chihuahua turmoil

conan doyle

Would really love some advice on getting one of these adorable little dogs. I live in an apartment and I'd really love of of these but I'm terrified that he/she will bark all day when I'm out. I come home every day for lunch so it wont be alone all day. Has anyone any experience of this breed. I have been offered one but I have to make my mind up in the next week. I'm torn on what to do so any advice or help would be great.

Lee1982

i have one and she is very vocal :P barks at everything that moves,is it a pup?

conan doyle

Thank for the reply. The puppy I will be getting will only be a few months old. I was afraid of the barking issue and I think you confirmed my worst fears for me. I'll have to have a good think before I take her. Is your dog in an apt all day too.

Lee1982

no..she only barks outside i dont know about when im in work but i have never had complaints from the neighbours so i presume she sleeps alot while im gone,i leave her at 8.30 and when i get back for lunch she goes out at 12.30 for 45 mins with the other dogs then back in again until i come home at 4,shes over a year old so shes well used to it..i have to almost stand over her because im terrified she will be stolen,thats the only thing i dislike about owning her,im afraid someone will snatch her,ive heard of that happening alot so shes never out of my sight

conan doyle

Thanks Lee1982 for coming back again. I misunderstood your first email and though your young lady barked all the time. What a relief to find it's only outside, I don't mind that really- it's normal. I totally understand your fear of having her stolen I've heard of it myself as well. The only way to stop it is to do what you do and really watch her. That's what I will do when I get mine. As you can see I'm about 98 percent on the way to taking her and really excited about. Oh by the way my sister just got a bison frische (can't spell it sorry) and she is having her chipped. I don't know how much this cost but it could be something you might look in to. Thank for all the advice again - getting it from some one who has one is tons better than any website or book.

Lee1982

ask away??no problem...they are super dogs..more robust than they look,and full of kisses! she is chipped but that counts for nothing if she is stolen and shipped off somewhere..the thoughts of it! she cant be off lead coz she has no recall and no manners for that matter but shes amazing!!

conan doyle

Thank Lee1982

I'll keep you posted and will be back to you for some hands on advice.:)

lrushe

I've a 5 year old female Chihuahua. She will bark at a knock on the door or a stranger in the house but not excessively or for long periods of time.
I'm a firm believer in treating a dog as a dog thusly that is how my girl was raised and I think that has played a huge part in her not being a barky, spoiled brat.
Best of luck with your new pup, Chi's really are a superb breed!

conan doyle

Thanks for that. It's a bit like kids really nature v nurture. I feel a bit more relieved now that I've made contact with other owners who are going through this on a daily basis. Looking forward to the challenges and all the fun times too.:)

Zapperzy

Iv only had experience with one and it was a yappy little female that barked at anybody entering or leaving a room.
As with every dog if they are trained properly and not let away with murder because they are small they are lovely dogs. Every time she does something your not sure of just think 'if she were a 75kg mastiff would I let her away with that'. Very affectionate little dog though!

conan doyle

Hi,

Thanks for that bit of good advice, I tend to think of them as babies because they are so small but you are right of course - train them young and avoid the heartache later. It should be an intersting learning curve. Again thanks for advice

Zapperzy

conan doyle wrote: »

Hi,

Thanks for that bit of good advice, I tend to think of them as babies because they are so small but you are right of course - train them young and avoid the heartache later. It should be an intersting learning curve. Again thanks for advice

Which unfortunately is why they so often end up as yappy little ankle biters. Definitely put the work in while she is young, thats not to say an old dog can't learn new tricks but start as you mean to go on. No harm bringing her to socialisation puppy classes to get her used to behaving around other dogs and people. Where in the country are you?

We want pics too when you get her!

conan doyle

I'm in Cork so there are plenty of dog training classes she can go to plus my friends have dogs so she will have plenty of "play dates". I do agree with you though you have to lay the ground rules when they are little. My sister got a bison frisee last week and already she has started to put her in a crate an hour each day so she can do house work. I thougt it was cruel at first but I get the idea now. Have no fears there will be plenty of pics as soon as I get her and I'm really looking forward to joining the animal community and exchaning ideas and problems with you guys.

Rosiedcat

Hi,

I have a chihuahua and she is great, she is so loyal and lovable. I found her easy to toilet train and have no problems with barking. The only problem I can think of is her nails need to be clipped quite regularly. They are a one or two person dog and I find she shys away from strangers. Also not great with small children as they don't like rough play. They are great little dogs.

Whispered

A girl I know has one, it goes everywhere with her and most of the time you wouldn't know it's there.

It seems very fragile though. I'd nearly be afraid to touch it.

Laisurg

What time period would u be out for each day? its generally not a great idea to leave dogs alone for very long periods of time each day, they can get very unhappy if its for too long.

Tucking Fypo

I have two. Mine would sleep if I was out, but the maxmimum I would ever leave them would be a couple of hours, locked securely in the house, even at that I would still be nervous. Bloody theives are awful around these type of dogs.:mad: They do bark though, quite a lot.:D

They are the most beautiful dogs though, I would be lost without mine.

lrushe

My girl is at home for 8 hours a day while I'm in work, she sleeps in her crate which is in the kitchen. I throw a picnic blanket over the crate so that she can't see thing which might stimulate her to bark, it also means people looking in the window can't see her.

Mistymaud

I've got one and she's nearly a year old and only ever barked once. Don't know why she did it then cos the others didn't hear a thing.

Weird little dogs. They will stick with you if you are around, but if you're not they play nicely on their own or go to sleep. I figure it's because they are so small every tiny weeny thing is of interest to them. Get down to their level and have a look - the world becomes a lot more interesting!

Mine lives with a Boerboel and a hound cross - and believe me, she's the boss!

Mine rarely gets picked up (I prefer it when dogs have their feet on the floor) and behaves just like any other dog. She also behaves very well with livestock although the livestock don't like them when they zoot about, however the chihuahua learns quickly and tends to treat the animals with respect.

Down sides:
Gosh, they do seem to feel pain in the extreme and will be very vocal about it. Also they seem to love going under quilts. Any quilt, pick a quilt...

lrushe

Mistymaud wrote: »

Also they seem to love going under quilts. Any quilt, pick a quilt...

I read this as being one of the breeds' traits when I was reading up on them before I go one but took it with a pinch of salt but I have to say it is absolutely true, my girl Cleo will not sleep on top of a blanket she will burrow under it and wrap it around herself, how she manages it I don't know but she does.:)

Mistymaud

The only solution I've found is to have a bigger dog with floppy ears. Then the Chihuahua can sleep on top of the bigger dog and stick her head under the nice warm ear.

Not much of a solution, I know.;)

ABajaninCork

conan doyle wrote: »

I'm in Cork so there are plenty of dog training classes she can go to plus my friends have dogs so she will have plenty of "play dates". I do agree with you though you have to lay the ground rules when they are little. My sister got a bison frisee last week and already she has started to put her in a crate an hour each day so she can do house work. I thougt it was cruel at first but I get the idea now. Have no fears there will be plenty of pics as soon as I get her and I'm really looking forward to joining the animal community and exchaning ideas and problems with you guys.

If you need a doggy trainer in Cork City, I know an ace one!! She trained my fella. PM me if you need details.

Lots of luck with your new baby!:D