Saturday, September 6, 2008

Owning a Chihuahua - 5 Tips For More Fun

By Al Bullington

Owning a Chihuahua is fun for many people, but it is a big responsibility. The smallest dog breed requires special care, but offers special rewards too. These little dogs are often only about 6 pounds in weight so they remain quite vulnerable even as an adult. Think how you would feel at that size when confronted with "giant" people or even worse, "giant" dogs. Is there any wonder that Chihuahuas have a somewhat nervous disposition? They face danger at every turn, especially a teacup Chihuahua! Here are some tips for more Chihuahua fun.

1. Socialize.

Introduce your dog to many experiences at an early age. But make sure none of these are in any way frightening. Protect your pup at all times when in these learning events. This will make for a less nervous and more secure dog.

2. Patience is the key when owning a Chihuahua.

Chihuahuas are not the easiest of dogs to train. But be persistent and very patient. Keep training sessions short and fun, not overly intense. Most Chihuahua can be successfully trained, but don't give up easily.

3. Have goals.

What is acceptable behavior for your pet? Define some goals. What does your pup need to learn to fit well into the society that you live in? Without goals and a plan, you may very well confuse your dog and make it very difficult to be fair to your pet.

4. House train early, but not too early.

Is your puppy capable of controlling elimination? If not, don't even try housebreaking your Chihuahua. Check with the pup's breeder on the right age to start. Housebreaking is so important. Almost nobody can handle an older dog that is not house trained, so you absolutely must get this training done. The key is to establish routines and watch your dog very closely during the training period. Your puppy will usually let you know when it's time to go out.

5. Communicate acceptable behavior.

Gentle handling is so important with any of the toy breeds. You cannot be rough with your dog for any reason. But you must confront unacceptable behavior in a gentle but firm manner. And you must praise all good behavior. Do this and you will make fast progress.

Owning a Chihuahua is especially good for adults who want an inside dog. These dogs are often frightened by children and other pets and do better as a lone pet living with adults. They're a lot of dog in a tiny package.

Puzzled about Chihuahua Dog Care? Need more information? Visit our site for tips on owning a Chihuahua .

We invite you to visit http://www.ChihuahuaTips.com for answers to your Chihuahua questions.

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