I think I've made a huge mistake.I recently bought a cute...

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Answer by chimama
Submitted on 9/18/2003
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Is it possible that she has been sat on, stepped on, etc. either before or since she has been with you? Are your children gentle with her or do they try to hold her when she doesn't want to be held, squeeze her too hard, carry her around by her front legs, etc.? Six is rather young, but with supervision both your children are old enough to be taught how to treat a small dog, so I wouldn't be overly concerned there unless you see them doing the above. Chihuahuas don't like to be forced, they'll happily lay on your lap for hours but when they want down they Want Down. The first thing you must do is re-establish that you are alpha, you outrank her, snapping and snarling at you are just Not Acceptable. A firm "Nixie, Stop That" or "Nixie, No!" accompanied by picking her up and looking her straight in the face should stop her in her tracks. When that happens, "Good Girl Nixie" and pet her. Of course, you would substitute your puppies name for Nixie. She will probably bond to you primarily, but she must learn to accept that your human children are higher members of her pack. I would suggest that you be primary caregiver, spend time with her and for right now, keep the children away from her unless you are there to supervise and administer correction if she snarls or snaps. You probably already read, don't hit, don't yell, it doesn't help. A low voice and a firm tone are much more effective. You can give a gentle chuck under the chin or hold their muzzle closed while telling them "No Bite" or "Enough". As soon as she stops the behavior, praise her with warmth and enthusiasm, she wants to please you, make it easy for her to figure out what does and doesn't. Is she maybe trying to play? If she's got her front legs down and her butt up, and her ears and tail are up, she wants to play. Give her a chewie rope or a stuffed animal (make sure to remove button eyes and such so she doesn't eat them). Grrr may mean "I want to kill something, throw the fuzzy toy, Please, throw the fuzzy toy" or "I want to tug on the chewie rope". If you come to the conclusion that you cannot keep her, please use the organizations higher in this FAQ to find a chihuahua rescue group or local chihuahua club. Not only can they make sure that she goes to someone who can take her, but they can also work with her so that her next owner doesn't have the same problems you do. You never know, they may be able to help you keep her yourself. I would suggest that you try to find a local chihuahua club anyway, or other people who have chihuahuas. Those of us who answer questions do our best, but without actually observing first hand, don't take our advice as the final word.

Answer by chimama
Submitted on 10/16/2003
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I'm so glad you invested time and effort into training her, chihuahuas are the most loving and loyal of breeds. You will be the object of her undying adoration for many years, thank you for giving her the chance to show you how very lucky you both are. She might become more 'barky' as she grows up, but she might not. My older chi nearly had to be taught to bark, she is very outgoing and friendly with strangers, she's the alpha and she lets every dog around know it. My younger chi is very mellow and is more shy around strangers but she was/is a barker and will actually howl, she had to be taught when to bark and when to be quiet. Every chi is different, but I doubt her personality will change much, she should be fairly set. You have obviously done a good job of socializing her, thank you for that too, every pleasant chi helps to dispel the myth that they are all nasty, yappy and snappy. She should be right around six months old now, so it's time for me to make my pitch to ask you to please have her spayed. It's not cruel, she'll be so much happier not going through heat and not getting any 'satisfaction'. Most female chis are much too delicate to be successfully bred, and you would have to keep her inside 100% of the time and away from male dogs. A larger male dog could seriously harm or even kill her in an attempt to mate, and for sure the pups would have to be aborted. It also keeps them from straying in search of a male which leaves you in the center of their universe. Both my girls were spayed before their first heat, they're not missing a thing except the misery of heat and the possibility of dying during pregnancy or from an illness of the reproductive organs.

Answer by chimama
Submitted on 10/28/2003
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Yes, you can get a chihuahua totally housebroken. It's not easy, but it is possible. She's still a bit young, usually a puppy isn't completely reliable until 6 months or so. You must keep her away from carpet, use baby gates or other means of restricting her to areas of the house with hard floors. Chihuahuas love carpet, it hides a multitude of sins, they really seem to think you won't find the peepee. Perhaps it reminds them of the feel of ground on their feet, or in my case the feel of the litter in their box. Other breeds may be the same, I only know about Chihuahuas. Clean and then deodorize all the carpet, use something specially designed for removing pet odors (your local Petco or Petsmart can help you), Febreeze won't do it. Keep the barriers up, don't give her a chance to relapse. If you spend significant time in a room with carpeting, e.g. your family room where the TV is has carpet, either she's on your lap or she's in a playpen or enclosure. She goes in when you go into the room and she only comes out when you leave the room or when she has to go potty. That way she can't sneak off when you're not looking. She should not be isolated from the other members of her pack, she should be in the same room with you but that doesn't mean she should be able to get out of sight. Take her outside even more often, and tell her "We're going outside to go potty". Make a fuss when she goes, tell her what a good girl she is. Even if she doesn't go, repeat that she is a good girl to go potty outside, but not as emphatically, just say it rather than say it and pet her and etc. If you see her looking like she might have to go, take her out. If you see her near the door, ask her "Go outside go potty?" Stress the words Outside and Potty, get excited about it. If you're using the enclosure, you can ask her that same question, as long as she goes from enclosure to outside to enclosure, it shouldn't be a way for her to get to the secluded forbidden carpet. She does want to please you, having her access to 'hidden' places restricted may help since she won't be able to relieve herself without you seeing it.

Answer by OldLadyChihuahua
Submitted on 1/7/2004
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I have a number (too many to even admit to), Chihuahuas. I have had these guys for years and I have so many because I love them. I just would like to say a few things about them. I have never found them to be a very good dog for young children. If any "training" is done, it's them training YOU. They need lots of loving and attention and do not do well at all without it. Never but NEVER take your Chihuahua out for a walk in very cold weather even with protective gear on. They are low to the cold ground and will quickly get what they call up here, (Northern Minnesota), frozen lungs. I have owned several breeds of dogs over my life time and I must say, these little guys are for me, wonderful. But not so for everyone. I have the larger 5 to 7 pound ones. They are naturally aggressive and overly protective of me and THEIR place here. I do not think this natural behavior can be trained out. I have tried to do so for years. I think you have to love a Chihuahua just as he/she comes, A small ball of love laced with dynamite!

Answer by chimama
Submitted on 5/7/2004
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Jenn, Great story! People who say chihuahuas cannot be trained probably don't know that you can't train a chi the same way you train other breeds. Chi's are smart and like to think for themselves, you have to make sure they know what's in it for them if they behave, ignoring them is the worst punishment they can think of, they will do almost anything to keep their human happy. Yes, they will attempt to train you, just like human children; they can mope, pout, whine and nag, but you must never give in, just like with human children. Both my girls are completely trustworthy with even infants (although they are never allowed to be alone with any child under the age of 12). They have never snapped at, bitten, growled at, or threatened anyone. They bark until I tell them "That's enough", which makes them very good watchdogs. I wish all chihuahua owners were like us, and that everyone would get the chance to meet well mannered children such as ours, it would go a long way to setting to rest the fallacy that chihuahuas are nasty snippy snappy yappy terrors.

Answer by Chi_Lover
Submitted on 5/10/2006
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Hello folks: Our family has a chi that we have had for about four years. She is a very loveable dog and is attached to all of our family members. Recently she has been ill but after taking her to a few different vets we are still stumped. Her symptoms are fever, swollen lymph nodes and snout, and she has many small growths on her mouth and chin. All vets assured us that this was not some kind of cancer but could not explain what the problem could be. She has been given several anti-biotics which work for a while but then the symptoms return. Does anyone have any idea what this could possibly be or have you had a similar experience? Thanks a lot guys.

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Question by Jenn
Submitted on 9/17/2003
Related FAQ: rec.pets.dogs: Chihuahuas Breed-FAQ
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I think I've made a huge mistake.I recently bought a cute little female chi but I am having huge doubts about keeping her. She is usaully good but sometimes when she is sleeping near me and I move she will start growling and snapping.This happens with me and my kids. I don't know what to do with her now.After reading everything about chi's(after the fact),I'm afraid to have her around my kids ages 6 and 9 .Can I train her to stop doing that ?Or should I find someone to take her?She is about 16 weeks old.

Answer by Rachel
Submitted on 9/28/2003
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Hi, if you decide not to keep her please email me. cococup1971@aol.com. I am a single female who works from my home and looking to adopt a chi. Thanks!

Answer by Amy
Submitted on 10/11/2003
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try reading a few books, chihuahuas for dummies, dog training for dummies, or books like that, THEY HELP SOOO MUCH!! I bought those and a few others that I found in a book store, and being patient, and folowing their advice I cleared up the problem right away, dont give up!! I love my baby, he just needed some guidence

Answer by Jenn
Submitted on 10/26/2003
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I have one other question. I cannot seem to get a definitive answer for. Can my chi be totally housebroken ? Every answer I get if different. I would like for her to go outside. I take her out often ,and she goes, but she will also find a spot (always on carpet) to go if I'm not watching her. I don't do anything to her after the fact because I know she will not understand.By the way , she learns basic commands and a few tricks in a very short time just a matter of a few tries(as long as there is food involved). This will be her next greatest feat is to go potty outside . Thanks for any help! PS I really enjoy this message board.It has taught me alot.

Answer by heather
Submitted on 11/21/2003
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hi... idk what this is or nething so im jsut gunna go ahead and try this out.. but iam looking for a Chi.. i really want a long haired one, and the colors black white and tan.. does andyone kno where i can get this Chi? ive looked all over on the internet and all these Chi's are alot.. and if there not alot they end up being a color i dont like.. can someone help me?? if so my email is hottsmileyzpunk16@yahoo.com

Answer by KngRandy
Submitted on 12/18/2003
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uumm...every time i take my chihuahua out side it try'sto run away or i think so what do i do?

Answer by chimama
Submitted on 12/22/2003
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one word : Retracto Leash. My advice is to work with him/her inside the house until she comes reliably when called, work on leash training in the house until she is reliable there. My standard plug, the book Chihuahuas for Dummies.

Answer by Jenn
Submitted on 4/17/2004
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I've had my chi for almost a year now and she is now the love of our lives she now gets along well with the kids and can't wait for them to get home from school. We took an obedience class with her and sh came in first place!!! So you can't tell me these little guys can't be trained. She is also completely housebroken!! I taught her how to ring bells when she needs to outside. Even in the coldest weather(in Buffalo) she goes outside does her business and right back in with no problems. We love our Chi and hope everybody has as good of luck as us.

Answer by jess_ree
Submitted on 6/29/2004
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I've got a chi and lately she has been throwing up a lot and her snout started swelling up. She has done this before but I don't know what causes this. If any1 knows please answer..

Answer by chimama
Submitted on 7/2/2004
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Take her to the vet. She may be allergic to something, especially if someone has recently had their lawn treated or you've changed floor cleaners or had your carpets cleaned.

Answer by karen
Submitted on 7/28/2005
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Help Please! I have a chi male who is almost a year old.He is not eating,I'm not sure what to do.I Have tried everything i can think of to get him to eat,I'm getting really upset about him not eating.If anyone has any suggestions i would really apperciate it. thanks

Answer by mimifio
Submitted on 12/30/2005
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I have an adorable long hair sable chi who is so loving to those he knows (he's only 9 months). When anyone else approaches him, he snaps at them. He was socialized since we got him and I'm concerned about his behavior, especially when we have kids. He snapped at my nephew who was very calm at the time. I don't know what to do. I might have to give him up once we have kids. I tried ignoring him, locking him up, rewarding him with treats when a stranger comes in, etc...I'm even trying a dog whisperer next week! Please help. I absoutley love this dog but I feel like if he doesn't improve, some serious consenquences might occur.

Answer by MSIMMS
Submitted on 2/1/2006
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HI I JUST WANT TO SAY CHI S CAN BE TRAINED ALSO I HAVE 2 AND MY PARENTS HAVE MANY AND ALL OF MY FAMILY HAVE CHI S.I BABYSIT AND MY TWO CHI S ARE ALWAYS AROUND US.AND THE CHILDREN KNOW THAT THEY CAN NOT PICK UP THE CHI S.THEY HAVE TO COME TO THEM AND THATS FINE.THEY HAVE NEVER BIT OR SNAPPED ANYONE.BUT THEY HAVE GROWLED.WE JUST SAY NO OR I DON'T THINK SO DUKE OR CHI CHI AND THEY STOP INSTANTLY.BUT THEY DO BARK WHEN PEOPLE COME IN UNTIL WE SAY THATS OK.AND THEY ARE OK.AND THEY ARE FULLY HOUSEBROKEN ~~~THEY ARE REALLY SMART!!!SO EVERYONE TAKE GOOD CARE OF YOUR CHI PUPS.THEY ARE A SPECIAL BREED.ANYWAY I THINK SO LOL..!!!

Answer by pup
Submitted on 4/8/2006
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I love chi's but you have kids and she could bite them my guess is that she misses a brother or a sister or a previous owner.

Answer by Puppy girl
Submitted on 10/2/2006
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I have a qustion I have a chi that just went into heat.We bought Tahiti (my chi) a diper and it works just great. we are wondering how long this cycle lasts.shes not even a year old yet We are going to have her spayed in January. I am using the answers column because I dont know were you get to the qustions Bye from puppygirl and Tahiti

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Answer by Chihuahua lover 227
Submitted on 10/2/2006
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You guys are amazing I have never met anybody that loved chihuahuas as much as I do bye the way my sister is Puppy Girl and Tahiti is really my dog!!!!!!!I hope you dont mind me joining you!!!!!!!!!!!!!I LOVE MY CHIHUAHUAS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!