Hi Michaela My chi will be 6 years old on Sept 4th. She is the love of my life, but she will also test me to my utter most limits. Chi's are very strong willed. They like to be the leader of the pack. So you have to teach them from a very young age that you are the pack leader. My baby has to lay down and wait for her food. This teaches her to respect me. She is not allowed to bite me in anger, cause this is disrespectful to me. Chi's don't like to be yelled at. But to discipline them when they are very bad all you have to do is put them down on the floor and firmly say "bad girl" or "bad boy". They can't stand the separation. Never yell loudly or hit them. They usually love to wear clothes, especially in the colder month. They chill very easy, then they get snappy and ill tempered. Always keep them on a leash. You never know when something flying overhead will swoop down and pick up your chi and try to eat it. To a hawk a chi looks like a big rabbit or rat. Be prepared to give a chi a lot of hands on loving. They demand it! My baby takes her front paw and pulls my chin down to rest on her warm little head. They just have to give kisses. They are such sweet warm kisses too. I love them. Be cautious of small children around your chi. I don't let my grandchildren pick up my baby at all. They have to sit on the floor and play with her. A chi can break a leg very easy. I have put stairs up to the couch and her favorite chair so she doesn't jump up or down any high distance. I even made some stairs up to my bed. Yes, they love to sleep with you....as close as they can get too. I can't imagine my life without my Sissy Girl. I hope you enjoy your new baby. We have done a lot of traveling in a camper and Sissy Girl loves it. She never barks at people and she loves to ride. Just remember to start training immediately.....they may be cute now, but bad habits are not cut when they get older. Sincerely Jean in Ms.
>________________________________ > From: michaela_and_merit <[email protected]> >To: [email protected] >Sent: Saturday, September 1, 2012 5:28 PM >Subject: [Chihuahuas] New adoptive chi parent :) > > > >Hello, > >I joined this group because I want to be sure I provide the best care possible >for my new best friend. His name is Merit, and I placed a deposit on him at >the local APS shelter this morning. He needs the standard medical procedures >(neutering, immunizations, flea and tick prevention) and then he will be ready >to come home to me later this week! > >I am so excited about him! I always had dogs growing up, but Merit will be my >first dog since living on my own. I am 24 years old, a graduate student, and >live in a townhouse in a quiet suburban area. I have done a ton of research on >chis and feel pretty prepared in terms of general knowledge, such as nail >clipping, tooth cleaning, vet visits, etc. but I would really value some >advice from chihuahua experts like you all! > >Is there anything you wish someone had told you that would have made training >your chihuahua much easier? Is there a particular treat or activity that would >be fun for Merit to try? Please share any tips and tricks you can think of >that might be helpful for a new chihuahua owner. > >Thank you! >Michaela > >P.S. Merit is chocolate with a short coat (I will share a picture once he is >home!). He's one year old and is fairly timid-- life in the shelter has been >really hard for him to deal with because it is so loud and scary with all >those dogs barking and howling. So I'd especially value advice on how to make >him feel comfortable in his new home :) > > > > >
