Preparation For Your Chihuahua

Get everything prepared for your new companion before you bring him home, to make sure the transition will be as smooth as possible. Purchase high quality food, treats, harness and leash, toys, grooming tools and other necessities in advance so your Chihuahua will have everything he needs, before arriving at your home.

Scheduling Responsibilities

Decide which family members will be responsible for food, water, walking, exercise, clean-up and grooming. Post a schedule of tasks to remind everyone of their responsibilities.

Chihuahua-Proof Your Home

Prepare your home before your new Chihuahua arrives. Make sure all electrical cords, breakables or chewables are inaccessible to curious paws and noses. Block off areas of the house that you want off-limits to the Chihuahua. Keep the lid down on your toilet and that your shoes are not assessable. Block access to any toxic chemicals and plants.

Containment

It is essential that you have a secure method of keeping your Chihuahua on your property. Check your fence for areas vulnerable to chewing or digging. Do not leave your Chihuahua outside without adult supervision because of many dangers i.e. hawks, coyotes and other dogs. If your property does not have a secure fence, stress to family members that the Chihuahua must be leashed at all times when taken outdoors.

Collar vs. Harness

Your Chihuahua should wear a harness because a collar can put pressure on their weak trachea. Check the fit often, especially if you have a fast-growing puppy. Make sure the Chihuahua has an ID tag, with his name and your phone number, for his harness. Consider microchipping as a permanent identification method.

Making a Bed

Every Chihuahua needs a quiet place to call his own. Create a comfortable area, whether a crate or a pile of blankets, for your Chihuahua to go to when he needs rest or privacy. Crating is not cruel, and many Chihuahuas enjoy the privacy of their own special place. Chihuahuas love to snuggle under a blanket!

Purchase Toys

Provide your Chihuahua with a variety of "proven-safe" toys to prevent him from playing with your socks and shoes. Buy some toys that you and your dog can play with together, such as balls and plush toys, and some things to keep him busy when he's alone, such as chewies, kongs, or rope bones. Never leave your dog unattended with any toy that has small, detachable parts or squeakers inside. NO rawhide, pig's ears or cow hooves. Rawhide can peel off in soggy strips and choke your Chihuahua or impact his stomach. Pig's ears can lodge in the digestive track, like rawhide. They can also cause stomach upset, loose stools, and pancreatitis. Cow hooves break into sharp slivers that can punch through your Chihuahua's throat and intestines. Do the research and make sure all toys, chewies and rope bones are proven safe. If any questions, ask your vet.

Veterinarian

Choose a veterinarian for your Chihuahua as soon as possible. Have your Chihuahua examined by the vet within a few days of his arrival so your vet can familiarize himself with your Chihuahua. Give your vet copies of the Chihuahua's health records. Ask your vet questions about your Chihuahua's diet, behavior, activity level and other concerns. Set up a vaccination and check-up schedule. Make sure your vet is familiar with the new vaccine protocol. Make sure to find a vet that has several Chihuahua patients and uses Sevofluorane or Isofluorane anesthesia. Contact the veterinarian at once if your Chihuahua seems ill or in pain.

Welcome Your New Chihuahua

You've made all the preparations, and it's time to bring your new companion home. Give him the best welcome. With love, patience and respect, he will feel like part of the family in no time.

Time To Adjust

Give your Chihuahua time to adjust to his new home and family. The Chihuahua is bound to feel insecure and frightened by a change in environment. Show him to his crate or bed, and the food and water. Give him time to explore the new surroundings. Start him out in a small room, such as the laundry or guest bathroom. Graduate him in a few days, or after one week, to a bedroom or kitchen. Eventually, you may want to grant your Chihuahua free run of this houe, but not until he has proven himself to be houstrained. Adjustment to the new environment can take a couple of weeks if not longer, depending on the Chihuahua.

Introductions

Introduce your Chihuahua to your household slowly. Many pairs of hands petting him at once will frighten him. Later, introduce him to neighbors, friends and family members.

Introduce To Other Companions

Other companion animals in your home should be slowly introduced to your new Chihuahua. New companions should "hear and smell" one another, before the "see and touch". Once officially introduced, don't expect them to get along right away, and don't force them to play together. Give them time to adjust to each another.

Housetraining

Whichever method of housetraining you have chosen - crate training, paper training or litter box - make sure that all members of the family understand and enforce it consistently. Accidents happen, so have clean-up procedures setup in advance. Use enzyme-based cleaning solutions to properly remove any odors associated with organic stains such as urine, fecal matter, blood, dirt, etc.

House Rules

Teach your Chihuahua from the beginning what is and is not appropriate behavior. If something is "OK" today, your Chihuahua will think it's OK forever. Make sure that every family member enforces the house rules. Consistency is always the key.

Good Diet

Work with your veterinarian or rescuer to find the food that is best for your Chihuahua's age, size and activity level. The diet should be consistent. Provide plenty of fresh, clean water. Stay educated about pet food, treat and chewie recalls.

Exercise Your Chihuahua

Chihuahuas need regular exercise to ensure continuing good health. Take your Chihuahua for walks and set a side playtime. This will benefit his health and could prevent weight problems. Activity should be based on age and health. You should get advice from your vet before starting a activity program.

Vaccinations

Chihuahuas should follow a strict schedule of vaccinations to prevent diseases. Get informed on the "new" vaccine protocol. Keep a folder for your Chihuahua. This folder should consist of: vet records and a current photo, along with a list of any medications.

Disease Prevention

Take steps to prevent other diseases not covered by the regular series of vaccinations. Ask your veterinarian for advice on the correct heartworm prevention for your Chihuahua (Interceptor tends to be better for the little ones).

Fleas and Ticks

Parasites such as fleas and ticks can cause serious diseases. Keep your Chihuahua, his bedding, and your home free from parasites by using recommended methods by your veterinarian.

Become familiar With Your Chihuahua's Patterns

You should become familiar with your Chihuahua's patterns in eating, drinking, sleeping and relieving himself. Any variations in these patterns could indicate illness and should be reported to your veterinarian.

Bathing Your Chihuahua

Bathe your Chihuahua on a regular basis appropriate to his skin type and environment. Over-bathing can be harmful to a Chihuahua's skin. Use a good shampoo recommended by your vet, and be sure to rinse well.

Grooming Your Chihuahua

Smooth Coat Chihuahuas can be brushed daily or at least once every week, while Long Coat Chihuahuas need daily brushing to prevent matting and to reduce shedding.

Nail Clipping

Keeping your Chihuahua's nails short will keep him comfortable, prevent injury to his feet. Ask your veterinarian for advice on clipping your Chihuahua's nails yourself.

Teeth Cleaning

To prevent tooth decay and gum disease, clean your Chihuahua's teeth regularly. Introduce a "toothbrush" slowly and gently. You can also give your Chihuahua products such as hard biscuits, rope bones and nylon chews to keep his teeth clean. Make sure to ask your veterinarian which ones are the safest.

Obesity

Keep your Chihuahua healthy by maintaining him at an appropriate weight. Feed a well-balanced diet and give him plenty of exercise. Do not allow him to exercise right after eating, this can cause stomach upset, i.e. bloat. Don't give in to him begging for "people food", can cause health problems or stomach upset.

Know Your Breed's Health Risks

You should be aware of common health problems in your Chihuahua, how to prevent them, and how to recognize their onset. Ask your veterinarian for information about any signs or symptoms you should watch for in your Chihuahua.

Poisons

Keep your home and yard free from poisonous substances, such as antifreeze, which tastes good but can cause serious illness or even death. Keep your veterinarian's number handy in case of accidental ingestion.

Stay Alert to Changing Needs

As your Chihuahua ages, his needs will change. He may require a different diet, more sleep, and be less active. Do what you can to keep him comfortable. Do everything you can to pamper him in his final years.

Identification for Your Chihuahua

Your Chihuahua should wear an ID tag with your name, address and phone number at all times. This will increase the chances of your Chihuahua being returned to you if he is lost or runs away.

Microchips

Microchips methods of permanently identifying your Chihuahua, and can be useful in recovering your Chihuahua should he become lost.

Travel

Keep your dog safe in the car by using a crate, or by attaching the Chihuahua to a seat belt with a harness. Never let your Chihuahua free in the back of a pickup truck, or allow him to hang his head out of the car window. Never leave your Chihuahua unattended in a car.

Pet-Sitter or Boarding Kennel

Make arrangements for your Chihuahua's care when you go away. Ask a friend or reliable pet-sitter to come over to tend to your Chihuahua, or find a good kennel. If you opt for boarding, inspect the facility before you drop your Chihuahua off.

Preparing for Disaster

Be prepared to care for your Chihuahua in the event of a disaster such as fire, flood or tornado. Make an emergency kit with clean water, food, and first aid equipment. Find out in advance if the evacuation shelters in your area allow animals. If not, develop alternatives.

Emergency Contact

Enlist a family member or friend to take care of your Chihuahua in the event of a sudden illness, hospitalization or other emergency. This person should ideally be someone your Chihuahua has spent some time with and is comfortable with. Leave a list of general care instructions, including your vet's information, in a safe place.

Making a Will

Make arrangements for the safety and care of your Chihuahua in the event of your death. Don't assume a family member will step in to take care of the Chihuahua. This is one of the many reasons that so many are turned into shelters and rescue.

Take Pictures of Your Chihuahua

Of course, you will want a picture of your Chihuahua to show your family and friends. Keep a current picture in his medical folder. Also current pictures are useful in the event that your Chihuahua is lost.