The answer to this question lies
in getting to know
more about these little dogs. Chihuahua dogs
are the smallest of all breeds. Most weigh in
at 6 pounds or less and they only stand about 6 to 9
inches tall.
They come in a variety
of colors and have
both long and short hair. Understanding the aspects
of a Chihuahuas
personality and
needs can help a person
determine if this
is the right breed of
dog for them.
A Chihuahua
is a
delicate looking
dog. It is born with a
soft spot, like humans, but in a Chihuahua the soft spot may
never close.
They are very energetic and love to play. If
left alone a chihuahua may tear
into anything they can rip apart, like toilet paper or other trash. They have a natural tendency to
become attached to one or two people whom they are become very loyal and protective. Chihuahua dogs love attention. They
also have a long life span, up to 16 years.
Due to their small body size they are
not very
good at tolerating cold temperatures. They also require minimal grooming, only needing one bath
per month and an occasional brushing. They can be hard to train, but once trained are very well behaved.
These traits of a chihuahua
make him ideal for some owners and not so ideal for
others. They are great for those
who live in an apartment or other smaller, restricted area as they do not need a large space for exercise.
They are not good with children because of their delicate and nervous nature. Also they do not get along with other breeds of
dogs, so a person with other pets would not make a good owner for Chihuahua puppies.
The best owner for a chihuahua
dog is an adult without other pets or children, who can devote
plenty of attention to it.
Reese Spiers is an avid dog
lover and writer. You can learn more about
chihuahuas by visiting his website
http://www.all-chihuahuas.com.
Virtually
all breeders, trainers and
dog lovers agree
the single most important factor in having
a well-adjusted and calm dog
or puppy
is to provide appropriate socialization experiences starting at
the youngest possible age. These socialization experiences need to be done on a daily basis,
especially with
the more aggressive
or timid breeds to
prevent the natural tendencies towards these
behaviors to become established.
Puppy Socialization
In nature
the adult dogs and his or
her brothers and sisters socialize a
puppy. Puppies learn
that when
they bite
too hard they get
bitten back, or they
are growled at but the adult dogs.
When the puppy is removed from the
mother and brothers and sisters
prior to
this socialization it is up to the
humans to complete this training. When the puppy bites or
chews and is hurtful the adult must
respond in a way
that shows displeasure with the actions of the
puppy. This usually involves a louder and rapid Ouch or Dont bite followed by ignoring the puppy for a few minutes. Usually this is all that is required. If the dog is slapped or spanked when they bite they may, in fact, become more aggressive
as they are trying to tell you that they are
being hurt. If
your puppy does not respond to the Ouch or Stop command
try substituting a chew toy to
teach them the appropriate thing to bite on. They should be praised for
chewing on the toy and not biting a person.
Some breeds will
naturally nip or heel. This is particularly true for herding dogs such as Border Collies, Australian Cattle Dogs, Corgi breeds and Sheepdogs of all varieties. A squirt bottle full of water is often all that is needed to teach these highly intelligent breeds to herd animals, not humans. Puppies and dogs that are working breeds need to challenged mentally and need to be given commands and work to do to keep occupied.
A puppy should be introduced to as many new types of animals, situations and
environments as possible. This means that puppies should get the
opportunity to ride in the car, walk
through the park, and be around lots of other people, dogs and other animals. The more that puppies experience the world in a
positive way the less likely they are to become aggressive or shy or
fearful as adult dogs.
Some breeds are more prone to overly aggressive or timid behavior. These breeds should have particular emphasis placed on socialization to prevent issues arising as the dogs age and become more aggressive or afraid. Dogs that are not properly socialized respond to new situations by either trying to flee or trying to fight, both that are usually very undesirable responses.
Socialization can occur naturally if you take your puppy to the park or to a puppy obedience class. It is very important that you
monitor the puppys
response and offer support and encouragement or praise when the puppy interacts with other dogs in a desirable manner. Avoid situations where the puppy becomes frightened or fearful of other animals as this can prompt an aggressive response.
By keeping the socialization positive and ongoing it is relatively simple to keep your dog well behaved around other animals and people. If you have having challenges with socializing your dog consider taking an obedience class and getting the assistance of a professional trainer.
Kelly Marshall is a popular contributor at
http://www.ohmydogsupplies.com - where you can find dog beds, dog steps, pet ramps, and more
unique dog gear that you'll never find at your local pet store.
