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Q. We just got a second little puppy, an 8 mth old Yorkie weighing 3 lbs. I'm working on "potty training"her outside. She is doing pretty well with just an accident every now and then. Do you have any advise on this subject?
Also, I keep food out for both dogs all the time which means Maggie eats the adult food too. Is this ok to do rather than having set mealtimes? Carol, from PA
A. Sounds like she is doing pretty good for just being 8 mths old and still fairly new to your household. Good housebreaking requires good "timely" habits and these are a few standard "musts": outside first thing in the morning, immediately after eating, about every 10-15 min of playtime, as soon as you come home, and just before bedtime.
To answer your second question, please refer to my answer below regarding "free-feeding". She is old enough to be eating the adult food assuming you are feeding a good quality brand.
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Q. Linda, Is it safe to be putting on "clothes" on my 8 week old chihuahua puppy?
Another question is what clothes do you prefer to put on a chihuahua? (I adore using coats for the winter when its really chilly outside when we go on daily walks)
PS: I don't like to dress my chihuahua in anything that is uncomfortable so I find the best material of clothes I can possibly find. Lily, from California
A. Lily, Putting clothes on an 8 wk old puppy can be challenging in itself but as long as the clothing is properly fitted and only left on the puppy for very brief periods of time to get used to wearing clothing while at home, this should not be a problem as long as you do not twist and over-extend the legs when dressing your puppy.
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Q. (Follow-up questions from Lily...) the breeder told me she is going to have a new litter in august so will both of the chihuahuas "behave" well together? is it ok to be using a "pet carrier" when the puppy is of 8 to 12 weeks?
A. Since chihuahuas are basically pack animals, they will probably get along very well - once that initial introduction period is over - for some it is hardly noticeable and for others it could take a week or so.
What kind of pet carrier are we talking about and what are you using it for? I think pet carriers are great for the crate training but not to use as an all day babysitter if we are talking about cloth ones. If you crate train your puppy to sleep in one at night, that's okay too.
If you are talking about the fashion pet carriers, they need to be one that is safe and your puppy can't fall or jump from. Proper supervision is the key. I like the pet "strollers" best myself but I have some of each kind. The stroller allows you to take your puppy out without them getting on the floors/ground or in other people's reach.
Your puppy is much like a human baby in the fact that they can be susceptible to picking up germs where you least expect. Carry a bottle of sanitizing hand wash if some stranger wants to hold your cute little puppy.
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Q. Linda, my vet wanted to give my little guy his "rabies shot" but he is sooo tiny and only two and a half months old. What do you think? Michelle, Wichita Falls, TX
A. Because these guys are really tiny, my vet suggests waiting until at least 4 mths and even up to 6 mths on the very small ones, so I prefer to wait. These little darlin's are not outdoor puppies and their is no real need to be overly aggressive at such a young age, especially since you keep such a close eye on all your pets.
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Q. My female is 3.5 lbs and the boy is 4.5 lbs. I would like to "breed" them but I don't know what to expect. Can you give me any advice? Anonymous
A. I would suggest not breeding a smaller female to a larger male if you want to stay away from a potential c-section or worse. When people do not pay attention to this, it is possibly to loose both the female and her pups during labor/delivery.
It's also wise to check the history of the male to make sure he comes from a line of small breeding as well.
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Q: Linda, What do I need to make "Lola" (my new puppy) comfortable on the "car trip" home? Nikki, from San Antonio, TX
A: Excellent question Nikki. I would suggest a blanket for her to snuggle in and a bottle of water to give her a drink - with cup if needed. Since she is traveling with the puppy care package, she will have piddle pads, toys, food and a bed.
*Safety Tip: If you are traveling alone and driving, it is always safer to place your pet in a carrier to prevent any distractions or accidents.
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Q. Linda, I "free-feed" all of my dogs. Is this a good habit or not and why? From Danielle, in MI
A: I know that a lot of people prefer to free-feed their dogs for various reasons. But on these little guys it is important to know if your dog has eaten his/her meals that day AND how much. Also, if you are using any supplements in your food, is your pet(s) actually eating their right amount? When individual feeding, you know exactly who eats what and you can monitor any "picky" eaters or "over" eaters.
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Q: I am purchasing a chihuahua puppy locally and wanted to know if you could recommend the "food types"and the age they need it. Anjealiq, from NC
A: On the "Information" page is a link to the Royal Canin web site. Just click on the icon and it tells you all about the food. My puppies start off on the Royal Canin Puppy, Mini, Puppy #33 by the time they go home at 10 to 12 weeks and then to the adult Royal Canin, Chihuahua #28.
The difference is the amount of vitamins and nutrients needed as a new born is more than when they get a little older. The breed specific Royal Canin is the best that I have found and doesn't give them diarrhea or an upset stomach.
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Q: Linda, How old should a puppy be before you "start handling them"and picking them up? Cindy, Dallas, TX
A: My theory is...the earlier you start the better. Reassure the mother that you are not going to take the puppies away or out of her sight. Pet them and hold them close to you, firmly so that they feel secure - but not squashed or too confined. Children should play with them while sitting on the floor. Puppies can enjoy children's gentle laughter and play when they don't feel threatened by their quick movements and loud voices.
Q. RE: Assistance in delivering my puppies ..."whelping": just curious, what are the chances of loosing one? what kinds of things could happen if you don't assist? zeliset, from YouTube
A. Thanks for asking an excellent question zeliset. I assist in all my deliveries and have not lost a puppy or mama in my 30+ years. But even the most experienced can run into complications along the way.
My Reasons for assistance: The chances of loosing one depends on several factors like - diet fed especially during pregnancy, size of female to male ratio when breeding, whelping experience of mom, unforeseen circumstances like an umbilical cord wrapped around another puppy, if it is a still-born, if the puppy is in the right position in the birth canal, has the labor lasted longer than expected etc. Note: This is not all inclusive. I'm sure there are many more reasons if I think hard enough.
Q. Linda, I am having a hard time deciding WHO to buy my chihuahua from. I have neighbors who have a litter and are selling them for $325. I was also directed to a "breeder" near us who has pups for $650. The one gives you a health guarantee in writing and the other gives you a verbal agreement, in other words if a puppy becomes sick they will take it back. The $325 pups are not AKC, BUT the owner assures me that all her pups are healthy. Is this a case of "you get what you pay for"??? I'm not too familiar with Chihuahuas but I'm learning. So what's the difference????? Thanks, Diane
A. Diane, I'm sure many people have asked the same question. Unfortunately, it could be a case of "you get what you pay for"... If someone is not willing to put their guarantee in writing then I personally would lean towards the one who does. If you can convince the neighbor to put it in writing, then you may want to take a second look. How well do you trust and value your relationship with that neighbor?
Keep in mind, most Chihuahuas are such small dogs, that it really pays to know the background of the puppy, it's parents and the person raising them (whether they are a breeder or friendly neighbor). You don't want to be saddled with a lifetime of health issues and vet bills. Ask for the vet's contact information on each and try to speak to them about how the dogs are maintained.
I am a licensed breeder and put my vet's information right on my website for people to check out if they so desire. Hope this helps and good luck with your new puppy.
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Q. Hi, What is a safe product to clean dog room tile floor. It's ceramic tile. I currently use bleach but wasn't sure how safe it was around animals. I have a pom & yorkie that we keep in the dog/utility room when we leave the house & put down peepee pads. Also, I have two large dogs, that use the patio/garage entrance doggie door to keep warm & sleep in the garage during the winter. So those two are on concrete and the garage floor gets dingy/dirty. Thanks, Shari
A. I've tried several over the counter pet products for cleaning and I haven't been too pleased with them so my stand-by is a little Dawn Dishwashing liquid soap with a verylight amount of diluted Pine Power in a mop bucket of water. Just do not mix the Pine Power with the bleach because that would really put off toxicity to both you and the pets.
Note: I do not allow my puppies on a wet or damp floor ... until it is completely dry.
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Q. Hello Linda, I just got a 13 week old chihuahua, i go to work early in the morning from 7-4 but i'm out of the house by 6. i get up at 5 and take my chichi out to potty,
after i leave my boyfriend takes her out again for her last potty trip. how can i keep her from peeing and pooping in the house, right now she stays in my room, but when i get home i left run all over the house. she's already pee in one of my other rooms. do chihuahuas do well with crates? if i get her one would it train her to go potty when my boyfriend gets home? Also she keeps biting especially me and when i tell her no she doesn't listen and charges for my face. what can i do to make her stop biting me?? Please help :) Karina
A. If you are not going to be able to spend time in training her especially at this age, then you are not going to get her trained. She is only 13 weeks...just a baby and you, your boyfriend, your home - absolutely everything in her life is new and unknown to her. Don't expect her to change or know what to do on her own. She has been taken from the only home she has known, her mother, and possibly other siblings and I can guarantee she is lost! Plus you are leaving her home alone all day. You have set her up for failure from the very start. She can't possibly know what to expect or even want to listen to a total stranger in her world. Think about where she is coming from and then put yourself in her place.
Training takes one on one daily work on both your parts. You will get out of your pet exactly what time you invest in training, loving, patience, and play. Incidentally puppies at that age are notorious for biting at the face because this is how their mother and siblings play, fight, communicate with them so they must learn this is unacceptable play. But the more frustrated you get the more aggressive she will become so you will need to exercise a lot of patience. When she starts the biting, just put her down, tell her firmly but rationally...NO, then ignore her for about 2-3 minutes before attempting to pick her up again. She will eventually catch on but be sure you are not intimidating her in some way to continue the habit.
If you have a large enough crate where she has plenty of room, along with her bed, water, food and piddle space, then she can be trained to a crate but expect to spend plenty of quality playtime with her when you get home after she has been cooped up all day.
I don't know where you live but you should invest in getting her into some sort of professional puppy training classes like at a PetSmart, Petco etc.
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Q. Hello ... I have one chi little girl Lucy Lu she is almost 2 years old when she gets her vaccinations - she acts like all of her joints hurtand she seems to have trouble walking for a day, is this normal? My husband trains field trial bird dogs and they get shots every year but Lucy seems to have such a hard time that I was thinking maybe every three years. I have done alot of research on shot schedules and this seems to be the new thing. I was wonder if you had experienced this before? Lilly
A. I totally understand about the shot issue but I was wondering if this is for all of her shots or just one in particular? Also, I do not know what state you are from and what the state's requirements are for shots in your area. Have you discussed this with your vet and what does he/she say about it if you have?
It is not uncommon for them to have a down day or so and be walking a little stiff after the shots, especially depending on where the vet gives them and the type. You may ask your vet to give them in a different location next time. Immediately after the shot is given, you may see the vet/tech gently rub the injection site...keep doing this as it helps disperse the vaccine faster, leaving less of a vaccine "lump". The more you can do this and the more active you can keep her, the better it will be. (Much like when humans get a shot in the arm. If you don't keep actively using that arm it can stiffen and get sore.) If it is a definite vaccine reaction, you would have other signs to go along with this. If she is lethargic or having any other reactions, please let your vet know immediately.
Possibly ask that she be "pre-medicated" next time - just prior to giving the shot. (Do not try to do this yourself before leaving home because it's the timing with the shot that's just as important.)
Q. Also Lucy loves when her little cousin Rosie comes over to play ( my daughter's little brindle chihuahua) and I was thinking of adding another little girl to our family should I have any concerns, it seems chihuahuas enjoy the company of other chihuahuas but will they still love too? Lilly
A. Chihuahuas are known pack animals and do love the company of other Chihuahuas. Once the initial introduction between the two is over and when done properly, should be relatively short, they seem to welcome the companionship of both you and the other dog. it is not uncommon in our house to have 4 or more on a lap at a time. They just love to feel loved.
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Q. Hi, We have a 3 1/2 month female that we are trying to housebreak. She urinates on pee pads in an area we have chosen for her. Unfortunately she will not use the pad to go potty unless we catch her in time and place her on the pad ourselves. She consistently goes potty on our carpets and over heating vents in our floors. She potties very discreetly (usually behind a sofa or reclining chair were she is out of our sight). I am reluctant to take her outside because she ingests any thing she sees on the ground and it is followed by an upset tummy the next day.
She is on a feeding schedule and taken to the pad on a regular schedule as well. What can we do to avoid accidents on our carpets? Please Help... Spending a fortune on pet odor eliminators. Rudy
A. Since you have only had her for a month, it sounds like you may need to go back to the beginning of her training (not everyone trains alike). So my suggestions will have to be followed closely as Ginger needs to earn her reward of the house privileges.
Since you are at home with her it will be easier, you will need to confine her to one room in the house - like the kitchen and place potty pads in 2-3 places. It's easier if you can lay them in areas where she already feels most comfortable going. Watch for signs when she needs to go and calmly place her on the potty pad if she is not already on it. When she goes on the pad, praise her a lot! And if she won't use the pads in the kitchen cut her area down even more to half or a third of the kitchen. As long as her area is not shut off in another room where she feels isolated and rejected.
Do this until she masters the kitchen then expand her area to the living room. If she has not mastered the kitchen do not proceed to giving her freedom of another room because she will learn to wait and potty in the room she likes best. The secret will be "constant" supervision. If you do take her to the living room, make certain she stays on your lap or in direct reach then give her a potty break period in the kitchen every 20-30 minutes for just 5 minutes or so. (We have potty pads in almost every room of the house so there is no reason not to be able to get to a pad in time.)
At that age, if for some reason they are not house broken enough to trust, I use the puppy exercise pen too. I put it in the living room with us. They work great. Please see on my web site's "Available" puppy page...go down towards the bottom half.
This may not sound like the magic bullet but believe me this is the best housebreaking technique and if you follow it, you will be amazed in a short time.
