Hi there all!
I just wanted to say that I'm glad this forum exists. What a great resource!
Background
I'm a proud owner of a 8 week old Chihuahua (just got her this weekend). I took her to the vet on Tuesday and she checked out healthy and she officially weighs in at a 'whopping' 13.2 oz.
Before everyone jumps on my back about getting a pup this small, I got her from a FRIEND. I also did do my research about health risks for small dogs, they are fragile, blah blah I still decided to take on the responsibility. I did a ton of research, and even looked at weight charts and the estimated adult weight is 2.5 lbs which is extremely tiny. Don't worry, she will be spayed and will NOT be bred!! My friend is a responsible pet owner and has socialized her and handled her extremely well so far! That being said...on to my questions!
Crate and Potty Training
The first few days I brought her home, I bought a play pen to crate train because I didn't like putting her in something small and cramped. She whined all night for the first two nights. I admit it was quite large compared to her, I didn't anticipate her to be THAT tiny when I got her. Finally I put her in her small kennel and she sleeps just fine! Through the entire night! The first night I took her out several times to potty on the pad (since she's too little to go outside yet and only had her first shots so far) but each time I had to wake her. She went on the pad fine and I put her back to sleep. The other night I left her in the travel kennel by my bedside so I can hear her whine if she needed to potty instead. She didn't even make a peep. In the morning, I took her to the living room where the pad is located and she peed a LOT and also pooped on the pad. Remember she's only about 8 1/2 weeks almost 9 weeks now...and was able to sleep through the whole night (8 hours) without whining OR pooping and peeing in her crate. My question is: is this safe to do this? Or will she get a bladder infection? Should I keep waking her up in the middle of the night to take her out? Did I just get extremely lucky? Well, I AM lucky to have her regardless. =P
I still have to place her on the pad each time and she goes, but she has trouble finding it on her own. It's located a few feet away from her food (she definitely pees a lot closer). Any advice on how to get a pup to find it on her own? This isn't terribly important as I am planning to take her out to potty as soon as she gets her shots. Just praying that it won't be too hard to re-train her!
Climbing vs. Jumping
I have googled questions about climbing and I saw a lot of advice on jumping. My little Apple, does not jump but instead likes to climb on to your lap since she's so small. I read that this is not good, a show of dominance, etc. so I gently place her back down on the floor and say "OFF" but she keeps doing it. I keep doing it until she stops, rests her little head on my lap and I say good! And praise her or put her on my lap. Is this the best approach for this? I don't want her to think she has free reign over me or the house or others. It's a bit hard to ignore her when I'm sitting down on the floor, cross-legged, I'd have to turn my whole body. When I'm standing she doesn't jump. She just sorta nips at my toes, which I tell her not to do as well and give her her chew toy.
Sorry for the long post! I just wanted to give as much detail as possible and give an accurate explanation of the situation. Thanks in advance for the help!!
I just wanted to say that I'm glad this forum exists. What a great resource!
Background
I'm a proud owner of a 8 week old Chihuahua (just got her this weekend). I took her to the vet on Tuesday and she checked out healthy and she officially weighs in at a 'whopping' 13.2 oz.
Before everyone jumps on my back about getting a pup this small, I got her from a FRIEND. I also did do my research about health risks for small dogs, they are fragile, blah blah I still decided to take on the responsibility. I did a ton of research, and even looked at weight charts and the estimated adult weight is 2.5 lbs which is extremely tiny. Don't worry, she will be spayed and will NOT be bred!! My friend is a responsible pet owner and has socialized her and handled her extremely well so far! That being said...on to my questions!
Crate and Potty Training
The first few days I brought her home, I bought a play pen to crate train because I didn't like putting her in something small and cramped. She whined all night for the first two nights. I admit it was quite large compared to her, I didn't anticipate her to be THAT tiny when I got her. Finally I put her in her small kennel and she sleeps just fine! Through the entire night! The first night I took her out several times to potty on the pad (since she's too little to go outside yet and only had her first shots so far) but each time I had to wake her. She went on the pad fine and I put her back to sleep. The other night I left her in the travel kennel by my bedside so I can hear her whine if she needed to potty instead. She didn't even make a peep. In the morning, I took her to the living room where the pad is located and she peed a LOT and also pooped on the pad. Remember she's only about 8 1/2 weeks almost 9 weeks now...and was able to sleep through the whole night (8 hours) without whining OR pooping and peeing in her crate. My question is: is this safe to do this? Or will she get a bladder infection? Should I keep waking her up in the middle of the night to take her out? Did I just get extremely lucky? Well, I AM lucky to have her regardless. =P
I still have to place her on the pad each time and she goes, but she has trouble finding it on her own. It's located a few feet away from her food (she definitely pees a lot closer). Any advice on how to get a pup to find it on her own? This isn't terribly important as I am planning to take her out to potty as soon as she gets her shots. Just praying that it won't be too hard to re-train her!
Climbing vs. Jumping
I have googled questions about climbing and I saw a lot of advice on jumping. My little Apple, does not jump but instead likes to climb on to your lap since she's so small. I read that this is not good, a show of dominance, etc. so I gently place her back down on the floor and say "OFF" but she keeps doing it. I keep doing it until she stops, rests her little head on my lap and I say good! And praise her or put her on my lap. Is this the best approach for this? I don't want her to think she has free reign over me or the house or others. It's a bit hard to ignore her when I'm sitting down on the floor, cross-legged, I'd have to turn my whole body. When I'm standing she doesn't jump. She just sorta nips at my toes, which I tell her not to do as well and give her her chew toy.
Sorry for the long post! I just wanted to give as much detail as possible and give an accurate explanation of the situation. Thanks in advance for the help!!