You’ve bought the ideal puppy, or you’ve adopted the ideal adult Chi, and you’re ready to bring her home. Congratulations!Now is the moment to ensure that you get off on the proper foot and paw.
That includes organising an appointment with your veterinarian ahead of time, enrolling in a puppy or novice training class, and purchasing all of the equipment you’ll need for the travel home as well as the next days, nights, and weeks.
Planning ahead.
In the excitement of taking home a new puppy, many owners overlook certain critical details. In general, pups and rescued adults do not arrive with collars, leashes, or crates to travel home in.
Because new purchasers commonly forget to make these purchases, some breeders may keep a supply of these goods on hand for you to purchase for your Chihuahua. Do not, however, plan on this. The more you can prepare ahead of time, the less stressful your first twenty-four hours with your new Chi will be, and the more time you will have to bond with your Chihuahua.
It is also advisable to schedule numerous important appointments before bringing your new Chihuahua home. Depending on your Chihuahua’s age, background, and from whom you are purchasing or adopting her, you may need to schedule multiple consultations with professionals, or possibly only a few.
If you’re picking up your Chihuahua at the airport, make sure you know which aircraft she’s on and where you’ll be claiming her. Extreme weather conditions, as well as the presence of hazardous cargo, may prevent a dog from shipping on any given day. Yourbreeder should contact you once he has confirmed that the Chi is on the designated aircraft.
Appointments to Make
Depending on whether you’re bringing your Chihuahua home from a reputable breeder or a poorly financed municipal shelter, you may have a few or a lot of appointments to schedule for your pup or dog. A excellent breeder, a decent rescue, and a devoted shelter will all produce a clean, healthy Chihuahua ready to begin a new life. In this scenario, the only appointment you’ll need to make is with your veterinarian for a basic health checkup, which you should schedule as soon as you get your Chihuahua.
First stop: The Vet. There are two requirements for timeliness in booking this appointment. First, young puppies, in particular, are renowned for succumbing fast to illness; they just lack the disease resistance and strength of a healthy, larger adult dog. In other words, a puppy may appear slightly off one minute and then become critically ill within 24 hours.
In addition to guaranteeing your puppy’s good health, your veterinarian should be able to explain the early warning symptoms of an emergency (such as vomiting, diarrhoea, or listlessness). You should also know where you will need to go if your Chi falls ill after clinic hours and be familiar enough with the route to get there quickly after dark.
During this initial wellness checkup, your veterinarian will look for symptoms of sickness. He will check for indicators of pre-existing medical issues, such as heart disease or blindness, as well as infectious infections. In particular, your veterinarian will look for indications of parvovirus and canine hepatitis, which is typically fatal to newborn puppies.
When you take your Chi to the doctor, bring her vaccine and worming records (provided by the breeder) so that she does not need any further vaccinations. If your Chi comes from a shelter or pound, these data might not be available. Your veterinarian will also need to be aware of this when planning your dog’s future health care.
The second reason for making the veterinary appointment on the first day, if feasible, is that many breeders’ health warranties only apply if the dog or puppy is evaluated within a specific time frame. Typically, this time period ranges from 24 to 72 hours. This implies you could have as little as one day to have your Chi checked for diseases and ailments.
If your new Chihuahua is ill during the examination, your veterinarian must produce proof that the dog was sick in order for you to return or swap the puppy, depending on the terms of your contract. Be aware that most contracts do not promise to pay for the puppy’s veterinary fees if you attempt to preserve it, which is what most puppy owners choose to do once they have become attached to their new canine.
If your Chihuahua becomes unwell outside of the breeder’s timeframe, as specified in the contract, it is typically thought that you exposed the Chi to a contagious condition. In that instance, the breeder is not obligated to refund your money or offer to switch the puppy for a healthy one. Breeders’ contracts vary in terms of their responsibility if your Chi develops a hereditary condition, such as canine hip dysplasia or epilepsy.
Second Stop: Grooming Shop. If you adopt a Chihuahua from a shelter or an animal control facility, you will most likely need to schedule an appointment with a professional. Before taking your Chi home, take it to a groomer. Many adoption facilities lack the funds to treat all stray animals and owner surrenders for ticks, fleas, and mites. If at all possible, you should avoid bringing these pests into your home.
When scheduling an appointment with a groomer, be sure to inform him that, to the best of your knowledge, the Chihuahua you are bringing in has never been properly groomed. This alerts the groomer to proceed slowly and softly with the dog and, if required, use a muzzle to guarantee the groomer’s safety.
In addition to removing all pests from your Chi’s skin and coat, make plans to have your Chihuahua bathed, dried, and trimmed as needed. Long coats may necessitate more work since some of the denser, finer coats might mat and tangle. In extreme situations of prior neglect, some of the coat may need to be shaved, but trust your groomer. He’ll try to avoid something drastic if feasible.
Don’t forget to clip your Chi’s toenails. It’s one less thing to worry about during your Chihuahua’s first few weeks at home. Furthermore, if your Chi is an adult, trimming toenails may not be on her agenda (at the moment), and delegating this potentially sensitive task to a professional can save you and your dog a lot of anxiety.
Some groomers are apprehensive to work on unknown dogs that could be unwell or easily scared. Respect your groomer’s position and see if he will take your Chi after she has been vet checked. If this is still unacceptable, contact other grooming establishments to locate someone ready to work with you and your dog.
Class Reservations
Many owners of toy breeds overlook the need of enrolling in a puppy or basic obedience class. It is a prevalent fallacy that small dogs are flawless by nature and do not require training or socialisation. Here’s a news flash: Nothing could be further from the truth.
Chihuahuas are dogs. As a result, the Chi will exhibit natural dog behaviours such as jumping up, barking, chewing, snapping, or biting. The Chihuahua also exhibits many terrier-like characteristics, including what some affectionately refer to as “selective hearing.” (“If I don’t make eye contact with him, I can pretend I didn’t hear him call me.”).
The Chihuahua does not need to become an obedience champion (although that would be wonderful), but she does need to learn basic house manners, which you must learn how to teach her.
Signing up for a training class may not be straightforward. Certain seasons of the year tend to be busier. For example, the months of March and April are frequently crowded with rambunctious Christmas puppies.
You should begin training your Chi as soon as your veterinarian determines that it is safe to introduce your vaccinated puppy or adult dog to possibly contagious canines. If you haven’t previously secured a position in a class, you could have to wait weeks or even months for an opening.
Training programs help with more than just manners. They also offer fantastic possibilities for socialisation between dogs and with nice, competent dog handlers. For the timid or really shy Chi, continued training in this loving environment helps to overcome phobias.
Explore the various trainers and training facilities that available available in your community, and sign up in advance. It may take some time to find someone you wish to work with, who is within driving distance, who has an opening in an upcoming class. Do not procrastinate.
Breeder Assistance
Your puppy’s breeder can provide essential support in taking your Chi home. He can help you choose the food and supplies you’ll need before your Chi arrives. Here are a few things you should know:
What size of collar does the Chihuahua wear?
What was her exact weight at the time of pickup (so you can continue to ensure she is healthy)?
What is she eating, and how much?What about her feeding schedule?
Does she have a susceptibility to hypoglycemia? If so, what products should you keep on hand for her in case she has an episode?
Which type of bedding does she prefer?
Is she used to sleeping on a warm blanket?
How is she housetrained? If she uses a litter box, what brand of dog litter is she accustomed to?
Can you send a hand towel to the breeder for the puppy’s mother to sleep on so the pup has something familiar and comfortable to sleep on during her first few evenings alone?
Does the dog prefer a den-like, solid plastic box or a wire mesh crate?
What size carrier will allow the dog to travel comfortably?
As you can see, at the very least, you will need to purchase the Chi’s food ahead of time. You may also need to drop off or ship a hand towel to the breeder several days in advance, as well as purchase specialised bedding and litter. The last thing you want is to be forced to go out late at night and try to find something. You have forgotten.
The journey home
Whether you’re driving a small distance home with your new Chihuahua or doing a cross-country road trip, you’ll want to be prepared for anything. Be mindful that this may be your Chi’s first trip in a car. She may be apprehensive, anxious, or have motion sickness.
Translated? Your tiny Chi could go from Ms. Personality to a shaky, drooling mess that is vomiting and suffering from a terrible bout of intestinal trouble. And that’s only while the automobile is going.
When you stop at a rest stop to clean up, you may encounter a disturbed Chihuahua that bolts from the car and does not know you well enough to respond when called. In other words, a brief to modest journey could turn into a disaster.
Unless, of course, you’re ready. For the voyage home, carry a suitable collar and leash, a safe mode of transportation for your new Chihuahua, food and water, cleanup tools, emergency supplies for a puppy prone to hypoglycemia, and holistic aids to reduce your Chihuahua’s travel anxiety.
If you make advance bookings with the airline, your Chihuahua puppy can ride in her carrier in the cabin under the seat in front of you. See Chapter 20 for further useful pre-flight information.
Collar
You’ll need a flat-buckle collar for your puppy or adult Chihuahua, but determining the proper size will be tricky unless you know the Chi’s neck measurement.
If you can’t acquire this measurement, consider purchasing an extra-small collar, one that adjusts from six to eight inches, or Even smaller if you’re picking up a tiny puppy.
If your Chihuahua is huge (more than six pounds), you may require a collar that is 10 inches or longer. Again, try to figure out what size to get before picking up your Chi, or buy a few different sizes and return the ones that don’t fit.
Harnesses are ideal for Chihuahuas. These body collars keep a Chihuahua’s fragile neck from being tugged accidently, and because the Chihuahua is a small dog, you won’t have to worry about being taken for a drag as you would with a larger breed. To correctly fit a harness, you must test many types on your dog until you locate the one that fits best.
Avoid buying or using a collar that is overly large. Chis are good at backing out of their collars. If the collar is not tied tightly enough (snug but not constraining), and your Chihuahua baulks or becomes afraid, she can pull hard enough on the leash to completely remove the loose-fitting collar.
Now you have a collarless Chi loose in an unfamiliar environment with someone she does not know well enough to trust to come when called.
Leash
Initially, you’ll only need a thin (3/8-inch) four- to six-foot leash with the lightest, smallest clip available. The last thing you want is a heavy, thick leash with a Chi-sized clip whacking the poor fellow on the jaw. It’s also a good idea to avoid using retractable leashes at first.
You’ll want your Chi to acquire good leash etiquette before allowing her to wander in and out with little control. She can get into trouble quickly this way, and once she’s out on the line, there’s no way to bring her back in except by yanking the leash line with your hands. This is not only inconvenient, but the line can also cause bruises and burns on your hands.
How do I determine whether a carrier will fit my Chihuahua?
The carrier should be large enough to allow the Chihuahua to stand, turn, and lie down comfortably. Most puppies should fit comfortably in an extra-small or small carrier. Adults who weigh more than ten pounds may find it more comfortable in an amedium crate.
Crate/Carrier
Many folks believe that their new Chihuahuas would sleep soundly in their laps while they travel home. In theory, this may occur. In truth, the exact reverse will happen. A toy-breed dog running loose in an automobile is equally as dangerous, if not more so, than a larger type.
Chihuahuas, because to their size, can readily wedge themselves into positions that make safe driving impossible, such as beneath the gas, stop, or clutch pedals.
Small dogs have been known to stand on the electric window button, then roll down the window and fall out. If nothing else, the dog hopping from seat to seat can be a major distraction for a driver.
Furthermore, a terrified dog may react aggressively. A startled Chihuahua may retaliate by biting you as you drive.
Rescued adult dogs who have never travelled in a vehicle before are truly unknowns, and they may react to fear in a variety of ways. A carefully contained Chi may make a lot of noise in her carrier or become unwell; nevertheless, she will be less of a distraction and will not be able to severely damage the interior of your car on the way home.
Allow your Chi plenty of time to adjust to her new surroundings and explore her new home.
When it comes to travel crates, the cheapest alternative is a two-piece rigid plastic carrier. Though it is somewhat heavy to transport, it is lightweight and simple to disassemble and clean. Another alternative is a wirecrate.
These are ideal for Chis who enjoy being able to view everything around them. If you intend to fly with your Chi, this style of crate is not authorised.
A soft-sided carrier (many of which are suitable for air travel) that can be comfortably carried over the shoulder when out and about and then belted into the back seat of your car while driving is a popular option for travelling with a Chi. Soft-sided carriers can range from utilitarian and low-cost to ultra-chic with super-luxurious fabrics and leathers and high prices.
Food & Water
If you are travelling any distance, make sure to include at least one more day’s worth of water and food than you think you would need. —Just in case. The only thing worse than attempting to find a speciality dog food before the pet-supply stores close is being trapped out of town in an unexpected region looking for one.
Some dogs are quite sensitive to changes in water, so it is typically best to buy distilled or bottled water to avoid intestinal upset. Some breeders like to fill plastic bottles with their own tapwater for you to bring with you on your journey. That’s fine too.
Even if your trip home is short, you should provide enough water for your puppy or adult. A dog that is very agitated or anxious can quickly become dehydrated. Also, bring a container into which to pour the Chi’s drinking water.
A tiny bowl will enough for this, but if you like, you may purchase a small collapsable cloth water bowl to keep in the car on a permanent basis.
Cleanup Materials
Whether you’re travelling a long or short trip, your puppy or dog will drool, pant, shed, throw up, eliminate, or urinate (this is another reason you should transport your puppy or dog in a carrier or crate in the car). Unless the Chi is an experienced traveler, the first trip in an unfamiliar automobile with strange people can be extremely distressing.
In preparation for a difficult trip or just typical canine desires, line your Chi’s carrier or crate with a thick layer of newspapers or multiplepee pads so that you can simply remove sheets as needed. In addition, you will want to bring the following supplies:
Paper towelsPlastic bags
Water (to clean filthy paws) Hand towels
Spray disinfectant cleanerHand wipes (for you). Many experienced dog owners who frequently travel with their pets, keep Always keep a cleanup kit in their vehicles. It’s pretty much the norm that the only time you forget to bring one of these goods is when you really need it.
Travel Aids
Not all Chis are great travellers. In fact, even puppies and dogs who will become excellent travel companions after a few vehicle rides are frequently nervous on their first trip.
It could be something other than the car’s motion. Remember that you are suddenly throwing a whole set of new variables at your little Chihuahua: you are new, the car is different, the carrier is strange to her, the smells are completely foreign, and she is leaving the family she has known her entire life (if she is a puppy) or the one person who has treated her kindly (if she is a rescue dog).
Many dog owners have reported success with the holistic flower essence Rescue Remedy, which is a very pure combination of five distinct flower essences or tinctures. Rescue Remedy can be applied on Chi’s gums or mixed with her drinking water.
Do not ask your veterinarian for any tranquillizers to help your Chi relax for the trip. To ensure your dog’s safety, your veterinarian will not write this prescription. Except in severe situations, tranquillizers have been demonstrated to pose a greater risk to the dog than any stress caused by the journey (even if it is brief).
Another product with promising outcomes is dog-appeasing pheromone, or DAP. This synthetic hormone resembles that of a nursing female dog. Puppies and adults both recognise the subtle odour and find it relaxing. DAP can be purchased as an automatic aerosol dispenser, or you can squirt it into your Chihuahua’s container or bedding.
Supplies for the First Night:
If you’ve prepared well for the travel home, you’ll have the majority of the items needed for the puppy’s or adult’s first night at home. In addition to the necessities of food, water, a comfy place to sleep (the carrier or kennel), cleaning supplies, and a way to walk your Chi (collar and leash), you should think of a few extra creature comforts for your new pup. These items may contain any or all of the following:
A favourite toy.
A “busy” toy or one that occupies the Chihuahua to keep her mind off her loneliness, such as a rubber ball that can be stuffed with small treats.
The scented towel or other item you were able to obtain from the breeder.
A dog-proof warming blanket or a hot-water bottle can keep a puppy warm and comfortable.
The most crucial things you can provide, however, are likely to be available as soon as you see your new dog: a little patience and a lot of love.
First Year Supplies and Expenses
How much will caring for and maintaining your new Chihuahua cost in the first year? Despite the popular belief that little dogs are less expensive than larger breeds (primarily in terms of food expenditures), toy breeds, particularly Chis, can be rather expensive to feed and care for.
Veterinary Care
Most Chi owners’ main expense is veterinary care. If your Chihuahua is a puppy, you can anticipate to spend around $500 in the first year. This will cover normal veterinary exams, a full series of immunisations, preventive treatment (including a heartworm prevention program), and a spay or neuter.
Training
Training lessons are another significant first-year investment that remains constant regardless of the size of the dog. A six-week program can cost anywhere from $40 to more than $100, depending on your location and the trainer.
If you truly want a well-trained and socialised Chi that you can take anyplace, you’ll need to invest at least a year of training. As you can see, this can rapidly add up to more than $500—but it is an outlay that will pay off for the rest of your Chihuahua’s life.
If your Chi is not in good health, as is the case with many Chihuahuas, your veterinarian costs could total thousands of dollars. For this reason alone, it is always prudent to set aside at least $500 in reserve for unforeseen veterinarian expenses.
Equipment & Accessories
You can spend about $20 on a basic box or carrier or literally thousands of dollars on a one-of-a-kind designer carrier. This pricing range is normal for all other types of dog accessories.
Nylon, cottonwebbing, and plain leather collars can cost anywhere from $5 to $20, whilst ones fashioned of the finest leather or silks and studded with genuine diamonds can cost more than most of us earn in a year.
Then there are the lovely coats, raincoats, mufflers, and beds. The amount you spend is entirely up to you; however, you should budget at least $100 for collars, leashes, a crate or carrier, and bedding.
How you choose to housetrain your Chi will also influence the size of your first year’s budget. If you’re litter training, you’ll need to add in the expense of fresh bags of litter every week, which is approximately $6 to $10 each. If you utilise pee pads, you will incur additional costs.
Toys and Supplies
Toys, treats, additional toys, and healthy snack items are among the other expenses to consider. A basket of toys and chews is likely to cost $100 to $200, or more. As toys wear out and chews are destroyed, you will need to replace them.
Grooming equipment for the Chi (such as shampoo, brushes, combs, and nail trimmers) can cost $30 to $40; however, if you leave this duty to a professional groomer, you should budget for a $30 to $40 grooming fee every six to eight months.
As you can see, the first year’s expenses for a Chihuahua can range from $500 (for a healthy, adult dog who has previously been altered and is up to date on all immunisations) to over $1,000.
When it comes to shopping for your Chihuahua, the sky is the limit, and if you can afford the expensive and ostentatious, that’s great. Even if you have a more modest budget, you should still count on spending at least $1,000 on the first year of adopting a Chihuahua.