PUPPY CARE INSTRUCTION PAGE
Disclaimer: These are presented as helpful advise and are only suggestions. Maple Leaf Chihuahuas can not be held responsible for any use or misuse of this information.
We only release chihuahua puppies from our home to yours once they are eating well and showing signs of good health. Usually around 8 - 10 weeks depending on if they are being picked up or shipped. Teenie puppies will remain in our home until they are 12 - 14 weeks, since they are more fragile.
FEEDING: Chihuahuas tend to feed several times a day. They are know to be slow and picky eaters. We suggest for the first 2 years of life that they be free fed (having food readily available to them 24 hours a day) provided you monitor there eating habits and weight to avoid an obese dog. At the end of the day discard any left over food and scrub the bowl with hot water to avoid bacteria from forming. Make sure that your puppy has fresh food and water available at all times. This is very important as the puppy needs to eat and eat enough to keep his system stable while he/she is adjusting to its new home. For the first week feed 2 parts dry food to 1 part wet food once a day and keep dry food available 24/7.
When you first get your puppy, he/she may be homesick or stressed and may not want to eat. You must try to make them eat as not eating can cause a drop in blood sugar. They can be a little slow to warm up to there new owner, most take 24 - 36 hours to adjust to a new environment and any new smells may effect the puppies taste or appetitie. They may react to stress with a bit of vomiting and/or diarrhea. Try mixing some cooked rice with there food to help with this, I will boil skinless, boneless chicken with fat removed and rice (this is a good bland diet for upset tummies). Puppy snacks and table food can also cause diarrhea.
If your puppy is refusing to eat try some cottage cheese or a gerber meat stick mashed with 1 teaspoon gerber rice flakes and 2 teaspoons milk or puppy replacement milk. If they continue to not want to eat you will need to give them nutri-cal 2 - 3 times a day (take 1 inch on your finger wiping it on the inside of the puppies cheek). You may also want to call your vet.
I do need to warn you against buying store bought nutritional supplements as chihuahuas can be vitamin poisoned by most.
sugar shock, hypoglycemia feeding instructions
WARNING: The following is a partial list of items your new puppy should not eat
Pig Ears: May contain Ethylene Glycol, the same chemical found in antifreeze, check ingredients on label.
Rawhide: May cause intestinal blockage.
Raw eggs: Have been known to cause Salmonella and may cause Albumin levels to rise causing kidney problems.
Poisonous household plants: Ivy, Philodendron, Dieffenbachia, Easter Lily, Caladium, False Jerusalem Cherry, Oleander, Azaela, Rhododendron, Common or Cherry Laurel and Mistletoe are a few.
Chocolate: As little as 0.1 ounce per pound of body weight can have a toxic effect.
HANDLING: Make sure you are careful when handling your puppy. Do not carry your new puppy around too much and becareful not to drop it. Never let small children carry them around, always supervise them sitting and holding them on the floor so they do not get hurt. Never leave your new puppy unattended on anything more than a few inches high.
EXCERSICE AND REST: Chihuahuas are generally healthy dogs with few health concerns, however, it is very important your new puppy gets plenty of rest. They can easily get over excited or over stimulated which can cause exhaustion, expecially in the first couple of weeks in there new environment. Signs of this may be listlessness or the inability to stand, walking as if intoxicated, limp or rigid. Which indicates HYPOGLYCEMIA (low blood sugar). A chihuahua has a tiny liver, so they can not store much sugar, the tinier the chihuahua the smaller the liver. If you notice signs of hypoglycemia you will need to get a few drops of karo syrup in there mouth, if unconscious make sure there whole body is laying on its side to prevent choking, then place on a heating pad on low. If there is no imporovement with in 3 - 4 minutes or if your puppy is unconscious, you will need to get them to the vet (but remember the karo syrup and heat source is important first). If the puppy improves the next step would be to get them to eat.
STRESS: Stress is the leading cause of death to a newly acquired puppy. Simply moving to a new home, holding too much, contending with another pet, or being allowed to much playtime are just a few. They are like babies they need scheduled time for eating, sleeping, drinking, going potty and playing. One of the biggest mistakes people make is showing off there new puppy. You should never do this until the puppy has had a chance to adjust to his/her new home and owners. Giving him/her quite time for rest is a must. Avoid excessive handling: too much of this can add stress and overtire your puppy, causing him/her to want to sleep and missing meals. Missing meals can be life threatening
BATHING: You should wait atleast a week to bath a new puppy to avoid added stress. You can however use the bathing wipes available at walmart and such. When you do bathe your new puppy use a shampoo made for puppies that does not contain any flee products. Make sure not to get water up the puppies nose as this can cause them to get aspiration pneumonia.
VACCINATIONS AND WORMINGS: You will receive your puppy current on all vaccinations and wormings, however once you receive your puppy it is your responsibility to make sure he/she is kept current on all vacinations and wormings.
We suggest you not take them to a vet at a pet shop or a pet super store were owners are allowed to bring there pets. As this is the leading cause of the spread of parvo. When you do take your new puppy to the vet make sure you take the vaccination records we provided you with when you received your new puppy.
Warning about flea medication. Do not give any flea medication to your chihuahua by mouth and do not buy over the counter flea medication as the ingredients have been known to cause seizures in dogs. You may use Frontline or Advantage on the nap of the neck every 2 - 3 months rather than monthly.
HOME ALONE: If you are going to leave your new puppy at home by itself, we suggest putting it in a crate or play pen to avoid he/she from getting into any situation that may become hazardous to them. Also leave a radio or tv going so that there is some sort of sound stimulation for your puppy.
HOUSE TRAINING: It is best to paper train or litter box train these puppies first at an early age then teach then to go out later when they are older.
Litter box training aides:
choose an area in your home with a solid flooring such as tile or wood instead of carpet. Spread weewee pads or newspapers out in a 3x3 area and set a litter box in the center. This is incase the puppy misses or some litter may come out on the puppies feet and this will help catch this. The litter box should be filled 1/2 full of litter and should not be too tall for the puppy to jump in. A small cat box will work fine if the puppy needs more room once it has grown you will want a larger pan. You will want to scoop and/or replace litter as needed. In the begining you should keep the puppy confined to a small area, making sure they have a bed area, food and water area and of course the litter box, you can increase there area to roam as when they are proving to you that there training is working. Never with hold food as a punishment for potting in the wrong spot.
Litter suggestions: try the litter made from recycled wood products or paper products as they seem to work better, also try smaller pellets. Remember this does not have to be fancy or expensive just clean and consistant.
Ultimately the success of potty training is your reponsibility. Your are in charge of setting your puppy up for sucess in all things. To avoid accidents, learn to predict when your puppy will have to relieve itself. Such as, immediatly after awakening, heavy drinking, playing or eating. If they begin to go in the wrong area quickly but calmly scoop the puppy and carry him/her to the litter box, you can add a firm no, but never ever yell or swat they are not necessary nor effective. Heap on the praise when they have done what you are wanting them to do.
These instructions also will work for papertraining your puppy.
If you have any questions or concerns please email me or call me any time. I will do my best to assit you. Although I have researched and studied chihuahuas as best I could, your vet is the ultimate knowledgeable person to contact in case of an emergency.