chihuahua training: learn how to stop your chihuahua from barking!

nadia chihuahua facts, chihuahua training 125 Comments

stop chihuahua from barking

chihuahuas love to bark.  it’s a perfectly natural thing for them to do, just as it’s normal for us humans to speak.  it’s when our chihuahuas bark excessively that it becomes a problem for all concerned, including the neighbors.  the goal isn’t to to stop our chihuahuas from barking, but rather learn how to control the excessive barking.

“is a chihuahua the right pet for you?   find out in caring for your chihuahua made easy:  breed information, health care and nutrition.”

the fact is, chihuahuas bark.  they do it when they’re excited or when they sense danger.  some do it when they’re bored – or worse, for no reason at all. in these cases, you want to teach your chihuahua that barking is only permitted under certain circumstances.

the first step in modifying this problem is to determine the reason why your chihuahua is barking in the first place.  once you’ve identified the cause or trigger, you can then plan your training solution.

why do chihuahuas bark?

  • to express their needs (being bossy).
  • they are staking out their territory.
  • to alert other members of their pack (that’s you and your family) of impending danger.
  • when playing, just through sheer excitement.
  • barking at other animals. depending on where you are in the world, it could be squirrels or any other small animal.
  • if they are isolated.
  • some chihuahuas bark excessively when separated from their pack (you and your family).
  • if they are trapped behind some type of barrier like a fence or window.
  • just for fun!
  • to express dominance (puppies normally test you out at some stage with a display of dominance barking).
  • they bark because their owners have inadvertently rewarded excessive barking in the past (this is crucial to understand)
  • through boredom or a lack of physical and mental stimulation.
  • may feel stressed or uncomfortable for some reason. things like feeling threatened or if they don’t have an appropriate place to sleep can cause excessive barking problems.chihuahuas that haven’t been properly socialized often become nuisance barkers.
  • may be looking for a response or some attention from their pack.

keep in mind that even though it may appear to you that your chihuahua is barking at nothing, this is not necessarily the case.

this is because your chihuahua has a much more acute sense of hearing, smell and sight than us humans.  your chihuahua’s excessive barking is probably being triggered by something.

how to stop your chihuahua from barking

the most important piece of advice to remember when trying to modify any dog behavioral problem, is to clearly communicate to your chihuahua what is acceptable behavior and what is not.

one of the biggest mistakes us chihuahua owners make is to inadvertently reward our chihuahuas excessive barking. we actually encourage and reinforce the barking problem when we commit these three dog training sins:

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symptoms and signs of a sick chihuahua: know when to see a veterinarian!

nadia chihuahua facts, chihuahua health concerns 550 Comments

sick chihuahua puppy

your chihuahua can not explain its symptoms, so it’s your responsibility to keep him or her healthy and to determine whether or not they need veterinary care.  chihuahuas tend to want to hide their illness, so it is up to you to check your chihuahua for abnormalities.

not knowing if your chihuahua is feeling sick or how to care for your chihuahua when they are sick can be VERY stressful!  this article will help you determine if your chihuahua is showing signs and symptoms of being ill and when you need to take them to see a veterinarian.

the book caring for chihuahuas made easy gives you preventative measures and solutions to common Chihuahua health problems.  “if your chihuahua is sick or you want to know what to do to keep it from getting sick, then this is an absolute must-read book!”

“click here to download it today!”

chihuahau health problems

be prepared: questions your veterinarian may ask

your veterinarian may ask additional questions to help localize or diagnose the problem.  it may help to be prepared to answer some of the following questions:

  • how long have you owned your chihuahua?
  • where did you get your chihuahua (adoption center, breeder, previous stray)?
  • what other type of pets do you have?
  • what is the age of your chihuahua?
  • has your chihuahua experienced any previous illnesses?
  • is your chihuahua currently under treatment for an illness or disease?
  • what preventative medications is your chihuahua currently taking?
  • does your chihuahua receive consistent flea treatment?
  • are any other pets ill?
  • has he/she been vaccinated? if so, when? which vaccines?
  • have there been any recent pet acquisitions?
  • have there been any recent activities such as boarding, grooming, trip to the park?
  • is a majority of your chihuahua’s time spent indoors or outdoors?
  • have there been any recent changes in diet or eating habits?
  • what brand of food, how much and how frequently does your chihuahua eat?
  • what type of table scraps are offered and how frequently?
  • what type of treats are offered and how frequently?
  • how much water does your chihuahua typically drink per day?
  • have there been any recent changes in water consumption?
  • have you noticed any coughing or sneezing?
  • have you noticed any lumps or bumps on your chihuahua?
  • is your chihuahua urinating normally?
  • Is your dog having normal bowel movements?
  • when is the last time he/she had a bowel movement?
  • have you noticed any recent weight loss or weight gain?

after answering some general questions, more specific questions need to be answered.  a brief cursory exam of your chihuahua at home can help you determine the answers.  these questions are also commonly asked when chihuahua owners are seeking help over the phone.


 

chihuahua veterinarian

be prepared to answer the following questions, depending on the problem with your chihuahua:

regarding the eyes

  • have you noticed an increase or decrease in tear production?
  • do the eyes appear cloudy or red?
  • have you noticed any discharge coming from the eyes?
  • do the eyes appear bloodshot?
  • are the pupils the same size in both eyes?
  • have you noticed your chihuahua rubbing or pawing at the eyes?
  • is your chihuahua squinting?
  • do the eyes appear to be sunken or excessively protruding?

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What is a blue chihuahua? How do blue chihuahuas differ from other chihuahuas?

nadia chihuahua facts 226 Comments

what exactly is a blue chihuahua and what makes a blue chihuahua puppy different from other chihuahua puppies?  all chihuahuas are special and unique in their own way, but blue chihuahuas are best described as a chihuahua puppy that is bred to have a dull silver-grey-coat with a tinge of blue.

a blue chihuahua is rare and can be an apple head chihuahua or a deerhead chihuahua and is produced from mating a black and tan chihuahua, a chocolate, or even a fawn parent, but the parents must carry the recessive blue gene in their line of heritage.  the blue in a blue chihuahua can also be part of a merle patterned – tri-colored or multicolored coat.

blue teacup chihuahua

the chihuahua club of america warns that coat color in chihuahuas is often linked to genes with undesirable traits or birth defects.  the merle pattern and blue coat color can often come with common health problems.  this is another reason that blue chihuahuas are rare.

blue chihuahua

like teacup chihuahuas, much controversy exists around the subject of breeding blue chihuahuas by blue chihuahua breeders as hidden defects on the gene that is linked to the blue color can result in serious coat problems and other health issues.  for these reasons, it is advised to never breed a blue chihuahua with another blue chihuahua.Read More

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tips to keep your chihuahua safe, happy and healthy this halloween!

nadia chihuahua costumes, chihuahua health concerns, halloween 3 Comments

cute chihuahua cow

halloween is fast approaching and famous chihuahua® would like to ensure chihuahua owners keep their chihuahuas safe, happy and healthy by asking them to follow these simple safety tips:

select costumes carefully
if you dress up your chihuahua up for halloween, choose a costume that doesn’t limit their movement, hearing, sight or ability to breath or bark. check for any choking hazards also.

skip the sweets
avoid feeding your chihuahua halloween candy. many treats can be toxic to your chihuahua’s health and those that contain the artificial sweetener xylitol can be poisonous. even small amounts can cause a drop in blood sugar and result in seizures. also avoid feeding them chocolate. dark chocolate and bakers chocolate can be especially dangerous.

throw away candy wrappers
ingesting aluminum or cellophane can cause intestinal blockage and induce vomiting. throw those candy wrappers in the garbage to avoid them becoming a play toy for your pet.

keep your chihuahua in another room during the trick-or-treating rush
halloween can bring many unexpected visitors to the door all at once. this can make your chihuahua nervous and likely to flee when the door opens. if they accidentally get loose, make sure your chihuahua is wearing an id tag.

avoid potentially harmful decorations
candles in jack-o-lanterns are easily knocked over. avoid using them as this can result in a fire and burns to your chihuahua. also, take preventative care with open wires, cords and potentially harmful products your chihuahua may try to ingest. do your best to keep them out of harms way.

playing it safe isn’t tricky, just play it smart!

shop and save chihauhua dog clothes sale

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“Celebrate International Chihuahua Appreciation Day, Sunday, May 14th!”

nadia chihuahua news 3 Comments

teaka, chihuahua behind interntional chihuahua appreciation day

Mark your calendars! International Chihuahua Day 2023 is on Sunday May 14th! How are you going to celebrate? This year we are honoring the beloved memory of, Teaka, the chihuahua icon behind International Chihuahua Appreciation Day!  

Happy Chihuahua International Chihuahua Appreciation Day 2022

Check all out these chihuahuas with celebration signs!

Click images to enlarge!

international chihuahua appreciation day

How did International Chihuahua Appreciation Day Start?

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