Chihuahuas make very good stress busters.
Lucy relaxing on her daddy.
Having a pet can be very relaxing and may very well extend your life. Chihuahuas make great companions, are loyal and very portable. Some may be a bit yappy but no one’s perfect.
Chihuahuas travel well.
We are small so you can take us almost anywhere. Unfortunately most indoor theaters and restaurants don’t allow pets. Why not find one that does? Eating outside with your Chi can be fun and relaxing. Although if you live in a cold climate this could be problematic.
Chihuahuas are low maintenance.
I get a bath every month or two. It takes less than 15 minutes. Then I’m towel dried and good to go. It’s all stress free and fun.
Massaging your Chi relieves your tension.
Plop your Chi in your lap and give a gentle back massage. Your Chihuahua will love it and reward you by falling asleep.
It’s take your Chi to work day.
We make great work companions too. Why not place an extra bed next to your office desk and take your Chi to work. Some people may have to ask permission for this, though. I don’t see why.
Walking your Chihuahua is healthy and fun.
Exercise is good for everybody. It extends your life and feels good. Taking your little companion along benefits both you and your Chi. We’re sturdy little dogs and we love to sniff and explore our world.
When you burn calories by walking you can maintain a healthy weight and enjoy an occasional treat. My daddy says I’m a one tissue dog. Make sure you carry something to collect your pup’s little presents and dispose of them properly.
Read more on how dogs can help you deal with stress from PetPlace.com.
The holidays can be a fun and busy time. It can also be stressful, especially for your little Chihuahua.
What’s that tree doing in my home?
We are curious beings. The sudden arrival of a tree in the middle of the living room can mean new indoor plumbing to a little dog. You should probably let your Chi know that tree is not an invitation to relieve himself. Make sure this would be difficult by putting the tree on a platform or put a fence around it. Just make sure the fence itself is not a chewing temptation.
Ooh, lots of gifts to unwrap
Not only is there a tree, but there are wrapped packages and bags under it. And lights on strings. And ornaments, hooks, tinsel, garlands, fake cookies, holiday plants and so much more. How can a dog resist the temptation to chew, chew and chew.
If your Chi companion is a chewer, make sure they can’t get at the goodies under or on the tree. And watch out for those fallen needles, they can’t be digested. We don’t care what something tastes like, if it’s there, we chew and sometimes swallow. So it’s best to protect us from ourselves.
So many people to greet
Sometimes I’m in a friendly mood. But sometimes not so much. If you like to entertain your friends and relatives, make sure your Chihuahua has a safe haven to hide in. I have one of my beds in my daddies’ bedroom and can easily escape there, under the covers. Just make sure your guests know that when you’re dog is in it’s safe place, do not disturb.
For more information you’ll also want to read “Keeping Your Dog Safe During the Winter Holidays” by Linda Perney from PetPlace.com
Leave a commentChihuahuas like to be warm and cozy.
Chihuahuas do not have a lot of body fat (hopefully) and very little hair, unless they’re long-hair Chis. Nonetheless, we like to be warm and it’s very cozy under a blanket or two.
Completely Hidden
It should be perfectly safe for your Chihuahua to sleep under a blanket. It’s what we prefer, especially in Winter. As long as we have a way out, we won’t smother. Believe me, we want to be warm, not suffocated.
So many beds, so little time to nap
I love to sleep under my blankies. I have several. I also have several beds. My main, nighttime bed is next to my daddies’ big bed. It has high sides and three blankies, so it’s like a tent. I can run in whenever I want to escape and can easily get out.
I also have a bed in my daddy’s home office. When I’m not on his lap or in my night bed, I’m often next to him in my office bed. He covers me with my blankie where I can burrow inside. If it’s too warm I can escape and sleep on top of the blankie.
There’s a pillow I adopted on the sofa. It’s fluffy and comfy. My daddies calls it my “tuffet”. I don’t get it. But I often lay there. Although there’s another blankie for me next to the pillow, I have to wait to be covered or do without. This is a lighter blankie. Sometimes when I’m covered up and run off, the blankie goes with me like a cape. There probably will be a picture of that here, someday.
Chihuahuas do not like to be disturbed while sleeping
I understand my daddy’s previous Chihuahua slept in bed with him and was often completely under the covers. Like me, she got a bit grumpy when you disturbed her while she was sleeping. That’s probably why I have to sleep in my own bed next to the big bed. Also it’s too high for me to get into and out of. Oh well, I have more freedom this way. Although I do understand they make stairs for Chihuahuas…
Yes. We Chihuahuas, like all “dogs”, are very intuitive. We can sense when our human companions are stressed, sad, happy or any other emotion. Mostly because people don’t hide their feelings from us. Dogs are like a therapist you can talk to all the time and they never talk back. At least not in English.
Dogs feel emotions. If you’re yelling at your dog, they know they did something wrong. They may not know what, but they know enough to hide. And if you’re yelling at your spouse or other human companion, your dog knows to stay out of the way.
If you’re happy, your dog will sense that too and want to be a part of it. Dogs are very social creatures. If we see two humans kissing or what-not, we want part of that action.
If you’re playing, we want to play. If you’re watching TV or reading, we want to play. If you’re busy working, well, we want to play. And then take a nice, long nap.
Read more about how your dog can tell how you feel from PetPlace.com. And feel free to share your experiences with your dog and emotions.
Walking Your Dog Could Be Dangerous
Taking your little Chihuahua on a walk around your neighborhood is not without it’s hazards.
I have a lot of work to do when I go for a walk, such as controlling a large human on a string. I also have to catalog various new smells along the way and spread my essence to mark my territory. It’s tough and time consuming. I can’t just walk all willy-nilly.
In addition, I must constantly be aware of squirrels, cats, people walking dogs on leashes, UPS and FedEx trucks, mailmen, garbage trucks and cars. Oy.
Friendly Dogs Not On Leashes Can Still Cause Harm
But one of the biggest hazards of all is, I must beware of dogs without leashes.
Some people feel they have the right to keep their dogs leash free when on or near their own, unfenced property. I have heard over and over how friendly their dog is. But what if your dog isn’t. And if another dog bounces over to your dog, and your dog attacks, then who’s to blame?
We Chihuahuas are very protective of our human companions. We also want to protect ourselves. We don’t always know that a dog is friendly. We just see a threat coming our way and we react.
So please keep your pets on a leash. And if you must tie them up outside, make sure they can’t reach the sidewalk where people may be walking by.
State Leash Laws
Check your local state for it’s leash laws. I go by California’s leash laws.
By the way, it’s best to use a harness on your small dog. You don’t want to risk choking them. And in an emergency you can pick up your dog by the harness without fear of strangling them.
Scrappy “Choke Free” Step-In Harness
Leave a commentIt’s fun taking your Chihuahua out for a drive. Some of us really enjoy this activity. It means we get to go to new and exciting places. Or we may be visiting our extended friends and family.
A fancy new dress. Ready for a drive.
Unfortunately some Chis are afraid of getting in the car. This may be because they only go for a drive when they’re visiting the V-E-T. If this is the case, perhaps you should take your Chihuahua for short trips to places they may enjoy.
I always enjoy going out to eat with my daddies. I get to sit on one of their laps and do some people watching. If a piece of food happens to fall near me, I grab it.
I also get to go to all family gatherings. And vacations. And the pet store where I get treats.
Helpful Driving Tips
- Keep a bowl and bottled water in your car. You never know when your Chi will get thirsty.
- Put your Chihuahua in a strapped in carrier or special dog seat for little dogs.
- Never drive with your Chihuahua in your lap. A sudden stop, accident or airbag explosion could do some serious damage. A Chihuahua flying out the window is not a pretty sight.
- A free-range Chihuahua in your car could be distracting. And they have a hard time sticking their head out the window for fresh air.
- Never, ever leave your Chi alone in a car, especially if it’s either too hot or too cold. Either way, it could be fatal. Or they could be stolen.
For more information, please read Dangers of Driving With Dogs.
Candy is a Chihuahua No No
Chihuahuas, like most dogs, love Halloween. Sort of. Actually we love finding candy treats and will steal them if we can. Therefore it is not a good idea to leave candy lying around. Especially chocolate. We are not picky. We’ll eat any kind of candy. Including the wrappers. Why not. So be careful.
Dressing Your Chihuahua in a Costume Can Be Fun, or Not
Some dogs love getting dressed up for Halloween. I do not. What’s the point. It’s not like I get to go trick-or-treating and keep the candy. If your Chi does not like wearing clothes of any kind, please don’t dress them in a costume. It’s embarrassing.
Friendly Visitors or Annoying Beggars
A constant stream of noisy children coming to the door, begging for treats can be a bit bothersome for a sensitive Chihuahua. Begging for treats is my job. And I prefer to do it uninterrupted. So if your Chi is upset by all the commotion, please provide a comfortable, safe and noise-free place for them to hide.
Check out “Halloween Safety for Dogs” for some great advice from About.com.
Leave a commentFirst a Bath, then Flea Medication
A flea is an ugly creature.
I freaked out when my daddy put Advantage on me. I had just had a pleasant bath. Okay, maybe it wasn’t exactly pleasant. But it was okay.
After I was dried off and played fetch for a while, I was corralled by my daddies. While one held me, the other poured a liquid on my back. I could smell it and I could feel it and I was not pleased.
I tried to escape by running around like a crazy Chihuahua but that did not help. I hid under a table but that seemed silly and useless.
The only thing I could think to do next was to run to my bed and hide under the covers. By the next day I was dry and as good as new. Several days later my little flea companions seemed to disappear. Good riddance, I say.
Controlling Fleas
Advantage is one of several available topical flea treatments. Some of these products are actually pesticides with the same ingredients used to kill ants, roaches and the like. They attack the central nervous system of the insect which kills them. Ugh.
Fleas can be a nuisance, and some dogs are allergic to fleas, which causes many problems. But methods used to kill fleas can also cause problems. Especially on little dogs, who may be extra sensitive. Be sure to consult with your vet before using a flea fighting substance. Some kill just fleas, some also kill ticks and other parasites such as heartworms. Check the ingredients and side effects. Make sure you have the right size for your pet.
Do your research. Check out this EPA Evaluation of Pet Spot-On Products: Analysis and Mitigation Plan. Fascinating reading.
You might also want to look into natural methods of killing fleas.
Keep in mind that fleas can occur year-round, especially in warmer climates with mild winters.
Chasing a squirell up a tree is my favorite dream.
Yes, yes we do. We have wonderful dreams of playing, running, eating.
Like people, dogs enter various stages of sleep, including the REM (Rapid Eye Movement) stage. This is where we dream. You can tell by the way we twitch and move our little paws.
Studies show that the number and length of dreams vary with the size of the dog. Thus we Chihuahuas have short and frequent dreams lasting less than 60 seconds.
Because we don’t have thumbs it is difficult to record our dreams when we wake up. But humans actually study this stuff. And they conclude that when animals dream they dream about events that occur in their everyday wakeful life.
This could be chasing squirrels, mailmen, barking at other dogs intruding on our space, just normal everyday things. Sometimes I dream I am a princess because that’s what my daddy says I am.
Check out this article “Do dogs and cats really dream?” from USAToday for more information.
Leave a comment
Given the opportunity, some of us Chihuahuas like to wander. It’s not that we don’t like our human companions, it’s that an exciting smell or interesting animal catches our nose and off we go.
If your Chihuahua is a wanderer or if you take your Chi on many long walks and trips, it’s always a good idea to have a collar with a license and ID tag. The next best thing is a microchip. I have one.
The iPhone has a great way of finding lost pets or reporting found pets that are lost. It’s the new PetRescuers by HomeAgain. Give it a try. It’s free. Wouldn’t it be great if you find a lost dog and return it to it’s owner?
Here’s what HomeAgain has to say about the App:
“Be a hero for lost pets! Between 6 to 8 million pets enter animal shelters in the U.S. each year, including many lost family pets. Download the PetRescuers app by HomeAgain, and you can help keep a lookout for lost pets in your area. By receiving notifications about lost HomeAgain pets, you can help get these pets home to their families and keep them out of overburdened animal shelters.
PetRescuers is powered by HomeAgain®—a leader in the pet microchipping and lost pet recovery. All of the lost pets featured here are microchipped and have been reported missing to HomeAgain by their owners.”
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