Thursday, December 6, 2007

Chihuahua Puppy table manners

 
Puppy table manners

Do mealtimes include your puppy's big eyes staring at you pleadingly as you bring fork to mouth? If so, read on to find out how to teach your puppy table manners.

Training

As with any training, the most important element is consistency. Your puppy must understand that pleading for food is not acceptable behavior.

There are different ways to communicate this to your puppy. One way is to pick a spot, in viewing range of the table, where you want your puppy to be during meals. Prior to each meal, bring your puppy to this spot and give a command such as "sit" or "stay". At first, your puppy will not understand that he is expected to stay in that spot, but eventually he will sit or lie-down. Praise him a lot when he performs the desired action. Everyone in your home will have to be consistent about this or you will confuse your pup. He won't understand that you don't want him at the table on some occasions, if it's okay on others. However, with consistency, eventually your puppy will understand what is expected of him at mealtime.

Food for thought

It's important to realize that some of the food we eat may be harmful to puppies. It may be high in calories or incomplete in nutrients. Puppies grow very quickly and need high levels of energy from their diets. Remember, puppies' stomachs are very small, so they need to get the proper balance of nutrients in a concentrated amount of food. Puppies' mouths are small too, which means that the product needs to be made especially for them. Whatever diet you choose for your puppy, make sure that he has plenty of water available at all times.


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Oh No, keep the the Mistletoe away from your Chihuahua

 
 

 

Oh No, the Mistletoe!


As you prepare to deck your halls, walls, and general surroundings, be aware of a few holiday greens that may be dangerous to your pet.

Holly and mistletoe: Ingesting these festive holiday plants can lead to serious diarrhea and tummy upset. It's possible that mistletoe may also cause cardiovascular problems.
Poinsettias and lilies: Both are known to upset Bowser's belly and bowels, but poinsettias are particularly irritating to the mouth and can be poisonous.
Holiday trees: Keep thirsty pups away from tree water. It's often mixed with fertilizers, which tend to upset the stomach. And if the water has been sitting for a while, it may harbor potentially harmful bacteria.
Pine needles: If swallowed, they can pierce the stomach or intestines.

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Tuesday, October 23, 2007

Chihuahua Leash Shopping

 

Leash Shopping

   

The leash is one of those pieces of training equipment that many people do not put much thought into. However, it is not unusual for people to select leashes that are inappropriate for their dog and their needs. There are many leash options available now. Leashes come with various attachments to hold bags, keys, and are made in a variety of different materials.

 

Many of my clients are very fond of the nylon style leashes. Nylon leashes are durable, inexpensive and come in many different colors. However, leather is usually easier on the hands (important to keep in mind if your dog is large or pulls hard).

 

The retractable style leashes are also very popular. They may facilitate providing exercise. However, unless a dog is highly trained, it is hard to control the dog on this type of a leash. Also, because retractable leashes provide a steady amount of tension unless they are locked to a specific length, the dog learns to pull constantly. I typically recommend regular 4 or 6 foot long leashes made of nylon or leather instead.

 

Make sure to look at the leash clasp when you buy a new leash. If your dog is small or if your dog is wearing a head collar, you need a lightweight, secure clasp. Take a look at the weight of the leash as well and consider your dog’s size. If your dog is a toy breed, get a sturdy but very light weight leash. Also be sure you have more than one leash, just in case it breaks.

Saturday, June 2, 2007

Chihuahua Poison 101

Poison 101: What You Need to Know May 31, 2007

If you suspect your pet has been exposed to a poisonous substance, get help immediately, even if you don't notice symptoms such as vomiting, excessive salivating, rapid breathing, or loss of consciousness. You can call your vet or the ASPCA's Animal Poison Control Center at 888-426-4435. The call is free, but the consult fee is $55. Be ready to report what your pet ate -- or what you think he ate -- and when. Provide your pet's vitals (age, weight, sex, chronic medical conditions) and symptoms, and have a pen and paper ready so you can write down any instructions you are given.

Thursday, May 17, 2007

Chihuahua Bite Defense May 17, 2007

Bite Defense May 17, 2007

May 20-26 is National Dog Bite Prevention Week. Do you know how to prevent your dog from being on the giving end of a bite?

Each year, 4.7 million Americans suffer a dog bite. To reduce the likelihood that your pet will bite -- even just a nip -- take these precautions:

Have your dog spayed or neutered to lower the risk of roaming and getting into fights with other dogs. Beware: Owners who intervene are sometimes bitten.
From the time your dog is a pup, familiarize him with different people, places, and situations so he'll remain calm among strangers and in a variety of environments.
Play gently with your dog: Aggressive play encourages aggressive behavior.
If your dog often snarls or growls, seek help from your veterinarian or an animal behaviorist.
http://mailer.realage.com/cts/click?q=1;50440;w2T5prrgaUUJXXY7iccUStbbFMeLAi/d Send this tip to a friend.
http://mailer.realage.com/cts/click?q=1;50440;w2T5prrgaUXljfjdEkbTKNbbFMeLAi/d Buy the DogAge book!
You and your dog should get out more! Join the Healthy Steps Program

Friday, May 4, 2007

My Chihuahuas Birthday!

Let Them Eat Cake May 3, 2007

Why not bake your dog a birthday cake? To make it safe as well as nutritious, skip the chocolate and sugar and make a mix of ground or finely chopped turkey, beef, lamb, or chicken (not pork) and broccoli, carrots, peas. Recipes on the Internet are plentiful (search "cake for dogs"). Or try this vegetarian delight from Real Food for Dogs. In a large bowl, blend 3 cups of water, two shredded carrots, one egg, 1/2 teaspoon vanilla, and 2 tablespoons of honey. Mix in two mashed bananas. In a separate bowl, combine 4 cups of whole-wheat flour, 1 teaspoon each of baking powder, nutmeg, and cinnamon. Combine the flour and carrot mixtures and blend well. Spray a cupcake pan with nonstick spray. Fill each cup three-quarters full and bake at 350 F for about an hour. Cool before serving. Makes 24 cupcakes, so your pet can invite his friends.

Thursday, March 15, 2007

AKC Champion Quality Tiny Chihuahuas Watauga, Texas 76148

AKC Champion Quality Tiny Chihuahuas Watauga, Texas 76148

Please e-mail me with any inquires you might have.

marcuccino@aol.com

I've always been a dog lover, especially the little ones. I've been breeding toy dogs for over 18 years. I live in beautiful Watauga, Texas.

I raise happy, healthy, quality babies for you to love and become members of your family. All of my adult dogs meet the standard for the breed & are in good health. My facilities are clean and my dogs are well cared for and loved, I never have a problem with showing anyone around, there are no closed doors here.

I do not sell to pet stores or wholesale my puppies. I also do not sell to breeders that I have not checked="checked" out and approve of.

I work very hard to raise these little babies that I'm responsible for bringing into this world, I owe them the best possible homes. I want you to be happy with your new friend, but above all, I want the pup to be happy and safe in their new home.

I don't think a breeders part should stop when you leave with your puppy, I'll be there if you have any questions.

I will be happy to provide you with references.

Again, thank you for visiting and I look forward to speaking with you.

Sincerely,

Bianca

817-503-0008 Home

817-905-5127 Cell

Saturday, March 3, 2007

Playing It Safe for your Chihuahua

Playing It Safe March 1, 2007

Picking out some new toys for your pooch? Give 'em the toddler test: If you'd give the toy to a 2-year-old, it's probably safe for your pet, too.

Dogs are just as curious as young children. In addition, they have sharp teeth that can tear into almost anything. To spare yourself an emergency trip to the vet, ask these four questions before you buy:

  • Does the toy have a squeaker? Unless you intend to always watch your dog at play, put it back on the shelf. Dogs are experts at liberating -- and eating -- the squeaker.
  • Is the toy small enough to be swallowed? Look for something that doesn't quite fit into your pet's mouth.
  • Is it sturdy? Polystyrene beads and other fillers are not digestible, so the toy should be made of a material strong enough to prevent access to stuffing.
  • Are there any removable parts -- buttons, ribbons, snaps, rubber or plastic bits -- that could be chewed off and swallowed? If so, skip it.

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Thursday, February 1, 2007

Mouths Wide Open February 1, 2007

Mouths Wide Open

When was the last time you peeked inside your dog's mouth? Not just a quick look, but a close inspection of the palate, gums, and all those soft, pink surfaces.

If you're thinking, "I never even thought of doing that," consider the fact that about 1 in 20 dogs with oral tumors gets lesions in his mouth first. And these often go unnoticed, because people rarely look for early signs such as discolorations and tiny bumps and lumps. Delays in detection make oral tumors difficult to treat, so be sure to do a spot check whenever you brush your pet's teeth.

Wednesday, January 31, 2007

My Chihuahua links

http://www.myspace.com/marcuccino  

http://hometown.aol.com/marcuccino/myhomepage/personal.html

http://hometown.aol.com/marcuccino/myhomepage/profile.html

http://hometown.aol.com/marcuccino/myhomepage/business.html

http://hometown.aol.com/marcuccino/index.html

http://hometown.aol.com/marcuccino/myhomepage/profile.html

http://www.rubricpublications.com/

http://www.geocities.com/bunnybianca/MarcuccinoChihuahuas.html

http://hometown.aol.com/marcuccino/index.html

http://hometown.aol.com/marcuccino/myhomepage/profile.html

http://www.geocities.com/bunnybianca/MarcuccinoChihuahuas.html



 

Chihuahua Puppies

"Chihuahua Puppies are fragile"


I do not recommend the tiny puppies for families with children under six years old. The pups are just to fragile, this doesn't mean I think your child would be unkind to a puppy, but toddlers fall down, if they fall on a toy puppy it will be seriously injured or killed. Please wait until your child is old enough to understand about the care & treatment of an animal.

Adopting a new baby is a very serious undertaking... yes, they are adorable, but.... they also cry, poop (a lot), pee (a lot), chew up, get into things and demand a lot of attention and patience. It's a big responsibility, please take all this into consideration and be sure your willing & able to put out the effort it takes to raise a happy, well adjusted puppy before making a decision to get one.

Bianca

817-503-0008 Home

817-905-5127 Cell

What Comes First, the Baby or the Chihuahua?

What Comes First, the Baby or the Chihuahua?

So you want a dog, but there's going to be a new baby in the picture soon. Do you get the dog first or wait until your child is a little older? It's a common dilemma and one that's riddled with anecdotal evidence of a dog becoming anxious or aggressive when a new baby arrives. While there's no single answer - every situation and every dog is different - most dogs adjust to new babies easily, quietly and without incident. However, if you do decide to get the dog before the baby arrives, there are a few things you should consider.

First, what type of dog are you considering? While many variations exist within a breed, some breeds are decidedly more kid-friendly than others like the Golden and Labrador Retriever, Boxer, Beagle, West Highland White Terrier and Shetland Sheepdog.

However, when getting a new puppy you'll need to think about more than just the breed. Consider how much time a new puppy takes-the training, housebreaking, exercise, etc. Taking the time to train a dog and gauge his behavior around children, before you have a baby, is extremely important.

Consider also that you may not have much extra time as an expectant parent. So you might not be able to give a puppy the attention he needs or deserves.

That said, if you do get a puppy, introduce your dog and baby to each other gradually and while your dog is under control. Here are a few ways to do this:
  • Play a tape of baby sounds and start introducing the baby lotions and powders so the dog becomes used to baby noises and smells. Before you bring the baby home from the hospital, let the dog smell some of the infant's clothes or blankets.

  • When you and your new baby arrive home, have another family member tend to the child while you greet your dog. This will allow you to avoid having to reprimand the dog for jumping at your baby in an attempt to greet you.

  • Feed, praise and play with your dog in the baby's presence so he associates these pleasant experiences with the baby.

  • Be alert to signs of fear or aggression. Even if the dog seems to accept the baby, never leave an infant or young child alone with any dog.
Remember, dogs have a natural instinct to protect new pack members - this is a definite "plus" in this situation.