Conditions of detention and rules for caring for a Chihuahua

The desire to have a puppy of an exotic or dwarf breed always requires a novice breeder to be especially attentive to the performance of their duties. Chihuahua care and maintenance is fundamentally different from the maintenance of large and medium-sized dogs. In addition, this breed has long-haired and short-haired varieties. Accordingly, you will have to learn how to care for the puppy's coat at home, learn the basic needs for daily hygiene.

It is important to remember that the Chihuahua is one of the smallest canines. Initially, this breed was bred in warm regions, which affected the metabolism and some features of the external appearance. The animals have practically no undercoat, there are no significant fat reserves.

Representatives of the breed need protection from cold weather, drafts. In addition, many Chihuahuas have a soft fontanel not overgrown on their heads, are characterized by general fragility of bones - any injuries are dangerous for them, and the owner has to take this into account when choosing games and entertainment for the pet.

Buying a small Chihuahua is an important event that you definitely need to prepare for. The description of the breed indicates that even long-haired individuals are thermophilic, any drafts are dangerous to them. Accordingly, the first thing to start with is choosing a place for your pet to sleep, protected from any sources of discomfort. In addition, electrical wiring, household chemicals, and plant nutrition products should not be in the reach of a curious puppy.

Buying a "dowry" for a pet is also a very responsible business. A puppy, and then an adult dog, will need a lot of items.

• Mattress or bed with a base in the form of a basket, box, house... The litter should be fairly soft, easy to clean, and made from hypoallergenic materials. When choosing accessories, it is very important to remember that in the future they will be used by a grown-up pet.

• Bowls. It is better to buy separate options for water and food: double versions lead to the fact that food leftovers simply contaminate the drink, and the animal refuses it. Materials should be chosen safe, durable, easy to clean and disinfect. The best solution would be metal or ceramic crockery with medium sides.

• Toilet. Chihuahuas quite easily get used to walking in the litter box, and in winter they often prefer this type of hygiene item to free-range. Absorbent diapers can also be used to train your puppy.

• Toys. To protect furniture and interior items from damage, the puppy should be offered alternative options for classes. Despite their tiny size, Chihuahua pets are happy to gnaw veins, braids in the form of braids. For everyday games, simpler soft toys, as well as rubber balls, are suitable. All of them must be safe, intended specifically for dogs.

• For long-haired animals it is recommended to purchase a comb with sparse injury-free teeth. The use of a brush of medium hardness will help to take care of a short-haired pet.

• Bath towel and shampoo. It is better to choose it taking into account the breed of the pet.

• Toothbrush and special paste. It is recommended that you consult with your veterinarian or breeder beforehand.

• Carryingallowing you to move freely with your pet. It will come in handy for visits to the veterinarian, important trips.

• Feed, recommended by the breeder, or ingredients for natural food preparation, if the puppy received such a diet in the kennel.

• Aviary or arena, allowing to protect the animal from dangers during the absence of the owners. Usually only puppies need it.

When compiling a diet for a Chihuahua, it is very important to ensure the replenishment of energy costs, because this breed has an accelerated metabolism, and calories are burned much faster.

Feeding with natural products is also acceptable. They must be of high quality, safe and fresh.

The presence of beef or chicken meat, dairy products in the diet is considered optimal. Give dogs vegetables and fruits: seasonal, sanitized and cooked, or fresh. A small amount of cereals, greens is acceptable.One day a week, it is allowed to replace the meat menu with seafood: fish, squid.

The finished feed must correspond to the age category of the animal. The puppies are given special fortified food. Adult and senior dogs should receive a separate diet.

Chihuahua owners are concerned about animal hygiene. The pet needs attention, including the state of his health. The main features of eye care and other areas of the body in long-haired and short-haired varieties are practically the same. Only the frequency and intensity of exposure varies.

When caring for a puppy at home, it is very important to instill in him the skills of going to the toilet in a timely manner. It is worth stocking up on absorbent diapers, a tray, spray or other means that destroys unpleasant odors in the apartment. Chihuahua is a pretty smart dog, but even she needs to correctly explain the procedure.... If in the kennel the puppies have already been introduced to the litter box, there will be no problems. With the early weaning of babies from their mother - in a month and a half - the owner will have to bring up good habits.

The first days in the house, the puppy is taken to the litter box after each feeding or waking up. It is better to put the tray as close to the sleeping place as possible and then gradually move it back to where it is planned to be placed on a permanent basis.

Even smooth-haired Chihuahuas need to be thoroughly cleaned. It is made with a special brush with medium hard bristles. A hygiene procedure is performed twice a week. Long-haired animals are combed daily with a metal comb with rounded teeth. It is not necessary to cut a Chihuahua, the breed also does not shed, which saves the owners from problems with wool harvesting. It is permissible to cut off loosely protruding hairs with scissors.

Newborn puppies are born with closed eyelids and do not open their eyes immediately. At the stage of opening, the organs of vision of animals need careful control, delicate treatment with cleansing compounds. But in older puppies and in adult dogs, the eyeball remains noticeably more convex than in other breeds. When wetted during blinking, tears are released to avoid excessive dryness.

Watery eyes are normal for Chihuahuas. But you need to regularly examine the animal to make sure that the secretions are clear and clean.

To avoid the formation of tear grooves, you need to regularly carry out sanitary and hygienic processing. It is performed using a cotton pad dipped in a weak warm chamomile infusion or sleeping tea. The crust, the damp path and the eyelid itself are wiped, thoroughly cleaned.

The teeth of puppies and adult Chihuahuas require regular toothpaste treatment at least 1-2 times a week. There are special brushes for dogs on sale that can effectively remove plaque and dirt. In the process of cleaning, you need to act on the enamel surface gently, avoiding the gum area. In the event of calculus formation, professional removal is recommended.

Chihuahua dogs' ears need careful grooming. Veterinarians recommend a daily check-up to detect the slightest negative changes. Auricle cleaning is carried out monthly or as dirt builds up. You need to teach puppies to it from childhood.For processing, a special liquid is used, cotton pads.

And also used cotton swabs dipped in a cleaning composition. They are needed to remove wax from the ear canal. Only the visible part inside the ear is cleaned; it is not recommended to immerse the devices deeper. The surface of the auricle is treated with a cotton pad dipped in a cleaning solution. You should not neglect caring for your ears: the peculiarities of their structure contribute to the rapid accumulation of dirt and dust.

With the correct organization of walking, the claws of a Chihuahua dog are grinded naturally and do not require additional cutting. But if these measures are not enough, the owner will have to carry out hygiene procedures. Experienced breeders consider the most convenient and safe option to use special guillotine cutters. On light claws, the living part differs in color and therefore is clearly visible. It is enough to insert the dead part inside the device and cut it off at an angle of 45 ° a couple of millimeters below the location of the pulp.

On dark claws, the process of trimming a grown claw takes longer. No more than 2 mm is cut at a time. The shortening is carried out in several stages, each time the edge is inspected. When a darkened area appears in the form of a point in the center, it is worth stopping: further there is a pulp, touching which, you can cause bleeding.

Bathing a Chihuahua is a procedure that should not be done too often. The breed has a naturally cleansing coat, which loses its properties when degreased with shampoo. On average, bathing is necessary 2-3 times a year, not more often. The procedure is carried out in a warm bath (+ 35 + 40 °) with a special agent for short-haired dogs. The shampoo is applied exclusively to the moisturized coat, avoiding the area around the nose, eyes and ears.

The foam is washed off with warm running water. Next, the animal is wrapped in a soft towel (it is better to warm it up first). Until the pet is completely dry, it should not be allowed on the cold floor, drafts. Lthe best solution would be to be on the owner's lap. To speed up the drying process of wool, you can resort to using a hair dryer.

From the very first day of staying in a new home, a Chihuahua puppy must be taught to a certain set of basic commands.

• "A place!"... It is pronounced every time the puppy is sent to sleep or just to rest in the corner reserved for him. Gradually, when the owner utters the command, the animal will begin to go to the sunbed or to the house by itself.

• Nickname... To recognize your name, especially if it was not customary in the kennel to select puppies, the baby will not start right away. To consolidate the skill, you should abandon any distortions of the name and affectionate nicknames. The faster the dog learns the correct form of address, the better.

• "Fu!", "You can't!"... Inhibit commands prevent accidental poisoning or contact with a source of danger. They should be learned before the animal first enters the street.

• "To me!". One of the basic commands that allows you to ensure the obedience of an animal in any environment. Chihuahuas have high intelligence, and learn the basics of training quite easily.

In the process of training a puppy, it is very important to observe the regularity and sequence of actions. It is worth starting serious training no earlier than two months of age.

Walking is essential for the healthy growth and development of your dog. First you need to spend time outdoors, taking your pet on a leash attached to a harness or collar. Once vaccinations are complete, walks can be done regularly by allowing the Chihuahua puppy to come into contact with other animals. This will allow him to socialize, provide him with the necessary physical activity.

Outdoor toilet training will also be easier with other dogs. Animals copy each other's behavior, mark their territory. Playing outdoors will help increase the chances of success: even the most patient pet in this case is unlikely to wait until it returns home to satisfy its natural needs.

Walking frequency for an adult dog should be optimal. It is enough just to spend time on the street for an hour a day, morning and evening. During the toilet training period, walking is done on demand. When the outdoor temperature drops to + 15 °, it is imperative to purchase clothes for the dog: 2 overalls (winter and demi-season), blankets, vests, shoes to protect against reagents. When the temperature outside drops to -20 ° C, it is better to leave the Chihuahua at home, canceling the walk.

The first thing to take care of upon the arrival of a new tenant in the house is the arrangement of his personal place, an area where the puppy can feel comfortable. Such a shelter should be located in the room, but not near windows, heaters, drafts and walkways. It is desirable that the Chihuahua dog can see the owner from his house or from a bed.

Cheerful moving puppies and adult animals of this breed need games and toys. They accept rubber and plush balls, hedgehogs and other entertainments very favorably. The balls should be chosen in a compact size, suitable for the pet's mouth. You can also buy all kinds of bones and dumbbells that are convenient for throwing.

Toys made from veins are indispensable during the period of teeth change: they ensure the removal of plaque, massage the gums. Used shoes or clothes are not a good toy for a dog. In this case, in the future, it may be difficult for the animal to figure out which things can be gnawed on and which cannot.

To maintain the health of a Chihuahua dog throughout its life, you need to carefully monitor the general condition of the body. Both long-haired and short-haired pets are not bathed very often. Regular hygiene procedures in the form of cleaning your ears and teeth will help avoid possible problems.

Chihuahuas are dogs that tend to be overweight. For them, adherence to a diet, control of body weight and blood sugar levels are extremely important. Animals of this breed are prone to hypoglycemia, and if it is detected, the veterinarian will give strict recommendations on the regimen.

Another important point: Chihuahuas easily catch colds, overcooled, it is very important for them to maintain a comfortable ambient temperature. The pet will need a blanket or clothing already when the indicators drop to + 15 ° C. To prevent more serious diseases, dogs must be vaccinated, they are regularly given anthelmintic drugs.

For more information on keeping a Chihuahua, see the next video.