After you have decide on the price for you would like to spend on your new dog, investigate the situation to see if you have found a quality Chihuahua breeder.
Choosing a quality Chihuahua breeder is valuable for selecting your new Chihuahua, but this will ensure the dog is coming for a pedigree line that is traceable back to its parents.
When looking for a quality breeder, one option that I found to be helpful was to contact the local dog society. They were able to provide a list of quality Chihuahua breeders in which I could choose from.
Therefore, it is possible to receive a dog of high pedigree, without the complications of dealing with a terrible breeder.

While playing with the puppy at the dog park today I was approached by members of the local Chihuahua Rescue/Adoption organization. They wanted to know if I would consider becoming a foster parent to rescued Chihuahua dogs.
I explained that I wasn't familiar with the fostering or rescue activities surrounding dogs and that I couldn't imagine anyone every giving up a Chihuahua dog. The lady then explained that because Chihuahuas are such a popular breed there are often more Chihuahuas than other breeds needing placement into foster or adoption situations.
The purpose of the rescue organization is to find placements for animals that may have been given up by their owners, were sent to a shelter or stray dogs whose owners can't be found.
I told Tami that I don't feel that I am in a position to give that much time and commitment to another dog right now. This little puppy takes all the spare energy I have. I did mention I may look at volunteering in other ways though.

While visiting friends in the country, my dog decided to chase a skunk and got sprayed! My friend told me that bathing him in tomato juice wouldn't work but that she knew a recipe that would.
She mixed up a concoction of baking soda, hydrogen peroxide and liquid detergent and used it to bathe the dogs.
We held my Chihuahua still while letting the mixture soak into his fur for about five minutes. Then we rinsed him off with water and repeated the process another time just to get any residual odor out.
Following the second bath, I looked at my Chihuahua and saw that his fur was lighter in color. Apparently, the solution not only neutralizes skunk odor but also bleaches the fur slightly.

The Chihuahua breeders were great when we picked up my little curious bundle of joy. They had so many things to tell us.
The breeders told us that in order to get him acquainted to where he would be going to the bathroom, it was important that we took him to that area of the yard first even before taking him into the house to look around.
I did it. We spent a few minutes there and then what did he do? He peed! I was so excited and proud. I gave him tons of praise then we went into the house.
Next time I took him out, it was back to the same spot and another successful stop. Yep. The Outhouse has been established.

I tried to take a toy away from my Chihuahua and he astonished me by growling in protest.
As shocked as I was by this outward display of aggression, I knew I had to take control of the situation. Silently, I grabbed him by the collar and immediately led him to his timeout area.
I was firm and decisive in my actions and by leaving him alone for a few minutes, he had time to absorb the consequences of his actions.
I left him alone for about ten minutes and then invited him back into my space. As long as he behaved, I wouldn't need to repeat the process.

When Mike first discussed the possibility of adding a puppy to our family, I asked him what he had in mind. His reply was, A lab. When I pushed him about what type he wanted, it became clear that he didn't know what choices were available to him at all. I told Mike that before we made such a big commitment he should do some homework about the breed. After all, there are some things to consider before buying a Chihuahua puppy.
There are two types of Chihuahuas to consider and they are quite difference in appearance. The American bred Chihuahua is usually tall and lanky. The English bred it stockier, blockier and quite a bit thicker.
In addition, you should consider what color choice you may wish to purchase. Chihuahua dogs come in solid black, yellow, or chocolate.
Regardless of the options that you mix and match to find your perfect family addition, the result is almost assuredly a pet that is loving and eagertoplease, just like my own new little baby.

I have been carefully observing the different dog owners at the park and the way they use commands and gestures to train their dogs. I am hoping to incorporate some of what I have learned into my own Chihuahua training system for the puppy.
Some of the people and trainers I have seen, both in person and on various videos I have watched, just don't really seem to communicate with the pets. It is too much about control and I just don't like that.
It seems to me that this little puppy isn't all that much different than if I would have had a child instead. It takes time, proper care, training, education, and patience in order to mold its behaviors into a disciplined member of the family.
It has to be fun or neither of us will want to participate. We will start with one thing at a time, and I have a new special treat recipe to bake up that will be strictly for training rewards.

Cleaning carpets would be a lot more work than linoleum, so I knew the best living space for my Chihuahua puppy would be the kitchen.
The crate looked cold and empty in the corner, so I added a blanket and tossed some toys and treats inside to make it more inviting.
I set up a baby gate across the kitchen doorway so that my Chihuahua puppy would always be kept safe and to protect the rest of my home from any chewing or other mishaps. After finding a good spot for his food dishes, I put out a few more toys for him to amuse himself.
To make sure that there weren't any hidden dangers for my Chihuahua puppy, I got down on my hands and knees. From this vantage point I could see whatever my new puppy would likely see in his living space.

The first place I showed my puppy when he arrived home was his crate. I had previously made it warm and inviting by putting a blanket, some toys and a few treats inside.
My little Chihuahua went inside to eat his treats and check things out. During the day, I left the door to the crate open so that he could retreat inside whenever he wanted to.
Every night, I took my Chihuahua puppy out to pee and then tucked him into his kennel for the night. I left him alone, but did check on him if I found he sounded panicky or like he needed to go pee.
After the first three nights, I was starting to have my doubts about the whole cratetraining thing. Soon though, he spent longer periods asleep then he did whining and before I knew ithe was sleeping through the night!

Every three hours it is a matter of stopping what we are doing and heading outside. Why? Because at eight weeks that is just about the maximum time the little baby can hold his water.
So, I take him out three times during the night which is about every three to three and a half hours, then first thing in the morning while the coffee is brewing, and again after I feed him. During the day it is more as needed but usually about every three hours then too.
If my baby sleeps during the day which of course he does because he's growing so much! I run him outside the minute he wakes up. After dinner it's right out to potty and then again just before bedtime.
So goes the Chihuahua potty training. Ten trips or so outside a day, every day, which is fine I guess. I'm not too crazy about the seasons getting ready to change and the snow maybe falling, but maybe I'll be able to get Mike to go out then.