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:
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.
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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Chihuahuas are for pampering, not cooking
It’s summertime and the living may not be easy if you leave your little Chihuahua (or any dog or child) in a locked car. We do not enjoy being cooked, and the temperature climbs quite rapidly in a car, even with the windows open. It can reach 120 degrees in less than 10 minutes.
Outdoor Chihuahuas
Although Chihuahuas are stronger than people think, we’re still very small creatures and leaving your Chi outside in the hot sun during the day, with no escape, can also be dangerous. If you must leave your Chi outside (and why would you), please provide shaded shelter and plenty of cool, fresh water.
Watch for these signs of heat stroke:
- Frantic Panting
- Vomiting
- Staggering around
- Diarrhea
- Bright Red Tongue
Try to walk your Chihuahua during the early morning and later evening hours when it may not be so hot. If you live in the desert, try indoor pee pads. Who wants to walk in temperatures higher than 76 degrees, I say.
Other things to read:
Dangerous Conditions: How heat and humidity affect your dog.
8 IMPORTANT Tips to Keep Dogs Safe This Summer
Lucy’s Funtabulous Newsletter
Don’t forget to Subscribe to our newsletter. It will be lots of fun and very interesting. As a Chihuahua, I have lots to say.
Leave a commentWe Chihuahuas are no different from other “dogs” or even children. We like to eat treats, not necessarily what’s good for us.
The trick is to not get us used to anything other than our regular, quality dog foods. If given a choice, most discriminating Chihuahuas will choose humanoid food.
Only Natural Pet Store – Everything Natural for Dogs
Here’s my 10 tips on feeding your finicky Chihuahua
- Feed only premium, human grade dog food. I eat Merrick’s Turduckin. Yumm.
- Feed at consistent times. As an adult Chi I get breakfast and dinner.
- Feed your Chi when you eat. When we all eat together there will be less reason for your Chi to beg for your food. We may even think we’re eating the same thing you are.
- Avoid giving your Chi scraps from the table. This only encourages us to not eat our food and wait for yours.
- If you must give table scraps, give very little and mix it in with your Chi’s food. Keep in mind that doing this will cause your Chi to expect it every time and may increase finickiness.
- Mix premium dry food with premium canned food. This makes for a tasty meal.
- Always have water nearby to cleanse the palate. Encourage your Chi to drink lots of water.
- Never give chocolate cake for desert. Chocolate is toxic.
- Best not to give any desert. Reserve quality dog treats for good behaviors.
- It’s okay to give a few treats now and then. Especially when you are training your little Chi. Make sure the treats are healthy and dog-friendly.
For more information read How to Encourage Your Picky Dog to Eat.
Chihuahuas Love Parties
We Chihuahuas enjoy a party as much as the next dog. Well, maybe some more than others. As long as there is food and treats.
There are three main Chihuahua personality types:
The social butterfly. This is me. I love people. I will run to almost anyone and greet them, after a moment of preliminary sniffing. It’s my ‘getting to know you’ period.
The barky bitey type. This was my daddy’s previous Chihuahua, Tasha. She hated most people and would just as soon bite them than allow them to touch her or her daddy. A party would not be a good idea for this type of personality.
The nervous and shy type. Some Chihuahuas are afraid of almost everything. A quiet treat at home may be a better idea than tormenting your Chi on their birthday with a roomful of people and dogs.
Should your guest list include other dogs?
Make sure your Chihuahua likes other dogs before inviting them. If they only like a few, just invite those chosen ones. Never invite dogs your Chihuahua doesn’t know or like. Why ruin the party with unwanted guests.
Encourage your guests to bring lots of presents.
We Chis like treats, stuffed animals, chewy toys, squeaky toys, pull toys, crunchy toys, balls of various sorts and sizes. Also bones, biscuits, jerky, cookies and did I mention treats?
Avoid clothes, collars, tags and other boring stuff. You wouldn’t give that to a child, would you?
What to serve at your Chi’s party.
Food. Find your local dog bakery and splurge on a dog friendly cake or other party-like treats. Meat snacks also go well. Forget the sugary snacks. They’re not good for anyone. If you must feed humans too, then a cake is okay. But not chocolate. Drop a piece of chocolate cake on the floor and it will be covered by the nearest Chihuahua in an instant. And remember, chocolate is toxic to dogs of all kinds.
How to dress your Chihuahua for their party.
Most dogs prefer being naked. Let’s face it, dogs hate wearing clothes unless it’s very cold. I especially detest hats, collars, boots, shoes of any kind, anything on my head including bows and ribbons. All these items are for chewing, not wearing. I come with a pre-built-in fur coat. It’s one of a kind and fits great.
Human types should wear comfortable clothes that resist dog hair. Avoid colors that are too dark or light. Never wear a fur coat of any kind, unless it’s fake.
Eating Out with your Chi
If throwing a party for your Chihuahua is too stressful or expensive, why not take your little companion out to dinner to celebrate. We will totally enjoy your company and of course good food. I love eating out with my daddies and have done so quite frequently.
There are many restaurants that have outdoor dining and welcome dogs. Find one that’s not too noisy or distracting, but has pleasant surroundings, interesting sights and shade or heat, where appropriate.
Bring your Chi’s favorite blankie for your lap or else a comfortable carrier so they will feel at home. Don’t forget a water dish and treats. Be careful about sharing your own meal with your Chihuahua. Rich foods can cause stomach problems as well as obesity. Besides, just being with you is all your little Chi needs. That and lots of love.
Dog Friendly Restaurants Near Redondo Beach, CA
Other Stuff to Read:
Another in a series of “Don’t Leave Me!” Articles
The joys of bringing your Chihuahua on Vacation
Don't forget your Chihuahua's favorite toy, pillow and blanket.
My daddies are going on a mini vacation. We’re off to Fresno and I’m going too. Traveling can be stressful for your little Chihuahua, no matter how much we love to be with our human companions.
I enjoy my routines, especially the napping time. I also like to eat at my regular breakfast and dinner times.
I can always tell when a trip is coming. Suitcases appear from nowhere. That’s a big hint. People stuff is gathered and placed on the bed for packing, too.
When I travel I am stuffed into a carrier and seat-belted in for added protection. My carrier used to be roomier when I was smaller. I don’t get it.
My carrier is still pretty cozy and has plenty of screened windows to the world around me. It’s my own little space, which is good because one of my daddy’s brother and sister are going with us.
Things to bring
- Food and water. Bring plenty of your Chi’s regular food and water.
- Toys. A few of your little companion’s favorites will make the trip less stressful.
- Blankets and bed. If possible, bring your Chi’s bed and bedding so they will have a safe place to sleep. Avoid the bedbugs too.
- Treats. My usual treats are always welcome and better for me than a chicken nugget or french fry. Not that I wouldn’t mind getting a fried treat now and again.
- Bowls for water and food. Bring your pet’s favorite bowls so they will feel the most comfortable.
Things to do when driving with your Chihuahua
- Make sure your little Chi is safe and secure. Hanging out the window is dangerous for you and your Chi. Get a carrier or doggie seat and strap in your pet. Preferably in the back seat to avoid air bag issues.
- Don’t ever leave your Chi alone in a car that is too hot or too cold. Either way, they could die. Yikes!
- Stop for frequent walks. We Chihuahuas may like to sleep but being in a cozy carrier can be difficult after a few hours. We need exercise too. And a potty break.
- Food breaks. Sometimes humans get hungry and must stop for food. Many restaurants have outside seating, especially fast food places. Choose one of those because you can take your Chi with you and, again, you never want to leave your Chi in a car that can be too hot or too cold.
Pet-Friendly Motels
There are plenty of pet-friendly motels. Motel 6 is one of our favorites. The trouble with most motels and hotels is that they require you either never leave your pet alone in the room or to “crate” them if you must.
This is for the pet’s safety as well as the cleaning crew. Sometimes we get scared, alone in a strange place and may run out, if given the chance, to find you.
Did you know some senior living communities have spare apartments they rent out by the day. And some of these are pet-friendly? It’s true so check it out.
Leaving your Chihuahua home
If you absolutely can’t take your Chi with you, then leaving them home with a reliable pet sitter is the next best alternative. They will be in their own surroundings and will have company too.
As a last resort, find a highly recommended kennel or boarding place. But keep in mind that most pets hate this. I know I would absolutely hate being alone in a cage, of any sort, while my daddies went off to play without me. If that doesn’t add enough guilt, try whining and sulking.
For more information on traveling with or without your “dog”, check out the following articles:
The Pros and Cons of Kenneling (Boarding) vs. Getting a Pet Sitter for Your Dog by Dr. Debra Primovic
Kenneling Your Dog by Dr. Douglas Brum
Pet Sitter Instructions for Your Dog by PetPlace Staff
Tasty but Deadly Grapes and Raisins
They seem innocent enough. And they look tasty. But my daddy never lets me eat grapes or raisins. He says they can kill me.
The truth is, grapes and raisins, especially when eaten in large quantities, can cause acute kidney failure in your dog and lead to death if not treated. Yikes!
So if you drop a raisin or grape on the floor, make sure you grab it before your dog does. I run when I hear food drop and I’m on it in an instant. I have not tasted a grape or raisin so please don’t tempt me by leaving them where I can get to it.
Read Raisin and Grape Toxicity in Dogs for more information on this toxic treat.
Also Grape and Raisin Toxicosis by Dr. Debra Primovic from PetPlace.com.
If your Chi does eat grapes or raisins, contact your vet for advice on what to do.
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