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