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Miniature Chihuahua for Sale, Teacup Chihuahua Puppies for Sale, Long haired Chihuahua puppies
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My Chihuahua Puppy
Chihuahuas are tiny dogs with big personalities who establish loyal and protective relationships with their owners. As puppies, they have a lot of energy and need to be exercised regularly, socialized with other dogs, and fed nutritious foods to keep them healthy. Chihuahua puppies do well with training, love to play, and enjoy exploring their new homes. With care and attention, your new Chihuahua puppy will be a cherished member of your family (Creative Commons, 2017).
Feed Your Chihuahua Puppy Healthy Food
Like other puppies, Chihuahuas need nutritious diets to keep them healthy. They do not need to be fed a specific diet but you should ask your veterinarian for brand recommendations. Like other small dogs, Chihuahuas are at risk of developing heart and kidney problems if they are fed a diet high in salt. Look a dog food that is low in salt to help avoid this issue. Chihuahua puppies need more protein and calories than adults so look for a nutrient dense food. Canned puppy food may be easier for your puppy to eat at first since it is easier to chew but dry kibble typically provides better nutrition (Creative Commons, 2017).
Feed Your Chihuahua Puppy on a Schedule
Like other puppies, Chihuahuas need nutritious diets to keep them healthy. They do not need to be fed a specific diet but you should ask your veterinarian for brand recommendations. Like other small dogs, Chihuahuas are at risk of developing heart and kidney problems if they are fed a diet high in salt. Look a dog food that is low in salt to help avoid this issue. Chihuahua puppies need more protein and calories than adults so look for a nutrient dense food. Canned puppy food may be easier for your puppy to eat at first since it is easier to chew but dry kibble typically provides better nutrition (Creative Commons, 2017).
Provide Your Chihuahua Puppy Water Always
Chihuahua puppies can become easily dehydrated since they expend a lot of energy throughout the day. Always leave out fresh clean water for them in a bowl that is shallow enough for them to reach into and won’t tip over. Puppies may try to climb into water bowls if they are too difficult for them to drink from and can drown (Creative Commons, 2017).
Avoid Foods That are Toxic to Chihuahua Puppies
There are many foods that are toxic for dogs to eat. Even very small amounts of these foods can be very dangerous for Chihuahua puppies because of their small size. You should also avoid feeding them table scraps. Human food is often very calorically dense and can cause weight gain, which is very common in Chihuahuas and is dangerous for their health. Alcohol, caffeine, avocado, chocolate, grapes, dried fruits (like raisins), dairy, onions, garlic, and salt are all dangerous for your dog. Feeding your puppy table scraps also encourages negative behaviors like begging and can easily account for one-third of their daily food intake needs (Creative Commons, 2017).
Allow Your Chihuahua Puppy to Adjust to Their New Home
Arriving at a new home can be an overwhelming experience for your new Chihuahua. They need time to become comfortable with you as their new owner, other pets, and in their new homes. It is very important to love and be affectionate with them during their first few days so they can feel comfortable. If you have other pets at home, you will need to introduce them to your new puppy. Supervise your puppy as they explore their new home, as this is the best way to keep them out of trouble. The length of the adjustment period will depend upon your pet’s personalities, but you should be prepared for the dogs to need some time to become fully comfortable around the other. An older dog that is used to being the only pet in the household may adjust more slowly to a new and energetic puppy, while other dogs are happy to have a new friend. Supervise these first interactions and be on the lookout for any aggressive behaviors from either pet (Creative Commons, 2017).
Introduce Your Chihuahua Puppy to New Situations
Your Chihuahua needs to be taught the appropriate ways to interact with new people, animals, and environments. Exposing your puppy to new situations and people early on helps to establish future habits. There is a critical socialization period for puppies (usually the first sixteen weeks) that is crucial in shaping your dog’s future temperament and behaviors. Ask friends and family members with friendly dogs to come to your home to meet your new puppy. This is a controlled environment where you will know that the other dogs are vaccinated and you can step in if any aggressive behaviors are shown (Creative Commons, 2017).
Bond with Your Chihuahua Puppy
Chihuahuas often form strong bonds with their owners and you want to encourage a strong and healthy relationship with your puppy early on. Be physically affectionate with your puppy by rubbing their belly, patting their head, and petting them. Give them praise when they follow your commands and respond to their training. This is a good way to reinforce good behavior and helps your puppy associate you with pleasant feelings. Spend time with your puppy. Chihuahuas want to spend time with their owners and want their love and attention. Make sure you can spend some time every day, even if it is only in short increments, giving your puppy your undivided attention (Creative Commons, 2017).
Exercise Your Chihuahua Puppy Daily
Chihuahua puppies have very high energy levels and need to be exercised daily to expend this energy or they will become hyper or destructive. A well exercised puppy is a happy puppy. Your puppy should go on two short walks for about 15 to 20 minutes each day. Over-exercise can be detrimental to growing puppies so encourage them to play and exercise as much as they want to but not beyond their energy level. Play games with your puppy to provide mental stimulation. Take a toy and hide it in an easy to find spot. Encourage your puppy to find the toy and reward them with praise when they find it. You may need to lead your puppy to the area a few times until they understand the game. Chihuahuas enjoy playing fetch but make sure you use a toy that is small enough for your puppy to hold on to (Creative Commons, 2017).
Teach Your Chihuahua Puppy to Walk on a Leash
Once your puppy has received their full set of puppy vaccinations, you can begin to take them on walks in public. Since walking is an easy way for them to get exercise, they should be taught to walk on a leash early. Use a harness while going on walks since collars can be easily slipped off of their small necks. A 6-foot leash is typically a good length to use on walks. Teach them to heel and match your gait by stopping whenever your puppy walks too far ahead of you. Wait until the leash is fully extended and the puppy can’t go any further before you call their name and encourage them to come back to you. Eventually, they will learn that the walk won’t continue until they stay by your side (Creative Commons, 2017).
Housetrain Your Chihuahua Puppy
House-training requires owners and puppies to work together and follow a consistent schedule. Use positive reinforcement to encourage good behaviors and be aware that accidents will happen. Schedule their trips to their designated bathroom areas based on their age. Generally, you should expect to increase the time between trips for each month. So, a two-month-old puppy should go out every two hours while a five-month-old puppy can wait every five hours. Plan when you know you won’t be home for several hours. When you know that you won’t be able to take your puppy out for several hours, keep them in a gated area with floors that are easy to clean. You can also provide puppy pads during times like these (Creative Commons, 2017).
Teach Your Chihuahua Puppy Basic Commands
Chihuahuas have big personalities and will try to assert themselves as the leader of the pack if you let them. Establish yourself as the leader by training your dog to follow commands like sit, stay, and come. Use positive reinforcement to encourage good behaviors but do not reward bad behaviors. It is easier to establish good behaviors early on rather than to break behavioral problems later. Be consistent and firm during your training and practice basic commands with your puppy at least fifteen minutes every day (Creative Commons, 2017).
**Stay tuned for next week’s Chihuahua puppy blog on “My Chihuahua Puppy Continued.”**