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Original poster

Getting a chihuahua on Monday night!

50 replies

newjerseyp · 27/04/2022 23:38

Posting here for traffic as not many responses in the doghouse :

Our chihuahua pup is coming home on Monday. We are so excited. It's just me and my 9 year old and two 2 year old cats in the house.

I've never owned a dog so feeling a little anxious. However, have done loads of research and decided this was the best fit for our family.

Just looking for some tips to help her settle in. I'm planning on crate training her and will have the crate in my bedroom overnight. Going to set my alarm for 12am, 2am, 4am, 6am to take her out for the toilet. Also got a set schedule and will start training straight away.

Will have blanket with her mums scent on her and have a little microwave beatable teddy for her at night.

Any more tips to help her settle in? Also any experience on how to introduce her and the cats?

Cats are very lovely and very chill but you never know!

OP posts:
AwkwardPaws27 · 27/04/2022 23:42

I found this Facebook group invaluable when DDog was a puppy. They have lots of pre-written guides from dog trainers who use positive training methods.
www.facebook.com/groups/dogtrainingadviceandsupport/?ref=share

PutinIsAWarCriminal · 27/04/2022 23:45

Oh I love a Chihuahua! Well, I love all dogs to be fair, but there is something special about feisty little dogs!
The best advice I can give is to get your 9yo involved in training and feeding. If you get this right then pup will be on the way to listening to you both. Be consistent about commands and do plenty of socialisation with other dogs and humans. Chihuahuas are a breed that can become velcro to one particular person, so if your child is involved in feeding and training then you will avoid this.
Make sure you have things for your pup to chew on for the teething stage. We used bit of old cloth with knots tied in.
Have lots of fun!

Pugfostermum · 27/04/2022 23:46

Don’t set an an arm for the toilet.
Have the crate on the bed with the door open. When she steps out (which she will when she needs a wee) if you are close you can take her straight away. Setting an alarm is likely to teach her to wake regularly, rather than when she naturally needs to toilet.

Sausageandeggs · 27/04/2022 23:48

Puppies are very hard work so be warned. But my goodness chis are amazing. They are generally very smart and very quirky. My oldest is 11 now and he’s the love of my life. Had him since he was 10 weeks old. I call him my soul pupper — he imprinted on me that first night and we have been inseparable ever since.

Chis are not aware they are tiny. They also make brill guard dogs. Definitely play with the pup a lot but also go to, at the very least, basic training classes. It will really help for you to practice a load at home.

Chis also burrow a lot. Blankets are fab, and you can order a snuggle sack (check Etsy) too if you like. Anything they can hide under is great, but do be careful not to sit down on blankets on the sofa as there will likely be a pup inside.

enjoy!!!!

worraliberty · 27/04/2022 23:52

PutinIsAWarCriminal · 27/04/2022 23:45

Oh I love a Chihuahua! Well, I love all dogs to be fair, but there is something special about feisty little dogs!
The best advice I can give is to get your 9yo involved in training and feeding. If you get this right then pup will be on the way to listening to you both. Be consistent about commands and do plenty of socialisation with other dogs and humans. Chihuahuas are a breed that can become velcro to one particular person, so if your child is involved in feeding and training then you will avoid this.
Make sure you have things for your pup to chew on for the teething stage. We used bit of old cloth with knots tied in.
Have lots of fun!

We used bit of old cloth with knots tied in.

Please don't do this. When my friend's dog was a puppy, she put some old cloth in the bottom of her dog's crate and 2 days later, she had to pull a long length of material out of her dog's bum.

The vet said the puppy could've died or at the very least needed an operation to remove it from her stomach/bowels.

He recommended only proper dog toys after that so maybe one of those thick knotted ropes?

Original poster
newjerseyp · 27/04/2022 23:53

Pugfostermum · 27/04/2022 23:46

Don’t set an an arm for the toilet.
Have the crate on the bed with the door open. When she steps out (which she will when she needs a wee) if you are close you can take her straight away. Setting an alarm is likely to teach her to wake regularly, rather than when she naturally needs to toilet.

I'm really worried I won't hear her though? I'm a deep sleeper. Also worried about my cats, they come into my room often when I'm sleeping so worried about leaving crate door open.

OP posts:
Original poster
newjerseyp · 27/04/2022 23:55

Do you think maybe taking her out at 12 am before bed, then 4 am, then 7 am when up for the day or is that too much time in between? Reading differing information.

OP posts:
worraliberty · 27/04/2022 23:57

I wouldn't worry about the cats. If they don't like the dog they won't go near it. If they do like the dog, it needs to be prepared for a few 'swats' with cat claws to teach it to calm down around them. Pets have a great way of sorting these things out amongst themselves.

Also, be prepared for the dog not settling in the crate and crying all night. Lots of dogs just can't take to them and need human or other pet contact for comfort.

Original poster
newjerseyp · 27/04/2022 23:57

I think I'll do 12, 3, and 6

OP posts:
Original poster
newjerseyp · 28/04/2022 00:01

Thanks for tips so far everyone! Have joined that Facebook group also 😊. @worraliberty I know I'm just so worried she is soooo tiny. Scared they think she's prey.

OP posts:
Elphame · 28/04/2022 00:03

Good luck pups are hard work!

We took ours out for a wee last thing before we went to bed. She was crated in our room and we let her sleep undisturbed. When she wanted a wee she started moving about and then we'd take her out. The skills you develop of sleeping with one ear open for the children pay off here.

Normally we only needed to get up once and she was sleeping undisturbed til 5 am within a couple of weeks.

What really taxed me was she was awake and ready to start her day at 5am! That was tough! Luckily we managed to stretch that to 7am and then 8.30.

worraliberty · 28/04/2022 00:05

newjerseyp · 28/04/2022 00:01

Thanks for tips so far everyone! Have joined that Facebook group also 😊. @worraliberty I know I'm just so worried she is soooo tiny. Scared they think she's prey.

They'll more than likely be very curious about the new 'cat' that smells strange, and then startled by how strong and bouncy it is 😂

SaggyBlinders · 28/04/2022 00:07

Pugfostermum · 27/04/2022 23:46

Don’t set an an arm for the toilet.
Have the crate on the bed with the door open. When she steps out (which she will when she needs a wee) if you are close you can take her straight away. Setting an alarm is likely to teach her to wake regularly, rather than when she naturally needs to toilet.

I disagree with this. Puppies physically can't hold their bladder for longer than a few hours at first, setting an alarm for a couple of toilet breaks is necessary for the first few weeks/months. Just don't engage with her much when you let her out, literally lift her out for a wee and back in crate. Leaving the door of the crate open kinda defeats the point of crate training, and she'll probably just wee or poo on your bed!

heartofgoldcoins · 28/04/2022 00:10

I'm just here for the photo Smile

NewandNotImproved · 28/04/2022 00:10

Puppies are a fucking nightmare, they’re teething, incontinent, tantrumming and hyper, and don’t understand english or human body language. Just follow the guides in that FB group, don’t allow the cats to attack the puppy, Chihuahuas like to butt your mouth as affection, they take long to toilet train, and are easily injured/killed so always watch your step.

Original poster
newjerseyp · 28/04/2022 00:22

NewandNotImproved · 28/04/2022 00:10

Puppies are a fucking nightmare, they’re teething, incontinent, tantrumming and hyper, and don’t understand english or human body language. Just follow the guides in that FB group, don’t allow the cats to attack the puppy, Chihuahuas like to butt your mouth as affection, they take long to toilet train, and are easily injured/killed so always watch your step.

'Butt your mouth'? So they put their ass in your mouth to show affection is what you are saying?

OP posts:
Original poster
newjerseyp · 28/04/2022 00:24

heartofgoldcoins · 28/04/2022 00:10

I'm just here for the photo Smile

I tried to post a few pics on the doghouse and wouldn't let me, have tried again here and still wouldn't let me. Just keeps saying 'failed to post' and I've been a member of MN for muuuuch longer than 3 days 🤣

Also, not sure if anyone else having trouble but since MN update, whenever I've been bookmarking, it's still losing my place!

OP posts:
Original poster
newjerseyp · 28/04/2022 00:24

Bella 💕

Getting a chihuahua on Monday night!
OP posts:
Original poster
newjerseyp · 28/04/2022 00:25

Bella 💕

Getting a chihuahua on Monday night!
OP posts:
Original poster
newjerseyp · 28/04/2022 00:25

Yay letting me do individually

OP posts:
Weatherwax13 · 28/04/2022 00:26

Did you post in the Puppy Survival thread in the Doghouse?
It's a really long running thread and always seems V supportive:)

Original poster
newjerseyp · 28/04/2022 00:34

Weatherwax13 · 28/04/2022 00:26

Did you post in the Puppy Survival thread in the Doghouse?
It's a really long running thread and always seems V supportive:)

Will do Smile

OP posts:
heartofgoldcoins · 28/04/2022 00:42

She's absolutely adorable 🥰🥰
Thanks Op

2bazookas · 28/04/2022 00:45

Going to set my alarm for 12am, 2am, 4am, 6am to take her out for the toilet.

This is not appropriate for a young puppy at night. Accept there are going to be night accidents. It's more important for his physical and social development.to encourage a settled night time sleep (pups need lots of sleep) , than waking him all night trying to toilet train an immature bladder in the dark.

Let him settle in to new place, new people, new diet, and loss of his mother /litter brothers ; that's confusing enough for a pup. .Do toilet training in daytime, and accept it may take a while.

GeorgiaGirl52 · 28/04/2022 01:04

2bazookas · 28/04/2022 00:45

Going to set my alarm for 12am, 2am, 4am, 6am to take her out for the toilet.

This is not appropriate for a young puppy at night. Accept there are going to be night accidents. It's more important for his physical and social development.to encourage a settled night time sleep (pups need lots of sleep) , than waking him all night trying to toilet train an immature bladder in the dark.

Let him settle in to new place, new people, new diet, and loss of his mother /litter brothers ; that's confusing enough for a pup. .Do toilet training in daytime, and accept it may take a while.

Agree with bazooka. Let puppy learn to sleep through the night. It will be much better for you. You wouldn't wake a baby up all night to change a diaper. Same with the puppy. Just accept that you will need to change bedding in the crate after overnight. Line it with a puppypad under a towel for ease of cleaning. Gradually the puppy's bladder control will develop and you will have dry nights.