[funnell]

Hi there,

This is my first post on the Forum, yesterday I just bought a baby Chi only 8weeks old, it's got a big cage and a bed and toys and it's toilet trained! (to an extent), what do I need too know? I'm getting it's injections tommorow and feeding it 3 times a day morning/ lunch/ dinner, I'm going to bath it ( with puppy shampoo every 10 days )

I'm also going to start teaching it sit, down, etc etc

What else do I need to know?

Thank's Will.

 

[theshanman97]

message me i have a 7 month old chi pup

 

[jesuschick]

Welcome!
You will get lots of great advice here. I'd search posts by topics of interest (training, food, bathing, etc.). We learn a lot from each other.

Your post is cute! Is "it" a sweet little boy or girl?

Good for you to plan training young. I started a bit late so my girls are catching up.

You will want to feed 3-4 times a day depending on your little one's weight and if he/she holds his/her blood sugar well.

A bath every 10 days will be a bit too frequent. Chis can have sensitive skin. Once a month (or even longer if you little one is a smooth and is not outdoors much).

Congrats on your new baby. Post pics when you can!

 

[susan davis]

I agree with the bathing. Just when the puppy needs it! Also the book Chihuahuas for Dummies is a fantastic book (despite its name!) to have. Lots of info there. Good luck with your baby. Sue

 

[20887]

Congrats on your new pup! A bath every 10 days is probably too often. Dogs really don't need baths often unless they get dirty outside or something. I would bathe her every 6 weeks or so.

 

[*Fiona*]

Just wanted to say welcome to the forum and congrats on the new pup
Look forward to seeing pics x

 

[Mel's chi's]

Ditto to the above recommendations and welcome! Send pics along when you can!

 

[LeStatKelly]

What is 'it' called.....lol

Just teasing.....lol

My LeStat is often referred to as 'that thing' when he's misbehaving.

Seriously have you chosen a name for this little pup yet as once you do you will begin to bond with 'it' a lot better and having something to call it will help to train it as well.

LeStat has never had a bath and he's 20 months old now, he's SH'd, they don't need to be bathed unless they roll in something horrible or are to be shown really. I do wipe him down with a fragrance free baby wipe now and again if he hasn't cleaned himself very well though.
I still feed at least 2/3 times a day but he's a picky eater and only 2lbs 8ozs so needs small regular meals to keep his weight up. I was leaving food down 24/7 but he doesn't eat it then!

Another thing is to make sure you socialise the puppy with everything and everyone including other vaccinated pups from a young age or you could end up with a nervous adult.
Speaking gently when they are young is a good thing as I've found that a noisy household can intimidate some puppies.

 

[woodard2009]

Will someone fill her in on what she needs to ask her vet about the dosage of the shots & so forth.

 

[rubia]

Okay about the bath thing...really rico has had a bath at least once a week since he was 8 weeks of age. I use Johnson's the stuff for babies--never a skin trouble. If the chi is stepping on piddle pads, walking outside, etc. then walking all through the house--never mind in your bed,etc--they need a bath !!
Maybe in the wild not so much but this is domestic ...

Be very consistant with the potty training....

If the pup is small you may need to feed more often, also supplement with Nutra-cal puppy if they have just been weaned....it helps keep their blood sugar from dropping...

Don't hesitate to ring the breeder with questions--they really don't mind and most want to know how the pup is settling in, etc.

You should also post picture--everyone here is mad for baby dogs

 

[woodard2009]

You really don't need to use Johnson's Baby Shampoo on your pup. It has chemicals in it that will dry your pup's skin out. I didn't even use this stuff on my twin human babies. You need to get a good doggie shampoo poo from either your vet or a pet store. We had a big discussion on this topic several months back. If anyone can post the link, that would be a great topic to go over again.

 

[LeStatKelly]

Okay about the bath thing...really rico has had a bath at least once a week since he was 8 weeks of age. I use Johnson's the stuff for babies--never a skin trouble. If the chi is stepping on piddle pads, walking outside, etc. then walking all through the house--never mind in your bed,etc--they need a bath !!
Maybe in the wild not so much but this is domestic ...

Be very consistant with the potty training....

If the pup is small you may need to feed more often, also supplement with Nutra-cal puppy if they have just been weaned....it helps keep their blood sugar from dropping...

Don't hesitate to ring the breeder with questions--they really don't mind and most want to know how the pup is settling in, etc.

You should also post picture--everyone here is mad for baby dogs

Unless you're OCD on housecleaning, I'm by no means dirty, a swift wipe with a baby wipe will suffice to get any pee pad smell or 'normal' puppy pong off of the puppy without bathing it constantly. It's not every dog that can cope with constant bathing and many will be stressed out by it.

If the breeder has let this pup go at only 8 weeks, without general advice, then I doubt they will be of much help with more serious queries to be honest...doesn't really scream out 'responsilbe breeder' to me!

I don't know about the doses for vacc's and due to this my LeStat has had none upto this time. I'm sure someone can come on and advise about that though.
I was told to ask for half doses but can't find a vet who is prepared to do that in the UK so have chosen not to have any at all rather than risk him haivng a reaction to them. All the vets I've spoken to about vacc's have ridiculed the advice for half doses on here but I prefer to take the advice of people who have the tinies rather than a vet who wants to give my 2 and half pound dog the same dose as he would give a 150lb mastiff!

 

[rubia]

You really don't need to use Johnson's Baby Shampoo on your pup. It has chemicals in it that will dry your pup's skin out. I didn't even use this stuff on my twin human babies. You need to get a good doggie shampoo poo from either your vet or a pet store. We had a big discussion on this topic several months back. If anyone can post the link, that would be a great topic to go over again.

He has done great with it. Actually I used the pink moisturizing baby wash...only recently have I tried the yellow shampoo--it seems to work great.
Four years and his skin is super. I would not use most of the stuff in a main- stream pet store, but that is just me. It works great for us...

 

[woodard2009]

Unless you're OCD on housecleaning, I'm by no means dirty, a swift wipe with a baby wipe will suffice to get any pee pad smell or 'normal' puppy pong off of the puppy without bathing it constantly. It's not every dog that can cope with constant bathing and many will be stressed out by it.

If the breeder has let this pup go at only 8 weeks, without general advice, then I doubt they will be of much help with more serious queries to be honest...doesn't really scream out 'responsilbe breeder' to me!

I don't know about the doses for vacc's and due to this my LeStat has had none upto this time. I'm sure someone can come on and advise about that though.
I was told to ask for half doses but can't find a vet who is prepared to do that in the UK so have chosen not to have any at all rather than risk him haivng a reaction to them. All the vets I've spoken to about vacc's have ridiculed the advice for half doses on here but I prefer to take the advice of people who have the tinies rather than a vet who wants to give my 2 and half pound dog the same dose as he would give a 150lb mastiff!

Totally agree with your post. You can bath a dog too much which washes away important oils that keep the skin healthy. I'd be also afraid of giving the chi a cold if you live in a cold place.
As far as the vacc's. Up until I found this forum, I've always had my dogs vaccinated & been lucky with no problems, but whenever I decide to get another dog, I will be a nervous wreck to get them vacc. I don't blame you for being terrified about it, but truth is, your babies need to be vaccinated. Keep looking til you find that vet that understands your concerns. If these vets think it's crazy to give half a dose, then ask them how the doses are measured for a 4 lb chi compared to 150 lb mastiff & see what they say.

 

[tulula's mum]

hello and welcome