development

While the mom is giving birth each puppy is examined in order of delivery.

Examination entails looking for signs of distress. ex. skin color, muscle tone,

breathing, dewclaws and anything abnormal. They are weighed and information recorded, color, sex and size and condition at birth. Average weight for a Chihuahua puppy is 3 to 5 ounces, so yes they are tiny and very fragile.

Puppies are examined and weighed twice a day for one week and weight is recorded. They are checked several times a day to ensure that they are able to latch on to mom and are feeding well. Not only are their physical needs being met but their socialization with people has begun, the examination allows me to handle, check and massage them on a daily routine.

Newborn puppies are totally dependent on mom, they only have instinctive reflexes for crawling, nursing and the ability to seek out a heat source. They are unable to control their own body heat for about 3 weeks. This is their most critical period, unable to control their own body temperature, they rely totally on mom and other litter mates along with an added heat source. Drafts and chills can be very detrimental to a puppy during this period. All efforts are made to adjust their environment accordingly, extra heating pads, covering their whelping bed to eliminate drafts and in hot weather keeping them cool. Eyes & ears are not open and their neurological system is extremely underdeveloped.

During the first week the puppies sleep 90%of the time, 10% eating, by the end of the first week they should have doubled their weight. They still need an external heat source to regulate their body heat. Also needed is stimulation from the mother so that they can eliminate themselves, after every feeding she will do this by licking and moving them about.

The second week if all are doing well and gaining accordingly, this week is when I will begin to weigh them only once a day. During the second week the puppies eyes will begin to open usually around 8-10 days old, after their ears open a few days usually around 13-17 days old their ears begin to open. Each puppy is different it can go well into the third week before their eyes and ears are totally open. By no means does this mean that they can hear and see as adults, their neurological development still has a long way to go. Grooming also begins, their nails are checked daily and trimmed when needed, they are extremely sharp and I don't want them scratching up mom.

During the second week the puppies nurse from their mom every 2 to 3 hours.

They begin to move a little more and their cries are a bit louder, their snouts begin to protrude (just a little). Still needing stimulation and warmth from an outside source. Personalities are becoming more developed and evident ,each one having his own individual cries, yelps and likes and dislikes. At this point their environment makes a great deal of difference as to what type of temperament they will be developing. Socializing becomes a must to make a well adjusted puppy who will turn into a well socialized adult.

Daily weight checks are still a part of the routine along with temperature control, by the end of the the third week they begin to have more control of their internal temperatures, so less external control is needed. In the third week they attempt to lift their bellies of the ground and first steps are taken.

This is the cute stage, from this point on they begin to explore, still very limited as to movement, but a healthy puppy will now be climbing over siblings to get to mom.

Socializing is extremely important, I have a regiment that I put them through,

exposure to bright light, and loud sounds, vacuum, dishwasher, music, etc.

even the cries and screams of my granddaughter. All parts of their bodies are touched, tugged, rubbed and massaged in a playful manner ex. massage ears, rub tummies, pull on tails and even hold snouts closed.

During the fifth week I begin to introduce solid food, it is a gruel of dry dog food and some extra vitamins that I put through the food processor. It has the texture of baby cereal. I feed them, by placing some on my finger and letting them lick it off, this is done 1-2 times a day just to familiarize them with the flavor and texture. They are not getting enough to count as a nutritious meal. All their nutrition is still coming from their mom, this is the beginning of teaching them how to eat on their own.

Puppies are now eating every 4-5 hours, sleeping and exploring in between. Weight checks are every other day, but daily exams of the puppies always continue, they are becoming more playful. By the end of the fourth week my children begin to help socialize them, they are getting pretty experienced at it. They get their first deworming at 4 weeks of age (everyone is different this is how I do it)

This is the fourth week, Mom will now begin to leave the puppies for a few hours at a time, she will begin to return to some of her old routine. This is an excellent sign that all is well and puppies are getting enough to eat and they are becoming a little independent from mom. Socializing continues may even take them outside if the weather is nice enough.

By the end of the fifth week I bring them from room to room with me, each room having some different activities ex. boxes to climb in, dozens of balls, pull toys hanging from different spots and tubes to climb on and through. This is the age that things get cute and funny. They play more and do some weird things, but still get tired very easy. After half an hour of running and playing they are ready for a nap. They are so predictable, play, nap, eat, play, nap,eat sorry forgot poop right after eat.

Now, I am still weighing them twice a week, because of the introduction of solid food, monitoring of weight is important at this time, need to be sure that everyone is getting enough. Their food now is thickened and spoon fed four times a day along with plenty of water, by the end of this week they will be eating from a bowl. Mom now gets a break from constantly having to feed them.

Because of the introduction to solid foods occasionally they will need a bath, mom does keep them pretty clean but messes can happen. Introducing chew toys and bones is a good idea at this time. It helps keep them busy between feedings and keeps them from chewing on each other. Second deworming is done around this time, usually done in two week intervals.

The amounts of solid food are monitored very, very closely to ensure that everyone is getting enough, at this point they should be eating about 1/8 of a cup, four times a day. Dry food can be introduced, we use a small tidbit food

made just for the tiny toy breed, by the end of the seventh week they are eating mostly dry food and don't take to the mom at all anymore.

Eight weeks have gone by. They are now eating dry dog food and drinking water from a bowl. They are no longer dependent on their mom and can really get around and fend for themselves. Just by the pictures alone you can see the dramatic change in just a few weeks. They no longer walk, its running everywhere and into everything. Climbing for some has been perfected to an art. No matter how many times I experience a new litter, every time it amazes me over and over again

SOCIALIZATION IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT TO HELP A PUPPY DEVELOP

INTO A WELL ADJUSTED ADULT

PERSONALITY AND TEMPERAMENT IS WHAT MAKES A CHIHUAHUA A GREAT DOG

I HOPE THIS PAGE WAS INFORMATIVE AND HELPFUL TO EVERYONE.

COME BACK FROM TIME TO TIME TO SEE ADDITIONAL INFO ADDED

ANY INFORMATION YOU WOULD LIKE POSTED JUST E-MAIL ME AND I WILL TRY TO CREATE SOMETHING ASAP

CHIHUAHUA PROOF

YOUR HOME

GET DOWN AT PUPPY LEVEL AND LOOK FOR THE DANGEROUS THINGS THAT MAYBE LURKING

PUPPIES LOVE TO CHEW ON ELECTRICAL CORDS AND SOME MAY EVEN TRY TO LICK OUTLETS

COVER OUTLETS AND HIDE CORDS

PUT YOUR PLANTS OUT OF REACH THEY CAN BE TOXIC TO DOGS

BEWARE OF SMALL OBJECTS THAT ARE DROPPED, A PUPPY CAN CHOKE ON

JUST ABOUT ANYTHING, AND BELIEVE

ME HE WILL FIND THINGS THAT YOU HAD

NO IDEA WERE LAYING AROUND

EX. COINS, PIECE OF CANDY, PIECE OF WRAPPING & CELLOPHANE, SMALL TOY PIECES, MARBLES, CIGARETT BUTTS, PIECES OF STRING OR YARN

STAIRS NEED TO BE BLOCKED OFF ESPECIALLY AT FIRST A TUMBLE DOWN A FLIGHT CAN SERIOUSLY INJURE A PUPPY

THE HEIGHT OF ONE STAIR FOR A CHIHUAHUA PUPPY CAN BE LIKE YOU FALLING 5 TO 6 FEET

DOORS ARE A SERIOUS HAZARD

FOR TINY DOGS

A SIMPLE OVERSITE CAN INJURY A CHIHUAHUA PUPPY FOR LIFE OR EVEN CAUSE DEATH

BEAWARE OF HIS PRESENCE WHEN EVER HE IS ROAMING THE HOUSE THEY LOVE TO FOLLOW YOU AND ONE WRONG STEP AND A PUPPY CAN BE SERIOUSLY INJURIED

IF YOU DECIDE TO LITTER BOX TRAIN YOUR PUPPY NOTE THAT THE PUPPY MAY TRY TO EAT THE LITTER

SO BESURE TO BUY PUPPY LITTER THAT IS SAFE AND NON TOXIC

YOU SHOULD BE AWARE OF THE POISONS AROUND AND IN YOUR HOME

THE MOST COMMON ONES THAT FIRST COME TO MIND ARE

HOUSEHOLD CLEANERS, FERTILIZER, RODENT BAIT, CAR FLUIDS ESPECIALLY ANTIFREEZE, PAINTS, PAINT THINNER, NAIL POLISH REMOVER

BUT THEIR ARE MANY THINGS THAT YOU MIGHT NOT BE AWARE OF

CHOCOLATE CAN BE DEADLY TO DOGS ESPECIALLY SMALL DOGS

CIGARETT BUTTS ARE EXTREMELY TOXIC TO PUPPIES AND EVEN CHILDREN

ALCOHOL, EVEN BEER CAN HARM YOUR PUPPY AND MAKE HIM EXTREMELY SICK

MEDICATIONS SHOULD NEVER BE LEFT WHERE A PUPPY CAN REACH THEM

EVEN JUST ONE ASPRIN CAN CAUSE SERIOUS DAMAGE TO A TINY PUPPY

THEN WE HAVE PLANTS

MANY, MANY, MANY PLANTS ARE EXTREMELY TOXIC

HERE IS A SMALL LIST OF THE MOST DEADLY PLANTS

RHODODENDRON

ENGHLISH HOLLY BERRIES

PHILODENDRON

JERUSALEM CHERRY

AZALEAS,FOXGLOVE

WATER HEMLOCK

MILKWEED ,RATTLEBOX

CORN COCKLE, JIMSONWEED

JESSAMINE,OLEANDER

CASTER BEAN

SOME BELIEVE THAT TOY BREEDS ARE HARD TO HOUSETRAIN (NOT TRUE) IT IS THE OWNER THAT IS HARD TO TRAIN

BECAUSE THEY ARE SMALL AND THAT MEANS SMALL MESSES AND ACCIDENTS

OWNERS SEEM TO IGNORE THE MISHAPS AND JUST CLEAN UP THE MESS

THEN AFTER CLEANING IT A FEW HUNDRED TIMES THEY DECIDE TO START TRAINING

WELL IT IS EASIER TO LEARN A NEW BEHAVIOR THAN TO UNLEARN AND OLD ONE

SO FROM DAY ONE BEGIN THE TRAINING

FIRST DECIDE WHAT POTTY AREA AND WHAT POTTY MATERIAL YOU WILL BE USING

PEE PADS, LITTER BOXES OR NEWSPAPER

JUST BECAUSE YOUR PUPPY IS TINY

DOESN'T MEAN HE CAN'T USE AN OUTSIDE POTTY AREA

USE THE SAME PHRASE EVERYTIME YOU

BRING HIM TO HIS POTTY AREA

MAKE IT SIMPLE AND SHORT

EX. LET'S GO POTTY, GO POTTY

FOR THE FIRST FEW DAYS BRING YOUR PUPPY TO THE DESIGNATED AREA EVERY TWO HOURS

REFRAIN FROM PLAYIING WITH HIM DURING THIS TIME AND LEAVE HIM THEIR UNTIL HE HAS RELIEVED HIMSELF

20 TO 30 MINUTES AFTER EATING FOLLOW THE SAME INSTRUTIONS ABOVE

FIRST THING IN THE MORNING BRING HIM DIRECTLY TO HIS POTTY AREA

NO PLAYING OR LOVING UNTIL HE HAS RELIEVED HIMSELF

BY THE THIRD OR FOURTH DAY YOU WILL HAVE GOTTEN A FEEL AS TO WHAT EXACTLY HIS ROUTINE IS FOR NEEDING TO POTTY

YOU WILL SEE A PATTERN AND YOU WILL ALSO NOTICE THE BEHAVIOR HE EXIBITS WHEN HE NEEDS TO GO

FEED YOUR PUPPY ON A SCHEDULE AND REMOVE THE DISHES OF FOOD AND WATER

THIS WILL HELP HIM GET ON A SCHEDULE

AND WILL MAKE TRAINING EASIER

BE CONSISTENT AND IT WILL TAKE NO TIME FOR HIM TO BE TOTALLY HOUSEBROKEN

SCOLDING AFTER THE FACT IS A WASTELESS OF TIME AND ENERGY

HE HAS NO CONCEPT AS TO WHAT YOU ARE UPSET ABOUT

CHIHUAHUAS ARE EXTREMELY INTELLIGENT ANIMALS SO TRAINING SHOULD NOT BE A CHORE IT SHOULD BE AN ENJOYABLE EXPERIENCE FOR YOU AND YOUR PUPPY

YOUR CAN USE A FAVORITE TREAT TO HELP ACCOMPLISH THIS

REWARD HIM ONLY AFTER HE HAS SUCCESSFULLY FOLLOWED YOUR COMMAND

THE FIRST THING TO REMEMBER IS YOU NEED TO GET HIS ATTENTION

DO THIS BY CALLING HIS NAME BEFORE EVERY COMMAND

THE FIRST COMMAND SHOULD BE SIT

WHILE TEACHING HIM THE VERBAL COMMAND ALSO USE HAND SIGNALS

YOU WILL FIND THAT WHEN TAUGHT TOGETHER IT IS MUCH EASIER THAN TRYING TO TEACH HIM HAND SIGNALS LATER ON

AFTER SIT HAS BEEN MASTERED TEACH HIM TO STAY

SIT AND STAY GO HAND IN HAND

COMMAND HIM TO SIT AND THEN TEACH TO STAY AGAIN REMEMBER TO USE HIS NAME FIRST THEN THE COMMAND

IF YOU AND YOUR PUPPY HAVE MASTERED THESE TWO COMMANDS THEN YOU ARE WELL ON YOUR WAY TO TEACH HIM MANY MANY MORE COMMANDS

JUST REMEMBER ALWAYS TO USE THE SAME COMMAND WITH THE SAME SIGNAL

SOME OF THE MOST COMMON COMMANDS

USED ARE

SIT

STAY

LAY

COME

DOWN

HEEL

FETCH

DANCE

QUIET

NO IS THE ONLY COMMAND USED FOR MORE THAN ONE PURPOSE

ITS MAIN USE IS TO STOP YOUR DOG FROM DOING SOMETHING NEGATIVE

EX. CHEWING ON SHOES, KNOCKING OVER THE TRASH ETC.

SO USE A VERY AFFIRMATIVE TONE TO SHOW DISAPPOINTMENT

WHEN TAKING HOME A SMALL DOG YOU ARE ALSO TAKING ON A LARGE FEEDING RESPONSIBILITY.

CHIHUAHUA LOVERS TEND TO OVER FEED THEIR PUPPIES, AND WITH A SMALL DOG IT DOESN'T TAKE MUCH TO DO SO.

A FEW BITES OF FRIES AND A FEW LICKS OF YOUR ICE CREAM CAN FILL HIM UP.

WITHOUT HAVING ANY OF THE GOOD NUTRITION THAT A PUPPY NEEDS.

ALSO AT THE SAME TIME YOU ARE

CREATING POOR EATTING HABITS.

SO, PLEASE REFRAIN FROM FEEDING YOUR PUPPY HUMAN FOOD.

YOUR PUPPY HAS BEEN ON A NUTRITIOUS DIET FOR SEVERAL WEEKS NOW.

HE HAS BEEN EATING WELL AND GAINING APPROPRIATELY.

HIS DIET CONSISTED OF PEDIGREE DRY PUPPY FOOD, IAMS DRY AND EUKANUBA

DRY ALL THREE MIXED TOGETHER IN EQUAL PORTIONS.

THE REASON FOR THIS IS SO THAT IF YOU DECIDE TO CHANGE, OR HAVE A PREFFERENCE YOU CAN DO SO MUCH EASIER.

CHANGES NEED TO BE MADE GRADUALLY OR YOU COULD UPSET THE PUPPIES GASTRO INTESTINAL SYSTEM AND THE END RESULT WOULD BE A PUPPY WITH DIARHHEA.

DIARHHEA IN A TINY PUPPY CAN LEAD TO SEVERE ILLNESS AND AT TIMES DEATH.

SO BE EXTREMELY CAREFUL.

SO IF YOU CHANGE HIS FOOD DO IT BY MIXING THE FOOD HE IS ON, WITH THE FOOD YOU WANT TO CHANGE TO, IN A RATIO OF HALF AND HALF OR EVEN LESS, EVENTUALLY SWITCHING OVER 100 % TO THE FOOD OF YOUR CHOICE

NEVER EVER GIVE YOUR PUPPY MILK

A PUPPY SHOULD BE FED 3 TIMES A DAY

AND GIVEN ACCESS TO WATER AT ALL TIMES EXPECIALLY DURING WARM WEATHER.

THIS CAN MAKE TRAINING A LITTLE DIFFICULT BUT YOU NEED TO KEEP HIM WELL HYDRATED.

DURING HOURS THAT YOU ARE HOME WITH YOUR PUPPY FEED AND WATER HIM ON A SCHEDULE, AND IMMEDIATELY TAKE HIM TO HIS POTTY AREA

KEEP TO A SCHEDULE

EVERYTHING SEEMS TO GO MUCH SMOOTHER WHEN YOUR PUPPY KNOWS WHAT AND WHEN THINGS ARE EXPECTED

OF HIM

FIND A TREAT THAT YOUR PUPPY REALLY LOVES AND SAVE THAT ONE

TO HELP IN HIS TRAINING PROCESS.

TREATS COME IN A HUGE VARIETY OF FLAVORS BUT YOU WILL ONLY FIND A FEW THAT ARE THE APPROPRIATE SIZE FOR A TINY CHIHUHUA PUPPY.

YOU MUST ALSO CALCULATE HIS TREATS INTO HIS CALORIC INTAKE TO ENSURE THAT HE WILL NOT BECOME OVERWEIGHT

ONE TREAT CAN EASILLY TAKE THE PLACE OF A MEAL WITH A TINY PUPPY

SO THINK SMALL

TREATS THAT I BUY AND USE

MILKBONE DOG BISCUITS

FOR SMALL BREEDS

ZUKE'S JERKY NATURALS

LAMB & RICE

OL'ROY BACON STRIPS

OL'ROY T-BONES

RAW HIDES AND PIGS EARS

MAKE GREAT THINGS FOR A PUPPY TO

CHEW ON

THEIR IS A LARGE VARIETY OF ITEMS THAT FALL INTO THIS CATOGORY

WHAT I LOOK FOR WHEN BUYING CHEWIES

IS ITEMS THAT ALL NATURAL

AND SIZED FOR THE LITTLE DOG

CHEWIES THAT I BUY AND USE

NYLABONE

RANCH REWARDS

DINGO

PIG EARS ANY BRAND

CHEWIES AND RAWHIDES

AND HARD CRUNCHIE DOG BISCUITS

HELP TO REMOVE TARTAR FROM

YOUR DOGS TEETH

NEVER

GIVE YOUR DOG A STEAK, CHICKEN

OR PORK BONE

ANIMAL BONES CAN SPLINTER

AND PUNCTURE YOUR DOGS

STOMACH AND INTESTINES

CAUTION

WHETHER YOUR HAVE A

SHORT OR LONG COAT CHIHUAHUA

YOU WILL NEED TO HAVE A SCHEDULE

FOR GROOMING

AVERAGING EITHER ONCE OR TWICE A WEEK

GROOMING SHOULD BE A RELAXING

AND BONDING TIME FOR YOU AND YOUR PUPPY

MY FAVORITE TYPE OF BRUSH TO USE

IS A NATURAL BRISLTE BRUSH

IT HELPS DISTRIBUTE THE OILS IN YOUR PUPPIES COAT AND DOES AN ADEQUATE JOB OF REMOVING DEAD HAIR

AS FOR FLEA COMBS I HAVE NEVER

OWNED OR USED ONE

I TAKE MONTHLY PREVENTIVE MEASURES

TO ELIMINATE THIS PROBLEM

USING A FLEA TREATMENT ONCE A MONTH

SHOULD KEEP YOUR HOME AND PUPPY FREE FROM FLEAS AND TICKS

CHECK WITH YOUR VET AS TO WHEN YOU CAN START USING FLEA MEDICATION

LONG COATS REQUIRE A LITTLE MORE BRUSHING ESPECIALLY IN AREAS THAT ARE PRONE TO MATTING

BEHIND THE EARS AND BEHIND THE ELBOWS

CHIHUAHUAS RARELY NEED BATHING

BUT IF YOU FIND THE NEED TO DO SO

DON'T DO IT MORE THAN ONCE A MONTH

ALWAYS USE A DOG SHAMPOO

DOG SKIN HAS A PH OF 7.5

AND A HUMANS PH IS 5.5

YOU CAN IRRITATE THEIR SKIN EASILY

BY USING ANYTHING OTHER THAN A DOG SHAMPOO

PRECAUTIONS TO TAKE

WHEN BATHING YOUR PUPPY

USE WARM WATER

PLACE COTTON BALLS IN EARS

WATER IN EARS CAN CAUSE INFECTIONS

PLACE SOME VASELINE AROUND YOUR DOGS EYES

THIS WILL HELP KEEP THEM FROM

GETTING IRRITATED

RINSE YOUR PUPPY OR DOG WELL

YOUR CAN CHOOSE TO TOWEL OR

BLOW DRY YOUR PUPPY

JUST KEEP HIM IN A WARM PLACE

FREE OF DRAFTS

UNTIL FULLY DRIED

THIS IS SOMETHING YOU MUST BE COMFORTABLE DOING

YOUR DOG WILL PICK UP ON YOUR ANXIETY AND FEARS AND MOST LIKELY WILL NOT BE COOPERATIVE IF HE SENSES THIS FEAR

IT ISN'T A HARD TASK TO DO AT ALL

YOU CAN ALSO ASK YOUR VET OR THE BREEDER THAT YOU GOT YOUR PUPPY FROM TO TEACH YOU

YOU WILL NEED TO TAKE YOUR PUPPY BACK TO THE VET FOR AT LEAST TWO MORE VISITS DURING THIS TIME HE CAN TEACH YOU HOW TO TRIM YOUR PUPPIES NAILS

MOST VETERINARIANS TRIM NAILS FOR FREE DURING A ROUTINE VISIT

FOR A TINY CHIHUAHUA PUPPY ALL THAT IS NEEDED IS A REGULAR HUMANS NAIL CLIPPER I USE THIS TYPE UNTIL A PUPPY IS ABOUT 5 TO 6 MONTHS OLD

WHEN OLDER I USE A NAIL CLIPPER DESIGNED FOR THE SMALL DOG BREED

THEIR ARE DIFFFERENT STYLES

ONE STYLE IS THE GUILLOTINE

WHICH I DONT PARTICULARY CARE FOR

THE OTHER STYLE IS THE PLIER TYPE

THIS TYPE IS THE ONE I PREFER TO USE

IF YOU CHOOSE TO DO YOUR OWN DOGS NAILS ALWAYS HAVE STYPTIC POWDER ON HAND IT WORKS GREAT

FOR NAILS AND SMALL NICKS AND CUTS

EAR CARE TIPS

WHEN GROOMING YOUR PUPPY OR DOG

ALWAYS CHECK THE EARS FOR ANY SIGN OF EAR MITES

EAR MITES LOOK LIKE A TAN TO BROWN SUBSTANCE

USUALLY NOT ASSOCIATED WITH AN ODOR

EAR INFECTIONS APPEAR AS A WAXY SUBSTANCE WITH A FOWL ODOR

THE ODOR CAN BE SLIGHT OR EXTREMELY OVERWHELMING

THIS WILL REQUIRE VETERNARIAN CARE

EYE CARE TIPS

STAINS AROUND YOUR PUPPIES EYES

IF YOU HAVE A LIGHT COLOR PUPPY IT WILL BE ALOT MORE NOTICABLE

STAINS ARE CAUSED BY DISCHARGE FROM YOUR PUPPIES EYES

CHIHUAHUAS HAVING BIG EYES WHICH

TEND TO COLLECT DUST AND PARTICULES

WHICH WILL CAUSE IRRITATION

FOLLOWED BY WATERING AND THEN LEAKAGE

THIS IS A NORMAL PROCESS AND YOUR PUPPY SHOULD HAVE NO PROBLEMS

JUST USE AN EYE WASH OCCASIONALLY TO WASH AWAY STAINS

LIKE EVERYTHING ELSE IF YOU ARE SERIOUSLY CONCERNED CONSULT YOUR VETERINARIAN