I need help please !!!

[hmsram]

He is such a handsome lil man Your up to 51 votes now I have 2 chihuahuas my self my girl is 4 and my boy is about 1 and half.... they are my children just like my human children lol they are awesome I tell ya ...and yes fulll energy

[KittyMom]

Aw such a cute lil baby! Congrats. I voted too!

[LISA1013]

THANK YOU hmsram & KittyMom for the votes today
And of course to Toby for another vote

KittyMom, I would love to see pics if you have them !! I was really worried when Ivan came home with him because he is soooooooooo tiny and we have a Fox Terrier (my baby girl Yoshi). She is spoiled rotten, I mean really rotten...but she is a good girl, listens very well. I was afraid of how she would react to Diego. I talked about getting a puppy a couple months ago. My comment was, I want to do my homework and see what doggie would fit with our family and Yoshi....and then here comes Ivan with this sweet little thing. Forget the homework, I was determined to make it work. Yoshi is SUPER with him. She is almost 30 lbs...and she could hurt Diego if she wanted to. But she is so careful around him, even when they are playing. Diego is a so high strung he jumps on Yoshi every chance he gets, bits her tail (well, her stub) and her legs. Its the cutiest thing really. Yoshi deserves all the treats she wants for being so patient with him

[tlspiegel]

Oh, I remember that 'homework' question. Yes, it's funny how things worked out for you. I was curious how the poodles would react to such a little dog, but they get along like they were all from the same litter. He lays on top of Jack or Prince, or underneath their belly. He's a lover and they play like crazy. Chico has a small scar on the tip of one ear - Prince sort of damaged it during a play-fight. Good exercise for all of them. I love watching them play. It's good for me too, because I end up LOL. They say (who is they?) that chi's like their own better than other breeds, but it sure didn't appear that way when I got him. He loved up the poodles and they adapted immediately.

[LISA1013]

Yep the good ole homework question. Yoshi is very alpha. So I knew immediately that I would want a dog that would play the more "submissive" role. I actually really wanted a min pin. But they were not a good match (IMO). So I dismissed that idea right away. 1 week before Ivan came home with Diego, me and Cameron were online looking at teacup Chis. We were awwing and oohhing the whole time. I wanted to get Camerons suggestions because I planned on buying him the puppy for Christmas (but as we all know now Ivan had different plans LOL.)
Now a question for all the Chi moms. Does your chi chew EVERYTHING they can get into their mouth? He is tearing his chew toys apart. I cannot keep up on replacing them as quickly as he is tearing them up.

Originally Posted by tlspiegel

Oh, I remember that 'homework' question. Yes, it's funny how things worked out for you. I was curious how the poodles would react to such a little dog, but they get along like they were all from the same litter. He lays on top of Jack or Prince, or underneath their belly. He's a lover and they play like crazy. Chico has a small scar on the tip of one ear - Prince sort of damaged it during a play-fight. Good exercise for all of them. I love watching them play. It's good for me too, because I end up LOL. They say (who is they?) that chi's like their own better than other breeds, but it sure didn't appear that way when I got him. He loved up the poodles and they adapted immediately.

[tlspiegel]

Yes, he will outgrow the chewing stage as soon as his permanent teeth come in. Puppies in general "have" to chew for various reasons. It strengthens their jaw, helps the new teeth to come in and it's an instinct. I found certain kinds of stuffed soft plushy animals he really liked a lot. I got a rubber tire, some rubber keys, a tennis ball, and rubber balls with bells inside. He loves squeaky toys to this day. Yes, he will destroy most of his toys fast... but that's just normal. He probably won't try to eat your couch or your shoes. Chico liked to pick at the ends of throw pillows, so I removed them until he turned about 11 months. Now he ignores them.

[LISA1013]

Diego loves the soft toys (that look like stuffed animals) that squeak. As soon as he hears Yoshi with one squeaking he comes out of nowhere charging for it. He also loves ropes. We have a few "bigger ones" that are Yoshi's. I had to go out and get Diego smaller ones that he can pick up. The same thing with Tennis balls, had to go out and buy the mini tennis balls. His favorite (squeaky soft furry mouse) is pretty big (its bigger than his head) he gets a good grip and picks it up and goes running with it, but then he ends up rolling over it (full sommersalt) because it is too big. I went out and found smaller of these, but he still goes back to that mouse I know the vet recommended rawhide strips for his chewing habits. He also enjoys those. Come to think of it, there isnt much that Diego doesnt enjoy !

Thanks for letting me know he will outgrow the chewing stage. I know babies like to chew. I just wasnt sure if it was something that he would continue doing as a Chi.

I also think hes doing great in the potty training....whenever we call the doggies to go outside all we say is "Yoshi, Diego, lets go OUTSIDE" and they come running. Actually, I think Yoshi helps in this. When he sees Yoshi going to the door, he comes running after. I dont know how or when (if ever) he will be able to let me know that he needs to go outside. Yoshi tells me herself. She comes over and puts her paw on my arm and starts to whimper until I say "outside?" and she goes running to the patio door. Does Chico let you know that he has to go out?

[tlspiegel]

I have a doggie door inside the arcadia/patio door so the dogs go in and out when they want to do their biz/play outside in back. They don't tell me, they just do it on their own. They sometimes get up in the middle of the night to sleepily go outside. I don't pay attention.

But when I was training him he was taken out every 2 hours, except at night. He never went out once he fell asleep - was able to hold it all night long. For the first 2 weeks I moved his crate into the bedroom beside my bed on the floor covered. He would sleep all night long even as a very young pup of 6 weeks. In the morning I'd uncover the crate and open it, grab him and go outside in back.

I took him out and waited and talked to him about making poo and pee. It's good to get them to go on command if you can. Make poo... make pee. Good boy!

He was very easy to train - nothing out of the ordinary. Everything clicked when he turned 4 months (bladder and bowels are mature then) and he just had a few accidents inside. Vingegar, vinegar, vinegar to clean up accidents. He just wanted to please me. I make a big fuss when training... acting like they laid a golden egg for pee and poo. LOL If I'm out and see them going I make a "good boy" fuss... clapping.

I started with a whole lot of newspapers, always leaving one piece of 'used' newspaper in the next change of fresh papers. The area was large and every week I made it smaller and smaller. Then I started moving the papers in the kitchen closer to the doggy door. Eventually there was a small amount of paper right near the door. I also had paper outside that he went on. Eventually I removed the papers in the house and then he was going outside on papers for a few days, and then I moved them from outside. If I had to do it again I'd not start with papers, and just take the dog outside and explain what I wanted him to do.

I also use crates. The dogs like them to go into just to be by themselves, a den. Midwest Crates.

I bet you'll be surprised at how smart Diego is when he grows up. Chico amazes me with his abilities to figure things out. I love the breed.

All the dogs sleep in bed with me. As soon as Chico was 100% trained he was allowed inside the bed. I have the mattress and box spring on the floor. I have those nice cotton allergen zippered covers on the mattresses.

Now, this is really odd. I had doggy steps in the living room for him to get on the sofa and would have to pick him up off the floor onto the bed. He would NOT jump up. I don't think he could. I bought some very cool carpeted steps for him off a guy on Ebay and put those in the living room and the doggy steps in the bedroom. He would hop from the bottom step - but he just needed an extra boost and couldn't jump from the floor.

Well, one day I was cleaning and moved the doggy steps from the bedroom and he HOPPED onto the bed. LOL This was recently. It wasn't until he was a year old that he felt confident. He could always jump down from anywhere, but had a problem jumping up. Few days later he jumped onto the sofa, and now he even jumps up on the sofa in the 2nd bedroom. He just didn't want to jump and now he does it all the time!

[LISA1013]

That is one thing I do is make a huge deal/fuss when they come in from outside. I keep a box of treats by the door and when they come in (even Yoshi) they get a good girl/good boy. Diego comes running at me when I say good boy and I give him proops/pet him while Im saying it and then they get a treat. With Yoshi, all I have to say is "Yoshi want a snack?" and she goes charging for the panty. She has even knocked over anyone who is in her way - like Cameron (was 10). I always worried that he would want to go out all the time assuming little dog little bladder. He has gotten better as far as taking him out (started every 1/2 hour when we first got him). Now when hes laying down and gets up, first thing I do is say "lets go outside" and he goes running to the patio door.

I also cage him at night and when we are not home- I also cover the cage (which is for 4 hours during the day during the week.) He has a pee pad in the cage that he uses if he needs to. He loves it in there as when there is too much commotion going on, or he is very tired, he will go in his cage and sleep. Im also afraid of bringing him in the bed for 2 reasons. one is he is still way to small (might fall off the bed, someone roll over him, etc.) and two, because that is Yoshi's thing. She sleeps with us in our bed. I dont want to take this away from her, as I dont want her to dislike him because of her not getting her attention she had before he got here. Yoshi as I said earlier is spoiled, she is what Ivan calls my "butt buddy" wherever I go (through the house) she is right behind me. So I wanted something to remain the same for her so she still feels special..does that make sense?

Now as far as jumping. I thought for sure he would never be able to make it up on the couch, boy oh boy was I wrong !! He sometimes has to try more than once, but he gets up there. We even have a step (from the dinning room to the back family room) and he from day one had no problem going up or down it. The bed tho is a different story. He has tried, when I go into the room, Yoshi follows, which makes Diego follow, she jumps on the bed, and you see him trying. So I pick him up and put him on, but I have to watch him because he gets so excited with the comforter (mushing his face in it, etc.) that im always afraid he will fall off. I neve thought of getting doggie steps. Maybe I will get it just for when I go into the bedroom, will be cute to see if/when he uses it !

[tlspiegel]

LOL... I know what you mean about mushing his head in the comforter. I was really careful about not rolling on top of him in bed when he was little, but he seemed to be fine. I'm one who turns from side to side every few hours and I'd just pull him over with me - he'd be snuggling down by my belly. One things for certain - having a Chihuahua has changed my life bigtime. I want a whole house full of them!

I got lucky with Chico, because I got him from an ad posted on Craiglist - turned out she was a byb. Didn't know at the time of course, and that's another story altogether. However, on the phone she told me they had a girl and a boy. The boy was very calm. I wanted another boy dog. She really nailed that, because he never shook or got nervous. He just takes everything in stride and has a wonderful temperament. Very kind.

He is a shorthair but has a very thick undercoat and never gets cold or shaky either, even when he weighed under 2 pounds and it got cold here last winter.

[LISA1013]

Toby I will reply to you in a bit when I have calmed down.

I am a member on another board, and I found out earlier (through pm from another member) that someone (the gal with the black and brown chi that is currently in 1st place) make a huge post and stink accusing me of cheating what she doesnt realize is that I have been busting my butt asking for votes (family, friends, here, there, etc) for votes. I am both hurt and pissed that she could make up such a lie...well that lie didnt sit well with members who didnt know and believed her and started voting for her puppy. I almost gave up, but thught, thats not ME. I will not let her stupid lies get me down. KARMA..hope it turns around to bite her in her arse. Hope members who havent already voted for Diego, decide to do so now...in hopes of not letting the liar win

[tlspiegel]

Awww... that's a shame. I tried to vote again today, but got a message saying I already voted. I clean cache, temp files, history, etc., when I close down for the night so I don't know why it didn't take my vote for Diego. Don't let it get you down. He's a winner in my book!

[Debbie42]

Originally Posted by LISA1013

I am a member on another board, and I found out earlier (through pm from another member) that someone (the gal with the black and brown chi that is currently in 1st place) make a huge post and stink accusing me of cheating what she doesnt realize is that I have been busting my butt asking for votes (family, friends, here, there, etc) for votes. I am both hurt and pissed that she could make up such a lie...well that lie didnt sit well with members who didnt know and believed her and started voting for her puppy. I almost gave up, but thught, thats not ME. I will not let her stupid lies get me down. KARMA..hope it turns around to bite her in her arse. Hope members who havent already voted for Diego, decide to do so now...in hopes of not letting the liar win

Now don't give up you know DOD isn't going to let you down. Let me talk to some friends. Right now it is 116 of 378 to their 122 of 378 I'll see what my local friends can do Later.

[LISA1013]

Thanks so much everyone

I am just taking a quick cig break, am in straigthening up ! Will be back in a bit

thanks so much Debbie for doing what you can to help

[tlspiegel]

I got several more votes in. Now he's ahead. 129 to 122 I think!