Im getting a chihuahua puppy any tips?

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I love APB

I just want to know if you guys have any tips on chihuahua puppies. I know how much to feed her and all but is there anything I need to know. I have only had big dogs and I have no clue what is in store.. Well exept for the barking lol. If you have any tips please let me know Thank you.
They are not mean! Lol Im getting it at 8 weeks and you have to socialize it... I plan on doing it lol

Answer
I hate how everybody thinks that Chihuahuas are "mean" "yappy" or "ankle biters". It's not the dogs fault that the owner has no idea how to train them.

First off just remember they are DOGS not children or fashion accessories! I love, loving my dogs but they are not spoiled rotten. You need to put just as much training into a Chihuahua as any other breed of dog. Never let them outside unsupervised because big birds could snatch them. Socialize her/him very early on with other dogs, children, and plenty of people. They are very fragile so you need to "chihuahua proof" everything. Make sure that you have steps if your bed sits up high etc...

I would personally crate train her/him because they are very hard to potty train. Do NOT use puppy pads or paper train them. They need to go outside. If it's cold where you live then by them a winter jacket. They do need exercise, but not a lot. I would say a half hour walk a day, but break it into two seperate walks. For example one 15 minute walk in the morning and one at night. I give my Chi's a bath every month and clip their nails about every two weeks.

Just remember that you need to have a lot of patience and don't treat them like babies because that is when they get "yappy" or "mean". Good luck :) I hope you enjoy having your new doggie.

How Do I Keep My Dog warm?

Nic

I have a small Terrier chihuahua inside dog who i have put a little jacket on. He still seems to shiver everyday even in the afternoon. Is there anyway to warm him up without a heater?

Answer
A nice dog pillow and lots of blankets to snuggle with when in the house. When going out, stick with a nice warm sweater or long sleeve fleece and blankets.
It's hard to keep a small dog like that warm. Mine is buried under the blanket up against me right now on the couch. When we go to bed, he'll be in-between us and under the blankets. I have small blankets on the couch in the living room, down in the rec room, in the dining room on his nap pillow....all around the house. Maybe a nice crate that you don't even have to close the door to, just to keep snug and warm with a towel around it so no drafts.

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Does anyone have any suggestions for a dog with separation anxiety?

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The Referr

Is there anything that can be done for a dog who whines whenever he is left alone.

Answer
I have a great article with suggestions

Here are some things you can do to help.

Try to make your arrivals and departures very boring and low-key. Don't make a big fuss over saying hello and goodbye. Be very casual and up-beat.

Try to make interactions with your dog on your terms, not his. You pet him, treat him, or play with him when you want, and not when he asks for it.

Get your dog used to your getting-ready-to-leave cues, like picking up keys and jacket. Go through these actions repeatedly during the time when you're staying home, without actually leaving. If your dog has already learned to associate his fears with your departure cues, it will take a lot of repetitions before the dog will get it.

Give your dog more exercise. A tired dog is a good dog! A dog can sleep most of the day if he's tired enough. Most young dogs could use 20-100 minutes of full-speed running per day. Increase your dog's exercise. Don't forget mental exercise, like training, exploring new places, encountering new smells, and social interaction with other dogs. Taking your dog to a park where he can run and play with others may be crucial. (Find dog parks around San Jose here.)

Give your dog something to do while you're gone! What does your dog do all day- wait around for you to come home? Give your dog a hobby. Jean Donaldson calls the solution to a lot of dog problems "work-to-eat" programs. Stuff a Kong or a hollow prepared bone, fill up a Buster Cube or Roll-A-Treat, scatter the dog's food in the grass or hide several chew treats around the house (see the Merchandise page for a description of some of these items). A dog that is working for goodies is not barking or chewing, and a dog that is eating is not as stressed!

Don't draw attention to forbidden objects just before leaving - in other words, don't straighten up or point out the items that you don't want the dog to chew. Your dog might misinterpret your attention and give those objects his attention just because of it. In a similar way, punishing your dog afterwards for destruction he's done will probably not help - it will not reduce your dog's anxiety, show him a better way to deal with it, or give him an alternative behavior. He might not even connect the punishment with the action he did to cause the destruction. (Don't confuse a dog's "appeasement display", developed to stop threats of aggression, with a "guilty look" that implies a promise that your dog won't do it again. See the Body Language pages for more information.)

Consider crating your dog. Some dogs are more comfortable when confined to a small "den". Make sure your dog can "hold it" for as long as you need him to, and provide plenty of exercise so that his main activity in the crate is sleeping. You might just want to consider leaving your dog in one room (rather than giving him the run of the house), and maybe leaving a radio on and an article of clothing that smells like you in the next room. Warning: Some dogs are a lot less comfortable confined to a crate when alone. Make sure your dog is comfortable and secure.

Consider taking your dog to doggie daycare or to a friend's house (or to work or on errands with you), so that he is not actually alone, while you train your dog to deal with being alone. Remember, dogs are pack animals that want to be with others; being a "lone wolf" can be dangerous in the wild, as well as lonely. Note that for many dogs who have bonded strongly with people, having another dog (or other pet) around will not be sufficient.

How do I stop my dog from having accidents on rainy days?

Dan N

My adult 5 year old pit/lab mix refuses to go outside in the rain, and will sneak off and pee in the house while I am occupied (she waits until we're in the bathroom usually). If myself or my roommate wake up, she rushes to pee before we can even take her out - it seems in an attempt to avoid going outside. On any other day, she will hold it indefinitely. Only when its raining does she do this. HELP!

Answer
I have several small dogs who hate the rain, and its a battle when the rainy season starts.

I would crate your dog at night, leash her up and take her outside first thing in the morning, before she is allowed anywhere in the house.

I deliberately send my dogs outside several times a day when it is raining. I provide an area that is covered so they do not actually get rained on, and I stand at the door until each dog does what he/she is supposed to do. Only then is the dog allowed back in. It doesn't take long for them to figure out that peeing quickly means they will be able to get back inside quickly.

If you cannot provide some cover for your dog, get her a rain jacket and throw it on her before you put her outside. Then stand there and watch her until she does what she should.

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