Chihuahuas Have Lots to Say
Chis are highly intelligent and inquisitive. And we like lots of attention and know how to get it.
If they’re clever like me, they create a website and write informative and fun blog posts.
It’s true I get some help from my daddy. I have difficulty typing because I don’t have thumbs. Computer keyboards are not Chihuahua friendly.
So I dictate my thoughts in my native language and my daddy translates and types. I have complete editorial control and final say so of the way my website looks. Unless, of course, you don’t like it, then I blame my daddy.
Understanding How a Chihuahua Communicates
- Bark. It’s our main way of talking. Barking is a complex language. There are no “Bark to English” translation books. There are no known written examples of Bark (except for a musical). It just is.
- Whine. Not as loud as barking but just as annoying if done properly. I should teach a course on this. It’s a very effective way to get results.
- Scratching. I like to scratch my daddies’ leg to get attention. This usually works fine for getting my ball or stuffed rodent tossed. It sometimes works for getting an extra treat. I may be small but I like to be seen and noticed.
- Tail Wagging. This instrument has many meanings. It could show happiness (fast), sadness (droopy) and fear (between my legs). A book should be written on this alone.
- Ears. Very expressive, my ears can be up and perky (happy or inquisitive), floppy (relaxed), or down (scared).
- Body. The way I carry my body can show different moods and feelings. I can be erect and confident, crouching and ready to pounce, or crawling and ready to hide.
Be sure to check out these other articles for a more thorough understanding of this incredibly important topic:
Attention Seeking Behavior By Dr. Nicholas Dodman
Understanding and Communicating with Man’s Best Friend By Dog Whisperer Paul Owens
Understanding Dog Body Language and Verbal Clues
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Winter can be dreary. Chihuahuas, like people, can be affected by the shorter days and cold nights. Mostly we’re affected by how you feel. If you’re blue, we will sense that.
Whether or not Chihuahuas are affected by the winter blues, we are certainly not fond of cold weather.
Chihuahuas are known to love the heat. I for one can never be too warm. I am never far from a comfy blankie.
I also hate the rain. It’s very wet. Who wants to walk in wet grass and sloshy puddles. Boots are out of the question. I don’t like my feet touched. Did you know we use our feet as a sense of smell and to spread our scent? Snow… forget about it. It’s rare to find a Chi that likes playing in the snow.
Here are 10 of my favorite ways to feel better during winter:
- Move to a warm climate. I live in Southern California where it is mostly warm. Although living by the beach can be a bit chilly.
- Have central heat. Keep it warm inside.
- Indoor plumbing for you Chihuahua. Why go outside in the cold and snow when there exists perfectly good piddle pads for easy indoor access.
- Sunlamps and ocean sounds. Just kidding. Sorta.
- A warm, inviting lap. Cover your Chihuahua with a cozy blanket when they’re all settled on you.
- Lots of fun playing with toys and throwing balls. Exercise is always important for you and your Chi. All that movement keeps your Chihuahua warm.
- Play some more. With all that attention we don’t have time to feel blue.
- Food. I love to eat. Most Chihuahuas do. Feed us lots of small treats. You don’t want us to get too fat.
- Clean water. Wash our water dish daily. Who wants to drink out of a slimy bowl of stagnant water. That would make anyone blue.
- Give us lots of love and attention. We’re easy to please.
You may also enjoy this article from PetPlace.com:
SAD – How the Winter Blues Affects Your Dog
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We chase because we can.
And it’s fun. We love to play and chasing is a form of play. Also we like to prey on things that move. It’s our instinct.
I especially like to chase big trucks. FedEx, UPS and garbage trucks are my favorites.
I also love to chase squirrels, cats, birds and other dogs.
But what really gets me going are skateboards and scooters. The sound of the little wheels on the pavement is just too hard to resist. I need to catch that person. I need to win.
In reality, I don’t actually chase these fun things. I’m tethered to my daddy and he won’t let me go. He can be a real drag. He would probably chase them too if he weren’t quite so old.
The dangers of chasing
This could be problematic. Especially if I escape from my daddy, because I probably will run after the skateboarder. Cars also share the street with skateboards. And a squished Chihuahua is not a happy sight.
Please share your happy chasing stories here.
Other related articles:
Dogs Chasing Bicycles, Skateboards and Other Moving Things
The Emotional Center of Gravity: Why Dogs Chase Moving Objects
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Is Your Chihuahua Halloween Ready?
As a proud Chihuahua I do not like getting dressed up for Halloween. Unless I’m wearing my pink parka to keep me warm, I prefer to run around naked. Except, of course, for my built in fur coat. I never take it off because that would hurt.
Still, some Chihuahuas may enjoy wearing something special for Halloween.
Here’s my advice on surviving Halloween:
- If your Chi is fighting you on wearing a costume, don’t force them. (They’re probably embarrassed).
- Taking your Chi trick-or-treating is probably not a good idea. Most of us Chis hate crowds and strangers. We’re very cute and everyone wants to touch us. Scary.
- Avoid gaggles of children. Chihuahuas are small and break easily. Imagine a herd of kids screeching at you and waving wands and bags of candy. Yikes.
- Never feed your Chihuahua candy. It’s not good for them and can be toxic, especially chocolate. Half eaten candy on the sidewalk is seen as a treat for you Chi. The trick for you would be taking your Chi to the emergency pet clinic for a stomach pumping. Ugh.
- When at home, provide a nice, quite spot for your Chihuahua to hide in. It can be quite annoying when the doorbell rings or people knock constantly.
- When giving out candy to trick-or-treaters, make sure you don’t drop any. We Chihuahuas are quick on picking up dropped treasures. Once it hits the floor, it’s ours.
- Keep Halloween decorations away from your Chihuahua. We may enjoy eating them as much as candy.
- Make sure you don’t let your Chi escape into the night. Some of us might be scared and confused by all the ruckus.
- Don’t forget to give us a healthy dog treat when the Halloween ordeal is all over.
Check out these other interesting dog friendly Halloween articles:
How to Safely Prepare Your Chihuahua for Halloween
If your Chihuahua does enjoy dressing up for Halloween and being the center of attention, check out these specials from PetSmart:
Save up to 75% on all Halloween costumes, Toys & Treats at the PetSmart Halloween Sale!
Save 20% On All Dog Halloween Costumes at PetSmart!
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Our Mouth is Our Air Conditioner
For some reason we Chihuahuas (and all dogs) seem to cool ourselves through our mouths. Our skin does not sweat. I’m a lady, after all. And I wear a beautiful fur coat every day.
Sweating through our mouths may seem inefficient, but it’s the best we can do.
Sometimes panting makes us look like we’re smiling and happy. Keep thinking that.
It really means we’re hot and probably bothered.
Plenty of Water is Important
You must keep your Chi hydrated. We need to drink plenty of water, especially in warm weather. Encouraging your Chi to drink may not be easy but it’s worth the effort. In hot weather add an ice cube for enticement.
Some dogs like fancy fountain dishes. I just have a cheap aluminum bowl. It’s shiny. Aluminum is better than other types of bowls since it’s not porous and doesn’t breed germs. You should wash your Chi’s water dish once or twice a day. After all, it’s just sitting there on the floor all day and night. Would you drink out of that?
Use Caution When Exercising in the Heat
Exercise is important for all dogs, including little Chihuahuas. But if the weather is very hot, it’s best to walk your Chi in the early morning or late evening to avoid the hot sun. Keep in mind that our little feet are somewhat naked and are touching the hot sidewalk and asphalt. Ugh.
Do your Chihuahuas pant? Any stories?
Other articles on panting:
Another article on why dogs pant.
All people need mental stimulation.
Chihuahuas are no different. We think, therefore we are.
Did you know Chihuahuas (and most dogs) have the mental capacity of a 2-3 year old child? Freaky, huh. That’s why it is very important to keep your Chihuahua thinking. Just like humans, if Chihuahuas are allowed to vegetate all day, every day, their minds will turn to mush. At the very least, their senior years may not be too pretty.
6 Tips on Stimulating Your Chihuahua’s Mind
- Exercise – Lots of Walkies with your human companion. It’s a bonding experience and healthy too. There’s a lot of sniffing to do.
- Crossword Puzzles – Or else toys like Kong* that challenge your Chi. I enjoy my Kong, but only when there’s a treat to eat. I still have a hard time writing without thumbs, so crosswords are out for now.
- Meeting and Greeting – A large social network of friends is helpful to keep your Chi entertained. This can be part of the walking routine. Or just take your Chi on play dates.
- Working for a Treat – Make your Chi work for their treat. Don’t just give him/her one. (I wouldn’t mind getting more treats). This could be as simple as asking your Chihuahua to sit first.
- Don’t leave your Chi home alone every day – Chihuahuas are portable. Take them wherever you go, even to work. Who doesn’t love a Chihuahua?!
- Get your Chihuahua a pet. Another dog makes a great companion for your Chi.
Give Your Chi a Mini Kong
Show you really care. I love my Kong and play with it daily. Especially when daddy puts a treat inside.
*The Small Classic Kong Toy is
- Perfect for typical chewers.
- Small: Up to 20 lbs.
- Perfect for stuffing with Kong treats.
- All natural, puncture resistant rubber.
- Super bouncy and chewer friendly.
- Cleans teeth, conditions gums.
- Recommended by Veterinarians, Trainers & Dog Professionals.
- Made in USA.
Features
- Cleans teeth and gums
- Hollow center can be filled with food and treats
- Keep your dogs busy and out of trouble for long periods of time
- The world’s best dog toys!™
Another source of information about stimulating your Chi’s mind:
Mental Stimulation for Your Dog
Chihuahuas are not known for being social creatures. People tend to think of Chihuahuas as yappy and bitey. I was raised to be friendly with people. My daddy’s previous Chihuahua, Tasha, did not like most people. I’m sure she had good reasons.
Calm and gentle is the way to go
The trick is to not scare the Chihuahua. As with most “dogs”, it’s best to let us come to you. We’re very inquisitive and will want to see and smell you. Chi’s can be hesitant when meeting new people. We don’t want you to lunge at us with hands extended.
How would you like a stranger to approach you and stick their huge hand in front of your face. Some people are taught to let a dog sniff their hand. The proper way to do this is to kneel down slowly, and quietly hold out your hand. We will approach you if and when we feel safe.
Ask Permission
Never assume a little dog won’t bite, really hard. Usually we’re attached to a person. Ask them if it’s okay to approach us.
Don’t show your teeth and don’t look the dog directly in the eye. And furthermore, never crouch over them. Talk about scary!
Children can be the worst offenders
Often children run in herds. They all seem to love Chihuahuas because we are so small. But we’re breakable too. And we don’t like fast, sudden movements. Imagine being very small and having a herd of little people screeching and running toward you. We tend to get skittish and want to escape. If that’s not possible then we’ll want to defend ourselves against the intruders.
So be very careful. Parents tend to not like their children being bitten by a little dog, no matter how cute they are.
Bicycles, Skateboards and Scooters, oh my
I hate them. If you’re on one, keep away from me. They’re noisy and scary. I do enjoy chasing after a UPS or FedEx truck though. It’s the challenge.
As a Chihuahua I urge all people to respect us and treat us gently. Then we can all get along just fine.
Have you had a good or bad experience greeting a Chihuahua?
For more information check out these articles:
11 Tips for Greeting a Strange Dog
Dog Etiquette. How to greet a dog. Free pdf.
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The other day I was acting my usual, friendly, lively self. My favorite neighbor stopped by for a moment and I greeted her as I always do.
Daddy picked me up to prevent me from running outside to snarl at the neighborhood pugs walking by. The neighbor left and daddy put me down while he started dinner.
A few moments later daddy saw me slinking into the kitchen. Something was wrong. I was shivering and my ears were down.
Seizure or Freakout?
Daddy picked me up immediately because I was acting strangely stiff and terrified. Was it a seizure? I wasn’t flopping around or foaming at the mouth. I did not lose consciousness or fall down.
I just acted petrified which scared daddy and myself. After holding me still for a while I seemed to be calming down. When daddy let go of me I headed for the bedroom and hid under the bed.
About a half hour later I came out of hiding and looked around to see what was up. My other daddy came home and everything was fine as usual. You would never know I had a major freak-out.
Daddy is not going to take me to the dreaded Vet because that would really freak me out. I’m back to normal. Daddy’s last Chihuahua had seizures but this did not seem like one.
What Causes Chihuahua Freak-outs?
This has happened before. There were no loud noises, no yelling, no commotion. Nothing.
But perhaps there was something. I have very sensitive ears and a terrific sense of smell. I may have heard something that caused a sensory overload.
I cannot explain it because I haven’t mastered English well enough to verbalize my feelings and experiences. It’s hard enough to get my daddy to transcribe these posts for all my fans. I come up with the ideas and do all the proofreading.
Have you experienced the new “Chihuahua Freak Out” syndrome? If so, tell us your experiences.
If you suspect your Chihuahua is having a seizure contact your vet immediately, even if your Chi protests.
Check out these posts on Chihuahua seizures and freaking out.
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Leave a commentA Chihuahua is a perfect shopping companion
Everyone has to shop for something or other. A lot of Chihuahuas enjoy going shopping too. We get to spend more quality time with our human, and maybe even get a treat. We don’t talk back, we listen and can give good advice on what to buy.
First Stop: Pet Store
It’s easy to shop at pet stores with your Chi. We are usually welcome and an occasional accident it not a big deal. Plus there are so many things you can buy us, from treats to toys.
Chihuahuas may blend in at the big box stores
What about other stores? It depends on the store and what you can get away with. If you’re carrying a little, well-behaved Chihuahua, you can probably sneak into a big box store that doesn’t sell food without too much difficulty. Places such as building supply stores, electronic stores and even office supply stores may overlook a furry Chi. While you can walk your Chi on a leash in pet stores, I wouldn’t recommend that in any other store. Carry your Chi, either in your arms or in a carrier.
I have been to Office Depot, Staples, Home Depot, Lowes, and a few small stores I can’t remember. I hear Target does not allow pets.
Some people even place their Chi in a shopping cart. But I wouldn’t try getting into a supermarket. They sell food and will most likely not appreciate you bringing in a dog of any kind (except seeing-eye dog). Something about health laws. If your Chi is a paid service dog, be ready to prove it.
Small is often okay
Small stores are also a good place to bring your well-behaved Chi. My daddy has taken me into card stores, clothing stores, chain stores and even a Las Vegas casino. I couldn’t gamble though.
Avoid candy stores
A popular big name chocolate candy store would not let me in. There seems to be a policy of no pets allowed amongst the chocolates. It’s not like we’re allowed to eat chocolate anyway.
Slow business equals tolerant owners
Store owners are anxious for your business. They will overlook a friendly and cute Chihuahua. But not everyone will, so use some discretion and call ahead. It can be embarrassing to be kicked out of a store in front of others.
Shopping should be fun. Why not take your little furry Chi with you to make it an even better experience. And don’t forget to stop at some friendly outdoor cafe for lunch or a snack with your Chi.
Be careful. Some people actually don’t like Chihuahuas or any other animals and may cause a ruckus. Stay away from the dog haters.
For additional information, check out these articles:
Shopping with your dog? The pet-friendliest (and unfriendliest) stores
Feel free to share your experiences shopping with your Chi. And don’t forget to subscribe to our exciting e-newsletter. I’ll be sharing my experiences too.
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Make Walking a Daily Routine
My daddy takes me on 5 walks daily. Ugh. The first morning walk is very short, just outside until I pee.
At around 11:30 I take the longest walk. It is about 1.5 miles, maybe up to 2 miles. We go all around the neighborhood, following a fairly regular path.
Between 3 and 3:30 comes the second longest walk, about 1 to 1.5 miles. We hit basically the same blocks, but not going as far away from home.
At 6:30 ish I take a walk around the block. It’s a sort of meet, greet and pee. Then at 9 ish I take a simple pee walk.
I’m exhausted. I hate walking and I make sure my daddy knows it.
In fairness, when I put the brakes on my daddy will pick me up and carry me for a while. We call that “air-walking”. Once I recognize we’re halfway, I’m eager to walk because I know I’m going home.
Why Walk Your Chihuahua
You’ve got a perfectly good backyard. Why bother taking your little Chi on a walk. There are fleas, other dogs, hot sun, cold winds, wet sidewalks, garbage trucks, oogies to eat. Yuck.
In spite of my feelings on the matter, there are apparently several good reasons for walking your lazy little Chi.
- Good exercise. This will keep your Chi lean and healthy. Especially if you tend to overfeed the little guy.
- Creates interest, keeps your dog’s brain active as they sniff the neighborhood.
- Helps prevent Alzheimer’s disease in dogs (they get it too). This is because new sights and sounds, people and smells, all serve to keep your Chi’s brain active and alert.
- Can be fun. See what’s going on in your neighborhood. Watch houses being remodeled or torn down. Peek inside your neighbor’s open garages and make snap judgments in your head. Oops, I don’t think most Chihuahuas do that.
- Breath in fresh air and clear your head. This may help the human more than the Chi.
This routine works well for my daddy because he works at home doing some kind of graphic design. I don’t understand it, but he sits in front of a machine all day tapping a keyboard.
Some people have to work outside their home. If that is you, you may not have the freedom to walk your Chihuahua so much. Because you left your Chi alone all day you may want to take an extra long walk in the evening, weather permitting. An early morning walk and lunch walk (if possible) would also be welcome.
For more information check out these links:
Basic Obedience Training for your Chihuahua Puppy
How to Teach a Chihuahua to Walk on a Leash
Share your stories on walking your Chihuahua. Anyone else have a Chihuahua street anchor?
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