Wendeis Chihuahuas

Some Grooming & Training Info:

Grooming

Though grooming varies between the longhaired and shorthaired Chihuahua, there is a general amount of other care that they should both receive. The teeth should be regularly checked for tarter, gum disease, and tooth decay. Dental problems are a common health problem with this breed, so keeping them clean is of utmost importance. Nails should be trimmed on a monthly basis. Bathing should only be done when necessary, as over bathing will remove the natural oils from the coat and dandruff will develop, leaving the coat looking dull. Take care to fully dry out their ears as they can become infected if left wet for too long.

Also remember to pay close attention to the eyes. Use a cotton ball, dipped in a small amount of saline to clean the eye. The breed is also known to have very watery eyes, this can cause tearstains. By applying saline (or any other tearstain removal products) to the stain will help to reduce, or even eliminate ,the stains. This should be done one to two times a week depending on the level of staining. 

Regarding grooming requirements, the shorthaired Chihuahua only needs an occasional brushing once or twice a week. They tend to not need as many baths as the longhaired Chihuahua. 

For the longhaired Chihuahua, regular brushing with a bristle brush at least two to three times per week is needed, though daily brushing is often recommended. The bib (the long hair on the chest) should at least be brushed daily. Another area that can be a problem is the rear end, as fecal matter and other stuff can become stuck. This area is usually clipped shorter or bathed more frequently. 

Exercise

Due their size, they are able to get enough exercise just running from room to room. This makes them a great apartment dog, as they do not need a lot of space to exercise in, compared to a larger dog. They should not be allowed to jump off furniture as they are very fragile and break bones easily.

Though, this does not mean that they would not enjoy a short walk on leash. This playful breed enjoys being with their owners and going on outings, though in wintertime they may require a jacket to keep warm. It\'s common for some owners to carry them around in soft carrier-type shoulder bags, though they are perfectly fine to walk by themselves; it also helps them stay in shape.

Because of their fragile bone structure around the neck and throat, a Y-shaped harness should be used rather than a collar. 

Training

Though trained fairly easily, one difficulty with this breed is housebreaking. Because of their size, some owners will try (\'try\' being the operative word) training them to go on a "pee pad" or in a litter box. Paper training is never really 100%, though in some dogs it can, but rarely. In reality, your dog would forgo going on grass or other surfaces, making trips a hassle as you will need a travel pad. If you plan on staying in a hotel, or being a guest in someone\'s home, most people would not be very welcoming to you bringing a litter box with you. Not only do most dogs miss the pad entirely, but they will then go on any paper or pad left on the floor to do their business. Proper housetraining should be done outside. It tends to be because of their size that most people decided to paper-train them. If one does want to only use a litter box or pad, constant praise is a MUST, each and every time they go on the pad; a pad inside of a litter box works best as its easier to clean up.

Early socialization with this breed is very important. They should be exposed to different places, people, animals and other dogs, starting at an early age. Socialization with other dogs is a major requirement as most Chihuahuas can be dog-aggressive.