the same love for your puppy that you have.

There are some pet owners who feel they have to lock their pet in a room or put them outside when visitors come to their home, but a little bit of obedience training can fix this problem.

This way, you will be able to keep your pet with you, and you will not run into any expected problems while your guests are there.

Secondly, many dogs, and especially puppies, are at to run out the front door and into the street when a new guest arrives. You certainly don't want them to get hit by a car!

You definitely don't want your beloved four-legged friend to be hit by a vehicle! Through obedience training, your dog will figure out where you want him to be and when. This way, you will be able to ensure that he is safe at all times.

This will increase his safety and give you peace of mind.

Many pet owners have rooms that are off-limit to their pets, and these can range from sitting rooms to the kitchen.

The temperament of you dog is an important determining factor for the need of obedience training, because certain breeds have aggressive tendencies that make such training a must.

There are a variety of dog breeds, including German Shepherds and Bulldogs that can greatly benefit from obedience training, and it is important to start them at a young age.

Lastly, many owners find that going through obedience training with their pet helps them maintain a good relationship; spoiling only leads to subordination and domination -- usually by the pet.

Through proper communication and instruction, you will be able to house train your pet and establish boundaries that both of you can respect.

You will find that there are many options for obedience training, and the only thing you will have to do is decide what approach is best for you and your pet.

Author Resource: Looking to find the best advices on dogs obedience training, then visit www.puppyobediencetrainingtips.net/ to find the best information on puppy obedience training.

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Tips For Choosing the Right Dog As a Pet

2010-06-21T21:07:00.000-07:00

By Kelly Marshall

Dogs happen to be one of the best pets - there's a reason they are called "man's best friend." Of course, if you want a pet of your own, you'll want to make sure that you will get a dog that will fit your personality, living style, and more. Here are a few things to consider when choosing your canine pet.

You may want to consider going with a purebred puppy for your new pet, and there are many different breeds out there that you can choose from. The great thing about choosing a puppy that is pure bred is that you will know how your dog will turn out in the end. You can even research how easy that breed is to train, the grooming the breed needs, and how they behave. This can help you to better choose a pet that will adapt with your lifestyle.

Assuming that you are going to go with a purebred pet dog, you'll definitely want to consider the shedding that you're pet will do. Every dog is going to shed some hair, but some will shed more than others. If you plan to keep your dog in your home and want to avoid having hair everywhere, then choosing a dog breed that does not shed is going to be your best option.

You'll want to consider how easy your dog will be to train as well. If the dog is easy to train, you won't need as much time to train him. Another thing to think about is the grooming that your new pet is going to require. Dogs that have long coats usually require a lot more grooming than short haired dogs.

Ask yourself if you are looking for a pet to hang out with and cuddle with, or do you want an athletic dog that can keep up with you when you go out jogging or you engage in other activities with your dog. There are some breeds of dogs that have a lot of stamina, and if you want to go hiking, jogging, or walking with your dog, choose a breed that has plenty of stamina.

Another important tip to keep in mind when you are trying to choose the right dog as a pet is whether or not you have children. There are some breeds of dogs that are well known for being great with kids, and you'll want to choose one of these dogs if you have young children that will be around your dog on a regular basis. There are a couple dogs that may not be as great with children, and they should be avoided.

Choose the right dog and you'll have a faithful friend and pet for life. However, if you choose a dog that isn't suited to you, chances are that you and the dog will not be happy. Before you get a new dog as a pet, always keep these considerations in mind to ensure you make the right choice.

Article by Kelly Marshall of Oh My Dog Supplies, your top source for organic dog treats online.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kelly_Marshall

Chihuahua Clothes - What You Need To Know

2010-06-01T22:40:00.000-07:00

By: Joshua Turner

Chihuahua clothes might seem like a funny idea to some people. I mean, who really thinks of dressing their dog up in clothes? Well, there are actually benefits to dressing up your Chihuahua in clothes.

Chihuahuas are the smallest dog breed in the world. This means they are more susceptible to weather and temperature conditions, allowing them to get colder than other dog breeds. If you've ever seen a Chihuahua shivering, it is usually because they are just cold! So, what can you do as a loving owner to help prevent this? Well, one of the most obvious solutions is to get them a warm piece of clothing.

That's right, clothes do more than just make your Chihuahua look cute and adorable, they also keep them warm. This is especially important if you live in colder climates, as the blistering cold can not only make your Chihuahua uncomfortable, but it can be dangerous to their health as well.

Finding Chihuahua clothes can be difficult if you don't know where to look. Oftentimes, local stores will carry dog clothes, but they aren't small enough for Chihuahuas. Check out some of the pet stores, like Petsmart for a wide selection. Also, there are a number of online stores that specialize in small dog clothes. You can really find some great bargains at some of the online shops for dog clothes.

Now if this is your first time buying Chihuahua clothes, you may feel a little lost. With so many different types and styles, it can certainly be confusing to any newcomer. So, here are a few tips:

You can find Chihuahua clothes in various types, such as shirts, sweaters, hoodies, dresses, and more. It's usually best to go with something simple like a shirt or sweater, since your Chihuahua will probably get more use out of something like this.

When buying clothes, always check the size to make sure it will fit your canine friend. There's nothing worse than being excited about ordering a shirt for your Chihuahua only to find out later that it doesn't fit.

Here is one more tip - Whenever you dress your Chihuahua up in clothes, give them a treat. This will make your Chihuahua enjoy dress up time much more, because we all know how much they love treats!

Now that you are familiar with the whole idea of Chihuahua clothes, go check out some online or at your local pet store. You know you want to pamper your Chihuahua anyway!

Author Resource: Find great deals on Chihuahua clothes and Chihuahua costumes by visiting our website.

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How to Properly Train a Puppy

2010-06-01T21:30:00.000-07:00

By: Andrew Bicknell

There is nothing quite like bringing home a new puppy. The excitement level can be quite high, particularly if children are waiting anxiously. But before you even bring home a new puppy be sure that you are doing it for the right reasons because while puppies make great gifts they are a responsibility that lasts for their entire life. A new puppy can make a lifetime of great memories but they also require a lot of training and work if they are to become a member of your family.

Your puppies breed and temperament will go along ways in determining what sort of training may work best for him. Of course the smarter the breed of puppy the easier it will be to train, but at the same time a smart dog will probably be somewhat resistant to being told what to do at first, at least until it is determined who is dominant in the dog/human relationship.

Training a puppy is something that can take a short amount of time depending on how much time and attention you spend doing it. This does not mean that you need to spend hours a day training your puppy. Just like small children their attention span only lasts so long. Break your training sessions up into a few short sessions throughout the day and your puppy will respond in a positive manner.

When you first start training your puppy you will need to start with basic obedience training, teaching commands such as sit, come, stay, heel and fetch. As they get older and master these simple commands you can start to incorporate more difficult training.

The idea of training a puppy can be somewhat overwhelming for some people but it is really not that hard. Most puppies and the dogs they grow into really want to do nothing but please their owners. By teaching them correctly you will create a bond that will cause them to remember everything you teach them simply because they like to be rewarded.

If you choose not to train a new puppy the consequences may not be to your liking. They will learn that they do not have to listen and will essentially become the master of your house. And puppies can be very destructive. As they teeth they will chew on anything available if they don't know better. If they are taught the difference between right and wrong the damage they can do will be limited.

While you can use any number of training aids to help you train your new puppy sometimes the best approach is to just work with him on a daily basis. The more interaction you have with your four legged friend the better his response to training will be. It is also important to remember that training should be a continuing process, even as your dog gets older and grows bigger. The positives of a well trained puppy and dog are many and will make for a lifelong companion who is happy and healthy.

Author Resource: For more puppy training tips and tricks visit the website Worfdog.com by clicking here.

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Another Chihuahua Video!

2010-05-20T19:53:00.000-07:00

A Really Cute Video Of A Patient Chihuahua

2010-05-19T13:21:00.000-07:00

A Video Of A Cute Chihuahua Puppy

2010-05-16T21:09:00.000-07:00

The Importance Of A Well Behaved Dog

2010-05-16T20:33:00.000-07:00

By: Amy Nutt

If you have a dog, you have probably been concerned with his or her behavior at some point. This is important if you frequently have company, or if your dog is your constant companion out in public. Even if this isn't the case, it is still important to be sure your dog is well-behaved and will obey you. This also helps you develop a good relationship with your dog.

The first step to having a well behaved dog is to fully understand the dog's behavior. Only then will you be able to learn to communicate effectively with your pet, thereby, building a successful partnership. This is important, especially if you are the sole owner of the dog.

If you are the sole dog owner, you will probably spend a lot of time with your dog. Another step toward having a great relationship with your animal is to make sure he or she receives proper care. This means that you should regularly walk your dog, take a vested interest in his or her health needs, and always make sure you provide love and affection.

If you are having difficulty with your dog's behavior, there are steps you can take to work out a solution that will work for both dog and owner. This can mean consulting your vet for ideas, or enrolling your pet in obedience school. Obedience will teach your dog how to behave in certain situations as well as how to respond to given commands. A trainer can also help break bad habits your dog may have that is affecting his or hers behavior.

You will also be provided with step-by-step obedience exercises that you can practice with your dog at home. This will help to enforce the behaviors learned in class. Not doing so will most likely result in your dog resorting back to past behavior because the new behaviors are not being re-enforced.

It is also important to talk to and listen to your dog. Pay attention to how your dog acts and responds to those behaviors. If they are negative, try to find out what you can do to stop and prevent them. If your dog is doing well, be sure to give him or her, the proper praise that is well-deserved. Praise is just as important for dogs as it is for people and will help to promote continuing good behavior.

Author Resource: Bark Busters is Canada's most successful dog obedience training organization and will come right to your home to help you! http://www.barkbusters.ca/

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A Few Considerations Before You Adopt A Dog

2010-05-11T22:52:00.000-07:00

By: Bowe Packer

There are many of you who have treasured to bring a nice cuddlesome dog home as a pet. There are different ways that you can go about the business of selecting your future pet but you may want to think about adopting a dog. Before you can officially adopt a dog there are certain items that you will need to take into consideration.

Now I know that pets play on our emotions and make it very challenging to make a decision based on providing a good home for the dog. Do yourself a favor and try to take into consideration the following.

The first consideration should be what kind of dog will be right for your home and your lifestyle. This is very important to consider as some dogs are actually suited for patrolling large compounds and other types of dogs have stacks of surplus energy that should be worked off in a regular active routine.

In addition when you are going to adopt a dog you will have to think about the full size of your new pet and if your home can accommodate your dog's environmental needs. For instance you need to realize if a full size Great Dane will be pleased living in a small country cottage or trailer house.

The other item that you must consider is the food that you will need to give your new pet. As each dog is different in temperament and size you will need to purchase the right type of food for your dog. For this rationality adopting a dog involves knowing something about the breed and what kind of food and environmental issues that are necessary for the future well being of your new pet.

The research of the breed doesn't have to be never ending, long drawn out process. Just enough information so that you feel comfortable knowing that your home and environment will provide the needs of your new dog.

You can find some of this information from books and the internet. However before you start looking for this information you will need to see the assorted breeds. From this data you can make a realistic conclusion if you are capable of caring for a Chihuahua, a Labrador, a German Shepard, or even a mixed breed.

Once you have looked at the assorted dogs you can find a pet adoption center where you can find many different breeds of dogs. From these places you should be able to adopt a dog that is in need of lots of care and love. You can ask for information about the dog that you want to adopt.

These questions can include the name of a good veterinarian, an individual who can help you to train your new pet how to behave. You can also ask about the other facts that you may feel are necessary to care for your new dog.

Even though you may have thought that having a pet is an easy matter there are many items that need to be seen to when you adopt a dog. For the person who is willing to give some of their time and love to a dog you will find a lifelong companion who will give you gobs of implicit love.

Now remember, the more information you gather, the better understanding of what you can and can't provide will be clear. Adopting a dog can be fun and exciting, always remember to take the pet into consideration as well. The last thing I know you want to do is bring a dog home and find out that your accommodations don't suite their needs.

Author Resource: Bowe Packer provides free and valuable information to online consumers. He has written over 20 articles on pet adoption and delivers additional information on the subject through his website. Visit his site and gleam Free pet adoption information.

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Cute Video of a Chihuahua Doing Tricks

2010-05-11T16:14:00.000-07:00

Tips for Training an Older Dog

2010-05-10T21:44:00.000-07:00

By: Andrew Bicknell

There is a saying that "you can't teach an old dog new tricks". For many people with an older dog that was never properly trained they probably think this is true. Just like people do, when dogs get older they get pretty set in their ways. Think old and stubborn. This of course is not entirely true; it is possible to train an older dog but it will take more time and patience.

The thing with older dogs is they have been behaving in a certain way their entire life and to them that is the way things are. They do not distinguish between right and wrong like people do. For a dog repetition is their primary way of learning and if all they've done is the wrong thing their whole life their behavior will reflect that.

One thing you can try with an older dog is to make the training you are doing seem like it is actually the dogs idea. If he thinks it's his idea he will more than likely keep doing it. He probably will resist your attempts to force him to do something like sit. But if he sits on his own give the command "sit" at the same time and reward or praise him. If you keep doing this, repetition, before long your old dog will be sitting when you tell him to. You can use this technique with a variety of commands such as come, heel, and stay.

It is certainly not true that all older dogs are more difficult to train but for the vast majority of dog owners this is the case. Dealing with the stubbornness of a dog set in their ways can be difficult and frustrating but if your dog is exhibiting bad habits and behavior it is important to break them of that. In the long run have a well trained and obedient dog will make both you and your dog much happier and will lead to a stronger bond.

If your old dog is being particularly stubborn and your not making any head way on your own then consider joining a dog training class or working with a professional dog trainer. This will give you the benefit of working with people who have experience with all sorts of dogs and their different behaviors. You might be amazed how quickly your dog responds to someone who knows how to deal with their behavior problems. These are also lessons you can take home and continue to use as you train your old dog to do new tricks.

Author Resource: For more dog training tips and tricks visit the website Worfdog.com by clicking here.

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Cute Video of a Smiling Chihuahua

2010-05-06T22:29:00.001-07:00

Make Your Home Welcoming and Safe for Your Puppy

2010-05-05T20:28:00.000-07:00

By: Sandra Dinkins-Wilson

Unlike bringing home a newborn child where you have some time to make your home safe, bringing home your new puppy means you need to puppy proof your home right away. Puppies are just like toddlers with lots of energy and ready to get into everything. They have an insatiable curiosity that makes them check out everything including those things that might not be so safe for them. As the puppy's new owner, you must puppy proof your home.

One good step to take towards puppy proofing your home is to look at it from the dog's perspective. Get down on your hands and knees and look around. You might be surprised at what you see down there that could look so tempting to a puppy in his new home. Remember your puppy will want to check out all this new stuff as he has never seen it before and it just might be dangerous to him.

Be very aware of electrical cords that your puppy can access and chew on. Just think of what a puppy chewing on an electrical cord, in use, could lead to. Place the cords where the puppy can't access them. Place them behind furniture or up high where he can't reach. Try laying them under something like a rubber mat.

Stairs can provide as much danger to a puppy as to a toddler. They can have trouble getting up and down them. In their boisterousness, they can even fall down a flight of stairs. Best to just block off the stairway until the puppy has grown and is more capable of navigating them. Stairs might also lead to a place you do not want your puppy to be such as the basement. If you have a door, then you must be sure the door is always closed.

Another step in making your home puppy proof is to be sure there are no hazardous household chemicals where he can get into them. Such are usually stored under the kitchen sink or even the bathroom sink. Can your puppy get ready access to these places? You may even have to go so far as to use those plastic cabinet locks that are used for toddlers.

These are a few steps to take in making your home puppy proof. Keep in mind the level of your home your puppy lives at and what he sees and can get into at that level. Having a puppy proof home can go a long ways to having a happy and healthy relationship with you puppy.

copyright 2005. Sandra Dinkins-Wilson

Author Resource: Visit our Puppy Training website at http://ezpuppytraining.com/ for a free course on "Welcoming Your New Puppy Home and Puppy Training". Find more puppy training and care tips at our website.

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Are You Thinking About Becoming A Professional Pet Sitter or a Dog Trainer?

2010-05-05T20:20:00.000-07:00

Choosing The Right Dog For Your Lifestyle

2010-05-01T09:49:00.000-07:00

By: Amy Nutt

There is a lot to consider when choosing the right dog for your lifestyle. Depending on your specific living situation, you will have several factors to consider before actually making a choice. If you have a family, especially if that family includes children, you will want to be sure your dog behaves well around them.

A dog that requires a lot of one-on-one attention is probably not suited for this type of family, and should most likely be a pet for a single owner. Likewise, a dog that likes to run and play and responds well to different personality types may work out well in a family with children.

Before you decide on a dog, examine your own lifestyle and find a dog that will match. If you live alone in a small apartment, adopting a large dog might not be a good idea because he or she would not be able to get the much needed exercise in an open environment.

Likewise, small dogs are not often good as outside pets, and much prefer being indoors with the owner or rest of the family. If, however, you have a family of four and are looking for a dog that will match your active lifestyle, a bigger dog might be right for you.

Important factors to consider when choosing the right dog to fit your lifestyle include: the size of the dog, his or her exercise requirements, whether or not he or she is friendly, his or her assertiveness, and compatibility with children. Also, being a responsible dog owner is just as important to how well your dog reacts to your lifestyle.

If you do not have a lot of time to spend with your dog, do not choose that requires constant attention. If you do not have time to spend with a dog at all, you should reconsider your decision. Dogs need just as much attention as do people, and it is crucial that they are treated well.

Learn about different mixes and breeds and which types will suite various lifestyles. This is just as important as choosing the right animal because certain breeds are great for children, while others are better for those who are single. It can be a difficult decision, but one that will bring you pleasure for years to come.

Choosing the right dog will provide you with years of constant companionship, and add another member to your ever-growing family.

Author Resource: Bark Busters has been leading the pack in solving dog behaviour issues, dog obedience training issues, and puppy training since 1989. http://www.barkbusters.ca/

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Pet Related Careers

2010-04-29T22:52:00.000-07:00

Did you ever happen to think about having a career in which you would be able to work with dogs or other animals? You may need some professional training for certain careers in this field. I will include helpful job descriptions for several career options that would enable you to be working with dogs or other animals in general.

The first career professional that comes to my mind is the veterinarian. To become a DVM (Doctor of Veterinary Medicine) you may need to complete a four-year undergraduate program and then an additional four years of veterinarian training for your career. Veterinarians may diagnose animal health problems and prescribe the proper medications for animals suffering from certain illnesses. They may provide appropriate vaccinations for the animals against diseases, such as distemper and rabies. Veterinarians may also offer some advise to pet owners about behavior and preventive care for the animals. They can usually perform diagnostic tests such as Xrays, blood work, urine tests and much more.

Next, there is the interesting career of the professional veterinary technician or veterinary assistant. These technicians may help with many duties in the veterinarian's office. To qualify as a licensed veterinary technician you may need to complete a two-year or possibly a four-year educational program. You could even search online to check for schools that train people to be veterinary assistants. If you are sincerely interested in pursuing this career, you may wish to ask a reputable veterinarian for some information about becoming a veterinary technician or an assistant. There is also the option of performing clerical work in a veterinarian's office or being a receptionist.

A pet sitter is another animal related career option. Sometimes dog owners may have to leave their home temporarily for a few days or more and they are unable to bring their dog with them, so they may hire a professional pet sitter. They usually look for a reputable pet sitter that is honest, reliable and knowledgeable about dog care in general. The pet owner may carefully prepare a list of the duties and responsibilities that they would like the pet sitter to fulfill while they are away. This is an ideal time for the owner to write down any important information about their pet, such as any medical problems, special requirements (like any necessary medications prescribed by their veterinarian for their pet or special diet). They should write down their veterinarian's phone number in case of an emergency. They will want to definitely include the phone number and the place where they can be reached. The pet owner will want to talk about what specific food to feed their pet and how often to feed their pet. They may want to explain where they routinely walk their dog and how often their dog needs to be walked. The pet owner will want to know their pet will be cared for in a safe and comfortable manner while they are away.

Another option that involves working directly with dogs is a job working in a doggy daycare. Doggy daycare is an available option for dog care if dog owners just need supervised care for a few hours a day, or during certain occasions. Sometimes dogs just need some additional companionship. Doggy daycare should be a safe place, fully supervised by trained staff members. It is a place where dogs can play with other dogs that match their similar temperament.

There may be safe and appropriate dog toys and comfortable dog beds for napping. Most doggy daycares have an outdoor area for exercise. You may wish to read the following article: Doggie Day Care? Really? The staff should be trained to understand and appropriately respond to dog behavior and interactions.

There should be enough humans around to give each dog nice attention and positive reinforcement. Doggy daycare should be secure and safe. All dogs in doggy daycare usually need to meet minimum health requirements. Dogs must have their current vaccinations and be free of infectious diseases. The dogs may be evaluated to make sure their temperament is fine for the daycare environment.

A dog groomer is another career option for people who enjoy working with dogs and have patience. If you think you may be interested in this line of work, you may wish to visit and talk with a professional dog groomer in your area.

Another job for people who like to work with pets is to work in a pet shop. You could also decide to volunteer or work in an animal shelter.

A professional dog trainer is another career option for people who enjoy working with dogs. I recently read there is an increased demand for dog trainers. There are many kinds of professional dog trainers. Dog trainers understand how dogs learn and they may help dog owners correct their pet's specific behavior problems. You may wish to read Why Become a Dog Trainer?: Careers in Dog Training Offer a Variety of Opportunities.

It must be a fun career to be a dog trainer for celebrities or who happen to be lucky enough to work with dogs that appear in movies. If you feel you have the interest and patience to become a dog trainer, you can talk to other professional dog trainers in your local area for more information. There are dog training schools as well as some online dog training courses. A certified dog trainer may decide to start their own dog training business. They may offer dog training classes or work individually with an owner and their dog. You may wish to check out the following:

Bringing Home an Older Puppy

2010-04-29T19:07:00.001-07:00

By Jeff Van Dalsum

Most of the time, when bringing a new puppy into the family, a puppy is selected that is around 8 weeks old. As a result of this stage in his life, he is in the ideal situation to accept a new home. He will also be more open to training and conditioning which will make the bonding process easier and faster.

There are also many cases where a family chooses an older puppy over a younger one. The biggest drawback here is that the ideal training stage for the puppy has already passed. Therefore, bringing home an older puppy requires you to be more flexible and patient with your training routines.

There are many things to look into when you're thinking of getting an older puppy. When compared to younger puppies, the older ones are usually calmer and less energetic. Also, older puppy training might be a little easier since he may have already received some basic training. He might be familiar with children, people, and other pets. However, there is also just as good of a chance that he was not taught any commands or properly socialized which is why it is important to find out his background.

Be very careful with a puppy that has been abused or neglected by his previous owner. These puppies are typically harder to train and to live with as they are more prone to stress, fear, and anxiety towards people. Sometimes, they can even develop aggressive behavior. This isn't to say that all abused or neglected puppies are like this, in fact some are the nicest puppies you will ever meet, but it's important to be aware of the possibility.

Once you've chosen a puppy, make sure to bring the entire family to meet him. This is important because it will allow you to see how the puppy reacts to different people. You'll be able to find out if the puppy dislikes children, women, or other pets. Observe closely and note his overall behavior.

Also take notice to how he reacts to different circumstances. Try dropping your keys on the floor and see his reaction. A normal response would simply be to ignore the noise or to go sniff the keys out of curiosity. If he begins barking, biting, and jumping you may have some problems to deal with down the road.

If you can, ask a staff member to carry the puppy around for a few minutes. See how the puppy reacts to being picked up and carried. If you notice any hints of aggression or fear, you will need to address them through training routines in the future.

Remember, the most important aspect to bringing home an older puppy is knowledge. Ask the staff or breeder as many questions as you can in respect to training, behavior, vaccinations, health, and overall mentality. Also, make sure to investigate the reason why the previous owner left the puppy or why he has not been adopted yet. All of this information can help you better prepare for living with and training your new puppy.

Whatever puppy you decide to bring home, you should know that puppy ownership is like a journey between you, your family, and your puppy. No matter what age you bring that little guy home at, he will be a large part of your life for a long time to come. Older puppy training takes time, patience, and energy but arm yourself with knowledge and dedication and you will set yourself up for success.

Perfect Puppy Care is a website dedicated and developed by puppy care enthusiasts who have taken it as their goal to help you raise a happy, healthy, and well-behaved puppy.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jeff_Van_Dalsum

A Cute Video of A Talking Chihuahua

2010-04-28T23:54:00.000-07:00

Why Dogs Chew and Some Helpful Tips About Chewing and the Chihuahua

2010-04-24T22:43:00.000-07:00

There are some basic reasons that dogs chew. Puppies may check out some of the new things in their environment by putting objects in their mouths. Puppies may also chew to relieve pressure of their new little teeth erupting through their gums. They may teethe for about 6 months, which usually causes some discomfort. Chewing can make the sore gums feel better.

Some dogs chew out of boredom. It may be helpful to keep your dog appropriately occupied and give him enough daily attention. Safely taking him with you when you do errands, if possible, may give him a change of scenery and some variety.

Dogs chew to relieve anxiety and stress. Maybe the dog is experiencing separation anxiety. Dogs that don't get enough exercise use up some energy by chewing. Another reason why dogs may chew is because as a puppy, they were not taught what to chew and what not to chew. For example, chewing can be done on a safe bone or safe chew toy.

A Few Helpful Tips About Chewing and the Chihuahua:

If you don't want your dog to chew certain things in your home, don't make them available. You can keep clothing, hair supplies like hair curlers, shoes, books, trash, television remote control devices, and children's toys out of your dog's reach.

You may decide to use a safe place that's dog-proof in your home and provide fresh water and safe and appropriate dog toys.

It is helpful for your dog to have enough attention and exercise each day. When you are deciding on the amount of exercise, keep in mind his age and health.

If you happen to see your Chihuahua chewing on something he shouldn't, you can offer him an acceptable, safe chew toy instead. You may also wish to offer your dog a treat in exchange for the item in his mouth.

Your dog will need time to learn the rules about chewing and remember to take precautions and keep things out of his reach that you don't want him to get.

Are You Thinking About Buying a Chihuahua Puppy from a Breeder?

2010-04-23T23:39:00.000-07:00

There are so many important things to think about when deciding to add a new puppy to your family. You may have been doing a lot of research about the Chihuahua breed. Now, you might have come to the conclusion that the time is right for you to get a puppy. Where are you planning to get your new Chihuahua puppy? If you are thinking about buying a Chihuahua puppy from a breeder, you will probably want them to be a legitimate and respected breeder.

One nice place where you may find some breeders is actually at a dog show. After the breeders show their dogs sometimes they have a little time to answer some of your questions about the Chihuahua breed. The breeder could tell you if they currently have any puppies or upcoming Chihuahua litters in the near future. Good breeders are usually very knowledgeable about their dogs and they are known to breed the Chihuahua dogs for the actual betterment of the breed.

Some example questions that people ask the breeders:

1. If the breeder would happen to live close to you, you may decide to ask if you would be allowed to see the puppies in their home environment where they were born and are currently being raised. You would hopefully see if the mother and the litter family appear healthy.

2. How many puppies are in the litter?

3. Are the puppies up-to-date with their exams and vaccinations by the veterinarian? Which vaccinations have the puppies received and do they have any specific health certifications or documentation from the veterinarian?

4. Are there any known health problems with the puppies or in the pup's family background?

5. Are the puppies registered with the American Kennel Club (AKC)?

6. What type of food do the puppies eat and how often?

7. Did the puppies have any housetraining or crate training?

8. If at any time in the future something would happen and you were unable to keep the dog, will the breeder take the dog back?

9. Does the breeder provide any type of health guarantee?

Breeders may interview you to evaluate whether you would make a good owner for their Chihuahua puppies. Now, these are some example questions the breeder may ask the potential owner:

1. Do you have the necessary time that is needed to care for a Chihuahua each day? Will anyone routinely be at home during the daytime hours to care for the puppy?

2. Do you have children or other pets?

3. Do you have general knowledge about the Chihuahua breed?

4. Do you enjoy grooming or do you plan on hiring a professional on a routine basis, if needed?

5. Will you contact the breeder if something would ever happen and you would not be able to keep your Chihuahua?

6. Do you have a good, reputable veterinarian to continue regular health exams and future vaccinations for your new Chihuahua?

The breeder may keep the Chihuahua puppies with their mom for about 8 to 10 weeks or even 12 weeks of age to make sure the puppies get proper nourishment and socialization with the litter family.

It is important that when you decide to buy a puppy from a breeder that the proper documentation is provided to you, such as a copy of the dog's pedigree (AKC registration). Usually a certified copy of the pedigree can be obtained from the American Kennel Club.

The registration certificate is like the dog's birth certificate. The breeder should transfer this information to the new owner. The breeder should give you any documentation of the puppy's health record, including information such as the specific dates of vaccinations and also the information about when future vaccinations are due.

It may also be helpful if the breeder shares a feeding chart or schedule including information, such as how much food is being fed to the puppy and how often. Hopefully, all of this information will help you get off to a great start with taking wonderful care of your new Chihuahua puppy!

Crate Training Your Chihuahua Puppy

2010-04-21T14:18:00.000-07:00

You may have just brought your adorable, new puppy home. This is an exciting time for you and your family. As a new responsible dog owner you probably did some research to pick the perfect breed that will easily fit into your lifestyle. Maybe you chose a friendly Chihuahua lap dog. Or possibly you and your family decided on a beautiful Golden Retriever or maybe a Yorkshire Terrier. There are so many nice breeds to choose from when deciding to buy a dog. Whatever breed of dog you chose, you more than likely bought most of your puppy supplies already and did more research to decide on a specific veterinarian for your new puppy.

I bet you had some fun coming up with a cute name for your new puppy, such as Ashley, Snowflake or Missy. You may now be in the process of reading informative books about puppy care and dog training. There are many excellent articles and even several videos about caring for your new puppy or adult dog, relating to nutrition, health, safety, grooming and training for your dog.

As a good dog owner, you probably already made the inside and outside of your home puppy proof. You have recently tried to make everything extremely safe for your new puppy and now you have realized that even if you are home the majority of the time, you may not be able to watch over your puppy every single minute of the day. If you happen to be able to work from home, or you are a stay-at-home mom, or maybe you are retired, you will probably still need to go out of the house routinely for some errands or appointments. After reading some of your books on puppy care, you may have gotten some ideas about using a safe dog crate or dog pen for your puppy while you temporarily need to leave the home for an hour or two while doing your errands, like grocery shopping, picking up the kids from school, or going to doctor's appointments.

But, if your circumstances are different and you routinely have to be out of the house for several hours at a time, you may have to change your schedule, hire a pet sitter, or take your dog to a doggie daycare facility. The idea behind using a dog crate is to be able to use it for a few hours at a time. For example, I recently read that puppies under six months of age shouldn't stay in a crate for more than three or four hours at a time.

Your new puppy is probably a lively, little puppy that you will want to keep safe, healthy and happy. Dog crates have some effective use in dog care and training. A safe and appropriate dog crate can be used when you are not available to watch over your puppy for a short time. A dog crate can be like an indoor dog den for your dog. It can be your dog's quiet, safe place for him to go if he wants to relax and curl up and take a nice nap.

Dog crates are often used for housetraining purposes. The idea behind using the crate method is based on the theory that dogs do not like to soil the area where they sleep or eat. Chihuahuas are very intelligent dogs, but you may need to be patient and consistent when you are housetraining them. Crate training can sometimes take days or weeks, depending on your dog's age and temperament. The crate should always be associated with something pleasant and positive. A crate should never be used for punishment. If your puppy definitely does not like the dog crate at all after you have tried your best, you may wish to try a dog pen, which is somewhat bigger than a crate.

The dog crate used for your Chihuahua puppy should be big enough for your puppy to be able to easily stand up and lie down and get comfortable. Dog crates and dog pens come in different sizes and can be purchased at most pet supply stores or pet supply catalogs. You may decide to place a safe, comfortable, washable dog blanket in the crate. Your Chihuahua may appreciate the cozy warmth of the blanket. You may wish to take your puppy's collar off while he is in the crate for safety reasons. It is helpful for your puppy if you keep the crate in the room where you are going to be in so that your puppy will still have your company and not be lonely, if at all possible. Your puppy will hopefully learn to think of his crate as his very own special place, almost like his own doghouse or den to go where he can rest and enjoy some quiet time.

A nice feature is that the crate is very portable. You can help to make the time that your Chihuahua puppy spends in his crate enjoyable. You can easily take it from room to room with you. Puppies need love and attention from their owner, so it may be a good idea not to leave your puppy inside the crate for longer than one hour at a time during the day, if possible. It is very important that at night you can have the crate near your bed where your puppy can definitely see you and let you know when he may need to go outside to go to the bathroom.

Puppies may need to go to the bathroom every two to three hours or more during the day when they are young. The time span will increase as your Chihuahua puppy gets a little older. Puppies will usually be ready to go to the bathroom when they first wake up in the morning, after eating and drinking and also after playing.

You may feed your puppy inside the crate at times, or offer your puppy his favorite treats or safe toy inside the crate, so he gets the idea that it can be enjoyable to be in his crate. When he is done eating, carry your puppy outside close to the area where you want him to go to the bathroom. Try to use the same approximate area every time, so your Chihuahua puppy gets into a familiar routine. After your puppy goes to the bathroom outside you may want to praise him for doing good. Then, when you go back inside you may want to offer him a treat, while having him walk back into his crate.

It is important to establish a daily time schedule for your puppy to eat his meals and also his routine schedule to go outside. After your puppy is housetrained, he may voluntarily use his crate to sleep in at night or to take some naps in during the day.

If you plan on using the crate for when you leave the house for short periods of time to do errands, a good tip is to make your departures in a calm manner. You can praise your Chihuahua by giving him a treat for entering the crate, and then leave the house quietly. Crates can provide a sense of comfort and security. Your Chihuahua may think of his comfortable crate as his special cozy den. You may wish to read Crate Training : The Humane Society of the United States. You can also read Crate Training Your Puppy.

You may want to check out the The Ultimate Chihuahua Care Handbook which includes information about the history and characteristics of the Chihuahua and lots of tips on how to properly care for the Chihuahua.

Here are some examples of dog crates, dog pens and a crate training book below.

Tips For Bringing A New Puppy Or Dog Home

2010-04-20T17:56:00.000-07:00

By Matt LeClair

Have you been considering the thought of buying a new puppy or dog but you're just not sure where to start with all of the different things that need to done in order to make the process of buying a dog for sale go smoothly? There are a number of things you can do to help make your experience more pleasurable and worth your while including finding a trustworthy seller, making sure your home is ready for the puppy or dog, and making sure you have the proper supplies that your puppy will need.

First, before you even purchase the puppy or dog you must research your options to discover which breed of dog will be best for your family. This will depend on a number of factors like children, hobbies, and more. These factors will most likely include your dog so it's important to take them into consideration. Next, you'll want to find a trustworthy seller. There are a number of options for finding someone who has dogs for sale including the classifieds in the local paper, the phone book, or through online websites. Whatever method you choose, be sure to familiarize yourself with the buyer to make sure you know they are legit and will not pull a fast one on you buy selling you a bad puppy or dog.

Second, you'll want to make sure your home is ready for a new puppy or dog, sort of like child proofing it. Do you have a big back yard? If so, is it fenced in or does it need to be fenced in? This could be a concern if you live in a busy neighborhood or near a busy roadway where there is a lot of traffic. You want to eliminate all safety concerns before bringing your new dog home so that you don't have any trouble after the fact. It would be a good idea to check your home for safety hazards for the dog. Things like loose wiring, exposed household chemicals, or exposed sharp objects all pose a threat to your dog or puppy and should be taken care of before hand.

Finally, you'll need to get some essential supplies for your new puppy or dog before you bring them home in order to make their transition into your living environment more comfortable. You'll want to have supplies like food, a dog cage, dog bed, collar and leash, toys, bowls, and more which will all help to give your dog the care and attention that he or she needs to be happy. Many of these are necessities that you will have to purchase, some are things that are nice to have in order to keep your dog company or give him a little extra curricular activity to encourage being healthy and fit.

If you've been considering bringing home a new dog or puppy and want to make sure the process goes smoothly, just follow these few simple tips and you'll be well on your way to being a successful and happy dog owner.

Search for dogs for sale, dog supplies and more at FarmMedley.com.

Article Source: http://ArticleDirectory.com

Choosing a Veterinarian for Your New Chihuahua Puppy

2010-04-18T21:55:00.000-07:00

A new Chihuahua puppy will probably need a check up soon after coming into your family. It is a good idea to find a veterinarian before you bring your new puppy home. Are you looking for a good veterinarian? Maybe you recently adopted a new puppy or an adult dog and you need to find a veterinarian. Or possibly you just moved to a new town because you just got married or you needed to relocate for a new job.

Here is a helpful list of some important things to think about when looking for a new veterinarian.

1.You may wish to contact your local Humane Society or animal shelter and ask if they can give you a list of veterinarians in your area.

2.Talk to other dog owners that happen to live in your neighborhood about their veterinarian. You can ask a friend, a dog groomer or even a pet sitter for a good recommendation.

3.The phone book is a good resource of information. You can easily search for Veterinarians and Animal Hospitals.

4.You can also do a search online for local veterinarians in your area.

5.It is important to check if the veterinarian has a membership in the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA).

6.If you happen to be looking for a specialist, you may want to check if the vet is board certified in the specialty you are interested in for your pet's needs.

Once you have narrowed down your search for a veterinarian, there are some questions to think about at this point.

1. Do you have a flexible schedule that would allow you to go to an office appointment during the morning or afternoon hours of the day? What are the veterinarian's regular office hours? Is the office open on Saturdays or open in the evenings a few days a week? It may be very important to know if there are after-hour emergency services available.

2.Do you mind driving a little distance across town to get to a good veterinarian or would you prefer an office nearby?

3.How many veterinarians are actually in the office practice?

4.Do they routinely offer any boarding services?

5.Does the veterinarian have any areas of specialty in his practice?

6.Are services like x-rays, bloodwork or other diagnostics done in their office?

7.What is their normal procedure for scheduling appointments in advance for your pet?

8.What forms of payment are accepted and do their fees fit your financial budget at this time?

Next, you may want to schedule a visit to meet the office staff and learn about their specific policies. You can check to see if the office is clean and if the receptionists and assistants appear caring and knowledgeable. It may be helpful to know if they offer products like specialty dog food or items that are routinely used for grooming purposes, like specific dog shampoos.

Hopefully, this information will be of some help to you when you are looking for a veterinarian to take the very best care of your dog! You many also want to read this informative article: Choosing a Veterinarian : The Humane Society of the United States.

I will include some additional information about helping a dog stay calm and relaxed when going to the veterinarians.

Your dog’s visits to the vet can be calm and pleasant. There are some helpful ideas to make the experience a positive one. Taking your dog to the vet isn’t always the easiest thing to do. A little planning ahead can help to make the trip much easier. You may want to have your Chihuahua go to the bathroom before getting into the car to go to the vet's office. (Some offices have a place outside the building where you can take the dog if he needs to go to the bathroom.)

You may wish to bring a favorite dog toy or your Chihuahua's favorite blanket for him to have in the car when you are riding to the vet's office. Having something familiar may help to relax him. Many people use a dog leash or dog carrier when they take their dog into the office. It is helpful to give your dog praise for his good behavior while he is in the vet's office.

If you act like you are confident and in control during the visit you will reassure your Chihuahua that it’s routine and fine and nothing to get worried about. Keeping your Chihuahua occupied will take some of the attention away from any other pets, owners, receptionists, assistants or technicians that may be in the office area.

Occasional praise for being a well behaved dog helps to make it a positive
experience. In the examining room if you have conversation with the vet or his assistants, the dog will hopefully feel calm and relaxed.

You may decide to stop by with your Chihuahua and make an informal visit to your vet's office at another time just to say hello or to purchase a dog supply, like dog shampoo, so that your visits can be associated with routine, positive experiences for your dog.

You may want to check out the The Ultimate Chihuahua Care Handbook which includes information about the history and characteristics of the Chihuahua and lots of tips on how to properly care for the Chihuahua.

Be a Good Leader of the Pack for Your Chihuahua

2010-04-13T21:25:00.000-07:00

Now that your puppy is home with you, he probably looks to you as the leader. Dogs like to know what they are supposed to do and what is expected of them. The puppy's mother is it's very first pack leader. You can decide to set reasonable house rules for your Chihuahua. If you don't provide your dog with some leadership and direction, he may begin to make his own rules.

For example, if your Chihuahua steals a portion of your sandwich and then eats a little bit of it and then tries to hide and bury the rest of it in your living room couch and you happen to laugh and say isn't that cute. Your Chihuahua will get the wrong idea and think this type of behavior is acceptable and OK to do. You may have reinforced the fact that he is in charge and you may have reinforced his bad manners. Actually, dogs can become stressed when they think they can do anything they want.

Often times, dogs feel secure and confident with knowing exactly what you expect from them and having some fair house rules. A Chihuahua usually looks for their owner's positive approval. Your Chihuahua's well-behaved manner may depend on your good teaching and leadership! You can teach your Chihuahuas what you want them to do or not do and you can praise them when they obey and they will very likely be happy companions!

Benefits of Owning a Dog

2010-04-13T21:06:00.000-07:00

There are so may wonderful emotional benefits of owning a dog. Our pets can influence how we feel about ourselves in a positive way. The emotional bond that forms between a new puppy and their owner may develop quickly. Your new Chihuahua puppy may look and act so cute. As the time goes by, all the experiences that you share with your dog, both happy and sad help to strengthen the emotional bond.

When your puppy is about one year old or more, each family member usually develops a special emotional attachment with their Chihuahua. Sometimes, children even turn to their pet for comfort if a family member leaves the family or becomes ill. Adults that may have lost a loved one may feel comfort if they have a pet.

People that happen to live all alone may feel a little isolated. If they choose to have a dog or cat and they are physically able to take care of their pet, it may help to make them feel they are needed. They may feel happy to have a special pet to share their life with. A Chihuahua can be a very nice companion.

Dogs can help us focus our attention away from our worries. Sometimes when we feel sad or stressed spending a little time with our friendly dog or cat can hopefully brighten our day.

Our daily lives may be full of so many responsibilities, whether at work or at home. Often times, our Chihuahua may do some cute funny things, which may help us to relax and laugh. When we come home from a frustrating work day it can be so nice to be greeted by our family dog, with their big beautiful eyes and their tail wagging because they are so happy to see us. It is a wonderful thing that our pets can accept us just as we are and we can be ourselves when we are around them. Our pets don't care if we are disabled, old or young, rich or poor. Dogs can provide great companionship.

Dogs can add some consistency and routine to our lives and give us something nice to look forward to every single day. Many people may come and go in our lives, but our dogs are usually with us everyday.

Your Chihuahua can help to keep you active by getting more exercise, like when you are taking your dog for a nice walk and getting some fresh air and sunshine or playing Frisbee outside with him. The general basics of caring for a dog, such as daily feedings, grooming and playtime will help to keep you both active.

Your Chihuahua may view all the family members with great affection. Each family member may play an important role for your dog. The man in the house may be the one that usually takes the dog out for his walks and plays fetch outside with him in the backyard. The woman in the house may be the one that routinely gives the dog his meals and lots of attention. If there are any children in the family they may offer the Chihuahua a lot of hugs and fun playtime together.

The dog appreciates the family interaction and affection and he has probably established great trust in his family. As a proud pet owner you will be able to recognize the maturity in your dog and as time goes by you will learn the favorite things that your dog likes, his strengths, weaknesses and any fears he may have at times.

The human-animal emotional bond between an owner and their dog is one of trust, affection and love. Chihuahuas enjoy being part of the family and a loyal dog can be a best friend. If we love them, they usually show us unconditional love in return!

Teaching Your Chihuahua Not To Jump Up

2010-04-11T20:56:00.000-07:00

You probably really love your dog and you may actually be happy when he jumps up to greet you when you come home, but this is not always practical for you or for other people that may come over to your house to visit. Many people are a little scared when dogs jump up on them. Your friends and other visitors may wear very nice clothing that they don't want ruined by accident. Sometimes you may have a few large grocery bags in your arms that you are carrying in from the store or you may have some expensive clothing on that you happened to wear for work or a special occasion. It is up to you whether you want to routinely allow your Chihuahua to jump up when he greets you. If you decide that you don't want your dog to jump up, you will need to teach him not to do this and be consistent about it.

To teach your Chihuahua not to jump up, you can gently help him get back down when he jumps up on you and tell him to sit and give him nice praise when he obeys you. Then, you can stoop down to your dog's level, while he is sitting and let him give you his happy greeting the way he wants to, while he remains in the sitting position. It is good to be consistent when teaching your Chihuahua not to jump up when greeting you, so he doesn't get confused.

For example, if you are wearing your old bluejeans on the weekend or your gym clothes after a work out and you think it is OK for him to jump up during these times, but not when you are wearing your expensive clothes, he will get confused. The important thing for your Chihuahua to understand is that he still is allowed to greet you in his own special way, but instead of jumping up, it will be in a sitting position. If you continue to praise your Chihuahua when he obeys, he will probably quickly learn what is expected of him and be happy!

What is a Rescue Dog?

2010-04-08T15:28:00.000-07:00

Rescue refers to dogs that have come to rescue groups because of a variety of possible reasons. The dogs may have come from dog pounds, dog shelters or puppy mills. They may have been a stray dog.

Possibly their original owners were not able or uninterested in caring for them anymore. There may be several reasons why dog owners may give up Chihuahuas of various ages. The important fact is that the rescue dogs are in need of new homes with owners that want to care for them and bring them into their family. Some of the reasons Chihuahuas become rescue dogs are the following:

The dog may have deteriorating or chronic health problems and the veterinary expenses required to maintain the dog are too expensive for the owner.

The owner could no longer afford the necessary maintenance expenses required to maintain a Chihuahua, such as general veterinary check-ups, or the cost of food or any medication that may be needed for the dog.

Change in household: children may not get along with the dog, or maybe there was just a new baby born in the family; or there was a new marriage, divorce, or a death or major illness in the family. Possibly the family needs to move and they are not allowed to have a dog in their new apartment complex or townhouse due to rules and regulations.

Change in lifestyle: employment and career changes may include more traveling away from home or a major shift change or lots of overtime hours in their work schedule. Or the family realized they just did not have the necessary time required for a dog.

Medical reasons: someone in the family developed allergies to the dog, or experienced a major, chronic health condition and was no longer able to properly care for their Chihuahua.

Possibly the dog had some behavioral problems.

The dog could have experienced some training problems, such as house training issues.

It is important to note that a rescue dog may or may not come from an environment where he was mistreated or in imminent danger. Any special needs of the rescue Chihuahua, such as health related issues need to be considered when selecting a new home.

Here is a little list to think about when considering adopting a rescue dog.

The age of the puppy or dog.

How much prior training did the dog have in their previous home?

Is the dog successfully house trained?

Has the dog been spayed or neutered?

Does the dog have any pre-existing or ongoing health problems?

Is the dog up-to-date with his vaccinations?

Does the dog get along well with children and other dogs?

Does the dog have any pre-existing behavior problems, such as aggressiveness?

Does the dog look properly nourished?

Is the dog accustomed to walking with a leash?

Does the dog have a nice temperament?

If you are thinking about adopting a Chihuahua from a rescue group, you may need to fill out an application and also be interviewed. The rescue group may need to assess your ability and time to take care of a dog and provide a safe home.

The wonderful reward of owning a Chihuahua rescue dog may be that the dog will hopefully provide lots of unconditional love and great companionship in return for the proper care and love that it will receive!

Socializing Your Chihuahua Puppy

2010-03-22T00:17:00.000-07:00

Your goal may be to have your puppy grow up and mature to be friendly, happy and very well-adjusted for their lifelong emotional well-being. Socialization is so important for your puppy. You will want them to feel comfortable in their new world.

It is helpful for puppies to learn how to cope with their environment, (which includes people, animals, places and things), in a healthy and positive way throughout their lifetime. You will want your puppy's socialization experiences to be positive.

A puppy is usually very eager to explore their new environment. Puppyhood is an important period for your dog's development. Positive influence in the early weeks of the puppy's life can be very beneficial. I read that the time before the puppy is 16 weeks old is an important developmental time period when he may be very receptive and influenced by his experiences. Praise and positive reinforcement are so important with socialization and training. Socialization begins on the day your puppy is born and continues for the rest of his life.

Until your puppy has had all of his proper vaccinations, you may want to be guided by your veterinarian about socialization. I read that you should consult your veterinarian about when and also how to introduce your puppy to other animals in a safe manner.

Once you know that it is fine to socialize your Chihuahua puppy, you may want to gradually introduce your new puppy to some of your close friends or relatives in a pleasant, supervised manner. Your puppy can learn to get accustomed to people who are quiet or talkative, young (active), or old (possibly more inactive). You may wish to introduce your puppy to people wearing glasses or wearing hats or bike helmets, or to people carrying an umbrella, or wearing coats and gloves.

If your puppy seems scared about a certain object or specific person it may be a good idea to introduce that object or person more slowly, and you can try to associate the object or person with something positive, like a favorite treat. If your puppy is afraid of your grandfather who happens to be tall and speaks in a very loud voice, have your grandfather offer treats to the puppy.

You may want to get your puppy comfortable with handling, especially if they may need routine grooming in the future. You can safely and comfortably hold your cute puppy on your lap and help him practice being calm and relaxed with you. Your friends and family can help by gently handling the puppy the proper way. Positive reinforcement for your puppy may include lots of friendly praise and maybe also their favorite treats.

It may be lots of fun to safely take the puppy on short car rides, so he becomes familiar with riding in the car. This positive experience may make it easier for the both of you when you need to go for any future veterinarian office visits.

When the puppy is the appropriate age, you may decide to invite people that you already know that own pets who are friendly, healthy and vaccinated who can come over to your home for a little visit, and with your knowledge and supervision you can work on socializing your puppy.

If you happen to already have another pet in the home, you may want to make sure that you provide enough individual attention to your new puppy to help them develop their own personality.

You can also gradually introduce your puppy to a variety of items and sounds that are routinely around the house so they become a little familiar to them. Some sounds that may be new to your puppy are the following:

Doorbell ringing

Telephone ringing

TV and radio

Any music playing

Computer noises

Video games

Vacuum cleaner

Sound from a hair dryer, blender, or fan

Noise from a washing machine or dish washer

Any noise from your childrens toys

Thunderstorms

Any noise from electric grooming tools, if your dog may need grooming in the future

After your veterinarian says it is safe for you to take the puppy out into the real world, you can safely introduce the puppy to walks in your the neighborhood. Your walks together can be so enjoyable for you and your puppy.

In summary, if you are patient and consistent with socializing and training your Chihuahua puppy, he will likely be happier and feel comfortable throughout his life. Always remember that praise and positive reinforcement are so important with socialization and training.

A Very Cute Video of a Chihuahua

2010-03-21T22:30:00.001-07:00

Teaching Your Chihuahua How to Lie Down

2010-03-17T23:16:00.000-07:00

The Chihuahua is an intelligent dog. Be consistent when training your Chihuahua. Remember to keep your Chihuahua's attention and have some fun during training. Reward your Chihuahua when he demonstrates the desired behavior that you are teaching him. Positive reinforcement or a reward, such as nice praise or a favorite treat can be very helpful when teaching good behavior or new commands to your Chihuahua.

You may want to watch this Video Training Puppy to Lie Down | DailyPuppy.com , a puppy training video which shows how to teach a puppy to lie down on command. The dog expert works with a Corgi in the video and she demonstrates how to use positive reinforcement while teaching the Corgi how to lie down. She used a little piece of cheese, but appropriate dog treats may be used as a reward.

It may be helpful to try to maintain a regular daily routine or schedule so that it will be easier for your Chihuahua to understand what is expected of him. Hopefully, you will both enjoy your quality time together when you are teaching him new commands and having some fun together!

Where Are You Going to Find the Right Dog for You and Your Family?

2010-03-15T22:37:00.000-07:00

There are so many important things to think about when deciding to add a new puppy to your family. You may have been doing a lot of research about many different breeds. Now, you might have come to the conclusion that the time is right for you to get a puppy. Where are you planning to get your new puppy? Now, these are some example questions you may want to think about as a potential dog owner.

1. Do you have the necessary time that is needed to care for a puppy each day? Will anyone routinely be at home during the daytime hours to care for the puppy?

2. Do you have children or other pets?

3. Do you have general knowledge about the breed you are interested in?

4. Do you enjoy grooming or do you plan on hiring a professional on a routine basis, if it is necessary?

5, Do you have a good, reputable veterinarian to continue regular health exams and future vaccinations for your new dog?

You may want to read this helpful article Finding the Dog That Was Made For You.

Teaching Your Chihuahua How to Sit

2010-03-15T20:39:00.000-07:00

Positive reinforcement or a reward, such as nice praise or a favorite treat can be very helpful when teaching good behavior or new commands to your Chihuahua. The Chihuahua is an intelligent dog. Be consistent when training your Chihuahua. Remember to keep your Chihuahua's attention and have some fun during training. Reward your Chihuahua when he demonstrates the desired behavior that you are teaching him.

You may want to watch this Video on Teaching Puppy to Sit | DailyPuppy.com, a puppy training video which shows a nice demonstration on how to teach a puppy to sit on command. The dog expert works with a boxer puppy in the video and she shows how to reward good behavior with treats while teaching the puppy how to sit.

In general, it may be helpful to try to maintain a regular daily routine or schedule so that it will be easier for your Chihuahua to understand what is expected of him. Hopefully, you will both enjoy your quality time together when you are teaching him new commands and having some fun together!

Adopting A Chihuahua From an Animal Shelter

2010-03-14T22:48:00.000-07:00

Animal shelters can be filled with animals that may become cherished pets for my many families. Animal shelters help match the animals to new responsible owners. Most shelters have both dogs and cats, of various ages. Some of the animals in the shelters may be purebred. Maybe, you may happen to find a nice Chihuahua, if that is the breed you are looking for at this time. Many animals in the shelters may have good behavior and habits. Shelter animals are in need of new homes with owners that want to care for them and bring them into their family.

The staff that work in the shelters are usually very dedicated and they help find good homes for a variety of animals. There are several reasons listed below why animals may be in a shelter.

Possibly their original owners were not able or uninterested in caring for them anymore.

Their previous owner could no longer financially afford the basic maintenance required for the dog.

There may have been a change in the household: children may not have gotten along with the dog, or maybe there was just a new baby born in the family; or there was a divorce, or a death or major illness in the family.

Possibly the family needed to move and they were not allowed to have a dog in their new apartment complex or townhouse due to rules and regulations.

Change in lifestyle: employment and career changes may have included more traveling away from home or a major shift change or lots of overtime hours in their work schedule. Or the family realized they just did not have the necessary time required for a dog.

Medical reasons: someone in the family developed allergies to the dog or experienced a major, chronic health condition and was no longer able to properly care for their pet.

Possibly the dog had some behavioral problems.

The dog could have experienced some training problems, such as house training issues.

Possibly the dog was a homeless stray dog or unfortunately he may have come from an abusive situation.

Some shelters may provide an evaluation, which includes a history of animal health and behavior at their prior home, and a veterinary exam and screening. If you get a pet from the shelter, it would be helpful if you could obtain a written copy of the evaluation and any veterinary health records to keep, if at all possible.

Before you go to the shelter or anywhere to get a dog, there are some important things to think about when deciding if you should get a dog.

1. Did you do any research on the the type of dog or breed that you would be interested in? When you see all of the animals in need of good homes at the shelter, it may seem a little overwhelming. You should decide on some characteristics you are looking for in a dog, such as the size of the dog, the temperament, age, male or female, and any grooming needs.

2. Do you have enough time available each day to be able to properly care for a dog? Do you have enough patience and motivation for training your dog and helping him get the proper exercise, healthy diet, and any necessary grooming?

3. Are you ready and committed to take care of a dog and have him with your family for many years to come?

4. If there are children in your family are they old enough to understand about the proper treatment and responsibility of safely caring for a dog?

5. Are you able to afford the veterinary health checks and proper food for a healthy and nutritious diet for your dog?

6. Do you have a safe and comfortable place to keep your dog when you are temporarily not at home for a few hours, such as when you might be at your place of employment, or doing your grocery shopping, or doing necessary errands?

7. Do you know what dog or puppy supplies that you might need to bring a new puppy or adult dog into your home to keep him comfortable, healthy and safe?

If you definitely know that you want to adopt a dog from the shelter, then here are a few things you may want to consider when choosing a dog.

The age of the puppy or adult dog.

Does the dog have a nice temperament?

Is the dog successfully house trained?

Has the dog been spayed or neutered?

Does the dog have any pre-existing or ongoing health problems?

Is the dog up-to-date with his vaccinations?

Does the dog get along well with children and other dogs?

Does the dog have any pre-existing behavior problems, such as aggressiveness?

How much prior training did the dog have in their previous home?

Does the dog look properly nourished?

Next, I will list a few steps that may be part of the adoption process.

Filling out an application

Choosing your pet

Signing a contract (the adoption contract may possibly have provisions such as the following: you will provide good housing, nutrition and health care for your new pet, and also you will return the animal to the shelter if you can no longer take care of him.)

Paying a fee (generally less expensive than buying a pet from a breeder or pet store)

It can be a very rewarding experience to adopt a dog from a shelter. People are so glad they could save a life of an animal by providing them a good, safe home with lots of love. Remember that animals in shelters have had some stress. They may deeply miss their owner who had to give them up and their previous home environment. They more than likely will welcome your patience, affection, guidance and love. Hopefully, you will choose a dog that fits your lifestyle. And maybe you could even find a nice Chihuahua in the shelter.

If you are bringing a new dog home you may be thinking about some specific items that you may be shopping for to make the transition easy for you and your dog in his new home. For example, your dog will need an appropriate place to play and sleep and he will also need some items for daily maintenance. The following list includes specific items that some people may think about and consider when getting a new dog.

Feeding and Water dishes

Appropriate dog food and treats

Dog brushes and combs

Appropriate dog collar and leashes

Possibly a dog pen

Safe dog toys

Safe and comfortable dog bed and dog blanket

Dog shampoo

Dog nametag or ID

When you bring your dog home, allow him some time to get familiar with his new home. You can also work on housetraining, if needed.

If your dog is quiet and shy, just allow for some extra time for him to adjust to his new life. If you take good care of him and show him positive attention and love, he will probably be very devoted to you forever!

Why Do Dogs Bark and How To Help Prevent or Control Excessive Barking

2010-03-13T00:22:00.000-08:00

It's only natural, dogs bark to communicate with humans and other animals. It is important for your Chihuahua to understand when to bark and when to be quiet. Dogs will bark for several different reasons. It's their way of communicating and expressing themselves. Listed below are some common reasons why dogs bark.

To Get Attention: They may start young as puppies with a little crying or whining sound to communicate with their mom and family litter. Puppies or grown dogs may whine when they want something like food, or when they are frustrated or scared, or just when they want some attention. It is common for a new Chihuahua puppy to whine at night because they may be lonely or scared. Sometimes we may not realize it at first, but we may actually reward the puppy for whining by giving the puppy the attention he wants. It may be helpful not to reward a puppy or grown dog that may be whining just for attention, but when he is quiet and relaxed you may wish to reward him with nice praise or a favorite treat. It is important to remember that teaching your Chihuahua puppy appropriate behavior from the start is easier than changing undesirable behavior later on.

Socializing the Chihuahua puppy is very important. You may want to introduce the puppy to situations that may cause anxiety later on. It is helpful for puppies to learn how to cope with their environment in a healthy and positive way. Positive influence in the early weeks of the puppy's life can be very beneficial.

You can go slow and gradually introduce your Chihuahua puppy to a variety of items and sounds that are routinely around the house so they become a little familiar to them. Some sounds that may be new to your puppy are the following: doorbell ringing, telephone ringing, sound of the TV, or any music playing, and also the noise from a vacuum cleaner.

Barks from Playful Happiness or Happy Excitement: The dog or puppy may be so happy about playing outside or going for a nice walk or ride in a car, or he may be excited because he sees one of his favorite relatives or friends of the family coming over to visit.

Barking when He Hears Other Dogs Bark: Your Chihuahua may be barking to respond to other dogs he hears barking in the neighborhood.

Warning Bark: The dog may bark if he sees a stranger approaching the house. Dogs often bark at mail carriers, joggers, or people riding bikes on the street by the house.

Bored Barkers: It is important to routinely provide enough appropriate exercise and attention for your dog. Dogs who are bored need something to do besides barking.

Separation Anxiety: You may need to understand that chances are you are probably the most important thing in your dogs life. You may now begin to realize that when a Chihuahua that is routinely used to constant human companionship and attention is left alone, the dog can experience some anxiety about where their owner might be going. Your dog may not understand why he cannot go with you and he may worry about whether or not you will be coming back home to be with him. Your dog may bark, whine, cry or howl when he is experiencing separation anxiety.

Some ideas that may possibly help minor separation anxiety:

Don't be very dramatic when you are leaving or returning to your home. When you return back home you can calmly pet your dog and reassure him.

When you have to leave your Chihuahua in the house, you can let him have something of yours like a piece of clothing that smells like you.

You can make a reassuring habit of using a certain word that you routinely use every time you leave that tells your dog you will be coming back home.

Possibly, if the dog could hear the sound of a radio or television, it may be calming.

Sometimes having their safe and appropriate dog toys available for them will be a little distraction for them and help to keep them busy.

Ideas To Help Prevent Excessive Barking:

1. Try to have the dog get enough routine daily attention.
2. The dog should get adequate appropriate exercise.
3. Try the methods listed above to help separation anxiety.
4. Try not to give positive reinforcement to the dog or puppy when he is only barking or whining just for attention. You can reward the quiet, relaxed behavior instead.

Puppy Proofing Your Home for Your New Chihuahua

2010-03-11T23:51:00.000-08:00

Puppies are usually very curious and they may have lots of energy. When someone first brings a new puppy home the puppy may want to start checking out many things throughout the house. You will be interested in puppy proofing your home to keep your Chihuahua puppy safe. You will want to make sure there is nothing within his reach that could harm him.

You can consult your veterinarian about all of the specific things that can be done to puppy proof the inside and outside of a house. There are so many great ideas to help keep a new puppy healthy and safe and protect him from anything that would be potentially harmful.

I will write down a few tips that I read about relating to puppy proofing the inside of the home. It may be helpful to try to think about a puppy's view of a house from what he can see at his eye level.

You may want to keep all breakable items out of your puppy's reach.

Plants: Some specific plants inside and outside of the house may be potentially harmful to the puppy. Consult your veterinarian for a complete list of plants that are dangerous or toxic to dogs.

Medications can be kept in a very safe area where the puppy definitely does not have access.

Cleaning supplies can be kept in high cabinets where the puppy definitely does not have access or childproof safety latches may be used to safely secure cabinets.

Household wastebaskets may be placed in an area that the puppy cannot access.

Electrical cords: I read that people who are trying to puppy proof their house can unplug, remove or safely cover any electrical cords that would be around the puppy's area. Electrical outlets may also be covered when they are not in use.

Bathroom: Toilet lids can be kept down. Bathroom trash cans may be put up high where the puppy cannot access them.

Any possible drawstrings or cords used for draperies or blinds in the home may be tied up high enough so the puppy cannot access them.

Precaution may be taken regarding a rocking chair or chair recliner. A puppy could happen to have his tail near that area or even try to crawl under the area. Take proper safety precautions.

Laundry baskets and clothing can be kept off the floor and out of reach from the puppy.

Small objects can be kept out of reach so the puppy does not have access. Some examples of small objects are the following:

Many childrens toys have small pieces and parts

Crayons, pens, pencils, rubber bands, paper clips, tacks, staples

Jewelry, hair barrettes

String, ribbons, yarn

Buttons, sewing needles, pins

Coins

Safe gates made for dogs may be used across stairs and other areas where the puppy isn't allowed.

There are certain human foods that can cause problems for pets. Consult your veterinarian for the specific list of human foods that can cause problems or be potentially harmful to your puppy.

It is also very important to make sure the outside of your home is safe. Hopefully, you can puppy proof your backyard before your puppy goes outside. You will want to be with your Chihuahua puppy when he is outside, so you can supervise him.

If you have any fencing in your yard, you can check to make sure there are no holes through which your puppy could squeeze through and sneak out of the yard. Check to see if all of the gates are securely closed and that your Chihuahua puppy would not be able to crawl underneath the gate.

Some plants and trees outside may be toxic to dogs. Many bulb plants can also be poisonous. Some mulch can be toxic to dogs. Again, you can ask the veterinarian for a complete list of plants and trees that are dangerous or toxic to dogs. You will want to keep your Chihuahua puppy off of freshly treated lawns.

Keep all gasoline, auto supplies, insecticides, fertilizers for your lawn, oil, or any paint in securely closed containers out of reach from your puppy. Also, keep antifreeze out of reach from your puppy.

Swimming pools or hot tubs should be properly covered or fenced off.

For a safety measure, keep your Chihuahua puppy away from any barbecue grills during outdoor cooking.

Garbage should be kept in closed containers that have secure lids.

It is so important to keep your puppy healthy and safe.

Separation Anxiety and the Chihuahua

2010-03-11T23:29:00.000-08:00

Dogs of all ages can experience separation anxiety when separated from their owner. Young dogs and even older dogs that might have some hearing or sight problems may feel anxious when their owners are away from them. You may need to understand that chances are you are probably the most important thing in your dogs life. You may now begin to realize that when a dog that is routinely used to constant human companionship and attention is left alone, the dog can experience some anxiety about where their owner might be going. Your dog may not understand why he cannot go with you and he may worry about whether or not you will be coming back home to be with him.

What behavior may your dog display if he is experiencing separation anxiety?

The most common behaviors associated with separation anxiety include the following:

Barking, whining, crying or howling

Destructive chewing or digging

Inappropriate elimination (urination or defecation), even if the dog was otherwise successfully house trained

Scratching at doors or windows

Excessive licking of hair, circling the room or pacing

Loss of appetite, depression or inactivity

The dog may have an over attachment to his owner. The dog may get too dependent on their owner.

An example: Your dog makes a daily habit of following you from room to room whenever you are at home together. My dad used to have a very cute, long haired, male chihuahua and he would follow my dad everywhere that he would go in the house all day long. If my dad was in the kitchen cooking, or folding laundry, or watching television his chihuahua would be right with him. He would constantly be right by my dad's side almost every minute of each day, if possible. When my dad had to go out of the house to do a few errands, his chihuahua would always give him a dramatic, overwhelming greeting as soon as he would return home.

What are some other characteristics or factors regarding separation anxiety?

The behavior occurs mostly when your dog is left alone in the home and his problem behavior usually starts soon after you leave him in the house.

The behavior may occur whether your dog is left alone for just a little while or long periods of time.

Your dog may display a reaction of depression or anxiety when he realizes that you are getting ready to leave the house. Actions like picking up your car keys or purse, turning off the TV, or putting on your coat can trigger the anxiety behavior.

But it is very important to realize that any destructive type of behavior or house soiling that may possibly occur with separation anxiety are part of a dog's panic reaction. Your dog is not trying to punish you for leaving him home alone.

What are some things that can precipitate separation anxiety in your dog?

A dog that is routinely used to constant human companionship and attention is left alone for the first time.

A dog that may have suffered a traumatic event in their mind, such as time spent away from home at a veterinary hospital, dog shelter or boarding kennel.

Anxiety may develop if there is a significant change in the family's routine or the death of a family member or other pet.

Some other situations that may precipitate anxiety for your dog are if one of your dog's favorite family members leave the home and go away to college or get married, or if your work schedule changes dramatically, or if the whole family moves to another home or a new town. Dogs are actually creatures of habit and any changes may bring about some anxiety.

Some ideas that may possibly help minor separation anxiety:

Don't be very dramatic when you are leaving or returning to your home. When you return back home you can calmly pet your dog and reassure him.

When you have to leave your dog in the house, you can let him have something of yours like a piece of clothing that smells like you.

You can make a reassuring habit of using a certain word that you routinely use every time you leave that tells your dog you will be coming back home.

Possibly, if the dog could hear the sound of a radio or television, it may be calming.

Sometimes having their safe and appropriate dog toys available for them will be a little distraction for them and help to keep them busy.

How to Get A New Chihuahua Puppy To Sleep Through the Night

2010-03-11T23:20:00.000-08:00

This may be a very exciting time if you are bringing home a new puppy or new adult dog into your family! You may have decided already on exactly what dog supplies you want to have on hand, like feeding dishes, appropriate puppy or dog food and treats, collar and leash, and maybe a very nice dog bed.

If you are bringing home a new Chihuahua puppy or a new adult Chihuahua dog into your family, you may need some patience and planning to come up with a daily routine for your puppy to help him sleep throughout the night, so that you will both feel rested and happy! Every dog needs their own safe and comfortable place to sleep.

You may wish to have the puppy's bed in a quiet, safe place in the house. A peaceful and comfortable corner or section of the room may be nice. Maybe you will choose a nice, safe, cozy dog bed for the Chihuahua puppy. You probably will want to pick a special sleeping area for the puppy where there is not much noise that would disturb him.

The puppy may feel a little more confident and secure if he can still see the people in the house from his sleeping area. Just knowing that you are there may help him to stay relaxed and calm. Most puppies in a new home environment may feel somewhat anxious and have a difficult time at first trying to quiet themselves down to sleep for the night. A new puppy may whine to get your attention. Everything may seem so new to your puppy in the beginning until he gets a little used to his new home. He may miss his mom and family litter in the beginning.

The puppy may enjoy having a favorite, safe dog toy or dog blanket with him for a feeling of familiarity and security. Dogs sometimes instinctively circle around their sleeping place where they are going to sleep. If you want the puppy in his bed at a certain time, you can begin a daily routine schedule and try to have him go to bed around the same time every night, so he gets used to this habit. But, if the Chihuahua puppy leaves his bed, you can nicely put him back in his bed, so he gets the idea and learns to get comfortable in his special sleeping space.

When the puppy gets accustomed to where his bed is, you may tell him to go into his own bed when you want him to go to sleep at night. Dogs like to know what is expected of them. Hopefully, he will soon learn a nice bedtime routine.

So the Chihuahua puppy can sleep good at night you may want to allow for adequate and appropriate exercise for the puppy throughout the day. You can plan a routine schedule for meal times for the puppy. Dogs usually respond well to a nice schedule. It may be helpful to get into the habit of some calm, quiet time before the actual bedtime. The puppy may need to go outside to eliminate immediately before bedtime. Providing background sounds, such as a very soft background sound of a TV or radio may calm the puppy down and relax him at night.

A puppy may need to eliminate in the middle of the night. If the puppy needs to go out during the night, he may whine, pace or bark. You can take him outside in a safe manner to eliminate and bring him right back to his sleep area to go back to sleep. He should learn to understand that it is time for sleep and not time to play during the night. The Chihuahua puppy will learn that his owner is a good leader and he will feel loved and protected. Hopefully, with a few helpful ideas you and your puppy will get sufficient sleep every night and be happy!

A Cute Video of a Sleepy Chihuahua

2010-03-11T23:07:00.000-08:00

Dog Supplies and the Chihuahua

2010-03-11T22:38:00.000-08:00

If you are bringing a new puppy home you may be thinking about some specific items that you may be shopping for to make the transition easy for you and your puppy in his new home. For example, your puppy will need an appropriate place to play and sleep and he will also need some items for daily maintenance. The following list includes specific items that some people may think about and consider when getting a new Chihuahua puppy.

Feeding and Water dishes

Appropriate dog food and treats for puppies

Dog brushes and combs

Appropriate dog collar and leashes

Possibly a dog pen

Safe and appropriate dog toys (recommended for puppies)

Safe and comfortable dog bed and dog blanket

Dog shampoo

Dog nametag or ID

Housetraining Your Chihuahua Puppy

2010-03-11T21:57:00.000-08:00

One of the first things you will want to teach your new puppy when you bring him home is housetraining. This is the start of your bond with you and your puppy and it is good to make it a positive, stress free experience for both of you. Housetraining your Chihuahua puppy requires patience, consistency and commitment. It may take a few weeks to successfully housetrain your puppy. Your puppy will learn to get used to a routine schedule for eating, playing, and going outside to eliminate.

To begin the housetraining you may want to take your Chihuahua puppy outside at least every two hours during the day. You may take him outside after every meal or drink, or after he wakes up from a nap. Always remember to take your puppy out when he wakes up in the morning and also after playing, and before going to bed at night.

Choose an area outside and try to take your puppy close to that same spot each time, so he becomes very familiar with it. When you are going through this housetraining process, it is really helpful if you praise and reward your Chihuahua puppy when he eliminates outside. Praise him verbally and you may also want to give him a treat. This is a type of positive reinforcement for your puppy. He will learn that going to the bathroom outside is what is expected of him. Also, feeding your puppy at the same times each day is helpful to keep a good routine.

During the night, some puppies can sleep for several hours without having to eliminate. Your Chihuahua puppy may wake you up during the night. If that happens you may quietly take him out to eliminate, and then help him get back to his bed.

During the day when you are with your puppy, you can learn to watch for signs that your puppy needs to eliminate. Some signs may be restlessness, sniffing around, barking, going to the door, or trying to squat. When you see these signs you may quickly take your puppy outside to his bathroom spot. If he eliminates, you can praise him and reward him with a treat. Hopefully some of these housetraining tips are helpful!

A Cute Video of a Talking Chihuahua

2010-03-11T21:48:00.000-08:00