Basic Chihuahua Care

Welcome Home

The first 48 hours in a new home are the most important. Keep things calm, quiet, and predictable. Set up one warm corner of the house as the puppy's "base" — bed, water, a small bowl, and a few familiar toys. Let your puppy explore at their own pace.

Feeding

Tiny dogs have tiny stomachs but very high metabolisms — Chihuahua puppies eat small meals frequently:

• 8 – 12 weeks: 4 small meals per day
• 3 – 6 months: 3 meals per day
• 6 months and older: 2 meals per day

We send your puppy home with the food they're already eating. If you choose to switch brands later, do it slowly over 7 to 10 days to avoid upsetting their stomach. Always provide fresh water.

Potty Training

Consistency wins. Take your puppy outside (or to their pad) immediately after waking, after eating, after playing, and every 1 to 2 hours during the day. Reward immediately with a tiny, gentle treat or quiet praise. Accidents will happen — clean with an enzyme cleaner, never scold. Most Chihuahuas potty-train fully between 4 and 7 months with steady routine.

Grooming

• Brushing: Once a week for smooth coats, two to three times weekly for long coats.
• Bathing: Every 4 to 6 weeks with a gentle puppy shampoo.
• Nails: Trim every 2 to 3 weeks. Tiny nails grow fast.
• Teeth: Brush daily if you can — Chihuahuas are prone to dental disease.
• Ears: Wipe with a damp cloth weekly.

Exercise

Chihuahuas don't need long hikes — but they do need daily activity. Two short walks of 10 to 20 minutes plus indoor play sessions are ideal for adults. For puppies under 4 months, keep walks gentle and let them set the pace. They tire quickly because their legs are tiny — that's normal.

Warmth

With so little body mass, Chihuahuas chill easily. In cool weather they appreciate a sweater outdoors and a soft blanket indoors. A warm bed away from drafts is a real welfare issue, not a luxury.

Training

Chihuahuas are smart and want to please — but they bore easily. Keep training sessions short (3 to 5 minutes), upbeat, and reward-based. Focus early on:

• Name recognition
• Sit, come, gentle leash walking
• Crate as a safe space
• Calm handling of feet, ears, and mouth (for vet visits)
• Polite greetings — no jumping, no nipping

Socialization

Confident Chihuahuas are made, not born. Introduce your puppy to a wide variety of people, surfaces, sounds, gentle dogs, and household experiences during their first 16 weeks. Positive, low-stress exposure now prevents the "yappy" reputation the breed sometimes has.

Vet Care

Your puppy goes home with a complete vet record and a guarantee. Schedule your first wellness visit within the first 7 days of arrival, even if no vaccines are due — it builds your relationship with your vet and confirms everything is on track.