Help!!

The primary socialization window closes at 12 weeks; the secondary window at 16 weeks.  The owner has a lot of work to do in the first 3-4 months.

"The Puppy's Rule of Twelve"
http://ahimsadogtraining.com/handouts/puppy-training-and-socialization.html

Critical Periods in a Dog's Life -- Developmental Stages:
http://www.diamondsintheruff.com/DevelopmentalStages.html
http://www.dogclub.co.uk/advice/puppygrowth.php
http://westwingsess.com/critical_stages.htm

Socializing:
http://www.canismajor.com/dog/sochow2.html
http://www.dogscouts1.com/Socialization_-How_to.html
http://www.community.skylos.com/content/view/198/
http://www.uwsp.edu/psych/dog/lib-puppy.htm#soc

Welcome to our community.  While I've had many pups, I've never had a teeny tiny one...I'm a klutz and would probably break one that little.....and I suspect that really little breeds are a whole lot different in important ways than larger ones.  That said, I'll save the suggestions other than to check out Janet Rose's links.

And, gosh guys, Sera shouldn't have needed to post to play nice.  Good golly.  I couldn't spell that word with a gun to my head. 

Mechanical Angel -- I'm going to play the middle ground here.  First I want to welcome you.  This IS a good place to get questions answered.  However, one of the very *first* things you need to learn/know how to do is how to set up a situation to get what you want ... not what will make you frustrated!!

Dog owners/lovers/trainers LIVE by that.  That's what got everyone so frustrated at first because you asked the most open-ended, completely without parameters question you could have asked us. 

So -- let's back up just a bit and stack the deck in your favor, ok?  You still honestly haven't answered any of the questions directed at you, and honestly ... in order for us to truly *help* you, we need to know things.  Because it's frustrating for us to start at a beginning that is *not* where you are.  It causes us to make false assumptions about what you do and don't know ... and that's only going to cause trauma.

So ... Let's start with the basics, ok?

1.  You said you're getting this pup in six weeks.  That number is a magic hot button that you may not understand yet.  (Janet's question wanting to be sure the pup wouldn't be six weeks old.). 

So, please tell us your own background. 

a.  How old will the pup be when you get it?

b.  Is it coming from a breeder you know well?  What sort of genetic testing has the breeder done -- or are you already aware of the serious genetic problems that can face chi owners? 

c.  Will you get any guidance from your breeder?  Food help?  how housebroken will the puppy be? 

d.  There must be some decision that surrounds that date.  Did you look for a puppy to coincide with getting out of school?  A pre-planned vacation? The litter was just born and that's the deadline for the breeder to want to be rid of the dog? 

All those scenarios put a HUGE slant on how we'd phrase advice for you.  That's why we need to know.  We're not being nosey.  It's really that varied.

2.  Tell us about YOU.  Yep, that's important.  Are you single and alone?  Apartment or home?  Home all day or will the pup be alone?  Country or city? 

Do you have a fenced yard?  Or do you plan to walk this dog every time it has to potty?  Some other choice? 

Have you ever had a dog before at all?  do you plan to show this dog or is it simply a pet/companion?

3.  What made you choose a chi?  And which of the chi varieties did you choose?  Coat?  What attracted you to the breed? 

4.  What boundaries do you have to function within?  (This goes along with the question above about vacation or dates.)  Housetraining is a multi-layered task that takes MONTHS to accomplish.  In fact, to be completely honest, it isn't "reliable" for pretty much the first 9 months.  It's 7-8 months before a pup physically develops enough to tolerate being crated for a "work" day (even if it's kept to a minimal 8 or 8 1/2 hours away from home). 

If you are mechanical, my guess is you need some structure and we'd love to help you -- but let's try to do this the easy way.

It's just a whole lot easier for you and a better use of our time to give you GOOD information, rather than drawing erroneous conclusions that may upset everyone.  We truly aren't trying to be nosey -- and if you are concerned that some of your answers may be 'wrong' or if it is off-putting to relate any such information on a public forum, feel free to email me or any of us who have that option listed. 

Welcome, and enjoy the journey with your pup.

Sera_J

Alright guys, must I remind you that we were all newbies at one point and by insulting this OP you are doing nothing to help the situation.

I wasn't trying to be insulting or judgmental, I was just being a smart alec. OP said I'm getting a chiahua..feel free to ask any questions... obvious question (to me, anyway ) is why can't you spell chihuahua..

Sometimes I think things get just a LITTLE uptight around here.

i had to force myself to learn how to spell chihuahua.... but i've seen and heard lovers of the breed spell it and pronounce all kinds of ways... chawowow, sha-wawaw, chihawah.... and i've mispelled it a time or two. it isnt a word you can just spell in a heartbeat unless you're a freak like me lol

my only issue here is the feeling of "Someone do the work for me PLEASE!!" and i think that is the problem a LOT of people around here have. they dont want their time to be wasted by a question that could be answered by a simple word search through the forum's search engine. but honestly i dont see a reason to get snotty over it. if you think the question is dumb, or if the person is being lazy then why not just ignore it?  

i know it would make the mods happy!!! 

You know, I truly don't understand the harshness of some of the people here.  This person asked for some help.  The first two posts ask why she didn't do research first, and why can't she spell the breed she's interested in.  Isn't this being a little petty, and really pretty nasty?  I'm fairly new to this site and as I read through a lot of the different posts I am sometimes really saddened and disgusted by the harshness of some of the people who respond to honest, sincere questions from people looking for some help/resources.  If you want to help educate someone, try being nicer. 

Welcome to the forum.  :)  As others have said, it would really help us help you if you could give us a few more details.

But for right now, what I would suggest is that you do some research on some of the more common health issues in the Chihuahua breed, such as Hypoglycemia, Patellar Luxation, and Hydrocephalus.  You will want to have some Nutrical on hand for your new puppy, to give if it is not eating well or in case of emergency.

For a small breed such as the Chihuahua, it is really ideal for the puppy to stay with its mom and litter until 10-12 weeks of age, maybe even longer depending upon how small it is.  I second what was already said about the risk of the Lepto vaccine.  And I would probably wait until 6 months to give the Rabies vaccine.

Socialize early and often.  Get your puppy used to being handled, having it's mouth opened, teeth examined, feet handled, nails trimmed, etc., etc.  By you AND others.  Ask your vet if you can drop by with your pup every so often just to "visit" and get some treats.  :-)  Enroll in a puppy class.  Make car rides fun.  And enjoy the puppy stage, because it doesn't last.  ;)

ETA:  I also definitely recommend reading the 2 books that were already suggested.

Good golly miss molly what a welcome.

The common spelling on this board is CHI or CHI'S. And I think that has to do with the fact that many don't know how to spell it:

Chihuahua, and yes I had to look it up.

Mechanical Angle welcome to the board, there are some real knowledgeable people here and many willing to help, Janet Rose it right though, you do need to be more specific in what you want to know.

 The main things you are likely to have problems with as the owner of  a new puppy are:

1.  Potty problems

and

2. Teething trouble

1.  The best advice I can give is cruise around in the house training section, tehre is a ton of good advice there.  To summarise:  I recommend carefully crate training, taking you rpup outside to potty rather than using pads or paper, doing so VERY OFTEN, using extremely high value rewards straight away every time s/he potties outside and watching her like a HAWK every moment she is indoors.  Using gates and closing doors will make supervsion easier.  Never, under any circumstances, punish your pup in any way for mistakes.  Clean up thoroughly using an enzymatic cleaner, don't let the dog see you doing this and don't let him see you are upset about it.  Get him outsid promptly in case he needs to do anymore and reward really well for anything done out there.

2.  About teething.  All puppies mouth, your job is to teach them to do so gently.  If they mouth too hard, squeal and end the game immediately.  Couple thins with LOTS AND LOTS AND LOTS of safe chews and toys that the puppy IS allowed and encourage them to chew on these rather than your fingers or belongings using gentle redirection.  Again, punishment has no place.  Chewing and biting is simply something puppies MUST do.  It is important for their development.  It also relieves stress, so if you chastise the pup and make him stressed, how do you think he will respond?  RIght.  WHile teething, chilled items will be appealing to a pup just as their are to a baby.  Very soothing and preferable to your couch or slippers.  There is a second teething phase as the dog approaches adolesence, so don't get caught out by that.

In addition, it is VITAL to teach a GOOD recall.  Pick a distinctive word to use as your "formal" recall - one that the dog responds to first time, every time, it's never used for anything "bad" and it's never used moe tahn once.  Initially only use it when the pup is on a long line and almost at your feet anyway and couple it with high value rewards and tons and tons of praise and attention.

Lastly, take a look at clicker training.  Its fun and positive, your puppy will love it.

I wish you luck with your puppy, please hang around for more advice.  There is lots of support and friendship on offer here.
 

Yes I am getting a normal sized Chihuahua. I picked my neighbors dog who had puppies. We are negotiating on the health guarantee right now.

I AM looking to know specific quirks and training tips for Chihuahua's. I know the brred's temperant, and a couple other things and I know how to take care of a puppy. Yes I have a vet picked out. I will not go to puppy training classes. I woul rather train Possum myself. (btw her name is Possum.)

9 weeks old.

It is coming from my neighbors. I am already aware of most of the genetic problems of the breed but both the parents were healthy.

No I wont. I will feed puppy food until she gets old enough then I will swithc to Science Diet. Not housebroken at all.

The litter was born and thats the deadline.

I have a boyfriend but he doesnt live with me.I have a home. I am home most of the day. I live off of a busy strret but we arent that close to it.

 I have a back and front fenced in yard.

I have had dogs before when I was a kid. Possum will simply be a companion.

I just love how small and cute they are and pretty convient since my neighbors have chis. A short haired variety. Blonde.

I only am out of the house for normal stuff and I am out of school and I dont take vacations much.

Well, now, I'd suggest that you consider reconsidering that idea.  Classes are WONDERFUL, even for an old broad like me who's always had dogs.  They teach YOU have to teach your pup, increase and speed up the bonding between the two of you AND give the little one a safe place to socialize with other dogs and people.

Again, I can't share any info specific to chi's. My niece had one who had a genetic ear problem with the OUTER ear, but that's the extent of what I sort of know about them, other than they are awful dang small for a klutz like me....

And by golly, I use CHI cuz I sure can't spell it.

Hello and Welcome to the forum!

You've picked out a really cute name for Possum too.  I really encourage you to go to a training class, even though you know how to train him/her yourself.  Even with my second dog I went to training classes (I'm the one being trained, not the puppy).  I did this so that Morrison could get used to different environments, people and dogs.  Also, my teacher can point out where I am being inconsistent or confusing in my training technique.

Just a warning...  I love my dogs to death but the puppy phases are equally cute and frustrating!  Sometimes they take two steps back before going forward again.  My training class-mates and teachers helped assure me that things were OK.

BTW - I hope you are aware that pictures of Possum, as soon as she/he comes home are absolutely required here... 

Opps, just saw your last post.  Science Diet isn't all that great of a food.  It's very expensive for what it is, uses corn, wheat and soy, grain glutens, all common allergens and I do know that chi's are pretty allergy prone,  AND animal by product.  There is no federal standard for "by product", so what comprises by product in one batch of food, might not be at all what's considered by product in the next run.

Blue Buffalo, Innova, Solid Gold, Eagle Pack Holistic....there are a number of high quality foods at about the same price as not so great SD.