Technically speaking, Chihuahuas remain puppies for about two years. It's during that time that you need to teach your puppy everything you want it to know. Start with good feeding habits. Puppies and adults should have access to a feeding bowl with dry or wet food at all times during the day and a separate dish of clean water. They tend to feed several times a day, but many are slow, picky eaters. Discard whatever is left at the end of the day and clean the bowl. Scrub the bowl out with a scrubber and very hot water, but avoid using dish soap. Chi’s don’t like the odor. Food and water must be available for them 24 hours a day for the first two years. Monitor eating habits and weight to avoid obese dogs.

Pups may be slow to warm up to a new owner. This might make them miss some meals and they cannot afford to do that. Follow the feeding instructions you receive with the puppy. You can also purchase small packs of puppy food made by a few different companies until you find one the pup likes. Please avoid wet foods unless instructed, gourmet mixtures (Chef Peppy’s Doggie Chicken Ala Metro or Dr Rich‘s Science Nuclear Extra Natural Food), doggie snacks and table scraps as they are bad for Chihuahua’s teeth and can cause diarrhea. Small, bow-tie or stick style rawhide chew items are good for their teeth. If all else fails, Chihuahuas love cottage cheese and can be given a few spoonfuls several times a day.

A pup’s taste is manipulated by new smells in a new environment, so have some patience. If the pup seems to be having trouble chewing dry foods, add a little water. Most pups take about 24-36 hours to adjust to a new environment. Some may react to the change by having a bit of diarrhea. Mixing some slightly wet, well-cooked rice into the food will help with this. Please avoid giving your puppy store bought nutritional supplements. Most are NOT designed or even safe for toy dogs. We recommend Nu-Vet supplements because they do not contain chemicals or vitamins in amounts that can be toxic to small dogs. Chihuahuas can be vitamin-poisoned by most other supplements.

By 9-10 weeks, it's time to visit the Vet. Your puppy will need additional shots (bring the shot record you received when you purchased the pup with you and note the suggested additional shot dates). At that time they should be either wormed or given a fecal test for worms or other parasites (the worming is less hassle and expense then the test and will not harm your pup). Our pups are wormed, but may need additional wormings (ask your Vet).

It's important to establish a good connection between your Vet and yourself. The better they know your animal, the better they'll be able to suggest treatments and care over the years. Try and stay with the same Vet or treatment facility and keep good records. Many cities, towns and counties now require you to license and care for your dog by law. Failure to keep up with shots, properly house and care for your animal or provide for it's health and safety can be punishable by fine or imprisonment or both.

Note: We suggest that you avoid obtaining Vet or other services from pet shops or pet super stores that allow owners to bring their pets in. This practice is one of the leading ways that Parvo is spread among dogs. Parvovirus can make dogs very sick and even kill them. It's a virus that requires immediate hospitalization and can be fatal to pups. As a preventative measure against parvo and parasites, Puppies that haven't received all their vaccinations should be kept away from public areas (and older dogs) in a clean, feces free environment.

Remember, Chihuahuas are very small. Try to keep them as far away from human feet as possible (they love to lick and play with feet, but feet can accidentally crush them). Never let your Chihuahua roam without a leash or unescorted outside of your house or fenced yard. And check those fences! Chihuahuas can easily get stuck under most wooden type fences. Make sure your dog is never outside in temperatures below 45 degrees Fahrenheit without being dressed in temperature protective clothing.

Chihuahuas are very social animals and love to play. Make sure you spend time with your puppy. They love soft play toys and you'll be surprised how easily they learn to fetch their favorite toy and return it to you. Like too much food, too much exercise isn't good. You can't take a Chihuahua jogging with you! If you're planning more then just a short walk around a short block, leave your pet at home. Chihuahuas get exhausted fast. Super-tiny tea cups and toys should be transported in a Chihuahua Carry Bag with a harness (otherwise they might jump out of the bag and be harmed).

Chi’s are generally healthy dogs with few health issues. If they get a bit too much exercise, they might seem unable to stand. This usually means that they have a low blood sugar problem. Like all toy dog puppies, Chihuahuas do not store enough fat to cover extra-activity or over-playing. You can solve that problem with a quick trip to the vet or by dropper/spoon feeding your dog some sugar water, honey, Vitacal or Nutrical (or any good high calorie dietary supplement). We suggest you keep some Vitacal or Nutrical around at all times. It is essential that you treat this problem right away by giving your pup the supplement or sugar water. Otherwise they can go into shock. Remember that your puppy needs to take time for feeding and rest. DO NOT OVER-PLAY WITH THEM. Inform any children in the house that over-playing with the pup can cause it to become very sick.

If your pup starts panting and seems unable to stand, a lack of calcium may also be the culprit. You can solve that problem by dropper feeding your pup some crushed up calcium tablets (like TUMS) mixed with water if a vet is unavailable or you can keep some canine calcium supplements around for just such a situation. They should settle back down within 15-30 minutes. This is rare, but it does happen. Chi's that are nursing pups will often experience this two weeks after the pups are born, so be prepared and don't get upset. Consult your vet before trying any home remedies.