i would like to own a chihuahua and i have learned eveything...

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Question by Caitlin
Submitted on 11/9/2003
Related FAQ: rec.pets.dogs: Chihuahuas Breed-FAQ
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i would like to own a chihuahua and i have learned eveything about them and i'malmost an expert on them. i baby sit my best friend's pekinese and yorkie/chihuahua mix alot so i know what to expect. I'm not going to get my dog from a pet store b/c of that it may have come from a puppy farmshivers. i was reading earlier questions and eveything was A OK until i read that it wouldn't be a good idea to have one if you are gone for a long time. i'mgone at school from 8:00 to 2:35. is that to long to be away from my dog. i'mafriad it will bond with my mom and she dosn'teven like chihuahuas ( shes still letting me get one though, i'm15) my cat did that. anyway......is there anything i can do about being gone at school and how can i keep it from bonding with my mom?

Answer by chimama
Submitted on 11/10/2003
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Your chi would likely bond with both of you, but realize that probably she (I have two females, so I'm going to use the female pronouns)will bond more closely to your mother for the very simple reason that you mother is pack leader. You can try to keep that to a minimum by making sure that you are the one who trains her. That will be difficult though since you will be at school and she will need to be housetrained. I'm a bit concerned that your mother doesn't like chihuahuas, is she against all dogs or does she have a special animosity towards chihuahuas? Their reputation is not good among those who have only heard about nasty snappy yappy dogs. They can be very sweet dogs when properly socialized, neither of mine are 'yappy' and they are very good with people, even small children, once they have been introduced to them by me. Since you will be gone, your mom will have to spend a lot of time with her at first, getting her used to the house, housetrained, etc. If she really doesn't like chihuahuas, your puppy will pick up on that and be So Very Unhappy. A chihuahuas entire universe revolves around their humans and keeping them happy. If they can't do that, they will be miserable and may become the nasty dogs so many people think they are. That's unfair to her as well as to you and your mom. My experience has been good, I leave mine alone in the house while I am at work from 9 am to 6 pm. They are litter box trained, and they have each other to play with, but there wasn't a problem even before I got my first chi a sister and playmate. I was fortunate, some people find that their chi's just do not like being left alone. Mine don't like it, but they accept it, they know that Mommy Always Comes Back. The difference is that I am their only 'parent', there isn't anyone else with them, as your mother will be, so being gone isn't a matter of them being alone, but being without you.

Answer by Sarin
Submitted on 12/6/2006
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I know this response is 3 years late, but it might be helpful for someone else. If you are a teenager or someone of school age who goes to a traditional school, you should try to buy your pup around late spring early summer. This way if you purchase your puppy the beginning of June you will have a few months to spend the most time possible with your puppy training it and raising it. Since you wont be away at school you will have all day and all summer to interact with it and show it that you love it and you are the pack leader. This time of year is also a good time if you live in an area that has all three seasons. It will be easier to potty train and socialize your puppy outside with the warmer weather and getting them used to water/rain. Because most chi's don't favor the cold or wet conditions. A chihuahua is a very big responsibility, they are just like having little babies running around so think carefully before you make a life long choice to own one. They are one of the most rewarding and amazing dog breeds though. Make sure you research many breeds to find the right type of dog for your family. Don't buy a puppy just because it is cute or a famous person carries one around. Not all breeds are right for all people.

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Answer by Shawna
Submitted on 3/26/2006
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Hi. We just got a 7 week old chi, and he seems very lovable and playful. We also have 2 other dogs and a three year old son. Sometimes when I or my husband or son go to gently pick the chi up he will snap and kind of make a growling noise. But most times he is affectionate. I am so concerned about this behavior. If his is snappy already, when he gets larger teeth he could really hurt my son. We are always genlte, but wondering if this is normal or anyone else has had this problem, and what do I do, PLEASE HELP!!!

Answer by Shawnasuebug@yahoo.com
Submitted on 3/26/2006
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Hi. We just got a 7 week old chi, and he seems very lovable and playful. We also have 2 other dogs and a three year old son. Sometimes when I or my husband or son go to gently pick the chi up he will snap and kind of make a growling noise. But most times he is affectionate. I am so concerned about this behavior. If his is snappy already, when he gets larger teeth he could really hurt my son. We are always genlte, but wondering if this is normal or anyone else has had this problem, and what do I do, PLEASE HELP!!!

Answer by Livia
Submitted on 7/4/2006
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I have had the same problem with my family and some pets of my own. I think that Chimama is right in thinking that the pet will bond mostly to the person they consider the leader of the pack, in this case, your mother. I have been considering a chihuahua myself but I would want a dog that could bond to me, and not someone else. Maybe get it during the summer so that by the time school starts, it will be all yours.

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