[pattyjo]

Hi everyone. Last week we adopted three 8 week old Chihuahua pups. I had Chihuahuas MANY years ago, when I was a teenager. Through the years, and many other breeds, I have remembered my first trio of Chihuahuas with great fondness and affection. A few months ago we lost George, an amazing combo of Cocker Spaniel and Basset Hound, through heart disease. For the first time in many.....many years, we were dogless. Then, out of the blue the opportunity to adopt the new pups was offered to me, and I LEAPED on it, lol. There is so much I have forgotten about Chi's, and I want to do right by my new little friends.

Well, Tyr, Icarus and Persephone have been home for 3 days now. They took instantly to the idea of the crate, and I have them on a training schedule. Tyr and Persephone really seem to understand what I want of them....I am, for now, using potty pads but hope to have an outside area set up for them fairly soon....but Icarus reacts to the pad as if it were Kryptonite!!! I know Chi's have the reputation of being...... difficult.

I have an abundance of patience and am in this for the long, long haul. I already can't imagine life without my pups. I'm going to need to learn from the experiences of other Chihuahua lovers the BEST ways of handling the 'problems' without damaging the exuberance of my new little best friends.

I am looking forward to reading about the experiences of everyone here, and how you all have dealt with the joys, and the difficulties of this marvelous and wonderful breed of dogs.

cheers to all! :ngreet2:

 

[pattyjo]

Hello and welcome to CP!! Congrats on your 3, you must be super busy with all of them!

Looking forward to seeing pics.

Hey Charlotte...super busy for sure!

I live in NW Indiana, and last week I went down to my son in Indianapolis to collect my new children. Needless to say, it was total love at first sight.....tinged with the knowledge of just how much I was letting myself in for. The first thing I did was head for Wal-Mart....praying that they would have a crate the right size in stock. They did. Then I set the thing up in my son and his girlfriend's kitchen.... turned it into a comfy little one room apartment for the kids... and let them try it on for size. They really do seem to love it.

My son and his girlfriend had been going to adopt the little girl, but discovered within a day that even one would just be too much for them. (They had them gated into their big utility room, basically running wild. Pretty daunting, I'm sure, three energetic, yappy little Chi's.) I took one look, and instantly said that I would take her, in addition to my two boys. She is a complete doll! :love4:

I spent five days down there before we headed home. For the past almost three days, I've been establishing a schedule for potty training. It is really going pretty good, considering how lively. my furry little trio is. Icarus does have a bunch of skepticism about the pad thing....BUT.... when I had them out for potty and play a little while ago he did his piddle, went off to crunch some puppy kibble and chase his siblings around the love seat....and then....with no prompting from me, hopped over to the pad to do his poo. LOL, I didn't celebrate that much when my HUMAN children were being potty trained. Now, I know that one brilliant success, (giggle) doesn't mean my campaign is over....but I can taste eventual success.... Once they figure out their bathroom responsibilities we can REALLY start having some FUN!

Last night their last potty/play time was over right about eleven, and I got them up for their morning potty a little after five. They all peed an ocean...on the pad....and had a perfectly dry crate. Then chow time, race time, cuddle time and....back into the crate. I've been doing this every 2 to 3 hours...except for night time. And I will continue to do this until I am certain they really grasp the concept. I am fortunate that at this time of my life I HAVE the time to do this right. I am soooo in love with these little guys.

Well, I've rambled on. But all of you guys understand just how wonderful these little dogs are....don't cha? And yes, again, they are keeping me very busy....and I love it.