Most Important DO’s and DON’Ts For Your New Chihuahua Puppy
1)RELOCATION
Just like people, each puppy is different. Some puppies that love their comfort zone and leaving it terrifies them! They are not so optimistic at all and fear can grip their little minds and bodies.
We must respect the presence of relocation stress during the first 48-72 hours puppy is in their new home with their new family. We must prepare for it and try to make the transition as smooth as possible.
Some puppies will be hyper active and full of youthful energy! Some puppies will be timid and sit in the corner and shake. If the stress goes to their gut, may become constipated, while some develop looser stools. But this should cease after the initial 48-72 hours.
During relocation stress some puppies get so preoccupied with new smells and new sights and new sounds and all the mental processing that goes into the adjustment… that they forget to eat the dried puppy food. SO - we offer moist food 3 times (or more) daily to tempt puppies to eat. Puppy has to eat.
Usually, after 2-3 days your puppy will come to the conclusion, they are home!!! You are their new family!! They will regulate their behavior into a more accurate representation of who they are, minus the stress.
2) PLACE
Have the puppy playpen set up prior to puppy’s arrival. You can place a bed or soft blanket in one corner and a potty pad in another corner and their food/water dish and have some chew toys included in their playpen. This is a safe zone for puppy when he/she is not being supervised by the human family members. This playpen is lightweight and can be moved close to where family members congregate.
Puppy can be placed in the pen during high traffic times so puppy will not be under your foot. Puppy can still hear and smell and see the workings of the family dynamics, but all the while they are safe and have a tiny area all their own.
The playpen can be relocated to an outside porch area or to a bedroom or living room in the house. It can be easily cleaned.
Playpens have much to offer also, in the area of training and regulating play times so puppy does not tire and develop low blood sugar.
NEVER leave your dog unattended on a bed, coach, chair or bench. Keep your balcony fenced. Young puppy don’t realize how dangerous it could be if he ‘ll jump from the bed. As a result your puppy may break the leg, or have spine or head injury.
3) FOOD
DO NOT CHANGE DIET of your puppy until over 7 months. Most often diarrhea caused by the new owner giving a young puppy food not accustomed to! New food, even just a new Brand, or any food that people eat, or fruits and snacks may make your puppy very ill and it is difficult to return to normal.
Diarrhea Is dangerous. PLEASE - No unknown canned food of any kind, nor dried organ meats (full of Bacteria), nor raw hides, nor any kind of doggie snacks or jerkies until over six months of age.
Best recommended brands for Chihuahua puppy is – Royal Canin Chihuahua Puppy, Purina Pro Plan Toy Breeds Puppy, Nutra for Puppy, Maverick Small Bites.
However, until 6-month-old you should follow the same food line as your puppy get used to in the Breeder home.
Don’t over feed your baby. Measure daily portions carefully, follow feeding chart. Excessive food may cause bloating, gas, vomiting, overweight and other problems.
Remember – Sweet candy, CHOCOLATE, potato chips, raw meat, some flowers and wild leaves – are deadly dangerous products for dogs.
Offer meal to your puppy 3 times daily and don’t let the food remain in the bowl between feeding times.
4) WALK
We recommend that puppy use potty pads until puppy grow enough and has strong immunity against most popular canine diseases – like Parvo and Rabies. To minimize risks.
Parvo is a tenacious virus that can live on the ground in the sun for 4-6 months and in the shade over one year.
Do not take your puppy to a dog park, or a feed store, or PetSmart or Petco or a non-fenced yard area until puppy has all of his/her puppy at least 6-8 month old. If traveling do not let your puppy on the grassy area of the gasoline station you visit.
If your yard is not fenced and you have not had control over unknown dogs that may have been in your yard, puppy is not allowed in that yard. Just for safety and peace of mind.
Take your puppy with you in shoulder bag or puppy backpack.
Stay away from large breed dogs, even if you see such dog on the leash - when such dog comes closer who knows what can come to his mind…
Don’t expose your puppy to the cold or hot weather long period of time ( more then 15 min), the tiny body of chihuahua puppy cant stand to cold or hot temperature and easily can be harmed.
5) LOW BLOOD SUGAR (HYPOGLICEMIA)
Every Chihuahua owner should educate themselves about low blood sugar in the toy breed. It can be profoundly serious. If not addressed in the early stages, this condition can be fatal. The good news, however, is this condition is 100% preventable.
Hypoglycemia is a condition where the blood sugar level of your Chihuahua puppy (or any toy breed puppy) drops to extremely low levels.
What Causes Hypoglycemia?
***Overhandling your puppy and not giving it enough rest time. Respect your puppy’s need for sleep and rest. Remember they are just babies and need lots of sleep.
***Not eating enough. It is not uncommon that puppies get busy playing and racing here and there and completely forget to eat. Dried food can become “boring” to little puppies. We must have them eat, so we offer canned moist food in addition to dry food.
*** Relocation stress or any new move can trigger low blood sugar. Your home is brand new to them, with new sounds and smells and sights. They must process loads of new information and this requires much energy on their part.
*** Never leave your puppy unattended longer then 3 hours. If you are not at home when your puppy need your help in case of low blood sugar – he can collapse.
*** Fat food, raw meet, animal bones – can cause low blood sugar
*** Dehydration can cause hypoglycemia, keep clean fresh water in large bowls in every room
6) TOYS
Chihuahua puppies love variety of toys, from large plashes to feathered cats balls. You will choose the best fun for our beloved puppy. However we recommend to pay attention and avoid toys that can be accidentally swallowed (small beads can be dangerous), or colored with chemical paint, or can be chewed down to smaller pieces and eaten ( like carton boxes).
7) TEETH
Most of Chihuahuas are smaller than average toy breed puppies, their teething age usually comes later. At about the age of 6 to 9 months, puppies will begin to lose their ''baby teeth'' and their permanent, adult canine teeth begin to grow in. Don’t forget to add to his diet a Vitamin Complex with Calcium to make bons and teeth stronger.
Sometimes, an adult tooth will begin to drop down while the puppy tooth is still in place. A puppy may then have double row of teeth. This can happen with 1 tooth or with several. You will want to address this right away.
With the puppy tooth in the way, the adult tooth may grow in crooked. This can cause:
• Discomfort
• Cuts to the inside of the mouth
• Eating and chewing problems
Therefore, if this situation happens, you will want the veterinarian to take a look to see if steps should be taken to more things along. Most likely, the tooth can be pulled out without sedation. Doing so, will allow the adult tooth to grow in properly and you will have an adult with proper alignment.
Recommended book for new Chihuahua Owner
“Chihuahuas For Dummies” Jacqueline O’Neil 2008