Are you crazy about Chihuahuas? Chihuahuas For Dummies,
2nd Edition, is fully updated to show you how to
find the one you'll love most and make him or her part of
your family. This one-stop guide gives you all the information you
need to raise and care for your plucky little pooch.
You'll find expert advice on everything from feeding and
healthcare to housebreaking, grooming, training, and more. Plus,
you'll learn the ins and outs of selecting the right vet,
handling emergencies, and even entering your little darling in a
dog show. You'll find out about the ups and downs of living
with a pet, get familiar with the Chihuahua's classic
physical characteristics, and find help in deciding whether
you'd prefer a dog with a long coat or a smooth coat.
Discover how to:
* Choose your ideal Chihuahua
* Prepare your home for your new arrival
* Manage your puppy's nutrition and health
* Prevent common behavior problems
* Teach your Chihuahua fun tricks
* Build a strong and loving bond with your pet
* Train children to get along with your Chihuahua
* Choose Chihuahua toys and accessories
* Select a crate and bedding
* Introduce your little dog to other pets
* Teach your little dynamo manners and good behavior
You know that bringing a Chihuahua into your home will be a
happy and joyful experience. Chihuahuas For Dummies,
2nd Edition, makes it easy, too!
Autorentext
Jacqueline O'Neil is a renowned dog breeder, trainer, and award-winning author who has written more than a dozen books on pet care and training.
Zusammenfassung
Are you crazy about Chihuahuas? Chihuahuas For Dummies, 2nd Edition, is fully updated to show you how to find the one you'll love most and make him or her part of your family. This one-stop guide gives you all the information you need to raise and care for your plucky little pooch.
You'll find expert advice on everything from feeding and healthcare to housebreaking, grooming, training, and more. Plus, you'll learn the ins and outs of selecting the right vet, handling emergencies, and even entering your little darling in a dog show. You'll find out about the ups and downs of living with a pet, get familiar with the Chihuahua's classic physical characteristics, and find help in deciding whether you'd prefer a dog with a long coat or a smooth coat. Discover how to:
- Choose your ideal Chihuahua
- Prepare your home for your new arrival
- Manage your puppy's nutrition and health
- Prevent common behavior problems
- Teach your Chihuahua fun tricks
- Build a strong and loving bond with your pet
- Train children to get along with your Chihuahua
- Choose Chihuahua toys and accessories
- Select a crate and bedding
- Introduce your little dog to other pets
- Teach your little dynamo manners and good behavior
You know that bringing a Chihuahua into your home will be a happy and joyful experience. Chihuahuas For Dummies, 2nd Edition, makes it easy, too!
Inhalt
Introduction 1
About This Book 1
Conventions Used in This Book 2
What You’re Not to Read 2
Foolish Assumptions 3
How This Book Is Organized 3
Part I: Is a Chihuahua Your Canine Compadre? 4
Part II: Fitting a Compact Canine into Your Life 4
Part III: Positive Training for Your Petite Pal 4
Part IV: Chihuahua Care and Concerns 4
Part V: The Part of Tens 5
Icons Used in This Book 5
Where to Go from Here 5
Part I: Is a Chihuahua Your Canine Compadre? 7
Chapter 1: Sharing Your Digs with a Dog: A Big Decision 9
Deciding If and Why You Want a Dog 9
Doggy Dependents Aren’t Tax Deductible: Chi-Care Duties 11
Considering the long-term cost 12
Placing your Chi in your daily schedule 12
Fitting your Chi into your family’s future 13
Picking up after your Chi 13
Viewing the Chihuahua as a Toy Breed 14
What’s terrific about Toys 14
Potential problems with portable pets 16
Making a Match with a Chihuahua 17
Chapter 2: What’s Behind That Unique Chihuahua Look? 21
Look for Yourself: The Classic Chihuahua 21
Striving for the Picture-Perfect Chihuahua 23
General appearance and demeanor 24
Size and proportion 24
Head 25
Neck, topline, and body 26
Tail 27
Forequarters 27
Hindquarters 29
Coat 29
Color 30
Gait 30
Temperament 30
What if Manchita Doesn’t Match the Standard? 31
Chapter 3: Perusing the Particulars of Chihuahua Charm 33
This Bit of a Dog Is Big on Character 33
Petite protectors 34
Close companions 34
Comfort-loving creatures 35
The ultimate house dog 36
Cautious compadres 36
Spirited, but not hyper 37
Unusually adaptable 38
Sensitive supporters 38
Quick studies when trained with TLC 38
Long-term friend 39
Friend to (most) other critters 39
Decisions, Decisions: Comparing Long/Smooth Coats 40
Battle of the Sexes: Observing Male and Female Traits 41
Checking a Chi Pup’s Résumé 42
Part II: Fitting a Compact Canine into Your Life 43
Chapter 4: Choosing Your Ideal Chihuahua 45
Buying from a Breeder 46
Visiting the breeder 47
Evaluating the breeder 47
Oh gee, why the third degree? 48
Pick of the litter 50
Breeder contracts 56
Surveying Additional Places to Purchase a Puppy 56
What about pet shops? 57
Classified canines 57
The Ups and Downs of Choosing a Mature Chihuahua 58
Understanding Pedigree 59
Deciphering full or limited registration 60
Registering your new dog 61
Chihuahuas without credentials 62
Chapter 5: Welcome Home, Little Amigo 63
Timing the Homecoming Just Right 63
Puppy-Proofing Your Chi’s Room 64
Shop till You Drop: Gathering the Chi Goods 65
Essentials for your new Chihuahua 66
Practical dishes 66
So many choices: What should your Chi eat? 67
A collar and leash 67
Grooming gizmos 68
Toys for Toys (dogs, that is) 69
A cozy crate 70
A snug bed 72
A useful sweater 72
Pooper-scooper 73
A trusted veterinarian 73
ID for dogs 73
Surviving the First Two Days 73
How to pick up your puppy 74
Blending dogs and kids 75
Matching older children and Chihuahuas 76
Introducing dog to dog 76
Why cats get the last meow 78
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