WOW, you are in for a big surprise, lol. Forget the fact that you haven't had a puppy....the major thing is you haven't had a chi!! lol. Everything you know about other breeds of dogs, and everything you think you know about puppies...throw it all out the window....chis are unique!!! BOL.
Suggestions? First, I would consider leaving her with her mom till she is at least 8 weeks if possible. Unlike most breeds, a chi should not be taken from it's mom at the standard "6 weeks". I do realise that she will be 7 and half weeks,.....consider at least another half week. Personally, I don't let mine go untill they are at least 9 or 10 weeks. Make sure you have some nutrical(SP??? why can't I ever learn to spell these two words?? lol) Chis are prone to low sugar and if it happens, requires emmediate treatment. Death could result if left untreated or not treated soon enough. Some simple obediance training can begin emmediately. It is never too young to start....just don't expect any real results untill they have gotten through a bit of the puppy stage hyperness, ect. But it is never too young to try the simple sit, stay, shake, ect. Most people swear by the crate method for housebreaking. I don't personally use it, but do think it is probably the best in most situations. The only reason I don't use it, is because I get my puppies interacting with the adult, already houebroken dogs, from the time they are 3 or 4 weeks old. They have a tendancy to copy whatever the older dogs do, so when they go to potty, the puppies follow. This has worked well for me. But for most situations, I think a crate method is best. Make sure the crate is small enough that the puppy can not simply use one end for sleeping and the other for pottying. Crates are also strongly recommended just for the puppy's sense of security. While I don't use the crate for house breaking, I do keep carriers available for the chis to go into. They love their "dens" and will often choose this little area over all other options. Congrats on your new addition and welcome to the wonderful world of being owned by a chi!! Marsha > Hi! I met my new 6 1/2-week old baby chi today and put a deposit down. > I'll get her next week. She's SO cute! She's mainly white with some tan > spots. Her parents were there at the breeders. Nice people.. nice dogs > too! Thinking of names... I went and bought her a layette LOL... a > little pink tank dress, a little pink flowered collar, leash, > carrier, bowls, toys, blanket... all in pink!. > Anyway, I've rescued a few adult beagles and a pom, but have only had > one pup (a beagle) ever in my life. Does anyone have any advice on > housebreaking my chi? Feeding her? When are they old enough to begin > obedience training? > > Lucy in NJ ------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor --------------------~--> Great things are happening at Yahoo! Groups. See the new email design. http://us.click.yahoo.com/TISQkA/hOaOAA/yQLSAA/MJOolB/TM --------------------------------------------------------------------~-> " Lets talk about our wonderful little friends! Join today! " Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Chihuahuas/ <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
