Chihuahuas

Cheeto the
Chihuahua (age 17)



©
2006 Ashi Fachler





photo by vanissa



long hair chihuahua

photo by 

Chuck
Rogers

 

Skippy (3 yrs old)



submitted by Crystal



little miss
attitude



photo by mickys
rose

Whether you have just adopted a new puppy, or are interested in modifying the behavior of your adult dog, it's important that you find a quality dog trainer. Not only someone that gets the result you want, but someone who will also work to improve the relationship between you and your dog so that perhaps you won't need a trainer again.

Today there are many people who call themselves dog training "experts." To be honest, a lot of these trainers are full of hot air. Expert is simply a name that they have given to themselves and doesn't in actual fact mean anything, so don't be fooled.

So, how do you sort through all the hype? The goal of the trainer is to make learning fun for both you and your dog. If you both dread the whole training then process nothing is going to get accomplished and you will be wasting both your time and money.

There are dog trainers advertised everywhere in this day and age; in your community newspaper, in the phone book, on the internet, and on bulletin boards in local pet stores and veterinary offices. You should also ask your friends, family, and co-workers just in case they can recommend any dog training programs.

Before you sign up to any program or class, you should go and watch a training session in person. Do the dogs and the owners seem to be learning anything? How do you think that you and your dog would feel in this situation? Does the instructor offer more than one way to solve a problem? Not every technique works for every dog, which is something else that is very important, how would your dog react to this person?

Definitely don't go for a trainer who believes in physical punishment. A dog trainer should not be showing you how to scruff your dog or force him into a submissive position (this is called "alpha rolling"). Basically, if you are uncomfortable with any of the training methods you are presented with go with your gut instincts and walk away, else you could be putting you and your dogs' relationship in danger.

While choke chains can be effective training tools they are not my own favorite method of training. Personally, I've find that dogs learn much faster when they are rewarded for doing something right rather than punished for something wrong.

Are the dog trainers you are interested in using keeping up with the latest research and developments in animal behavior? Or are they using the same training techniques they learned 30 years ago? Of course, experience matters, but you have to make sure that the trainer you are working with hasn't just being doing it the wrong way for all of those 30 years. You should also check to make sure the trainer or instructor is a member of educational organizations like the Association of Pet Dog Trainers or is pursuing other educational opportunities.

Some dog trainers come to your house which can be very expensive, but can be worth it as there is no better place to train a dog than in his own environment. This can be extremely valuable especially if you are dealing with a behavior that revolves around the home.

Something else that you may find is that some trainers offer to train your dog for you, in which case you drop your dog off at their facility and leave him there for a certain period of time. I've always thought this concept was a little odd since it's not really teaching the owner anything. I also don't see how this would deliver a consistent message to the dog, as they will most likely act differently with the trainer than with you. Added to this, you have no real way of telling what kind of training methods they are using in your absence. In my opinion, your money is much better spent hiring a trainer to come to your house.

If you can find a trainer or instructor that follows the philosophy of Stan Rawlinson, then both you and your dog will be rewarded.

He says, "Being the leader does not mean you have to be big and aggressive. Nor does it mean that there has to be a battle of strength or wills, after which you emerge the victor. Anyone can be the leader. It is an attitude, an air of authority. It is the basis for mutual respect, and provides the building blocks of communication between you and your dog. It never means punishment or overt aggression."

Links:

Association of Pet Dog Trainers
http://www.apdt.com

Stan Rawlinson
http://www.doglistener.co.uk/index.shtml

Chihuahua dogs trace their ancestors to the Aztec civilizations in Central America and Mexico. The Chihuahua is the smallest dog breed in the world. It is named after the Chihuahua State in Mexico. Current historical thought says the Chihuahua, like the horse, was brought to Mexico by settlers from Spain. They may have come through trade routes from China. Other theories claim the Chihuahua came from Egypt. So, the origination is kept secret for lack of ocumentation.

Appearance

One
of the first aspect of the Chihuahua dog that you see is its very large eyes and large, erect ears. There are two varieties recognized by the AKC (American Kennel Club): the long-coat and the smooth coat. The breed standards include the weight of the dog but not the height which usually runs from six to ten inches. AKC show Chihuahuas cannot weigh more than six pounds (2.7 kg), though ideally the judges will be looking for a dog between 3-6 pounds. The American Kennel Club registered the first Chihuahua 1904.

Pet chihuahua standards vary greatly. I live with my two dear chihuahuas, Tiki and Butch. Tiki weighs about 6 pounds but Butch's fighting weight is about 12 pounds. Pictures of both are above. Both are pure bred. Butch's lineage is very
strong evidenced by his strutting walk and markings. Chihuahuas come in a large variety of colors. Some are solid black or white while others have chocolate, silver, merle and other color tones.

TemperamentThe Chihuahua does not recognize its own size. It can be a ferocious opponent and it has been known to scare many burglars, postmen, other large dogs and just about anyone walking down your road. The Chihuahua is known as one of the "yappiest" breeds. It's bark can be both aggravating and life saving. The Chihuahua's small size makes it an ideal dog for people who live in apartments. They are not particularly well-suited for small children due to their temperament and their tendency to bite when frightened. A Chihuahua will often focus its
attention on one person and it will become very jealous of other humans who are friends of its master.

Selecting a Chihuahua to live
with you is an important step and should not be taken lightly. Do you want an adult

Dogs bark for a number of reasons. Sometimes these can be good reasons such as to warn of an intruder or to express fright or pain. Sometimes these can be "bad" reasons as far as humans are concerned - attempts to sound
menacing or simply to get attention fall into this category. Whatever the reason for a dog's barking, it can often be considered a nuisance by the dog's owners and their neighbors alike. Because of this there are several methods employed to control a barking dog.

Training

By far the best method of controlling incessant barking is to train the dog not to bark or, more specifically, to bark only at the appropriate times. There are several ways to accomplish this, but dog trainers usually agree that traditional reward and reprimand systems are the most effective and the kindest to use.

Some people opt for an electronic "bark collar" as a shortcut to training the dog themselves. The collar contains an electronic device which is activated by
the action of the dog barking. The device issues a small electric shock which pains and startles the dog. Eventually the dog is able to associate the negative stimulus with the barking and stops doing it.

The problems with these systems are multiple, however. Some dogs simply don't learn that the barking is the cause of the negative stimulus, and continue to bark despite the discomfort it causes. Particularly hairy dogs may not even feel the shock or activate the device because its metal points must contact the skin directly in order to deliver the shock. Also, the collar itself is not enough and must be backed up with training anyway. It is a bad idea to use the collars for an extended period of time.
Some owners find the concept of delivering an electric shock to the dog to be "cruel." While that may be a matter of personal opinion, the collars are proven to provide only minor discomfort for a short time and will not actually harm the dog. Another type of collar that operates on the same principle delivers a mist of citronella in front of the dog's nose. Dogs hate the smell and soon realize that it is caused by the barking. Success rates for citronella collars are comparable to those of the electronic variety.

Everyone
is surely going to get excited when trying to select a Chihuahua. Truly a man's
best friend, you can rely on your Chihuahua in giving you company, cuddling up
together and some can even guard your house. You need to review your personal
lifestyle and needs when adopting a Chihuahua. It is a major decision whether or
not you would choose to have a puppy or an adult as a pet. Before deciding on
which Chihuahua to adopt, here is some useful information that might help you
decide.About Chihuahua Puppies

* Bringing up a Chihuahua puppy is an advantage because this means that you
would guide its growth and well being. You would have the chance to raise it up
according to what you want. This means you can ensure that it is properly
nurtured with the right dog food, ensure that necessary dog shots are given and
prevent heartworm at this early stage. Having your Chihuahua puppy personally
trained is also a plus since you can teach him exactly what you want.

* You should adopt a Chihuahua puppy when it is at least 10 weeks old. Chihuahua
puppies need a lot of time to be cared for by their mothers. This is a crucial
stage for them. They somehow gain a psychological advantage for both Chihuahua
puppy and for the mother Chihuahua as well.

* A Chihuahua puppy can easily adjust to new surroundings as compared to an
adult Chihuahua. Although most Chihuahua puppies may cause minimal to major
damage to your personal stuff while they are in the stage of teething. They need
to be housebroken and house training needs a lot of time, effort and patience
from the owner.

* There is no assurance of what a Chihuahua puppy would look like when it gets
old. Also, his temperament might change when he grows up.

* Most pet owners love how Chihuahua puppies can be entertaining. They are very
cute and adorable pets that is a hit for both children and grown ups. Chihuahua
puppies can be easily regarded as one of the family.