| You have purchased your Chihuahua puppy and | | | | |
| now preparing to bring it home. You want | | | | Soft buckle collar |
| your new family member to feel comfortable in | | | | |
| its new home and you want your home to | | | | A cat collar may work better for Chihuahua |
| survive this new family member. How should | | | | puppies. |
| you prepare? | | | | |
| | | | Lightweight leash |
| First of all decide which part of your home | | | | |
| will be off-limits. It will be better for | | | | An adjustable show lead is good for puppies. |
| your new Chihuahua to allow freer reign as he | | | | |
| ages rather than to suddenly no longer allow | | | | Grooming |
| him where he once could go. | | | | |
| | | | Soft brush |
| Chihuahuas seem to like to perch on high | | | | |
| places while surveying its surroundings. A | | | | Clothes |
| Chihuahua can be severely injured jumping off | | | | |
| high places. As a general rule if they can't | | | | According to your climate, you may need |
| jump up to a place by themselves, they | | | | sweaters, coats or fleece t-shirts. Purchase |
| shouldn't jump down from that place. You can | | | | stylish lightweight shirts for warmer |
| make a ramp that leads to favorite lookouts | | | | climates. |
| or nesting spots. | | | | |
| | | | Accessories |
| You need to prepare for a new Chihuahua puppy | | | | |
| just as you need to prepare for a new baby, | | | | Chihuahuas look nice in necklaces pearl or |
| with some changes of course. Furnish your | | | | jewels with fancy charms. Experiment with |
| home with Chihuahua "stuff" as the next step | | | | different looks and have fun with the |
| toward making your house his home. Some | | | | accessories you choose to compliment your |
| sources for supplies are large pet stores, | | | | Chihuahua's clothes. |
| dog shows, discount pet catalogs and the | | | | |
| internet. | | | | Dog shampoo is essential to have on hand for |
| | | | your new puppy. Use guillotine type nail |
| Toys | | | | clippers. A first aid kit is also helpful. |
| | | | |
| Fleece-type toys, balls, stuffed | | | | Other Items to have on hand include but are |
| animals.....make sure no part of the toy | | | | not limited to: baby gates, dog beds, a |
| including squeakers or plastic eyes can be | | | | crate, X-pen or playpen, fenced outdoor area, |
| pulled out or swallowed. | | | | doggy door, poop scoop (a two-piece rake type |
| | | | is best for grass.) |
| Chew bones | | | | |
| | | | Identification: A license tag is a good |
| A chew bone is the equivalent of a teething | | | | means of ID, but large tags should be |
| ring for babies. | | | | avoided. A tag made of a brass plate fit |
| | | | snug to the collar is best. Collars can come |
| Food and water bowls | | | | off and dogs aren't always wearing them when |
| | | | they're lost. Microchips are proving to be |
| Avoid plastic, which can cause allergic | | | | very successful for tracing lost dogs. Your |
| reactions in some dogs. The best food dishes | | | | vet injects a microchip about the size of a |
| are stainless steel and for water, use a | | | | grain of rice just over the dog's shoulders. |
| water bottle. | | | | There are special readers that pass over the |
| | | | dog to read the owner's information from the |
| Food | | | | chip. |
| | | | |
| Start with the same food the pup is currently | | | | Nobody plans to lose a dog. Those who plan |
| eating. If you change his food, do this | | | | ahead with proper identification have a |
| gradually. | | | | better chance of finding a lost dog. |