(Seven Steps to a Happy Chihuahua)

Chihuahuas are intelligent, comical, entertaining pets capable of great loyalty to their people, and because of their compact size and limited exercise requirements, in most respects they are well suited for indoor life. Their assertive personalities make them a household favorite in many families, but your dog and you will both be happier if you attend to some fundamental Chihuahua needs.

• Get the right "gear." Chihuahuas are the smallest and most fragile of the AKC- recognized breeds. For walking with a leash, use a shoulder harness to avoid tugging on his delicate neck. Your Chi hates cold, and it's hard to enjoy a walk if your companion is shivering and looking for his warm bed, so in cooler weather consider adding a sweater to his wardrobe for outdoor travel.


• Chihuahuas can be stubbornly resistant to housebreakingin part because they hate going out in the cold.Be patient. Take your Chi outdoors to do his business as soon as he gets up in the morning and 15 minutes after each meal. Reward him with praise and/or a treat for every elimination in the designated area outside or in your paper-lined toilet area indoors, and you'll see progress.


• Remember your Chi has a small stomach, and his outsized personality tends to burn up calories. From 8-10 weeks to a year, most Chihuahuas need small servings of puppy food 2-3 times a day, and after one year shift to adult food, maintaining the 2-3 times a day routine. Canned dog foods tend to be high in fat content. Commercial kibble typically has less fat, but may include a high percentage of carbohydrates.


• A number of commercial puppy treats are available for training rewards for your Chi, but be cautious of sharing ANY human candies, especially chocolate. Chocolate is toxic for dogs, and Chihuahuas are especially susceptible because of their small size.


• You can begin crate training with your Chi as soon as you get him home. Most dogs are fond of small, sheltered spaces they can claim as their own. Locate the crate in an active part of the home where the Chi will not feel isolated, and leave the door open for him to investigate. When he is accustomed to his "house," he will use it willingly to retreat from stress and relax.


• Remember that Chihuahua's are fond of burrowing under covers for warmth and sometimes get closed into cabinets where they're looking for another warm spot. Most Chi owners learn to check the location of their pet and watch where they sit. If you forget your Chi on the bed, the height can pose a challenge in getting down.


• Your Chi will need a bath once or twice a month. (Longhaired Chihuahuas may need a little more frequently.) Let him do his business outside first so he won't have to go out in the cold when he's wet later, and wash him in a small space like a big pan with warm water. Avoid the eyes and ears. It's a good idea to ask your vet to show you how to clean his ears.

Enjoy your Chihuahua! Remember that he doesn't know that he's small, and he probably sees his world-and you-as his to manage, and he thinks it's your job to provide support services. (He may be right!)