My chi pups are accustomed to being petted and carried, and they are comfortable with adults and older children. When they are old enough, they go outdoors twice a day for playtime. When you take a pup home, this is a good routine to follow to encourage cleanliness and scheduled potty breaks. Expect housetraining to be a gradual process. If you have carpets, limit your pup's territory to only hard-floor areas until housetraining habits are reliable.
Safety precautions
Since chihuahuas are very small, they do not need to have the run of the house. Access to all rooms may even be dangerous due to hazards of electrical cords, food, furniture, children's toys, etc. Chi owners must be especially vigilant when taking them outdoors, as tiny dogs are vulnerable to being attacked by dogs or cats, stolen by humans, eaten by hawks, or lost through minuscule gaps in fences. I have heard many tragic stories from people whose tiny dogs were thus killed or lost. It is wise to supervise your chihuahua whenever he goes outdoors. On outings or walks, keep him on a leash or inside a purse. Anytime he is on the ground, be ready to pick him up immediately if another animal approaches. Keep your chi near you and never use retractable leashes. Anything can happen when your pet is outdoors, even in your own yard.
Agility & performance
I routinely train my dogs in agility for fun and exercise. They enjoy the activity, and it helps them learn trust, obedience, and coordination. In agility, the owner or handler leads a dog over and through various obstacles such as an elevated dog walk, teeter-totter, weave poles, and jumps. To earn points toward titles in agility competition, the dog must properly complete a set course in a limited time frame. If you are interested in training your pup in agility, obedience, or rally, I can provide information on how to get started. Agility classes and competitive agility events take place all over the U.S.A. American agility clubs include AKC, NADAC, and USDAA.
