I LOVE CHIHUAHUAS
DOG SPELLED BACKWARDS
By
Barbara J. Galasso
I think I've finally figured out why DOG spelled backwards is GOD. They say that man is made in God's image. While this may be true, I don't believe we were given his soul. I believe that is something we have to earn. Hence the "free will" that man was born with.
The Dog on the other hand, looks nothing like God's image, but most definitely has his soul. He loves unconditionally, holds no grudges, knows how to do without, can live poorly without complaining, doesn't have the means to gossip, doesn't commit crimes unless it's for survival reasons, is obedient, worships his master, is an excellent parent to his young setting good examples, always happy and playful, and always forgiving.
He’s incapable of regret, so he doesn’t beat himself up about missed opportunities. He never lives in the past because he’s too busy enjoying today. He never worries and wonders what’s going to happen tomorrow. He lives in the here and now relishing the moment and never misses the opportunity to enjoy the day he is given.
He’s true to himself. He never worries what he looks like, or how he acts. He just does whatever it is that makes him feel good. He doesn’t lose sleep over anything because he never worries about anything. He doesn’t keep score of what someone did or didn’t do for him. He never holds back from giving his love as a punishment. He just gives it freely and without any conditions.
He never discriminates. He doesn’t care about wealth and riches of the world. It doesn’t matter to him if he’s riding in the latest Bentley or a beat up twenty year old car. He’ll eat whatever is given to him and be thankful for it. He doesn’t care if you are fat, skinny, rich or poor. He doesn’t care if you are smart or dumb, educated, politically correct, black or white, religious or not. It doesn’t matter to him if he lives in a shack or a castle, just as long as he lives with you. . He’ll sleep on a cold hard floor and in the morning still greet you with a heart filled with joy just for seeing you.
He’ll lick away your tears when you don’t want anyone to see them fall. He senses when you are hurting when you don’t want to share this with anyone else. He can tell when you’re sick before the doctors even know it. He can take care of you if you are handicapped and no one else will sit with you. He can bring you your slippers and bring you the paper. He’ll never get an attitude and feel like he’s waiting on you. He does it because he always wants to please.
He would do very little other than survive if he was made to live in the wilderness. But he wasn’t born to live in the wilderness. He was born for one reason and that was to be a companion to man. He was sent to us as a gift. And being born to live among man is when the true nature of the dog is brought out. He’s a showman, a worker, a guardian, and a teacher. For it is when you live with a dog, that you are taught what unselfish love is, what unguarded laughter is, and if you truly open this gift that was sent to you, you’ll see the way to the light. The dog speaks to you with no voice, but rather through a silent understanding that if you listen closely enough you will hear. If you watch closely enough, you will see.
Man is given the intellect to teach the dog his lessons, but it is the dog, which although born with less intelligence, is capable of teaching the man more lessons than he could ever learn in any university.
He wasn’t born with a "free will", so he does things by instinct rather than by choice. But he’s freer then any man. He'll never go to hell because he's incapable of sin so therefore, all dogs are guaranteed a place in Heaven.
If I am ever reincarnated, I think I’d like to come back as my dog.
Pet Bill of Rights
A Pet is Part of the Family and has the following rights.
7 - We have the right not to be rejected because of your expectations that we be great show dogs, watchdogs, hunters, or baby-sitters.
PLEASE NOTE:
I am sorry to say that I have been getting negitive feedback when I reply to e-mail questions. The latest has been someone who was already breeding their dogs.
Questions: How long do I keep them together?, Is it normal if the male gets stuck in the female?
My Reply: I can't believe you are asking such questions. You should not be breeding until you are well informed on the breeding process.
Then I answered the questions and asked how old is the female? and is the mating pruebred?
NEVER breed a female under 2 years of age. Litters to be registered with AKC: Male must be over 8 months of age, and litters can be registered up to age 12 years.
This is NOT A GAME ! ! ! If a person decides to breed, LEARN FIRST, and not be sorry later. I am very proud of what my Chi's have giving me, and I know I have to give them my best.
If you plan on breeding Chihuahuas, the best you can do for them is learning all about the breed. Be aware of possible problems before they catch you off guard. And remember the risk you are putting your special Darling through.
To review the AKC Standard for the Chihuahua Click Here
When you have made the decision, and can't live without a purebred Chihuahua, the following is what you need to look for.
*BUYING YOUR FIRST CHIHUAHUA*
After you have made that monumental decision to go on and buy your first Chihuahua, where do you go from there? Where do you look for that special dog that will be your companion for the next ten to twenty years? (Yes, some of them DO live that long.)
Let's examine your options.
Some sources for Chihuahuas include the following:
Occasional or "backyard" breeders - These are people who do not regularly have puppies for sale. You can find their ads in local papers and multi state advertisements. The good news is that their prices are sometimes cheap. The bad news is that sometimes the quality of the dogs isn't as good as you would like and, if you have a problem with their dog, they do not always have a ready replacement if needed. You might get lucky and find a nice pet this way, but there is always the chance that you might get ripped off.
Commercial Kennels - These are people whose sole objective is to raise and sell dogs to make money. Many of them do not sell to the general public, choosing instead to sell only to dog brokers who in return, sell to pet stores. Some of them do offer dogs out to the general public though, usually at a higher price then their broker will pay. Commercial kennels usually raise several different breeds of dogs but this does not mean that any breeder with more than one breed of dog is a "commercial" breeder. SOME commercial kennels have large operations that are clean and efficiently run, however, and they do produce a good quality pet animal. OTHERS are the reason that the term "puppy mill" abounds. It's hard to lump all kennels into one category, but there are some bad ones out there.
"Puppy Mills" - Most people have heard the term, but what does it mean? As a person who has been around the dogs for a lot of years, I have to say this: I have personally seen commercial kennels, show breeders' kennels, pet stores, and backyard breeders who could ALL qualify for the term "puppy mill" if it means the following: A place where the dogs are kept in filth in tiny cages, fed cheap food, denied adequate veterinary care, forced to whelp (give birth) in unsanitary conditions, never exercised or allowed down to run and play, and not given the basic human socialization that dogs, as social creatures, really need. That is MY definition of a "puppy mill." No one category of kennel has a corner on the term "puppy mill." If you ever do get to a real "puppy mill" you will know it, (probably from the smell.) The original concept of a "puppy mill" was the slipshod, dirty, commercial kennel that sold all of its puppies directly to a dog broker. However, I feel that "puppy mill" is a CONDITION that can exist anywhere animals are raised, more than a TYPE OF KENNEL.
Pet Stores - Dogs that come from a pet store usually follow one of three routes: People who own the store raise them, they are taken on consignment from another person, or they are purchased from a commercial kennel by a dog broker who sells them to a pet store. As you might guess, the broker pays about $200.00 for the dog from a breeder, sells it to the pet store for about $400.00 and then the pet store sells it to the general public for about $800.00. Pet store dogs can sometimes be low quality and high priced. Again, it is hard to group all pet stores into the same category. Lots of them are clean and well run establishments who do not even sell dogs so I can't say they are all bad but, like the kennels, there are the "bad apples."
CHIHUAHUA DISCRIPTION . . .
Chihuahuas go under the classification of "toy breeds." They are the smallest breed of dog in the world. They are, in fact, the only "natural" toy breed. That is, they are naturally small and aren't a result of "breeding-down" larger breeds, as were other toy breeds. Chihuahua can be smoothcoats or longcoats. Interestingly, there is no breeding distinction made between the two in the United States, since in the States, both smoothcoats and longcoats can occur in a litter; however, in the United Kingdom,smoothcoats and longcoats are considered two different breeds and are never interbred. The breed standard, approved Oct. 1, 2008 disqualifies any dog over 6 pounds from the conformation ring; however, they can weigh up to 9 pounds or more. One of the Chihuahua's most distinctive characteristics is its head, which is well rounded and referred to by breeders as an "apple-dome" type skull. In contrast, its muzzle is extraordinarily tiny in contrast. Pink noses are sometimes found on blonde Chihuahuas. Another distinctive physical feature of the Chihuahua is the ears: large, held erect, and flaring to the sides at an angle of about 45 degrees, the Chihuahua uses its ears to express a variety of emotions and responses. The eyes, usually dark and luminous, are wide-set. Again, blondes may have lighter eyes. Tears are often produced in abundance to keep the large eyes lubricated, and it is not unusual for tears to fly from a Chihuahua's face when it shakes its head during play. The back should be level and the rib cage rounded. Some Chihuahuas may actually have barrel-shaped rib cages, but professional breeders find this undesirable. The hindquarters are muscular and thin. The Chihuahua has stick-like legs and dainty feet. The tail is longish carried either in a sickle fashion or in a loop with the tip touching the back. Finally, coat color: there are a variety of shades, including brindle, blonde, black, brown, fawn, blue, and "splashed." It is interesting to note that Mexico prefers the jetblack with tan markings, and the black and white spotted; the United States overwhelmingly prefers the solid colors, especially fawn.
CHIHUAHUA HISTORY . . .
A graceful, alert, swift moving little dog with saucy expression. (From the Standard). The Chihuahua is the only breed of dog truly indigenous to the Western Hemisphere. Legend and history are rich in tales of the ancestors of the present Chihuahua. The breed's name indicates the ancestors of the dog came from the state of Chihuahua in Mexico. However, the breed's origins more properly belong to the southern part of Mexico or to the whole of the country rather than to the specific state that bears its name. It is thought that the Chihuahua is derived from an earlier breed known as the Techichi, which was popular during the Toltec period around the seventh century. This breed was well known among the Aztecs as well as the Toltecs. Legend has it that the Chihuahua was also involved in the religious worship of the Aztecs. The dog was presumed to have the power of leading the dead through the fearful regions of the underworld. When a dog was sacrificed at the time of the death of a human, the sins of the human were supposed to be transferred to the animal that appeased the gods. The pyramids of Cholula, Mexico are of Toltec construction. One finds here some carvings of the early specimens of the breed. In America, the Chihuahua Club of America was organized in 1923. Since then this dedicated Club has continued to work toward the betterment of this unique and loved toy breed.
CHIHUAHUA TEMPERMENT . . .
"Chi's aren't dogs, I'm convinced -- they are four-legged babies." -- from Chihuahuas@OneList.com
I hear from experienced Chihuahua owners that each dog of this breed has their own unique personality; this is a very individualistic breed. However, a few generalizations can be made. Chihuahuas are graceful, energetic, and swift-moving canines. They have often been described as having "terrier-like" qualities; that is, the qualities of being alert, observant, and keen on interacting with their masters. They are extremely loyal and get attached to one or two persons.These tiny dogs are certainly unaware of their diminutive stature: they can be bold with other dogs much larger than themselves, and protective of their masters. They are fiercely loyal to their masters and wary of any strangers or new guests introduced into the household, which the Chihuahua considers to be its personal domain. For these reasons, Chihuahuas make good watch dogs (not guard dogs, though!).The Chihuahua needs a great deal of human contact: touching, petting, and general attention. If the Chihuahua does not get this, she or he will use various attention-getting tricks until you give her/him attention. (My own uses her paws to lightly scratch my hand, a signal that says, "Pet me now!"). Some owners who have had other, more independent breeds may find the Chihuahua too needy. However, Chi's give a lot of love and affection in return for your care. Keeping more than one Chihuahua can greatly ease the dog's stress when left alone each day if the owner works. (They will compete for your attention when you get home, though!). Because they are by nature gentle, loyal, and sweet-tempered, Chihuahuas are ideal for single people, the elderly, the handicapped, and shut-ins. They will keep you company for hours by lying on your lap or beside your torso if in bed, and treat you like royalty. No one with a Chi in their household will ever be truly alone!
Breeders -
They come in all sizes, shapes, colors, types, and every personality in the human spectrum. Some are wonderful people and some are the "scum of the earth." Others fall somewhere in the middle. The hard part, for you as a dog buyer, is determining which one is the right source for your little dog.
I have certain things that I look for in a breeder and I have listed them below:
1. Is this a person that you instinctively like? If not, then you are probably better off to go with your "gut feeling" and shy away.
2. Does this person have a kennel with an organized breeding program, or is it an occasional and haphazard affair? Occasional breeders, who do not breed dogs on a regular basis, tend not to be quite as knowledgeable as breeders who raise puppies all of the time. It is human nature for someone to get better at something as they do it more often.
3. Do you like the look of this person's dogs? Are they physically what you like? Are they friendly and well socialized? Do they look to be healthy?
4. Ask the breeder what kinds of dogs they breed for. Pets, breeders, show dogs, or do they even have an idea? (They should.) Anyone who endeavors at anything should be trying to be the best they can be at it.
5. If the person breeds for show dogs, have they had many successes at it? If their dogs are winning shows, then they must have a good idea of what a good Chihuahua consists of.
6. Does this breeder have a clean kennel? A little bit of dog poop doesn't necessarily make a bad kennel, but there is definitely a difference between a few hours of mess and two weeks worth. Often your nose will make a quick decision for you.
7. Does this person have a bunch of puppies on hand? Often, the puppies offered for sale out of a reputable Chihuahua kennel are already tagged for someone as soon as they are offered. Most of the good kennels will have a waiting list, and sometimes it is better to wait on the good breeder's dog rather than to impulse buy from an unknown.
8. Does this person belong to any dog clubs or obedience organizations? It has been my experience that people who take the time to get involved with the clubs are often very dedicated to the betterment of the breed and to humane treatment of animals.
(Although every club does have its members who want to use the clubs and the dogs for their own personal ego booster but, luckily, those seem to be in the minority.)
9. Ask about all of the standard things that should come with your new dog. (Up-to-date vaccination record, pedigree on the parent's, registration, a bag of the feed the dog has been on, and a health guarantee.) A breeder should offer these things as part of the package.
I recommend to anyone who is looking for a Chihuahua, and who is unfamiliar with the breed to GO SLOWLY. Study the breed standard, attend a dog show or two, ask around, and visit about 5 different kennels before you ever spend a dime. It's worth the time to acquire the education before you buy. The good people will talk to you and advise you. A breeder who snubs you when you first approach them is not usually the one you want to pursue.
The Chihuahua Club of America has a listing of all its' members and you can contact that organization as a source for a breeder. Many states also have Chihuahua clubs that you can seek out and find. You can usually look in "Dog World", or "Dog Fancy" magazines for CCOA information, and for listings for Chihuahua breeders.
The Internet is a fantastic source for breeders, but like anywhere else, go slowly and be sure. Also take what one breeder says about another with a grain of salt. There are breeders who will refer to someone whose show dog beat theirs last week as a "puppy miller", out of sheer sour grapes. It is a highly competitive arena and not all of the breeders like each other so draw your conclusions based on common sense and evidence, and you will be all right.
Once you have selected your breeder, then you have to select your puppy. If the breeder is like many, you may not have much of a selection. If there is only one or two puppies to pick from, then you need to know how to evaluate and pick the one that you like best. Sometimes the right puppy just jumps out at you, and there is no choice to be made. In this case you will probably buy the dog and go home with it. However, if you have the presence of mind to stop and look and judge the dog, then you can look for the things that you read about in the standard. Does the pup measure up?
I like to take a young puppy and lay him on his back to see if his back legs try to cross at the ankles. This could sometimes be an indication of week stifles (loose kneecaps.)
Other people I know like to see the pup sit back on his haunches. If he sits straight he is probably structurally correct. If he leans one way or another, he may have problems.
I also check the following:
The puppies bite, his testicles, (if male) the set of his tail, (it should be high on the rump) the straightness of his legs, the width between his eyes, (the wider the better) and the size of the eyes (not too tiny and not so big as to look "bug-eyed").
I like a Chihuahua to weigh around 1 1/4 to 1 1/2 lbs. at eight weeks of age. Much variation from this can indicate a dwarf, or a pup that might go oversize. This isn't cast in stone, but it gives you a way to measure. An old rule of thumb that many show breeders go by is that "if I like a dog at eight weeks, then I'll like him again at eight months."
You always hear people talking about "teacup" Chihuahuas. It seems that lots of people have either had, or known someone who had one that was about four inches long and three inches tall. It was the cutest little thing and they always carried it around in their pocket. Well, I haven't seen one that small in the seventeen years or so that I have been raising Chihuahuas. The truth of the matter is that these tiny ones are physical rejects. They are the runts of the litter, and often have health problems, as do dwarfs in any species. Anyone who claims to breed "teacups" probably is confused or lying.
For the sake of definition the breed standard allows for a dog not to exceed 6 lbs. What I call a "teacup" size is 2 lbs. or under at a year old. I wish I had a ten-dollar bill for every time someone has called and wanted to show me their "teacup" Chihuahua. When they arrive, they bring out a 6 lb. dog. Of course, there are probably kennels out there where a 6 lb. dog IS a "teacup."
The little "teacups" do not actually exist within the AKC standard. However, in the real world of Chihuahua breeding, they do come along, usually more often than a breeder wants to see them. I have had a puppy or two that I gave away to someone I knew could take care of it rather than sell one so small. Some of the problems they incur are hydrocephalus (water on the brain), weak patellas (kneecaps), vital organ weaknesses, and overall frailty.
Anyway, suffice it to say that you are better off with a dog that matures somewhere between 3 to 6 lbs for a pet dog. If you are in the market for a breeding dog, I recommend a female from 4 to 6 lbs, and a male that is at least 4 lbs.
Purchasing a Chihuahua can be one of the most rewarding things that has ever happened to you, OR it can become a real nightmare, depending on the choices that you make while shopping.
I hope that this article will give shoppers some food for thought
ABOUT THOSE EARS
E-Mail from Cindy
Hi there, my name is Cindy.
Hi Cindy,
Thanks for writing. It looks like your black and white baby may have some terrier somewhere. Her head looks like a Fox Terrier, and the way her ears fold may be a result of her background. You can try massaging, but the break looks stubborn. With the Chi ears, we try several ways to prop-up the ear. Try using the stick if a q-tip, or make a roll of cotton about 1 to 1 1/2 inches long, (or what will go from the lower part of the ear to tip). Fold the outside edges together and tape with paper tape around the whole ear. This may take a few weeks to change the ears fold. Keep the ear propped up is the key.
One of my girls, Amee, had a serious problem with the ear folding at her skull. We called her broken eared Amee. I started working with her ears when she was very young. She is nearly 4 now and will only get one ear up when she gets excited. But she is such a love.
Another tip, if you don't already know is the ears do crazy things with teething, but the rule is as the Shepherds, if not up by 6 mos, probably will not come up.
| Hi there! Gosh, I was jumping out of my socks yesterday morning, when Tiki got one of her ear tapes off, and her ear stayed standing! I was so excited.. it stayed up the whole day but into the night it fell part way again, so I re-taped it. You could see that it is really changing the base of her ear where the fold was. I think its really working! Do you think that I should change the ear fixes, every few days? Just incase the tape is causing them some sort of irritation? On the ear that it came off of, her skin seemed fine, and it didn't take too much hair off either. But that was only after a day and a half. Just want to thank you again, for suggesting that. I had thought about it.. but had never done it before. My daughter in law is hoping that her little one's ears will come up. They haven't really begun to either. She was the runt of the litter... And she looks more Chi than any of them.. probably cause she's the smallest..! Thank you for complimenting me on my little "Angels". Keep adding to your site! I love looking at it. God Bless,   Cindy I am very happy that you enjoy this site Cindy. Keep the ears taped changing only when they fall off or if the ear shows irratation. If you are using paper tape this should not happen. Thanks for writing. Blessings, Kay |
| Dangerous Toys |
Fluffy may love her ball of yarn, and Rover may chase after that darn stick all day, but pet owners must be cautious when offering toys to their pets. Many household items that become pet toys, either with or without your knowledge, can be dangerous-even fatal-to your furry or feathered friend. If not used in the appropriate manner, some store-bought pet toys, too, can cause problems.
Pet owners should take note of the following potential toy hazards:
- Sticks and bones can splinter and cause choking or vomiting, or they can perforate the mouth, throat or intestine. Hard bones can easily damage teeth. Instead, use hard, non-splintering chew toys to play fetch or to allow your pet to gnaw.
- Soft, latex toys can be shredded by a chewing pet. If the toy includes a squeaking mechanism, the squeaker can be easily swallowed or cause choking.
- Superballs can cause intestinal obstruction if ingested. Other types of balls, such as tennis balls or handballs, may be too small for the pet playing with them and cause choking.
- Towels, socks, underwear and other similar clothing or materials can be swallowed by a rambunctious pet, causing intestinal obstruction.
- Some dogs like to chew on or eat rocks-bad idea! Rocks can cause broken teeth and serious intestinal obstruction if swallowed.
- Be careful if you offer your pet rawhides, as these can also cause intestinal obstruction if swallowed, and some are preserved with arsenic, which is toxic to pets.
- Some cats enjoy hiding out in plastic bags, but if they get their head stuck in the handles and panic, choking or suffocating could occur.
- String, yarn, feathers and rubber bands often offer enticing play for cats, but these can be swallowed whole, possibly lodging in the intestinal tract and causing blockage. If only partially swallowed, this, too, can result in severe problems. For instance, one end of the string can wrap around the cat's tongue while the rest of the string is swallowed. If you ever see your kitty with string (or a similar object) caught in its mouth, NEVER try to pull it out. If the string is lodged internally, pulling it can cut the cat's intestines, killing him. Instead, see your veterinarian immediately.
- Be aware of sharp objects that can cut skin, feet, eyes or ears.
- For birds, bells can be problematic. Most medium-sized or larger parrots can take apart a bell and choke on the clapper.
- Leather, if not specially tanned, can be toxic to birds.
- Paint and wood preservatives can also be toxic to your feathered friend.
If you notice anything unusual about your pet's behavior or health, call your veterinarian right away. If a toy or part of a toy is swallowed, signs of problems (like intestinal upset or blockage) may occur within minutes or hours; other times, you may not notice anything unusual for days. The obstruction may pass through with no more signs than vomiting or diarrhea. Or it may cause blockage, in which case your pet may be constipated or not want to eat. In any case, if you even suspect that your pet has swallowed a foreign object, call the veterinarian immediately.
Used appropriately and with common sense, many household and store-bought pet toys can provide hours of entertainment and exercise for your pet. It's a good idea, however, to supervise your pet during play. Not only will this minimize the chance of accidents happening, but you'll also be providing your pet with quality time spent with his or her favorite toy-YOU!
Drs. Foster & Smith Educational Staff
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Car Sickness Dogs generally become sick in the car because they are frightened, not because they have real motion sickness. It is necessary to reassure your dog that these fears are groundless (which might be hard depending on how you drive). You need to get your dog used to the car by taking trips that are short enough that your dog does not exhibit the typical signs of car sickness- drooling, vomiting, etc. It may be necessary to start out by just sitting in the car together and giving your dog a treat after a few minutes. Then take very short rides followed by a treat - even if you can only make it to the end of the driveway. Gradually increase the length of the trips until your dog enjoys the car rides. If you don't want your dog in the car, but find it necessary on occasion, you can use tranquilizers to control the nervousness with good success in most dogs. Your vet will have one that works well for him or her. Some dogs really have motion sickness. It is possible that dramamine will work in these dogs but even in these dogs tranquilizers like acepromazine that also have anti-emetic properties usually work well.
PuppyClear communicationHow we confuse our pups We know the rules of human interaction, but we are considerably less clear on how to communicate with our puppies. And since puppies don't come with instructions attached (be nice if they did) our human-to-human communication patterns, as baffling as they are to our puppies, are what we fall back on. Word repetition, word inconsistency, using a questioning tone and increasing frustration when we don't get the expected results are human habits that are not helpful to our puppy's learning process – in fact, they can slow learning down. Repetition With another person, we may repeat things when we don't get a response the first time. "Excuse me? Excuse me?" is a typical example. However, to a puppy, repetition is simply confusing. If you issue a command and your pup doesn't respond, there are two possibilities. Your pup did not hear you, which is rare, or your pup did not understand, which is common. Repeating yourself to a pup who does not understand you only confuses things further. Instead, be prepared to help your pup once you say a command. This may mean guiding him into position physically, or luring him with a treat or toy, and then rewarding him. There is no need to get upset with your puppy if he doesn't understand. Remember, your pup is not trying to be difficult. Inconsistency Pups only learn what we teach them. They don't understand words, so when we say "sit" in one instance and "sit down" in another, and mean the same thing, our puppies can become completely confused. How about your expectations – are you consistent with them? Do you ever say "sit" and not follow through? Do you ever say "sit" and, if your pup lies down, you shrug and think, "Close enough." If you do this you're not helping your puppy; you're just confusing him further. The clearer your pup is about what you want and when you want it, the better. Questioning Humans mask commands to each other with questioning tones. "Honey," you call your spouse, "Would you mind picking up some bread on your way home?" That is polite. That is nice. That is confusing to pups who understand tone better than words. A more effective approach is to state a command as if you are giving directions. "Go down three blocks and turn right," would be an appropriate tone for "pup, sit." That is calm, clear and confident – perfect! Frustration When pups fail to understand our communication patterns we can become frustrated with them, instead of with ourselves. Next time your pup does not respond the way you hoped he would, ask yourself the following questions: Was I clear? Have we practiced this many times (think dozens of times) in a calm environment? Does he consistently respond in a calm environment? What was my tone? How can I help him understand what I want? How can I make it fun for him to respond? Since you are the teacher, your pup reflects your teaching. If you are unhappy with his response, look to ways you can help make things easier for him to understand. Using training as a way to build on the positive is an effective puppy-training strategy. |
For information on the Merle color pattern,
Go to the Chihuahua Club of America
