Chihuhua male name

Here is a pretty good list of male chihuahua dog names to help
you find the perfect one for your chihuahua puppy!

Chihuhua male name starting with a A
Adonis, Aladdin, Ali, Amigo, Apollo, Artemis, Astro, Atari, Atlas, Avis

Chihuhua male name starting with a B
Bach, Bacon, Bailey, Banjo, Baxter, Beau, Benji, Bentley, Bozo, Brownie

Chihuhua male name starting with a C
Cajun, Cargo, Cash, Chaplin, Cheddar, Chester, Chopin, Cliff, Clipper, Curry

Chihuhua male name starting with a D
Dakota, Dali, Dallas, Detour, Devil, Dilbert, Dingo, Dragon, Dream, Dusty

Chihuhua male name starting with a E
Echo, Edgar, Ego, Einstein, Elliott, Elmo, Elvis, Ervin, Ewok, Export

Chihuhua male name starting with a F
Felix, Fido, Finch, Fizz, Flannel, Fletch, Flick, Fox, Franco, Freud

Chihuhua male name starting with a G
Gadget, Gandhi, Genius, Gin, Goliath, Gordy, Gregg, Groucho, Guru, Gyros

Chihuhua male name starting with a H
Hamlet, Handsome, Harley, Henry, Hero, Hershey, Homer, Hoover, Howard, Hulk

Chihuhua male name starting with a I
Ian, Ice, Igloo, Igor, Indy, Irving

Chihuhua male name starting with a J
Jack, Jackpot, Jasper, Jeremy, Jerky, Jetset, Jim, Joker, Judge, Justice

Chihuhua male name starting with a K
Kaiser, Kalhua, Kellogg, Kelvin, Kenny, Kent, Killer, Kilo, Kiwi, Kryspy

Chihuhua male name starting with a L
Larry, Laser, Lee, Lenny, Lewis, Lexus, Little, Loony, Lotus, Lucky

Chihuhua male name starting with a M
Macho, Major, Malcolm, Mambo, Martini, Max, Melvin, Midget, Mondo, Mustang

Chihuhua male name starting with a N
Nacho, Ned, Neil, Neon, Nestor, Newton, Nillson, Nitro, Norton, Nugget

Chihuhua male name starting with a O
Oak, Oliver, Omega, Onyx, Orbit, Oreo, Orscar, Othello, Otis, Ozzy

Chihuhua male name starting with a P
Paco, Pavlov, Peanuts, Peewee, Peso, Pete, Ping, Pinto, Pluto, Pogo

Chihuhua male name starting with a Q
Quaker, Quartz, Quiche, Quick, Quinn, Quito

Chihuhua male name starting with a R
Racer, Rasta, Reboot, Ringo, Rocky, Roder, Romeo, Roy, Rupert, Rusty

Chihuhua male name starting with a S
Sam, Sausage, Scampi, Schwartz, Scooter, Scotch, Scotty, Scuba, Shadow, Sherlock

Chihuhua male name starting with a T
Tango, Tao, Tatoo, Taxi, Ted, Theo, Thumper, Tito, Turbo, Twister

Chihuhua male name starting with a U
Udo, Ulric, Umaga, Uncle, Unger, Ungo, Uttley

Chihuhua male name starting with a V
Valentino, Van-Dam, Vanelli, Veggie, Velcro, Venus, Victor, Vince, Vivaldi, Volt

Chihuhua male name starting with a W
Waldo, Walter, Warrior, Wasabe, Whiskey, Whistler, Wilson, Windy, Wolfgang, Wonton

Chihuhua male name starting with a X
Xane, Xavier, Xerox

Chihuhua male name starting with a Y
Yahoo, Yankee, Yazzy, Yoda, Yogi, Yoyo, Yule, Yum, Yuri

Chihuhua male name starting with a Z
Zack, Zephyr, Zero, Zeus, Ziggy, Zippo, Zola, Zoom, Zorro, Zulu

How To Crate Train Your Chihuahua Puppy

Teaching your Chihuahua puppy to go inside his crate, and enjoy being in there, is called crate training. Crate training gets your puppy comfortable with his crate so that he will happily enter it and spend time in it when you need him to. Such as when you're housebreaking him or when you need to take him in the car.

Are Crates Cruel?

Dogs like small, enclosed areas. It gives them as sense of security and they tend to find small spaces comfortable. You will find that almost all Chihuahua puppies will love to sleep in their crate and will even go inside it during the day to rest or to chew on a bone. Especially if you encourage them. The main advantage of crates is that they make housebreaking a lot easier. A puppy will not eliminate where he sleeps (in his den) so crates are used during housebreaking to stop the puppy from eliminating in the home. But you will find that most all puppies love their crate so much they will use if for the rest of their lives, even when housebroken.

A crate is NOT meant to be a place where you can lock your puppy up for hours on end. If you're going to do this and not spend any time with your pup, yes it is cruel, and why do you even own a dog?! You should never associate any negativity with the crate, and being locked up in the crate for hours certainly will not be enjoyable for him so if you use a crate like that, then yes, it's cruel.

But if you're a loving dog owner, and you spend time with your Chihuahua puppy every day, loving him, caring for him, playing with him, petting him and walking him, then putting him in his crate for a few hours is not a cruel thing to do. He is not being put in their for punishment, and if you crate train him correctly, he won't see it as such. (By the way, you should never put your Chihuahua in his crate as punishment or he wont want to spend time in it). Most Chihuahua puppies will not mind being crated for short periods of time. And when you think about it, we put our human babies into crates too, we call these crates... playpens.

How to: Crate Training Your Chihuahua Pup

Put the crate in the middle of the room and place some toys and a treat in it. Always leave some toys in the crate so he can play with them. Leave the door open and allow your puppy to walk in and out as he pleases as he explores the crate. When he walks in, say "Crate", to teach him that the word "Crate" means that you want him to go to his crate.

After he's had a good look around the crate, place a another treat inside and let him go in. Close the door gently, leave it closed for a few seconds, and then reopen it. Repeat this a few times. Keep practicing by leaving the door closed for longer periods of time. Leave it closed for 1 minute, than 5 minutes, than 10 minutes. Then leave the door closed for half and hour. Then one hour. Make sure you are home the whole time while you are crate training him. If the crate is a plastic one, have the door facing you so that wherever you are in the home he can see you.

If he cries when he is in the crate don't let him out. If you let him out he will then learn to cry when you put him in his crate, and he will always do it. However, he may be growling or barking because he wants to go outside to eliminate, so keep this in mind. It's best if he goes to the toilet beforehand so you know this isn't the case.

How long can you leave him in his crate? A one month old puppy can be in his crate for 1 hour. A two month old puppy can spend 3 hours in his crate. And a 3 to 6 month old puppy can stay there for 4 hours. A 6 month old, or older, puppy can be in his crate for up to 8 hours, but no longer.

Remember, you should not overuse the crate. It is an invaluable tool for housebreaking your puppy, but it's not a substitute for companionship with your best friend.

What You Should Receive When You Buy Your Chihuahua Puppy

Congratulations! You've taken all the steps to ensure the Chihuahua puppy you buy has the highest possible chance of growing into a happy and healthy adult. You've selected a Chihuahua puppy from the litter and you're ready to pay for him and take him home.

Here's what you should receive from the breeder, in addition to your new Chihuahua puppy...

1. Sales Contract
You should receive the sales contract with all the terms and conditions you and the breeder have agreed to abide by and have both signed. The contract should also have, at least, a 48-hour health guarantee where the breeder agrees to refund or exchange the puppy if he is found to be sick when you take him for his Veterinarian check up after you get him.

2. AKC Certificate or AKC Registration Application
You should receive the AKC Certificate which shows the puppy is registered with the AKC if the breeder has already sent the papers in and had the puppies registered. Otherwise you should receive an AKC Registration Application which the breeder has filled out which you will need to send off to the AKC to have your puppy registered.

3. Health clearances
You should see the OFA and CERF certificates for the puppies parents and grandparents. You can get photocopies of these from the breeder.

4. Pedigree
You should receive a piece of paper which outlines the pedigree (family tree) of your puppy.

5. Medical Records
You should receive all the medical records for the puppy up to this day. This will include information on which vaccinations the puppy has had and when. Information on when the puppy was wormed. And a general health clearance signed by a Veterinarian.

6. Advice on feeding
The breeder should also give you advice on what food, and how much, to feed your puppy.

7. Photos of the puppy and parents (optional)
It's also nice if the breeder has some photos of your puppy when he or she was really young, to give you, for keep sake. And possibly some photos of the puppies parents that she can give you too. So you can start your photo album ;-)

Tips to choose a chihuahua name

Finding a chihuahua name for your puppy can be a great challenge! It can also be a fun thing to do. Here are a few tips to help you choose the best chihuahua dog name.

- Keep the chihuahua name very short, one or two syllable if possible, so it is easier for the chihuahua puppy to recognise it.

- Choose a name you can easily call out without blushing! I had a friend who called her dog "ti-coune", a French word that mean something like "stupid". Everything was find, everybody found the chihuahua puppy name was cute, until one day my friend had to go to the vet with her dog. Imagine that, you are in the waiting room and the vet, who oftens call clients by their pet name, says clear and loud "can STUPID come to my office please?" The same goes if your chihuahua dog is playing outside and you have to call it very loud make sure the name you choose wont hurt your relationship with your neighbours!

- Keep in mind you will have to train your chihuahua puppy, teaching him to SIT, NO, STAY, etc., so try not to choose a chihuahua dog name that would sound to much alike so your chihuahua puppy does not get too confused.

- If you choose a long chihuahua dog name, remember that, just like human names, people will shorten it. Does the nickname sound good as well?

Teacup chihuahua puppies

Chihuahuas are amongst the smallest dogs and they are in the toys category. Male chihuahua are about
6-9 inches (15-23 cm) tall while female dogs are about 6-8 inches (15-20 cm) tall. They weight between from 2 to 6 pounds (1-3 kg).

People often call the very small chihuahuas Teacup chihuahua puppies but it is not an official name according to the A.K.C breed standards.

Chihuahuas have small heads with short pointed noses. They also have very large pointed ears that made them famous.

The chihuahua is a good companion because it is loyal and loving. They might show some signs of jealousy, so it is good to train them early and to teach them to socialise. They can be pretty suspicious of people they don't know.

Because of its very small size, it is safer to walk the chihuahua using a harness then a collar. Also, if you live in a cold climate, consider a coat when you take him outside.

Chihuahua history

Chihuahua history is filled with one of the larger mysteries surrounding the smallest breed of dog. There are many who believe that the truth will never be known.

The newest DNA evidence might shed some light onto the actual genetic precursor Chihuahuas. There have been Techichis included in ancient graves all over Mexico. Perhaps some of them can be tested to unravel the true Chihuahua history.

For those new to Chihuahua history, there is an accepted version of this tiny dog's heritage. It is commonly accepted that this is the only native breed of the Americas. The animal has gone from a mute companion of the Olmec, Toltec and Aztec civilisations to a very vocal member of the smallest registered breed in modern times. As each culture conquered and supplanted the prior, the Chihuahua's ancestor remained an important part of the then current society.

Aztec drawings and pottery show animals similar to the modern day Chihuahua as being integral members of the upper class families. In some cases, the dogs are thought to be able to communicate with the gods, though mute themselves! The pictured dogs are larger than the current Chihuahua, with thicker necks, pointed tails and ears. They are also pictured as accompanying their masters to the grave. Chihuahua history abounds with divergences about whether they went along as guides, companions--or as food!

When the Spanish explorer, Hernando Cortez, and his men conquered the Aztecs in the years 1519-1521, much of the Aztec culture was lost. Chihuahua history suggests that the Spanish took a few of the little dogs with them back to Spain, where they were bred with other small breeds. Other discourses maintain that the Techichi were traded to China, where they were bred with a hairless, but vocal, breed and miniaturised for the next several hundred years.

This does not tell us how the dogs came to be discovered in modern day Chihuahua in their current form. Chihuahua history is full of mystery to this day. Nevertheless, the state of Chihuahua, which is due south of New Mexico and Texas, was where the current short- and long-haired Chihuahuas were discovered in the 1850s. The third dog to come from this area and further south in Mexico, is hairless and known as the Mexican Hairless Dog (Xoloitzquintle, pronounced show-low-eats-queent-lee), but it is not considered to be a Chihuahuan kin.

Chihuahua history has the breed being first recognised in 1884, but not registered by the American Kennel Club until 1904. England didn't register the breed until 1924! It remains the smallest toy breed in the world.

Chihuahua Health Risks

Although Chihuahuas are usually healthy, they do have special health considerations, both as puppies and as adults. For puppies, starting at birth through age sixteen weeks, you should be aware of some potential health issues.

Chihuahuas, among other small breeds, often develop "reverse sneezing," which can be caused by excitement, soft palate problems, dust and pollen, cold air, or a collapsed trachea. Your Chihuahua may sound like it is gasping or huffing for air, honking like a goose, or wheezing.

Another Chihuahua health risk is hypoglycemia, as Chihuahuas have a very small fat reserve around the liver. This problem can happen at any age, although small, young Chihuahua puppies have a higher potential for developing hypoglycemia.

Chihuahuas (just like people) need essential fatty acids, which are good fats like Omega 3 and Omega 6 that help build cell membranes in the body. Without them, the body's chemical structure will not function as well. Omega 6 is one fatty acid that cannot be made by your Chihuahua's body. Therefore, you should ensure your Chihuahua is getting Omega 6 in its diet for optimal health.

To determine if your Chihuahua has a deficiency in fatty acids, check its skin to see if it is flaky and if the coat is dull, greasy, or has a course texture. If you notice these things, you can be relatively certain your Chihuahua is not getting enough essential fatty acids.

Other Chihuahua health problems you may notice that may be attributed to a lack of or reduction in essential fatty acids:

Arthritis or arthritis-like conditions
Behavioral disturbances
Disrupted healing process
Dry nose
Eczema-like skin eruptions
Foul odor coming from the coat
Fragility
Heart and circulatory problems
Hindered growth
Impaired learning abilities or vision
Kidney or liver degeneration
Lethargy or lack of energy
Male sterility
Miscarriage
Regular hair loss
Vulnerability to infection
Weakness

Don't forget that Chihuahuas have a tendency of becoming obese. To maintain proper Chihuahua care, keep your dog on a healthy food, decrease treats, take your dog for a walk, and provide regular weigh-ins to ensure correct weight is being maintained. Obesity is a major cause of coronary heart disease and if your Chihuahua is allowed to live with excess weight, its health or lifespan could be dramatically reduced!

With its immune system not yet fully developed, problems such as worms, parvovirus, myocarditis, or coccidian can spread through contaminated feces. Without being vaccinated, your puppy has a greater risk of getting sick. Puppies love to sniff around the ground and can easily get into something they should avoid.

Useful and fun facts about chihuahuas

The Chihuahua information in the historical record shows images of the Chihuahua's ancestor on Toltec building stones. The Toltecs lived in what is now Mexico around 800 AD. The www.chirescue.org website shares the following: "The Toltecs had a breed of dog they called the "Techichi". And the carvings on the stones at Huejotzingo give a full head view and picture of an entire dog that closely resembles the modern-day Chihuahua. From this evidence, we can safely assume that the Chihuahua is a descendent of the Techichi."

As an officially recognized breed, Chihuahua information says the very first Chihuahua to be registered by the American Kennel Club in 1904 was "Midget". Chihuahuas are considered a Toy Breed and should not weigh more than 6 pounds if you are planning to "show" them. Like anyone, overeat and you get fat--and that includes fur people!

There are long-haired and short-haired Chihuahuas. One piece of Chihuahua information states that the long hair in Chihuahuas is a recessive genetic trait. But, just like any recessive trait, most pups will be predominantly short haired. That is, two recessive genes must match up--one from each parent--before the recessive trait can be expressed. Breeders who strive for this trait realize that they must mate two long-haired Chis in order to stand any chance at all of getting long-haired offspring.

Coat and eye color are varied in Chihuahuas. Coats are referred to as blond, brindle, black, brown, fawn, blue (= steel gray), and splashed. Chihuahua information has it that eye color just varies in shades of brown, while the large eyes are luminous and well lubricated with tears.

Distinctive ears give Chihuahuas their character. Most Chihuahua information says that "normally" their ears are upright at a 45 degree angle. Anything other than that is the "character" being expressed by the individual animal. Accompanied by angle of tail and head position, Chi owners soon learn what these expressions mean--it's Chi Talk!

Chihuahua information agrees almost unanimously that Chihuahuas love to be touched, but not by children. Children are a bit too loud and rough for the ears and delicate bodies of this dainty breed. Those 45-degree angled Chi ears pick up sound a bit too well to handle the piercing screams of children's glee or anguish, while their chests can be fractured under the clumsy hugs of young ones. Otherwise, Chis absolutely adore attention and will burrow at your side and under your arm, hoping to get in a nose lick! If you ignore their demands for attention, they'll trip you up or bug you until you give in.

Prepare to have another "person" in your household when you get a Chi, as Chihuahua information says THEY do NOT think of themselves as pets.

Chihuahua Chewing and Biting

CHEWING

Dogs chew for many reasons. Puppies explore with their mouths. Everything and anything will go in. When they begin teething, chewing eases discomfort and helps puppy teeth work their way out. Adults chew for fun, to alleviate boredom, because it feels good. Chewing is natural and to be expected. Your job it to teach your dog to chew only appropriate items.

Make certain you use items approved for dog use. Make certain the items you give your puppy or dog to chew are sturdy and will not be ingested rapidly. Rawhide flips and chips, cow/pigs ears (I give these occasionally as treats but not as regular chews), latex toys (the cute squeaky newspapers and such) are not the best choices. They can be eaten fast, offer no nutritional value and do not give a long lasting, satisfying chew. Some squeaky toys have squeakers that may pull out and choke a puppy. Some dogs are fine with the rolled rawhide bones (also called knotted bones) and retriever rolls (rawhide rolled into rolls with no knots at the end). It all depends on how aggressively your dog chews. Old shoes, socks, old stuffed animals are also a bad choice. Your dog will not know the difference between your $180 running shoes and that old tennis shoe you gave him. Children's toys will not hold up to a vigorous chewer. Plus, button eyes and noses can be eaten and cause choking or obstruction. I keep all my dog toys in a specific box. The dogs learn that if something is in the box or came from the box it may be played with.

I use pressed rawhide bones (the rawhide is compressed under high pressure into a sturdy bone), the sterilized bones made for dogs (watch Puppy, I have one dog that can break off chunks of these bones so I never let him have one unattended) and rope toys. I also use the fleece chew men (other shapes available) made specifically for dogs. Know your dog and watch how he reacts to various chew toys. Should he shatter a bone or shred a fleece toy, you may wish to change to a different chew or try a different bone or fleece toy. Sometimes, there may be a weakness you did not see. Not every toy is safe for every dog! Choose toys appropriately sized for your dog. I would never think of using a four-inch bone with my Australian Shepherd-Newfoundland cross. It is just too small and he could choke. However, that giant, four-foot rawhide bone may dwarf my Sheltie's mouth!

Get a variety of toys and rotate every day or two so there are always "new" toys out. This way, Puppy has a variety of toys and you do not have to buy dozens of toys to keep Puppy entertained.

Should you see Puppy chewing something inappropriate, use a loud, firm, growly "NO! LEAVE IT!" and take the item away. Now IMMEDIATELY get a good chew and encourage Puppy to take it. Once he does praise lavishly. Remember, you must catch Puppy in the act so the correction will be effective. A good thing to have on hand is one of the no chewing products. There are a variety of sprays and ointments to deter chewing. Find one your puppy really hates and spray items if necessary. Do not spray it directly into Puppy's mouth. That is cruel. Follow the directions on the product.

Teaching appropriate items to chew can save a life. Puppies will chew electrical cords, bottles of poison, plants, objects that can cause intestinal obstructions. They have to learn what is good and bad. The safest things are prevention. Keep poisons out of reach. Hide cords (some home improvement places even carry cord cover as do places that sell baby proofing items) and check to see if your plants are nontoxic. Many garden centers have lists of toxic plants. Basically, puppy-proof (and doggy-proof) as if you had a precocious
toddler around! It is far better to prevent an incident than to treat one!

Should you think Puppy ingested a poison or ate something that could either cause a blockage or intestinal damage (pins, needles, nails, nylons, fishing line, coins, rocks, antifreeze, household cleaners, plants, etc.) call your vet immediately.

PUPPY BITING

It is never a good idea to let Puppy play with your hands or feet - no matter how cute it seems. This teaches Puppy it is OK to bite skin. Even though tiny puppies playing tug-of-war with your big finger is cute, it is teaching a very bad habit! Never let a puppy do something once that you do not want him to repeat. It is far easier to prevent bad habits from developing that it is to retrain an older puppy or adult dog. Here are two techniques to teach puppy not bite. Technique #1 is less physical and I recommend it first. It may take a few days or so for puppy to catch on. Technique #2 involves physically stopping puppy. Some puppies (or dogs) may actually perceive this as a challenge to try again so I do not
recommend it is as much.

Technique #1 - yelp and walk away:

Puppies are very social creatures and refusing to engage in play can be an effective training technique. As soon as puppy starts to bite or nip, give a loud, yelping OUCH!!! Glare at the pup, get up and move away. After a minute or so, get a toy and return to puppy. Encourage the puppy to play with the toy. If he goes for you with a nip, repeat yelping and walking away.

Technique #2 - shake can:

If puppy does not respond to a verbal command only, try a shake can. Get an empty and clean soda can and place about 10 pennies in it. Tape the mouth shut. When your pup starts to nip, give the verbal command and at the same time give the can a good shake or drop it next to puppy (not on him please). This will help reinforce the verbal command. As soon as he stops, praise and give him a good toy to chew.

Technique #3 - shake down:

If Techniques 1 and 2 fail, then try this. I am not as fond of it as it involves physically grabbing the pup for reinforcing the "No Bite!". Start with a loud yelping OUCH; at the same time as you grasp the loose skin on puppy's neck. Give a firm scruff but not a shake and firmly say "NO BITE!" Do not pull puppy up and away, just scruff him. Release puppy and get him involved with a good toy. After a while, stop the scruff and just use the verbal.

Play Initiated Nipping

Certain games encourage biting and should be avoided when working on "No Bite": tug-of-war (my dogs are not allowed to play this with humans until they are well aware of the "pack hierarchy" and will release the toy when told to.); chase and tackle games; and other games where you actively encourage the puppy to bite a person. Dangling treats and encouraging a puppy to jump for then can encourage snapping for food as well as injure growing joints. If you play tug-of-war make certain YOU start the game and YOU stop it. If puppy brings you a toy and encourages you to play, reverse the rules (see NILIF below).

Nothing in Life is Free:

It is also a good idea to get your puppy used to working for things - even play time. Before you feed puppy, have him sit and then feed. Do the same before leashing up for a walk. If the puppy brings a toy and asks you to play, turn tables and do a bit of training then play. Puppy learns that if he listens and obeys and does something, there will be a reward. This also helps establish humans as higher in the pack order.

Should your dog continue to bite and not respond or if the biting is accompanied with aggression, growling or anything you do not like, contact a behaviorist. Also, have your dog examined by a vet. There could be an underlying factor for the biting. A dog that is sore or not feeling well may bite. It is his way of saying something is not right. Also, a poorly socialized or scared dog is more prone to bite, as is a startled one. Teach your children NEVER EVER touch a dog, even one they know, without the owner's permission. Teach them never to handle a stray or loose animal, even if they know it. Children should contact a grown-up instead. Teach children not to tease or hurt dogs. Even the most tolerant dog can be pushed past his limit and retaliate. Even if the children are plainly at fault, it will be the dog that suffers. Prevention is the key.

Chihuahua puppy training tips

Why house training your chihuahua puppy is so important? To make your life easier! When your dog finds out he is your master, instead of the opposite, you are in big trouble because your chihuahua puppy will do whatever he wants, whenever he wants. Chihuahua puppy training tips become handy in this situation because it will help you to teach your puppy proper behaviour and it will put you in the right position.

A few general chihuahua puppy training tips

1. If you have kids, teach them how to behave with the new chihuahua puppy (and with any other dog for that matter). Kids need to know how to approach a puppy, slowly, letting the puppy smell them. If you don't teach them that, they might get bitten by the puppy which can lead to them being scared of dog for a very long time.

2. Give them toys to chew instead of your shoes or other personal items. This way, your chihuahua puppy will learn what's his and what is not, which should help you save a lot of shoes! A good cord is great to keep your chihuahua puppy teeth clean. The favourite toy of my cocker spaniel is the Kong. I make him homemade dog biscuits that I put in the Kong and he plays with it a lot. There is a tiny version of the Kong that can be a great toy for your chihuahua.

3. Teach the basic commands like sit and stay using treats and a gentle voice when your chihuahua puppy does it right.

Leash training your chihuahua puppy

What you need : A leash (dahhhh!) and a collar or harness. Some people prefer a good harness to a leash because it is more comfortable for the chihuahua puppy, being on its back instead of around the neck. I'd say it depends on your dog and what you prefer. Personally, I love harness because when I started to train my puppy, it used to jump all over the place, and when she got to the end of her leash, it gave a hard shock to her neck. With a harness, my puppy did not hurt her neck.

If your chihuahua puppy seams to be afraid of the leash, try indoor activities that fell good for the dog or put the leash beside its food bowl for a while. Your chihuahua puppy will see there is no danger and will come to like the leash.

The first walk
It does not take long before your chihuahua dog know that the sight of the leash means a walk outside! And it usually means that your chihuahua puppy get very excited. This is why you need to start leash training very quickly. But first, teach the sit and stay command to your chihuahua puppy. This way, you will be able to ask your chihuahua puppy to sit and stay while you put her leash on, making the start of the walk easier. ( if you don't know how to teach the basic commands to your puppy, you can read more about it or take a course).

The key to succesful leash training your chihuahua puppy is consistency and practice. Like verything else you try to teach to your puppy, she needs practice, which mean you need to do it over and over, a bit everyday.

Chihuahua Allergies

Allergy is a disease in which the immune system reacts abnormally to every day substances such as pollens, animal dander, mold spores, mites, certain foods and chemicals. All of these allergic reactions are unpleasant, some are serious, and a few can be fatal. The offensive substances causing allergies are known as allergens. An allergic reaction may be caused by inhaling or ingesting the allergen or may be the result of direct contact with the allergen.

What are the signs of allergy?

The most common signs are scratching, face rubbing and biting and chewing at the skin. Usual locations for signs of allergy are the flank, feet, face, particularly around the eyes, mouth and ears, as well as areas around the base of the tail. In dogs, allergies are often the underlying cause of persistent skin disease. However not all scratching is due to an allergy. Conditions such as thyroid disease, fleas and certain infections, such as ringworm, can cause similar signs.

How do dogs get allergies?

They are generally inherited. The typical allergic dog starts with a short period of biting and chewing the first year. This may be mild and hardly noticeable. With repeated exposures to the offending allergens, the dog gradually experiences prolonged periods of discomfort and more severe signs.Allergies occur whenever the offending allergens are present. The more common allergens such as house dust mites or mold spores will produce signs of allergy year round, while allergies from plants that pollinate during warm months only happen at that time.

Food allergy can happen by itself or it may be a component of an overall allergy problem. Because of the complexity of allergy diagnosis, the combination of patient history, physical examination and allergy signs in the pet are all important in making an accurate diagnosis.

Can allergies be prevented?

Since allergies are inherited, there is no absolute way to prevent them. However allergies can be controlled.. The best control is achieved through avoidance of the offending allergens, so if, for example, your pet is allergic to fleas, it is better to prevent flea infestation. But allergens like dusts and mites are virtually impossible to avoid resulting in the need for alternative allergy treatments.How do I know if my dog has allergies? If your dog is persistently chewing its feet or scratching at its face, allergy may be a possible cause. Unfortunately, there are no specific signs for allergy so you will need to rely on your pet's vet to make that determination.

Allergy diagnosis requires eliminating other causes for your dog's clinical signs. This involves taking a detailed history of your dog's signs, a complete physical examination and some preliminary laboratory tests.If it is found that an allergy is the likely cause, your vet may recommend allergy testing to confirm the diagnosis.

How are allergies treated?

There are a number of different ways or combinations of ways to treat allergies. If it is mild, control may be achieved through avoiding contact with the offending allergens and medications to control the clinical signs. In pets with more severe allergies, or in pets where allergies occur year round, specific allergy treatments such as immunotherapy (allergy shots) may be needed. This is often recommended because prolonged use of certain medications, especially steroids, reduces itching, but produces serious side-effects which may decrease the quality and length of your pet's life. The vet may, therefore, discuss various alternative treatments with you based on your needs and the needs of your pet.

How successful is treatment?

The success depends on several factors including the overall health of your dog, the severity of the allergies,
and a commitment to therapy. In general, the steps to successful allergy treatment involve the following:
1. Trying to avoid or reduce the allergens in the environment.
2. Giving recommended medications to control clinical signs, and
3. Identifying the specific allergens causing clinical signs in your pet, followed by allergy immunotherapy.This combination will result in successful allergy treatment for most pets.

Allergies to dogs.

Sneezes, rashes or asthmatic reactions can be triggered by any breed of dog. Dandruff from the top skin and certain proteins in saliva and urine cause allergic problems in humans. Most research on allergies caused by pets has centred on those created by cats. This is not surprising because they are twice as likely to make their owners sneeze as dogs. For example it has been discovered that cats with long hair tend to shed less allergen and so their owners have fewer reactions. Cats with short hair give off more allergen.

Sufferers should keep their dogs outdoors at night. Certainly dogs and cats that live indoors should not be allowed on beds or even in the allergic person's bedroom. However research has shown that if a cat or dog is washed once a week the airborne allergens are cut drastically.

Dandruff collects on the carpets and in upholstered furniture so for those suffering allergies it is better to be without carpets and have wooden furniture or leather. If it is impossible to remove carpets then these should be steamed cleaned every three months to remove allergens. It is also advisable to wash walls and floors.Animal allergens are very small and very sticky and once they are secreted they dry on the animal's fur. There they stick until becoming airborne during petting and grooming. Then, because they are so small, they can stay airborne for a long time and, because they are sticky, they adhere to walls, clothing, and heating and cooling ducts.Some years ago I gave up smoking and noticed that I was coughing and choking when handling dogs. After a few tests I was told: "Mr. Dogman you are an asthmatic and allergic to dogs." Sadly I now have to take all kind of things to help control my allergic symptoms from medication to inhalers and I wash my hands more than a surgeon, change my clothes several times a day and wash my dogs every week.But with all my allergies I could not live without dogs because I know that dogs enhance our quality of life and are worth having around. So, if you are allergic to dogs, don't give up on them, they are still worth having around.

Chihuahua clothes

Chihuahuas are so dainty that there is a natural inclination to dress them up like dolls in special Chihuahua clothes. If you are very handy, you can make their clothing yourself and match your fur person's clothing to your own!

Whether you make them yourself, buy them in a brick-and-mortar store or on-line, the proper size of Chihuahua clothes is critical. You will need to have the following measurements with you when you are looking for clothing for your Chi: Length is the measurement along the backbone from the root of the tail to where the neck begins rising up from the back. Girth is the measurement found at the base of the rib cage up around the back. And the neck is measured at the base of the neck where it joins the main body trunk.

Special occasion Chihuahua clothes are a hoot. There is no end to the type of occasions for which you can dress your pet. If you are taking your Chi to a wedding, a frilly dress to match the bridesmaids dresses is always chic. You can even have a matching hat made to top off the ensemble! Every holiday has its associated clothing: Valentine's Day, Easter, Halloween, Christmas--the list is endless, as are the outfits that you can have made for your pet.

The practical side of Chihuahua clothes revolves around the thin layer of fat on most Chihuahuas. In cold environments and latitudes, there is a real need for a Chi to have a coat! Yes, their fur will probably thicken up some, but they just do not have enough body fat to keep them from shivering to pieces if you stick them in a snowbank!

Regardless of what you put on your pet, Chihuahua clothes can only go so far. You will want to be reasonable about how long your little one is out in the cold. There are boots made for dogs, but for Chihuahuas, they are not recommended as their legs already have a propensity to injure easily. You might -- stress "might" -- consider having knitted booties made to fit. This will still allow them to be sure-footed without the klunkiness and cumbersome qualities of shoes.

There are several websites that have patterns for making dog clothing. One website has instructions for knitting sweaters and can be found at www.redlipstick.net/knit/chihswe.html . Jackets, dresses, shirts, T-shirts, coats, caps, earmuffs, socks, booties, even pajamas--all are possible candidates for the complete line of Chihuahua clothes. You are limited only by your imagination and wallet size!

Chihuahua Coats: Smooth And Long Haired

We all have a basic idea of what your average Chihuahua looks like, but did you know that it is classified by the type of coat it has? The two main types of Chihuahua coats are the smooth coat and long coat/long haired Chihuahua.

In the smooth coat variety, the texture is smooth, glossy, and coarser than the hair of a long coat. Some Chihuahuas have heavier coats than others, and will have an "undercoat." The perfect coat in this category is one that is even over the body (sparser on the ears and head), ruff at the neck, with furry hair on the tail. A Chihuahua with a short coat does shed, albeit minimally.

On the other hand, a long haired Chihuahua's coat texture is soft and can be flat or have soft curls. The ears have a cute fringe and the tail has full hair. The Chihuahua's feet and legs have slight feathering, the hind legs have "pants," and the neck should have a larger ruff.

A thin coat Chihuahua would normally be a disqualification for show. Many breeders state that the long coat Chihuahua has a gentler temperament than that of a short coat Chihuahua (although some people disagree). Long coats shed, but like the short coat, it is minimal.

Generally, a long haired Chihuahua will need to be cleaned more often than the short coat. The front side of the coat on the chest, called the bib, can get dirty and matted.

You also want to keep the rear end of a long coat Chihuahua clean since fecal matter and other particles can become stuck to the hair. For this problem, you can either clip the hair shorter in that area or bath the entire Chihuahua (or just that area) more often.

No matter the coat type of this loveable dog, correct grooming techniques will make its coat shine just like new. Oh, and one last thing -- don't forget to give your Chihuahua's coat a bath every so often!

Essential Accessories To Buy For Your Chihuahua Puppy - Part 2

Here is part 1

Food and Water Bowls

A good food and water bowl are essential. Make sure the bowls you buy are microwave and dishwasher safe. Be sure they are sturdy so they cannot be flipped over. And make sure they are the right size, if they are extremely deep it may make it difficult for your little Chihuahua puppy to eat and drink.

Grooming Gear

If you have a long haired Chihuahua you will want to buy a brush and a comb, and he will need brushing and combing often not only to keep him looking attractive but to also prevent matting which will need to be cut out if it occurs from lack of brushing. If you have a short haired Chihuahua you will only need a brush. The pet store will be able to recommend some good brushes.

Nail clippers are also essential to keep your Chi's nails at a respectable length. His toe nails will not naturally wear down, they must be cut with nail clippers every so often. Long nails will cause him to slip on hard floors and eventually cause him pain.

A good dog shampoo is another essential for keeping your Chi puppies coat clean and killing fleas. Unfortunately, you cannot use human shampoo on your Chihuahua as it will dry out his skin.

Toys

Toys are an essential item on your shopping list. Your Chihuahua needs to have something to play with all the time - he likes having fun to! Toys keep him busy and stop him from chewing on your furniture, socks and slippers. They also provide entertainment for him. I recommend you get your Chihuahua a small "Kong" toy. This indestructible toy can be filled with treats, such as peanut butter, and keep him occupied for hours while he tries to lick it all out.

Puppy Gates

If you have stairs, add puppy gates to your shopping list. These will prevent him from falling down the stair case - which could kill him. These are available from the pet shop and will expand to fit the size of your stair case.

Exercise Pen

During housebreaking it is not a good idea to give your Chihuahua puppy full reign of the house. And exercise pen is a good way to give him room to play, and be near you, without having to watch him 24/7.

Pet Odor Remover

While you are housebreaking your Chihuahua puppy it is crucial that when he does make a mistake in the home, you remove all evidence of that mistake from the carpet - or else he will keep going back to that same spot. Your Chihuahuas smelling ability is a lot more powerful than yours. So even when you think the smell is gone, your Chi pup can still smell it there. This is why you need a pet odor eliminator, to remove all traces of where he went to the toilet so he won't go there again.

Essential Accessories To Buy For Your Chihuahua Puppy - Part 1

There are some bare essential accessories you will need to buy for your Chihuahua puppy to take good care of him, keep him safe and happy and help make your life a lot easier. In short, you will need a collar and a leash, an ID tag, a crate, bedding, food and water bowls, grooming supplies, toys, and possibly gates and a pen. Below i will introduce you to each of these accessories and explain why you need each of them. Each of these items is available for a pet store.

Collar and Leash

Lets start with collars. There are many different collars available for different purposes and they come in a plethora of colors and patterns. The type of collar you should get for your Chihuahua puppy is simply a standard buckle collar. These collars are fastened with a buckle (you can get a quick release plastic buckle for convenience), they are made of leather, nylon or cotton and the collar itself can be either flat or round. These types of collars are adjustable and won't tighten on your Chi puppies neck when they are fastened. You will need size: extra small :-)

Leashes are made from cotton, nylon or leather. Again, they come in many colors and patterns. You will only need a small, thin, lightweight leash for your Chihuahua puppy.

You are required by law to have a leash on your dog whenever you are in public. They give you control over your puppy and are handy during obedience training.

ID Tag

If your Chihuahua puppy ever escapes you will definitely want someone to return him to you. And how can they do that if he doesn't have identification. The ID tag should have your name, address, and telephone number and should be attached to your puppies collar which should be attached to him, at all times.

Crate

A crate makes transporting and housebreaking your Chihuahua much easier! It also gives him a home away from home where he can feel extra secure.

Crates are made from either metal or plastic. It's up to you which type you buy. Metal crates provide more ventilation during hot days, whereas plastic crates provide more of a den like environment for your pup.

Whichever one you choose, be sure that you buy a crate big enough that he can comfortably stand up, turn around, and lay stretch out in. Also, by the crate with his adult size in mind.

Bedding

You will need some sort of bedding to line his crate with so he can sleep in it comfortably. An old blanket and pillow will do the trick. If you purchase bedding from a Pet Store be sure that it is not edible and that it can be washed.

How To Buy a Happy, Healthy, Good-Looking Chihuahua Puppy

The breeder you buy from plays a big role in how your Chihuahua will eventually turn out.

"You mean, not all Chihuahuas are created equally?", you ask. Exactly right. Anyone can "attempt" to breed a Chihuahua, there's no laws saying who can breed Chihuahuas and who cannot. This means that there are a lot of breeders out their who are breeding Chihuahuas who do not take the necessary steps to breed Chihuahuas that are temperamentally sound, healthy and confirm to the breed standard. This means that many Chihuahuas don't conform to the breed standard, they inherit diseases, and they have unsound temperaments.

Breeding Chihuahuas responsibly, to produce healthy and happy offspring, takes a lot of work and is very expensive. and this means that a lot of Chihuahua breeders take shortcuts.

So, If you want the best chances of getting a healthy, good looking, and happy Chihuahua then you must buy your puppy from a responsible Chihuahua breeder - not just any old breeder.

The breeders decisions before, during, and after breeding, play a huge role in how her Chihuahuas will turn out.

The three variables, listed below, are determined largely by the skill, or lack thereof, of the breeder whom you purchase your Chihuahua from:

1. Appearance - your Chihuahua should conform to the breed standard so that he actually looks like a good-looking Chihuahua. Not all Chihuahuas look the same, some are much more true to their type (the Chihuahua breed standard) than others.
2. Temperament - you want your Chihuahua to be confident and friendly. You do not want a nervous or overly aggressive Chihuahua who will be a handful around strangers and difficult to live with.
3. Health - you want a healthy Chihuahua who is free from the hereditary diseases commonly found in Chihuahuas

Whether you get a healthy, happy and good looking Chihuahua, like this, is determined largely, as i mentioned before: by the breeder.

So, you should be seeking out a responsible Chihuahua breeder to buy your Chihuahua puppy from.

Responsible Chihuahua breeders aim to create happy, healthy, and true-to-type Chihuahuas.

However, keep in mind that nothing is guaranteed. Mother nature ultimately deals the last card... but... by choosing a responsible Chihuahua breeder you greatly increase the chances that your Chihuahua puppy will turn out to be happy and healthy.

So your mission is to find and buy your Chihuahua puppy from a responsible Chihuahua breeder - and overlook all the other charlatan Chihuahua breeders out there.

Yes, you could choose any old breeder to buy your Chihuahua puppy from, but beware that you are taking a larger risk of obtaining a Chihuahua will have hereditary disease and/or an unsound temperament and/or won't physically conform to the Chihuahua breed standards (faults in the way he looks).

Source:Chihuahua Puppies Guide