Chihuahua care

Chihuahuas are fairly easy to take care of and train.  According to petco.com “If you adopt your Chihuahua while they’re a puppy, you’ll have a better chance of success. Starting around 8 weeks old, Chihuahuas can begin to learn basic cues and start their potty training. The key to training puppies is gentleness, praise and consistency. Start small, but do a little work with your Chihuahua every day.”  Even though it is easier to train a puppy, you can train adult and elderly dogs as well.  Here is a quick guide on how to take care of your Chihuahua.  

Potty training can be a little tricky because chihuahua’s are cold sensitive, so going outside in cooler weather may not work the best.  The key to potty training any dog, especially chihuahuas, is patience and consistency.  Pick a quiet place, out of the way of people and other animals, and consistently use that spot the same time every day.  Use positive reinforcement as a reward. 

Socialization is essential with chihuahuas.  They need to be exposed to other dogs and people as early as possible so that being around them is part of normal life.  New situations can be overwhelming for your pup so start slow and be consistent.  

Feeding a Chihuahua the correct food is the best way to keep your dog healthy.  The need puppy food before the age of 1 years old, adult food until they are 10 years old, and senior food after 10 years.  With the 4 to 6 pound dogs a 1/4 cup of food a day should be plenty.  In order to ensure the correct amount ask your veterinarian’s advice. 

Grooming can be a little tricky because chihuahuas can be high strung and anxious. The perfect way to begin grooming is start slow and gradually adding more to the process. For example, start by brushing their coats, advance to nail cutting, and then advance again by going to a groomer.
There are two types of Chihuahua coats, long and short. For short hair all you need to do is brush them once a week. Long hair chihuahuas have several steps to keep them well groomed. Start by brushing the hair and getting the undercoat, then get a deshedding comb, and finally a soft long bristled brush for getting down to the skin.

Bathing an inside dog should be done about once a month. A dog that goes outside should be bathed at least twice a month. Use a towel to dry them or use a blow dryer on low with warm air. Do not wash the face with soap, instead use a warm damp cloth to gently clean their eyes and face.

Styling your dogs hair should be determined after you have a conversation with your groomer. Trim their nails regularly.

A chihuahua’s anal glands may need to addressed regularly. If you see your pup scooting their butt on the ground it may indicate their anal glands need to be emptied. Having a vet or groomer empty the glands is the best course of action; though some owners will want to learn how to do it on their own.