Raising Oscar The Chihuahua

2011-07-23T17:47:00.001-07:00

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2011-07-23T17:45:00.001-07:00

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Oscar Has Now Been Neutered

2009-11-17T19:15:00.000-08:00

Oscar got his neutering yesterday and is recuperating very quickly. He only seemed slightly groggy when I went to pick him up. Now he is as active as ever and playing with his favorite chew toys. More information to come...

Update on Oscar

2009-11-03T12:29:00.000-08:00

Oscar continues to grow. He has now learned to climb the stairs. Going up his no problem, but he can't seem to figure out a way to get down the stairs. Instead, he cries until someone comes to carry him down.

The housebreaking is now almost complete. Occasionally he has an accident, but it is usually next to the door, so it is clear that he knows the importance of doing it outside. He has become a little over-energetic, but his upcoming neutering should resolve that.

Information on the Chihuahua Breed

2009-10-27T15:33:00.000-07:00

The tiny Chihuahua is a well balanced toy dog with a characteristic saucy expression and a apple domed skull with or without molera, which is the small gap in the skull formation.

The body is slightly longer than tall; shorter bodies in males are desirable. The eyes are full and not protruding and set well apart; ears are large and held upright when alert, flaring to sides when in repose; broken or cropped ears are a disqualification.

The Chihuahua's neck is slightly arched; ribs well sprung but avoiding barrel shape; tail moderately long, carried sickle up or out, or curled; tail should never be tucked between legs, or bobbed or docked!

The two coat varieties are Long and Smooth. The Long coat is soft in texture, flat or slightly curly with an undercoat and fringe on ears, tail, legs and neck; never appearing bare from excessive thinness. The Smooth coat is soft, close and glossy. Colors vary tremendously, solid, marked and splashed.

Considered the tiniest of all dog breeds, the Chihuahua necessarily is a gentle but swift moving housedog. Dogs are not conscious of their size and the Chihuahua's big dog bark clearly indicates that he is a confident, bold canine.

Nonetheless, he is described as clannish and more comfortable with members of his own breed. He is territorial and will protect his master or mistress with his whole heart.

Chihuahuas enjoy the good life and don't mind extra attention and coddling. To avoid the aggressive, yappy adult, socializing the Chihuahua with friends and other dogs is advisable.

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Dog Fashions at Lithuanian Show

2009-10-25T10:14:00.000-07:00

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Lithuanian Dog Fashion Show

AP Poll: Pet owners willing to go mouth-to-muzzle

2009-10-21T12:54:00.000-07:00

LOS ANGELES – Most pet owners would leap into action for an injured pet, even if it meant risking dog breath by going mouth-to-snout.

Fifty-eight percent of pet owners — 63 percent of dog owners and 53 percent of cat owners — would be at least somewhat likely to perform CPR on their pet in the event of a medical emergency, according to an Associated Press-Petside.com poll.

Tammy Parks, 52, of Amherst, Mass., has taken a pet first aid class and wouldn't hesitate to help her 15-year-old mixed breed terriers, Lucy and Julia, or her white fronted Amazon parrot Koko.

"It's not rocket science. The mechanics are the same as humans," said Parks, who was an American Red Cross first aid trainer. "Size is the biggest difference."

In general, though, the poll found few pet owners are prepared to handle pet emergencies. Just 20 percent of pet owners have a pet first aid kit in their home, and 54 percent do not have a fire evacuation plan for their pets.

And the survey revealed frequent reporting of dangerous practices that can lead to accidents and injuries. For example, a quarter of pet owners, including 30 percent of dog owners and 22 percent of cat owners, give their pets bones from table scraps, at least sometimes.

Sixty-two percent of dog owners and a third of cat owners let their pets ride in their cars unrestrained, rather than placing them in a special pet carrier. And 11 percent of pet owners sometimes leave their pets unattended in a car or truck.

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See If You Can Find The Lost Chihuahua

2009-10-13T14:07:00.000-07:00

I know a lot of you are dog lovers and will help. Our neighbor has lost her Chihuahua puppy and is desperate to find him.
Yesterday, she was sitting on the couch watching TV and realized he was gone. She called out to him and he never responded.

She then noticed the back door was open. She has been putting up signs everywhere in an effort to have him returned.
Thanks for your help.

Not Chihuahuas, But Cute Nonetheless

2009-10-12T14:04:00.000-07:00

Oscar Lost His First Baby Tooth

2009-10-12T09:58:00.000-07:00

He was chewing on his blanket and then pulled away and continued chewing. I thought he was trying to eat some of the fabric, so I took out what he had in his mouth. I was surprised to find it was one of his teeth. Actually, it was more like two teeth stuck together. They're so small I can't get close enough to get a good picture. Oh btw, he just got his second periodontal shot last week.

Smokey the chihuahua survives fork stuck in his brain

2009-10-09T10:01:00.000-07:00

Chihuahuas often have soft spots in their skulls where the bones didn't grow together, so it's always important to be cautious of head injuries.

Chihuahua called Smokey gets barbecue fork stuck in head

A chihuahua puppy called Smokey survived after spending three days with a barbecue fork stuck in its brain.

X-rays show the three-inch long prongs embedded in the dog's brain after an accident at a garden party in the US.

The 12-week-old puppy was playing at the family party when a fork snapped in half on the grill, flew through the air and stuck into its head.

Before his owners could get to him, he ran into nearby woods.

Luckily two days later its owner Hughie Wagers found Smokey cowering in the undergrowth and immediately rushed to the vet's.

Michelle Duncum, 30, was on duty at the Cumberland Valley Animal Hospital, in London, Kentucky, when Smokey's owner arrived.

She said: "Hughie came in and was trying to describe what was wrong with Smokey, but we couldn't really understand what he meant.

"We thought it must just be a little fork you use to eat or something and didn't have any idea what we were in for.

"Then Hughie told us to wait there and he went and got Smokey, when he brought him in we couldn't believe our eyes."

Dr Keaton Smith, 40, a vet, immediately rushed the impaled pup into the operating theatre and set to work.

He said: "When we got the x-ray up it was clear that this fork was not in the skull cavity, or behind the eye, it was in the brain.

"Smokey had been out in the woods for two days with this in his head and we really didn't know what would happen when we pulled it out, it was 50-50 if he would make it.

"The operation didn't really take any time at all, I just shaved his head and then pulled it out, it was all over in 30 seconds."

Smokey has since made a virtual full recovery although Dr Keaton said he still has some slowness in movement in his right eye.

He said: "His nerve endings around the eye still seem to be a little slow but I think that will heal over time, he really is a little miracle."

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/howaboutthat/5825477/Chihuahua-called-Smokey-gets-barbecue-fork-stuck-in-head.html

Results of Overfeeding a Chihuhua

2009-10-07T10:58:00.000-07:00

It's hard to find the right balance when feeding chihuahuas. In one month he has gone from under 3 pounds to 6 lbs. 5 ounces. Of course this is normal for a growing puppy. My main concern is that he eats leaves and wood chips when out in the yard and then throws them up hours later. Even when I have him on a leash he is very quick to snatch these up without me seeing him. He seems to prefer this to his dog food. I'm not sure how to break him of this habit. When I do catch him with one I take it from his mouth and loudly say NO, then toss it back onto the ground. He seems to not want to heed this command though.

Here is a picture of an obese chihuahua. It's not Oscar, btw!

Image by Wm Jas via Flickr

Making Your Chihuahua Happy

2009-09-26T13:18:00.001-07:00

Image via Wikipedia

Getting Your Chihuhua is easy. Making your new friend happy involves a little more work, but is worth it. Here I will explain how to give your new pet all the love and care they will need to be a happy dog.

The bond between a person and a dog can be extremely strong, especially when been strengthened for many years living together. I have personally cried a few times after losing dogs that had been like a best friends to me through the years.

Dogs can serve many different needs for us. Sometimes people get a dog because they are lonely and need a loyal friend or because they want a watchdog to protect the home. A dog that is well taken care of and given regular attention will even give his life to protect his home and his owner. For the blind, a dog can be a pair of eyes to help them get around and for the police a dog can be an important tool and a loyal partner, with their amazing sense of smell.

The first thing you need to know about taking care of a dog is that they need lots of exercise. This goes for large and small dogs. They should all be let out at least once every 8 hours and given at least a 20 minute walk for some fresh air, exercise and a chance to relieve themselves.

Recreation is also important for the dog on a regular basis. This can mean going to the park and playing fetch, tossing a ball around in the back yard or just wrestling on the ground. Just make sure while ruff housing with a small Chihuahua that you don't accidentally hurt the him. Oscar loves squeeky toys, stuffed animals and tennis balls. You can probably find things around the house to make your pup happy.

Playing with a dog for half an hour a day is not only good for the his physical health, but also dog, but also his mental health. He is much less likely to become a depressed. It can also lower your own blood pressure as well and helps form an unbreakable bond between you and your pooch, which will extend to the rest of your family.

What you feed your Chihuhua is very important to his continued good health. The better dog foods will be marked for what are types they are appropriate for. Since chi's are generally smaller, you want to look for an appropriate bite-size to make it easier for them to consume. Younger dogs need certain vitamins and minerals in larger amounts then an adult dog, and the same goes for an elderly dog as they need more calcium in their food to help protect bones and joints. Feeding your dog the wrong food can stunt his growth and opens them to a larger risk of surgery when they are older.

Just like a person, your pet should be taken to the veterinarian's office every 6 months for health maintenance. It is important that they receive their shots every year. Regular checkups and vaccinations will help your dog grow to be an old and happy.

Making your Chihuahua happy isn't difficult. The main thing is to give them the attention they deserve. If you don't have enough time to do this, then you really shouldn't get one. By giving your dog a regular piece of your day you will find the rewards coming back to you are well worth it.

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Cute Chihuahua

2009-09-14T05:01:00.000-07:00

Image via Wikipedia

How to Train a Dog or Puppy

2009-09-05T20:58:00.000-07:00

By: Robert Jonson

Now I am going about food, when I set out to determine the best dog food available my main focus was always the health, vitality and longevity of my dogs - everyman wants their dogs to thrive. A well trainer has to give to dog or puppy Well Balanced & Nutritious Dog Food Diet. A poor diet leads to an increase in: Cancers, weakened immune system, liver failure, sluggish behavior or hyperactive, putrid gas, diarrhea, dull coat and heavy shedding, epilepsy, vomiting, ear infections, compromised heart and kidneys, stunted growth and weakened bones, bad breath, bowel disease, diabetes, cystitis, cataracts, hypertension, build up in the eyes, arthritis, countless allergies and who knows what else.

An owner has to know what is a crate. The crates basically come in two general styles - durable plastic and an all wire mesh type, which is often collapsible. It's really a personal choice which style of crate you go for but the most important thing is that you buy one that is the appropriate size for your dog. Get a crate that will be large enough for your fully-grown puppy and partition it off until he grows into it. I like the plastic Vari Kennel Crate (the one on the right) style because they are lightweight, tough, can be carted all around the place and they are very easy to clean.

If you plan to purchase your crate online I've always found dog.com to be very good. They have great specials, fast shipping and an enormous range of quality dog crates - click on the crates below to learn more and compare crates. Always take your dog’s collar off when he is put in the crate. Otherwise the collar can get caught on the crate, which can have disastrous consequences. There is some trips how to crate? Ensure that you aren't asking your puppy (or older dog for that matter) to hold off from going to the toilet for longer than she is physically capable.

If your puppy does have a toilet accident inside his crate obviously punishment is not an option, but you should be angry at yourself. Immediately clean up the mess including the use of an odor neutralizer. Be careful when crating your puppy in hot weather. Be especially careful when you have your puppy crated in your car, temperatures can become extreme inside cars and in a very short period of time. Except for overnight and one off occasions you should never crate your dog for more than 4 or 5 hours at a time.

Why have a dog if you have to confine him for such long periods? Perhaps a goldfish would be a more suitable pet? Dogs love their exercise; particularly nice long walks with you. So if you are going to crate your puppy or older dog they will require plenty of exercise and mental stimulation throughout the day. This can also include some obedience training sessions. Never release your puppy from his crate (unless the situation is getting dangerous) if he is causing a fuss by whining, barking or being destructive.

If you give in to these demands you are actually rewarding and therefore reinforcing this undesirable behavior. Don't fall into the trap of only crating your puppy when you are about to leave the house - the crate will begin to be associated with you leaving if this is the case.

Article source: How to Train a Dog or Puppy

About: Robert writes the article on dog training, puppy training Online. For more information visit the site www.traindogshome.com

Chihuahua -- Choosing the Breed of Dog That's Right for You by Anita Funkhouser

2009-09-02T01:17:00.001-07:00

Chihuahua -- Choosing the Breed of Dog That's Right for You by Anita Funkhouser

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Meet Oscar

2009-08-31T15:25:00.000-07:00

This is my puppy, Oscar, born on March 28, 2009. I have never had a chihuahua before and am determined to learn all I can about the breed. Follow along as I raise this little guy. I don't claim to be an expert, but you just might learn something from my experiences.