Dos and Don'ts
Chihuahua Dos and Don'ts
Overview
There are a lot of aspects of taking care of a dog, especially a toy breed like the Chihuahua. Sometimes it’s helpful to have a list of what to do and what to not do. This article will cover the 10 most important dos and don’ts for Chihuahua puppies and dogs with 5 top dos and 5 top don’ts.
Top 5 Chihuahua Dos
#1. Do have your Chihuahua wear a harness, not a collar, when on a leash.
Collars cause direct pressure and stress on the trachea; this is something you want to avoid with a Chihuahua, one of the many toy breeds that is prone to collapsed trachea, a painful and often serious condition. A harness is an effective method to keep the neck free from strain. It displaces pressure over the back, chest, and shoulders. And, some like the Puppia Soft B Harness Vest
(which starts at size extra-small) are super-easy to place on and are very comfortable. An added plus is that it makes it easier to control your Chi when walking.
(which starts at size extra-small) are super-easy to place on and are very comfortable. An added plus is that it makes it easier to control your Chi when walking. #2. Do choose a method to keep your Chihuahua’s teeth in good shape.
This breed is very prone to tooth decay. Painful infections, rot, and eventual tooth loss happens easily when teeth are ignored. There are some great options to care for your Chi’s teeth including brushing (just like with us humans, this is one of the most effective methods). Be sure to use a canine paste (fluoride in human products is toxic to dogs) and a small brush or a finger-tip brush like those found in the Nylabone Advanced Oral Care Dental Kit
. Note that the 'puppy' size works well for many adult Chihuahuas that are 10 lbs. or less.
. Note that the 'puppy' size works well for many adult Chihuahuas that are 10 lbs. or less. Another helpful method is to offer a daily dental treat that helps to remove plaque and tartar. Note that these are very hard, by design, so a Chihuahua should be supervised when chewing on these and be sure that it’s the right size for your Chihuahua. With Greenies (one of the most well-known and effective chews), it’s the Greenie Teenie Natural Dental Dog Treats
that is ideal for most Chi one year and up, as it’s sized for dogs 5 to 15 lbs.
that is ideal for most Chi one year and up, as it’s sized for dogs 5 to 15 lbs. #3 Do socialize and desensitize your Chihuahua.
Whether a Chihuahua barks and lunges at other dogs, tries to chase after cars, or otherwise overreacts to stimuli, it’s common for owners to avoid things that sets their dog off. But this never gives a Chihuahua a chance to become accustomed to the triggers that get them worked up.
In many instances, it can help to choose one trigger at a time to work on and then offer short periods of minor exposure (for example, interaction with just one dog, or walking on a street with very few cars, and usually starting with just 5 to 10 minutes). Reward good behavior with praise and high-value training treats. End things on a good note. Only increase the level of exposure and the duration of the sessions once your Chi can remain relatively composed.
#4. Do put effort into avoiding food additives.
Additives found in dog food, snacks, and training treats is one of the leading causes of allergies with dogs. Itching is a top sign. But even if your Chi can tolerate these ingredients without allergy flareups, many are linked to health issues including organ damage, neurological issues, and even cancers. Essentially, it’s like feeding a dog poison.
Steer very clear of any synthetic preservatives, artificial coloring dyes, and flavor enhancers. Instead, do opt for wholesome real foods that are preserved with a vitamin blend and contain enough veggies and fruits that coloring and flavoring does not need to be added in.
For example, is a great choice is Wellness Complete Health for Small Breeds
which is preserved with a vitamin blend (shown as mixed tocopherols), rosemary, and spearmint. And it contains lots of healthy ingredients including turkey, salmon, barley, flaxseed, carrots, spinach, sweet potato, blueberries, and apples.
which is preserved with a vitamin blend (shown as mixed tocopherols), rosemary, and spearmint. And it contains lots of healthy ingredients including turkey, salmon, barley, flaxseed, carrots, spinach, sweet potato, blueberries, and apples. And if you like to spend time in the kitchen, or think you'd like to try, you may want to consider offering a Chihuahua home cooked food
since this allows you to have complete control over ingredients and adjust recipes to perfectly suit your particular puppy or dog.
#5. Do apply paw wax.
Snacks and treats should be looked at as well since these can account for up to 20% of a Chihuahua’s nutritional intake. These can contain all of the detrimental things that kibble can. Opt for all-natural options such as Fruitables Dog Treats
. Note that there are both crunchy Fruitables (for snacking in between meals) and chewy ones (recommended to use as training treats).
. Note that there are both crunchy Fruitables (for snacking in between meals) and chewy ones (recommended to use as training treats). A quality paw wax can help in so many ways. It offers a barrier from allergens and irritants including pollen, lawn care chemicals and ice-melt products that can lead to itchy paws, helps repel sand grit and small pebbles, helps prevent dry paw skin, can repair peeling and cracking, can help mitigate some of the heat from walking surfaces in the summer, and gives a dog better traction.
A wax like Musher's Secret Paw Protection Wax
only needs to be applied once every 7 days and is super-easy to put on.
only needs to be applied once every 7 days and is super-easy to put on. Top 5 Chihuahua Don’ts
#1. Don’t let nips, growling, or other aggressive behavior slip by without addressing it.
If these behaviors are ignored, things may only get worse and in some cases, it reaches a point where a professional trainer needs to be called in. Reinforce your position of alpha leader by ordering a ‘sit’ before any food is given and react to nips or growls by placing your Chihuahua in a time out (brief social isolation) where they can see you but are not allowed to interact.
#2. Don’t assume that Chihuahuas can ‘self-exercise’ indoors as their primary exercise.
Sure, Chihuahuas are small enough that they can run around indoors in most homes and apartments. But this is not the same as purposeful outdoor exercise.
Routinely taking a Chihuahua outside for brisk walks allows a Chi to release pent-up energy and engage their amazing canine senses (both can lead to better behavior once back indoors). It’s also excellent for heart health, helps a Chi maintain proper muscle mass, and helps keep the metabolism properly functioning. Last by not least, regular exposure to stimuli (other dogs, children, cars, etc.) eventually helps a Chihuahua be less reactive to it.
#3. Don’t let your Chihuahua jump down off of furniture.
Maybe your Chi is a pro at jumping on and off your sofa or living room chairs. And maybe there’s never been an issue before. But this is not something that Chihuahuas should be doing. The only exception is for Chi that are significantly larger than average (12+ lbs.) due to sturdy body structure and not excess fat.
With tiny breeds like the Chihuahua, there is always a risk of torn ligaments (especially around the knee), slipped kneecap (patella luxation), and even broken bones. Any sort of injury like this can mean costly treatment and a long recovery. There can be long-lasting issues as well such as arthritis developing at the injury site.
This doesn’t mean that you can’t let your Chihuahuas be up on the furniture. Teach your little guy or gal to use pet stairs or a pet ramp like the Pet Gear Ramp with SupertraX
(which can be easier for small dogs to navigate).
(which can be easier for small dogs to navigate). #4. Don’t give your Chihuahua unfiltered tap water.
It’s easy to see tap water that’s clear and just believe that it’s safe. But nothing could be further from the truth. In the US (and other countries), public tap water is packed with contaminants including known cancer-causing agents.
Just a short list of what’s in many people’s tap water: Every state's tap water in the US is affected by Chromium-6
which is a known carcinogen and is present in the water of at least 200 million Americans, fluoride (a known toxin to canines), barium (affects blood pressure), beryllium (causes intestinal lesions), chlorite (linked to central nervous problems), chloramines (linked to stomach irritation), and trichloroethane (1, 1,2) which can cause organ damage with long-term ingestion.
Fortunately, you can protect your Chihuahua by having a filtering system connected to your kitchen tap, by using a device like the Aquagear Water Filter Pitcher
which is exceptionally effective in removing contaminants, or by using bottled spring water.
which is exceptionally effective in removing contaminants, or by using bottled spring water. #5 Don’t use any old shampoo.
If you don’t give too much thought into what sort of pet shampoo you’re using to bathe your Chi, you’re not alone. After all, how important can it be if the product is just washed off? But the answer is, it’s very important in regard to skin and coat health.
Lots of pet shampoos try to make as big of a profit as they can by using cheap ingredients. This means that low-quality dog shampoo will have too low of a pH balance (dogs require a neuter pH of between 6.5 and 7.5) and contain harsh ingredients that cause dry skin, itching, irritation, and poor coat health such as sulfates, parabens, and phthalates (common in soaping agents).
Instead, opt for a product that uses plant-based cleansers and has no chemical additives. One that we recommend is Earthbath All-Natural Shampoo
which has several wonderful formulas. The Oatmeal and Aloe is a perfect choice for all Chi, the Mediterranean Magic is ideal if your Chihuahua tends to get smelly, and the Tea Tree and Aloe is helpful for Chi with irritated skin (rashes, hot spots, etc.).
which has several wonderful formulas. The Oatmeal and Aloe is a perfect choice for all Chi, the Mediterranean Magic is ideal if your Chihuahua tends to get smelly, and the Tea Tree and Aloe is helpful for Chi with irritated skin (rashes, hot spots, etc.). Did you find this article to be helpful?
If so, you’ll really love our book: PetChiDog’s GIANT Book of Chihuahua Care.
You may also be interested in:
Chihuahua Care Tips
- A great overview of what you'll want to be doing for good care practices for this amazing toy breed.
Bad Breath Issues
- It's not uncommon for a Chi puppy or adult dog to have some issues with bad breath. Learn the top reasons for this and exactly how to resolve it.
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