[ChicoEddie]

My husband and I recently bought bought 2 male chihuahuas from a 'breeder'. We were originally looking for one but his kennel mate was so stressed when he was gone, that we took both.
They seem to have a few issues, so any advice would be great. The younger male marks his territory in the house, neither are house broken. One is 8 months, the other over a year. We can't get him fixed until up to date with shots, and now breeder says she can't find records. They are great with our kids, but are so nervous. One is very underweight and very dependent on the other. Should we encourage them to spend time apart or would this be too stressful?

 

[susan davis]

Maybe its just me, but I'm thinking that this 'breeder' just didn't do the shots??? One just doesn't lose papers like that. Ask for the vet recordsS?? Did she do them herself? As to the dogs themselves, I would be investing in some bellybands so they wouldn't mark up the house. A bad habit. Tell your vet about the missing vet records/shots and see if he would start the series again and neuter your boys before the whole series is done? Give both of them some time to settle in for the nervousness.

 

[Wicked Pixie]

These boys are facing some enormous changes in their lives, it is going to take them a while to settle. Be patient, I am certain they will be worth it.
I would treat them like puppies, give them a sectioned off area with a crate in it. This will help with the house training and also help to make them feel secure. Try and get them into a routine. They probably weren't introduced to a lot of things when they were puppies, so it is all new to them. I would also concentrate on getting some weight on your skinny boy and just letting them settle in for now.

 

[AussieLass]

I wouldn't separate them.

I would get shots done and then get titers test done, or you could even elect to get titers done first but, like Susan, I'm thinking this "breeder" never bothered to.

Get them neutered asap & marking will cease.

I would worm fortnightly x 3 - 4 times each to catch all worms in all stages of their lifecycle.

ZiwiPeak is a brilliant nutricious food for putting weight on and maintaining optimum health, but any 5 star food is good ... anything less you're wasting money and doing your darlings a disservice.

Chis are notoriously difficult to housetrain, and older means habits are more ingrained ... I would have puppy pads inside (rub in one's wee to get them going and in the beginning always leave a tiny poo on it) and take them outside on the hour every hour with lots of praise & treats when they go outside.

 

[ChicoEddie]

Should I be crating them together or seperately?

I will definitely be takking them to the vet, and have them neutered ASAP.

After getting them home we noticed a few, odd things about the breeder. But what's done is done.

All we can do is focus on helping them. They had never been on a leash either or in house.