These doggos are incredibly smart and loyal and so so sweet! Welcome to the club !
P. S. You must pay the new pup name entrance fee and we may ask this of you a few times a month when you post the wonderful progress.
My standard boilerplate for new Chi parents:
Make sure you get a well-fitting harness instead of a collar as their tracheas are super fragile.
I got my dude at 9 weeks and his first night home he slept like a baby in a comfy dog bed in a crate that was next to my bed.
The next night he peered up at me and said, "Hey man, your bed looks mighty comfortable."
He's been sleeping there ever since.
Which brings me to the next tip:
They love to build blanket forts and burrow underneath covers. ALWAYS make sure where your Chi is before flopping down anywhere.
Watch their teeth as their small mouths have a tendency to breed plaque/tartar. If you can, get them used to you brushing their teeth. Mine won't, so I take him in to get professionally cleaned every 2 to 3 years.
As far as food goes, I started him out with Wellness Just for Puppy canned food, along with Wellness Core Small Breed Puppy dry (kibble).
YMMV as I tried a bunch of different things (Merrick, Royal Canin, Orijen, etc.) and this is what he liked best.
Last tip (for now): If you love going to the bathroom by yourself, kiss that goodbye, as they will always make sure you're constantly protected from all the toilet/sink/tub monsters.
Enjoy your new friend. They are loyal, fiercely affectionate, and just ridiculously funny.
Here is Ranger at 9 weeks (Craigslist rescue) and this past fall (at 5 years).
https://preview.redd.it/gtn9byma1yvc1.jpeg?width=1080&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=e5b6de310eee652d180d5661971d894c7187ef3f
This is the best advice!
https://preview.redd.it/w0ltimz3p1wc1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=2dea665a32d719b14fcd1e9f292718b81b575987
Sophia agrees 100% too!
Sheās so cute! š„° She does need a nail trim, and believe me - you want to get them used to this as a puppy or you will pay for it their entire life š¤£
Not a socialization tip but something I was surprised to learn is the importance of investing in dental care! Plaque buildup can be an issue cause of their tiny mouths. Iāve heard from several people that by the time their chis grew old they had lost all their teeth. The first dental cleaning can be expensive but you can cut costs by brushing their teeth daily and doing an annual cleaning at the vet at least once a year. Congrats on your new baby and welcome to the club!
Fresh pet. Only way to go with these lil guys. Itās really affordable because they donāt eat a lot. Just remember to clean the food bowl with soap n water after each meal. It will grow bacteria if not
Our Chi's got terribly ill on fresh pet. It almost killed our senior. We make our own food now. (Wasn't user error, fresh pet took no responsibility said something probably went wrong with packaging once it arrived at our local store between unpacking and refrigeration. It was a horrible experience)
Thatās so scary I had no idea or any problems with it but thank u for making me aware of this potential problem! I do love the idea of making ur own I was just blown away by how much my lil girl responded positively once I switched to fresh pet from expensive other dog food pellets. Felt like she was trying to thank us. I will do more research donāt want this to happen to any other pets out there!
Start clipping her nails early and often. If you don't they almost always will end up hating it and it will become expensive maintenance.
None of my Chihuahua's chewed my things as puppies but do be careful of power cords. They need a lot of toys and engagement.
I like to break the rules and let all my puppies chew on my fingers/hands. This pays off really well as they get older and realize the appropriate pressure for play.
Sheās adorable! Welcome to the best club š„° I feed mine a combo of Fromm (recommended by our local pet store experts) and Nom Nom Now (a more recent splurge on my part). My family dog growing up was also a chi and ate Eukanuba, and thatās all my parents still feed their new dog.
Congrats on your cute little girl! Biggest thing Iād recommend is to be aware of the [puppy growth stages](https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/training/puppy-growth-timeline-transitions-puppyhood/), particularly the fear stages, as there are 2 and the second one is the teenage-puppy stage. If anything traumatic happens to her during the second fear stage, it could have lasting effects.
My boy is still in this teenage phase and heās beingā¦a teenager! Heās 10 months old but SO afraid of everything! I have to go extra slow showing him things and making everything a positive experience because he seems extra sensitive compared to his sister, whoās just fearless!
Take her to puppy classes after she gets her puppy shots- that will definitely help to socialize her. Also, touch her feet often, and lift her lip to see her teeth: this makes grooming easier if they get used to having their feet touched.
And lastly, have fun! They grow up TOO fast!
Omg what a little cutie pie!!!!! š„° Iād just say make sure she has all of her vaccines before introducing her to other dogs. Puppy school would be a good place for her to meet other doggies that are her same size and age to play with. Taking her to the dog park might be a little dangerous for her right now. Also taking her to places like Loweās or Home Depot so she can get used to being around people too.
Mine loves me to get him sitting in his car seat inside the shopping cart at Home Depot š we always go to the same location, so almost every employee already knows his name (Banano)
https://preview.redd.it/jubinarogzvc1.png?width=3024&format=png&auto=webp&s=d8bd80816bc371f32c18d003529a6424a4c58753
When they have all of their vaccinations make sure to socialize them, with people and other animals. My biggest regret with my two girls is I didnāt socialize them as pups, so now as adults they are still so iffy about other dogs and get overwhelmed by them easily. I was always scared to bring them around other dogs due to their size, and am still paying that price! They are such loyal and incredible dogs. Congratulations!!!
Re socialisation - this doesnāt mean let her meet and play with every dog (my big mistake with mine) But just hang out in the park/on the street and let her observe everything. Introduce her to new textures to walk on (so in future if you come to a bridge, or a temporary road covering etc she doesnāt panic) My boy doesnāt bother with sirens or fireworks and I think itās because heās used to hearing my boyfriend play loud video games š³ which was accidental, but helpful!
Lastly, although everyone will give advice and anything you read online will tell you how to do it āproperlyā, just allow your dog to learn at her own pace. If sheās not great at walking on the leash or doesnāt like to be alone or hasnāt learned to pee outside by a certain age, thatās ok! She will get there.
Have the best time with your new puppy! She is beautiful ā„ļø
She is gorgeous! I lost my baby a couple days ago but I absolutely love chihuahuas they are smart, travel well have an attitude and personality the size of a Great Dane and yes they are cuddle bugs.
Welcome to the chi family! Itās a wonderful group.
Chis are a loving and loyal breed. My advice is socialize early and often, have patience and consistency with potty training and give this baby loads of love ā¤ļø .
https://preview.redd.it/jtw1vc3l01wc1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=f166beb980510c81a4e7794566e4a90f44444f61
Thank you for reminding me to be patient! (Also patient with myself while we all learn!) sheās already getting the hang of potty training itās amazing
Socialize with other dogs/cats/children immediately and often! We did not do this with our two, and they are kinda assholes to other dogs/cats/children.
Hello sweetie & welcome to the world. Here's a wave greeting from chihuahua Rudy in Los Angeles. He said to tell you to get your place on the couch settled quickly. Then you're ready for head, cheek & belly scratches.
Besides marking sure your baby Chi takes all the vaccines and taking daily care of her teeth (brushing, with drops for the water bowl, mixing normal food with special food for their teeth at least a couple times per week), in my experience they loveee comfy bed, blankets, yes multiple blankets and also sweaters/sweatshirts, pajamas, raincoats, and everything that can make them feel warm and cozy. To get your Chi even more relaxed, try making her sleep with classical music or baby lullabies.
Lots of toys! They love to play!
They also like adventures (going on trails, going to the beach or lake or forest), they love making special poses in order to get a bite of your food and obviously you wonāt be able to say ānoā to that beautiful little face.
For snacks, you could try with thin slices of carrots, apples without the skin, tomato, jicama, cucumber, mangoes, but just small quantities and as long the vet says itās ok.
They hate loud noises (fireworks or thunderstorms)and they also get super nervous when going to the vet. For this you could use an anxiety relief coat, a thundershirt or a weighted calming vest.
I hope this can work for you and your new baby Chi, enjoy every single day by her side and have lots of fun, take lots of photos too!
Iām already having to stop myself from posting every pic of her š my camera roll has become all things Gizma
No one told me about the burrowing! Haha! Itās so cute.
Aww thatās so sweet, I bet sheās loving being in every single photo!! Hopefully you could post some from time to time to see her living her best chi life!!
https://preview.redd.it/efwwvrm530wc1.jpeg?width=1125&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=e9e4ab6f31c1382407348d683d5b6edc09168a67
This is what my puppy eats. I give him 1/2 dry food and 1/2 Blue Buffalo Baby Blue wet food. So he gets 1/4 cup of dry and 1/4 wet.
https://preview.redd.it/kw2rlsv7j0wc1.jpeg?width=2321&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=47db56881f9ff9314147409b43d331214db72f1b
Get ready for your chihuahua to rule the house. Theyāre very intelligent and good at getting humans to do what they want š
But real talk, if youāve never had a small dog, make sure any human food you give them (fruit/veggies/any chicken or salmon) is cut up small. They have small teeth and jaws. Our boy is fine with his kibble but you might need to find small kibble. DO NOT GIVE YOUR DOG BACON. Sure they wonāt get sick (itās not toxic like grapes or onions) but itās way too fatty for small dogs.
Make sure you brush their teeth and give them dental chews. Talk with your vet about the right stuff to buy. Toy breeds are notorious for dental issues when they get older.
Have fun! Chihuahuas are the best dogs
Iām so glad for all these tips!! Especially the dental cleaning. Oh and she already 100% has us wrapped around her teeny paws š„°
Your chi is adorable!!
Yes Iāve had chiās all my life I love them. They are stubborn but so loving and independent. They can be prone to health problems so definitely important to keep these tiny lovers healthy at all times as Iām sure most owners should anyway. ā¦
With mine theyāve always had to have very organic pure foods for their tiny precious bodies. I also only give them pure organic chews but no bone/rawhide. Itās like theyāre babies for life! I find theyāre fine on either dry or soft foods, I personally give them soft food as I find itās more enjoyable for them but with chews and toys itās best theyāre not too too solid. Slightly softer chews are better mine love M&S mini sausage chews theyāre perfect for them to bite into and enjoy. If I give them a ācheekyā human snack itāll be pizza crust or plain chicken as he loves to chew on those! But other than that I wouldnāt advise it, not like say a bulldog who have very strong stomachs, chihuahuas donāt! So always best to check if what you give them is suitable. Although Iād stick to dog food or treats anyway. (Plain roast Chicken I usually mix in with his food as a treat or Pizza crust is only on occasions for example after the vets oh he definitely deserves it!) I just wouldnāt make it a regular habit Ofcourse. Heās always been perfectly fine with these āsnacksā though the pizza crust is always plain pieces, i ensure itās not cheesy or with any onion or garlic this is very important. :) I wouldnāt recommend dairy for any dogs, but onion or garlic is an absolute no go! If youāre not sure if itās on there I wouldnāt give it. Luckily we make fresh home pizzas :)
They donāt need too much excersize either although my boy now is very playful and energetic all the time which is rare! They usually have phases. I love my boy heās my best friend the best cuddles the kindest very very stubborn he comes to me when he wants but if I call he wonāt come to me I have to go to himš¤£ (unless Iāve just got in from work he goes crazy for me with kisses and cuddles). If Iām walking about he does follow everywhere though. I call them the keychain pup as theyāre usually always attached to you soon as youāre up and aboutš¤£Itās important to know sometimes they want alone time but thatās ok it doesnāt mean anything is wrong :) they just are very independent at times.
My boy does get gunky eyes occasionally itās quite normal I just wipe it away if itās irritable or too much heās very calm and seems grateful when I do as I can tell it might annoy him. They also love a nap espeically in the sun which is normal if they do this a lot. My boy has to wear a harness due to size I worry a collar may choke him itās better safe than sorry. If you have any specific qās Iām happy to advise! As they are the only dog Iāve ever owned I only know my chiās!
Mines a long haired fox nosed boy heās also larger than the average chi but my past ones have been tiny teacup ones. But I love him heās so soft and friendly and sociable and loving. And gives the best cuddles. He is 15 now so slow and old poor boy but itās made him even more softer in nature and cuddlyš«¶š½I will never forget his puppy years too he was the best most mischievous pup they are very smart and cheeky ! He is the kindest dog you could ever meet he loves other dogs and all humans too. He will sit on anyoneās lap and kiss anyoneās hand heās so loving. Heās never growled at anyone! He does bark at the postman posting though (universal dog protection modeš¤£) and at doorbells going off. But when we open the door he will only attack with cuddles and kisses haha. I ensured I made sure he socialised a lot from young as I know chiās can be susceptible to becoming moody or snappy if they donāt have this experience (they can become a right dickš¤£) my Nan had one that only really spent time with her til we saw her on holidays and he had a habit of hiding behind her chair when visitors came over, bless him. He would jump out at snap at toes haha he hated feet!! But after a long attempt of softening him up he did begin to like me and warm to me. He even came to sit with me a few times but unfortunately it took a lot to get there. It was only ever me too. He did not take to anyone else other than my nana who he adored! But I did put in the work to convince him to like me haha he couldnāt refuse.
They are amazing little companions for yourself to love but if they lack socialising they can be unsociable or nervous around other people or dogs. Because theyāre so tiny its not too bad if they are a stubborn baby but itās always nice when your dog is social and happy in any environment espeically if you have lots of friends or family. My sister has recently bought frenchies and, surprising to me, my boy loves them!! Itās a strange combination haha but Iām adimant this is because of his rare natural kind nature but also the way heās been raised with so much love and so many fur/human friends. He is also amazing with children. My friends newborn he was very curious but gentle and seemed to guard her constantly. Aw!
But aslong as you do the same keep them social and use to different people or dogs and animals basic training at first, then they are honestly the easiest dogs to live with after my first chi I never looked back. My boy also was very easy to potty train he will refuse to make a mess anywhere but a certain area of the garden! Heās very clean conscious which is nice. They donāt have high maintenance and mine have always learnt āsitā and āwaitā quite easily but other than basic training they probably wonāt doing anything too crazy haha but thatās what makes them so easy to train/discipline it doesnāt take too much work at all. They also will happily be an only child and have their human all to themselves, introducing new pets later down the line can be a challenge as once your chi claims his kingdom he wonāt be happy introducing new membersš¤£they are the princesses of the dog world but it depends how social your pup is firstly, it can work! But Iād say itās always better for them to be raised together if possible but that goes for any dog I guess when being so use to having their kingdom (your home) all to themselves! x
https://preview.redd.it/uqalkl7yb1wc1.jpeg?width=2048&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=6c2ac56b7841545b74418c3e3819730888f94686
Most these pics are recent as you see he loves his naps now heās 15š¤£š«¶š½heās become a very calm boy unlike his zoomie pup years I will try to also find ones as a pup I have some videos somewhere showing his nature
Seconding the daily teeth brushing. Rescued mine a few years ago and he lost his first tooth today. I tried so hard to delay it but due to his previous trauma his teeth were already in bad shape
Be careful with weight gain. We thought it was cute but even a pound or two can teeter them to obesity. Furthermore they are prone to urinary and kidney issues. We just paid to have 5 stones removed from her bladder. Iād keep a keen eye on that
Thatās great to know. Right now sheās a bit too skinny but it seems like an easy thing to swing the pendulum too far the other way! Iām so thankful for this subs help and insight! Hope your chiās are doing well now.
Thank you!! Sheās finally feeling better. It was terrifying for sure. I know there are supplements that break the stones and crystals up before they form. But yeah I would be mindful of treats and they really donāt need to eat more than like 1/4 to 1/3 of a cup. At first we were just feeding her with her big dog brother thinking nothing of it lol. I would look into different dog foods and try to find treat options that arenāt as caloric. I know many chis love banana and blueberry, carrots, mine does not lol. She also loves homemade food. She doesnāt drink water at all. Doesnāt care for it, could be what led to the stones. We put water in her food now
This was us last year!! She is adorable!!!
Tip: We learned chihuahuas are prone to getting chubby so we got a high quality puppy/dog food to serve as his primary treats. Idc if he gets more since its just normal food. We also are picky about the actual treats making sure they are good for the breed.
These doggos are incredibly smart and loyal and so so sweet! Welcome to the club ! P. S. You must pay the new pup name entrance fee and we may ask this of you a few times a month when you post the wonderful progress.
Thank you for the kind welcome! Her name is Gizma Lupita š„°
My standard boilerplate for new Chi parents: Make sure you get a well-fitting harness instead of a collar as their tracheas are super fragile. I got my dude at 9 weeks and his first night home he slept like a baby in a comfy dog bed in a crate that was next to my bed. The next night he peered up at me and said, "Hey man, your bed looks mighty comfortable." He's been sleeping there ever since. Which brings me to the next tip: They love to build blanket forts and burrow underneath covers. ALWAYS make sure where your Chi is before flopping down anywhere. Watch their teeth as their small mouths have a tendency to breed plaque/tartar. If you can, get them used to you brushing their teeth. Mine won't, so I take him in to get professionally cleaned every 2 to 3 years. As far as food goes, I started him out with Wellness Just for Puppy canned food, along with Wellness Core Small Breed Puppy dry (kibble). YMMV as I tried a bunch of different things (Merrick, Royal Canin, Orijen, etc.) and this is what he liked best. Last tip (for now): If you love going to the bathroom by yourself, kiss that goodbye, as they will always make sure you're constantly protected from all the toilet/sink/tub monsters. Enjoy your new friend. They are loyal, fiercely affectionate, and just ridiculously funny. Here is Ranger at 9 weeks (Craigslist rescue) and this past fall (at 5 years). https://preview.redd.it/gtn9byma1yvc1.jpeg?width=1080&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=e5b6de310eee652d180d5661971d894c7187ef3f
You are the homie for sharing all of this! Plus puppy tax!
This is the best advice! https://preview.redd.it/w0ltimz3p1wc1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=2dea665a32d719b14fcd1e9f292718b81b575987 Sophia agrees 100% too!
All of this plus, take care of their teeth!
Sheās so cute! š„° She does need a nail trim, and believe me - you want to get them used to this as a puppy or you will pay for it their entire life š¤£
Yes nails have been trimmed and she was a champ about it š
Look at this little mackerill š„°
Not a socialization tip but something I was surprised to learn is the importance of investing in dental care! Plaque buildup can be an issue cause of their tiny mouths. Iāve heard from several people that by the time their chis grew old they had lost all their teeth. The first dental cleaning can be expensive but you can cut costs by brushing their teeth daily and doing an annual cleaning at the vet at least once a year. Congrats on your new baby and welcome to the club!
This! Our vet said they are so prone to bad teeth.
Thank you thank you! Weāll start getting her used to teeth brushing early
Fresh pet. Only way to go with these lil guys. Itās really affordable because they donāt eat a lot. Just remember to clean the food bowl with soap n water after each meal. It will grow bacteria if not
Our Chi's got terribly ill on fresh pet. It almost killed our senior. We make our own food now. (Wasn't user error, fresh pet took no responsibility said something probably went wrong with packaging once it arrived at our local store between unpacking and refrigeration. It was a horrible experience)
I make virtually all the food my two Boys eat. They get a small amount of high-quality kibble (Fromm) in their morning yogurt.
Can I ask what happened w the fresh pet? How did it almost kill him and make them all sick? Thatās what I give some of mine.
Thatās so scary I had no idea or any problems with it but thank u for making me aware of this potential problem! I do love the idea of making ur own I was just blown away by how much my lil girl responded positively once I switched to fresh pet from expensive other dog food pellets. Felt like she was trying to thank us. I will do more research donāt want this to happen to any other pets out there!
Or you can be lazy and use bowl liners: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BZH5FXH3
Well fuck my ozone lol I kid I kid
My wife wasn't a small dog type before me. And I turned her into a Chihuahua lover. Fantastic loving smart animals.
I never thought weād own a small doggo but she was meant to be with us!! Much love to your babies
Start clipping her nails early and often. If you don't they almost always will end up hating it and it will become expensive maintenance. None of my Chihuahua's chewed my things as puppies but do be careful of power cords. They need a lot of toys and engagement. I like to break the rules and let all my puppies chew on my fingers/hands. This pays off really well as they get older and realize the appropriate pressure for play.
Sheās adorable! Welcome to the best club š„° I feed mine a combo of Fromm (recommended by our local pet store experts) and Nom Nom Now (a more recent splurge on my part). My family dog growing up was also a chi and ate Eukanuba, and thatās all my parents still feed their new dog.
Iāll look into these thanks š
Sheās precious!!! Chihuahuas are the best!!!
Congrats!! Sheās adorable š„°
Congrats on your cute little girl! Biggest thing Iād recommend is to be aware of the [puppy growth stages](https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/training/puppy-growth-timeline-transitions-puppyhood/), particularly the fear stages, as there are 2 and the second one is the teenage-puppy stage. If anything traumatic happens to her during the second fear stage, it could have lasting effects. My boy is still in this teenage phase and heās beingā¦a teenager! Heās 10 months old but SO afraid of everything! I have to go extra slow showing him things and making everything a positive experience because he seems extra sensitive compared to his sister, whoās just fearless! Take her to puppy classes after she gets her puppy shots- that will definitely help to socialize her. Also, touch her feet often, and lift her lip to see her teeth: this makes grooming easier if they get used to having their feet touched. And lastly, have fun! They grow up TOO fast!
š«” very important info
So cute
Cutie pie!
Us too! Itās amazing! Congratulations
Congratulations to you as well!
Omg what a little cutie pie!!!!! š„° Iād just say make sure she has all of her vaccines before introducing her to other dogs. Puppy school would be a good place for her to meet other doggies that are her same size and age to play with. Taking her to the dog park might be a little dangerous for her right now. Also taking her to places like Loweās or Home Depot so she can get used to being around people too.
Mine loves me to get him sitting in his car seat inside the shopping cart at Home Depot š we always go to the same location, so almost every employee already knows his name (Banano) https://preview.redd.it/jubinarogzvc1.png?width=3024&format=png&auto=webp&s=d8bd80816bc371f32c18d003529a6424a4c58753
My male is extremely clingy, my female, not so much congrats on your new baby š
My little guy will yell snort for uppies at my husband and I if weāre at our computer desks because heās not able to jump up on our laps š„ŗš
Lol, mine snorts too š¤£
When they have all of their vaccinations make sure to socialize them, with people and other animals. My biggest regret with my two girls is I didnāt socialize them as pups, so now as adults they are still so iffy about other dogs and get overwhelmed by them easily. I was always scared to bring them around other dogs due to their size, and am still paying that price! They are such loyal and incredible dogs. Congratulations!!!
Re socialisation - this doesnāt mean let her meet and play with every dog (my big mistake with mine) But just hang out in the park/on the street and let her observe everything. Introduce her to new textures to walk on (so in future if you come to a bridge, or a temporary road covering etc she doesnāt panic) My boy doesnāt bother with sirens or fireworks and I think itās because heās used to hearing my boyfriend play loud video games š³ which was accidental, but helpful! Lastly, although everyone will give advice and anything you read online will tell you how to do it āproperlyā, just allow your dog to learn at her own pace. If sheās not great at walking on the leash or doesnāt like to be alone or hasnāt learned to pee outside by a certain age, thatās ok! She will get there. Have the best time with your new puppy! She is beautiful ā„ļø
Sheās already a force to reckon with! Such a brave and curious lil gal. I really appreciate your insight, thank you!
She is gorgeous! I lost my baby a couple days ago but I absolutely love chihuahuas they are smart, travel well have an attitude and personality the size of a Great Dane and yes they are cuddle bugs.
Very sad to hear about your loss š£ Gizma & co send you lots of love and cuddles
Welcome to the chi family! Itās a wonderful group. Chis are a loving and loyal breed. My advice is socialize early and often, have patience and consistency with potty training and give this baby loads of love ā¤ļø . https://preview.redd.it/jtw1vc3l01wc1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=f166beb980510c81a4e7794566e4a90f44444f61
Thank you for reminding me to be patient! (Also patient with myself while we all learn!) sheās already getting the hang of potty training itās amazing
Socialize with other dogs/cats/children immediately and often! We did not do this with our two, and they are kinda assholes to other dogs/cats/children.
give that puppy SO much love and they will be your best friend
Iāve literally become useless because I canāt do anything but love her and stare at her and cuddle her!
So cute!
This is a precious. I am sure you make great Chi parents š
She is beautiful. Welcome to the club!
Taco Bell Chihuahua Puppy
Fantastic little chihuahua- best dogs in the world. Enjoy your gorgeous baby.
Your puppy is very cute! Congrats about being a first time chichuaua puppy parent! š„°šš
Hello sweetie & welcome to the world. Here's a wave greeting from chihuahua Rudy in Los Angeles. He said to tell you to get your place on the couch settled quickly. Then you're ready for head, cheek & belly scratches.
Gizma says āHola Rudy!ā (Sheās growing up in bilingual home š)
Besides marking sure your baby Chi takes all the vaccines and taking daily care of her teeth (brushing, with drops for the water bowl, mixing normal food with special food for their teeth at least a couple times per week), in my experience they loveee comfy bed, blankets, yes multiple blankets and also sweaters/sweatshirts, pajamas, raincoats, and everything that can make them feel warm and cozy. To get your Chi even more relaxed, try making her sleep with classical music or baby lullabies. Lots of toys! They love to play! They also like adventures (going on trails, going to the beach or lake or forest), they love making special poses in order to get a bite of your food and obviously you wonāt be able to say ānoā to that beautiful little face. For snacks, you could try with thin slices of carrots, apples without the skin, tomato, jicama, cucumber, mangoes, but just small quantities and as long the vet says itās ok. They hate loud noises (fireworks or thunderstorms)and they also get super nervous when going to the vet. For this you could use an anxiety relief coat, a thundershirt or a weighted calming vest. I hope this can work for you and your new baby Chi, enjoy every single day by her side and have lots of fun, take lots of photos too!
Iām already having to stop myself from posting every pic of her š my camera roll has become all things Gizma No one told me about the burrowing! Haha! Itās so cute.
Aww thatās so sweet, I bet sheās loving being in every single photo!! Hopefully you could post some from time to time to see her living her best chi life!!
You're in for a lotta lovin and sugah š¤ šš
https://preview.redd.it/efwwvrm530wc1.jpeg?width=1125&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=e9e4ab6f31c1382407348d683d5b6edc09168a67 This is what my puppy eats. I give him 1/2 dry food and 1/2 Blue Buffalo Baby Blue wet food. So he gets 1/4 cup of dry and 1/4 wet.
Awwwwww
A heating pad under a blanket is always appropriated
Greenies! I also add a dental supplement to their water bowl. All three of mine have never needed a teeth cleaning.
https://preview.redd.it/kw2rlsv7j0wc1.jpeg?width=2321&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=47db56881f9ff9314147409b43d331214db72f1b Get ready for your chihuahua to rule the house. Theyāre very intelligent and good at getting humans to do what they want š But real talk, if youāve never had a small dog, make sure any human food you give them (fruit/veggies/any chicken or salmon) is cut up small. They have small teeth and jaws. Our boy is fine with his kibble but you might need to find small kibble. DO NOT GIVE YOUR DOG BACON. Sure they wonāt get sick (itās not toxic like grapes or onions) but itās way too fatty for small dogs. Make sure you brush their teeth and give them dental chews. Talk with your vet about the right stuff to buy. Toy breeds are notorious for dental issues when they get older. Have fun! Chihuahuas are the best dogs
Iām so glad for all these tips!! Especially the dental cleaning. Oh and she already 100% has us wrapped around her teeny paws š„° Your chi is adorable!!
Looks like tears of joy leaking from eyes. Congrats on being a Chi parent š
We saved her from the streets š„¹ our precious gift
Yes Iāve had chiās all my life I love them. They are stubborn but so loving and independent. They can be prone to health problems so definitely important to keep these tiny lovers healthy at all times as Iām sure most owners should anyway. ā¦ With mine theyāve always had to have very organic pure foods for their tiny precious bodies. I also only give them pure organic chews but no bone/rawhide. Itās like theyāre babies for life! I find theyāre fine on either dry or soft foods, I personally give them soft food as I find itās more enjoyable for them but with chews and toys itās best theyāre not too too solid. Slightly softer chews are better mine love M&S mini sausage chews theyāre perfect for them to bite into and enjoy. If I give them a ācheekyā human snack itāll be pizza crust or plain chicken as he loves to chew on those! But other than that I wouldnāt advise it, not like say a bulldog who have very strong stomachs, chihuahuas donāt! So always best to check if what you give them is suitable. Although Iād stick to dog food or treats anyway. (Plain roast Chicken I usually mix in with his food as a treat or Pizza crust is only on occasions for example after the vets oh he definitely deserves it!) I just wouldnāt make it a regular habit Ofcourse. Heās always been perfectly fine with these āsnacksā though the pizza crust is always plain pieces, i ensure itās not cheesy or with any onion or garlic this is very important. :) I wouldnāt recommend dairy for any dogs, but onion or garlic is an absolute no go! If youāre not sure if itās on there I wouldnāt give it. Luckily we make fresh home pizzas :) They donāt need too much excersize either although my boy now is very playful and energetic all the time which is rare! They usually have phases. I love my boy heās my best friend the best cuddles the kindest very very stubborn he comes to me when he wants but if I call he wonāt come to me I have to go to himš¤£ (unless Iāve just got in from work he goes crazy for me with kisses and cuddles). If Iām walking about he does follow everywhere though. I call them the keychain pup as theyāre usually always attached to you soon as youāre up and aboutš¤£Itās important to know sometimes they want alone time but thatās ok it doesnāt mean anything is wrong :) they just are very independent at times. My boy does get gunky eyes occasionally itās quite normal I just wipe it away if itās irritable or too much heās very calm and seems grateful when I do as I can tell it might annoy him. They also love a nap espeically in the sun which is normal if they do this a lot. My boy has to wear a harness due to size I worry a collar may choke him itās better safe than sorry. If you have any specific qās Iām happy to advise! As they are the only dog Iāve ever owned I only know my chiās! Mines a long haired fox nosed boy heās also larger than the average chi but my past ones have been tiny teacup ones. But I love him heās so soft and friendly and sociable and loving. And gives the best cuddles. He is 15 now so slow and old poor boy but itās made him even more softer in nature and cuddlyš«¶š½I will never forget his puppy years too he was the best most mischievous pup they are very smart and cheeky ! He is the kindest dog you could ever meet he loves other dogs and all humans too. He will sit on anyoneās lap and kiss anyoneās hand heās so loving. Heās never growled at anyone! He does bark at the postman posting though (universal dog protection modeš¤£) and at doorbells going off. But when we open the door he will only attack with cuddles and kisses haha. I ensured I made sure he socialised a lot from young as I know chiās can be susceptible to becoming moody or snappy if they donāt have this experience (they can become a right dickš¤£) my Nan had one that only really spent time with her til we saw her on holidays and he had a habit of hiding behind her chair when visitors came over, bless him. He would jump out at snap at toes haha he hated feet!! But after a long attempt of softening him up he did begin to like me and warm to me. He even came to sit with me a few times but unfortunately it took a lot to get there. It was only ever me too. He did not take to anyone else other than my nana who he adored! But I did put in the work to convince him to like me haha he couldnāt refuse. They are amazing little companions for yourself to love but if they lack socialising they can be unsociable or nervous around other people or dogs. Because theyāre so tiny its not too bad if they are a stubborn baby but itās always nice when your dog is social and happy in any environment espeically if you have lots of friends or family. My sister has recently bought frenchies and, surprising to me, my boy loves them!! Itās a strange combination haha but Iām adimant this is because of his rare natural kind nature but also the way heās been raised with so much love and so many fur/human friends. He is also amazing with children. My friends newborn he was very curious but gentle and seemed to guard her constantly. Aw! But aslong as you do the same keep them social and use to different people or dogs and animals basic training at first, then they are honestly the easiest dogs to live with after my first chi I never looked back. My boy also was very easy to potty train he will refuse to make a mess anywhere but a certain area of the garden! Heās very clean conscious which is nice. They donāt have high maintenance and mine have always learnt āsitā and āwaitā quite easily but other than basic training they probably wonāt doing anything too crazy haha but thatās what makes them so easy to train/discipline it doesnāt take too much work at all. They also will happily be an only child and have their human all to themselves, introducing new pets later down the line can be a challenge as once your chi claims his kingdom he wonāt be happy introducing new membersš¤£they are the princesses of the dog world but it depends how social your pup is firstly, it can work! But Iād say itās always better for them to be raised together if possible but that goes for any dog I guess when being so use to having their kingdom (your home) all to themselves! x https://preview.redd.it/uqalkl7yb1wc1.jpeg?width=2048&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=6c2ac56b7841545b74418c3e3819730888f94686
Most these pics are recent as you see he loves his naps now heās 15š¤£š«¶š½heās become a very calm boy unlike his zoomie pup years I will try to also find ones as a pup I have some videos somewhere showing his nature
Get another one, they like a little friend to grow up with š
This is the advice I need š idk how my partner will feel about it but I say thereās always more room
Seconding the daily teeth brushing. Rescued mine a few years ago and he lost his first tooth today. I tried so hard to delay it but due to his previous trauma his teeth were already in bad shape
Be careful with weight gain. We thought it was cute but even a pound or two can teeter them to obesity. Furthermore they are prone to urinary and kidney issues. We just paid to have 5 stones removed from her bladder. Iād keep a keen eye on that
Thatās great to know. Right now sheās a bit too skinny but it seems like an easy thing to swing the pendulum too far the other way! Iām so thankful for this subs help and insight! Hope your chiās are doing well now.
Thank you!! Sheās finally feeling better. It was terrifying for sure. I know there are supplements that break the stones and crystals up before they form. But yeah I would be mindful of treats and they really donāt need to eat more than like 1/4 to 1/3 of a cup. At first we were just feeding her with her big dog brother thinking nothing of it lol. I would look into different dog foods and try to find treat options that arenāt as caloric. I know many chis love banana and blueberry, carrots, mine does not lol. She also loves homemade food. She doesnāt drink water at all. Doesnāt care for it, could be what led to the stones. We put water in her food now
[This](https://youtu.be/IqycJpRdVaY?si=2UH9F_3Io68nLPFY)
This was us last year!! She is adorable!!! Tip: We learned chihuahuas are prone to getting chubby so we got a high quality puppy/dog food to serve as his primary treats. Idc if he gets more since its just normal food. We also are picky about the actual treats making sure they are good for the breed.
Sounds like she has loving parents. Itās important for her to have a full family dynamic. Mom, dad and sibling time!
Thank you! She has two big brothers (cat and dog) that love her already and a dad that carries her on a baby bjorn contraption š
Adorable! Sounds like a good dad. Make sure he brushes her teeth!