by Tara M. Clapper, Contributing Writer

Chihuahuas are enjoyable pets--small dogs with large personalities! Like all dogs, Chihuahuas require occasional bathing. Your Chihuahua's bath frequency may depend upon whether she goes outdoors. Also, short hair Chis usually require bathing less than long hair Chis, mainly because baths keep the long hair tame.
   
If your Chihuahua is new to bathing or exhibits skittish behavior, you can do some things to make his experience enjoyable. Here are some tips:

• Let your dog smell gloves, shampoo, your sink, towels and any other items you'll be using as you wash your Chihuahua. Dogs perceive very strongly through smell, so it will help your dog if you give her a chance to examine the bathing implements before using them.
• Don't wet your Chihuahua's ears. They're prone to ear infections. You should clean your dog's ears separately when he's dry. Consult your vet if you do not yet know how to clean your dog's ears.
• Try bathing your dog in a small area, such as a sink with a non-slip mat in it. The mat will help your dog feel more stable as you wash her.
• Bathe your Chihuahua once per week or less. If you bathe him frequently, use a medicated shampoo.
• If your Chihuahua is particularly affectionate, wrap him in a towel and carry him about a bit. This is a dry alternative to roughing up his fur.
• Mind the temperature. Chis are really sensitive to the cold. Limit baths in cold temperatures and if you do bathe your dog during winter, make sure she relieves herself before her bath so she does not have to go outside wet and in the cold.

   
Chihuahuas are skittish but love to be clean and pretty. If you make bathing a routine with a reward, your dog may come to look forward to the experience. You can reward your dog with a small treat after his bath. Praise him and deliver affection over his clean, beautiful coat.
   
Do you have more tips for bathing Chihuahuas? Please leave them below.

This post was originally published on Examiner.com as Chihuahua Examiner. Republished with permission of the author.

By Charlene Little, Contributing Writer

If you know your dog, you can tell if something is wrong.  However, since dogs cannot talk it may be difficult to understand that they mean.  Dogs, just like humans develop stress in certain situations.

Signs of Stress in Dogs

The first thing you must do in the process of learning how to help your dog through stress, is learning what signals he gives when he stressed out.  There are many signals that a dog could give to show that he is stressed out.  Below are a few examples of common behavior in dogs that are stressed out.

Slow wagging tail: A dog that is wagging their tails slowly is not showing that they are happy.  This is a sign of stress.

Tail tucked between hind legs: If a dog has their tail tucked between their hind legs, they are doing this as a sign of fear or anxiety.  This can be factored in by using the idea that fear is an extreme form of stress.

Refusal to eat: A dog that suddenly refuses to eat me be experiencing stress.

Refusal to play: if you’re playing with your dog, and the suddenly decide that they no longer want to play, there may be something in the area that is causing them stress.

Lowering of that ears: a dog the lowers or folds his ears suddenly, could be exhibiting a sign of stress.

Blinking of the eyes: what a dog is experiencing stress, they tended to deliberately blink their eyes. 

Squinting of eyes: squinting of eyes is a sign of mild stress.

Holding breath: when  a dog is stressed out, and could possibly become aggressive, they begin to puff out their cheeks.  This is done by inhaling a large quantity of air, and then releasing it and small puffs, making their cheeks puff up.

Panting: panting when it is not hot, can be signs of stress for your dog.

Shedding: shedding is common in dogs who are stressed.  It is extremely common, for dogs who are stressed out over a long period of time.

Marking of territory: A dog who normally does not mark their territory, may begin to do so if they become stressed out.

Avoiding eye contact: A do who is stressed out will avoid eye contact.

Trembling: A dog that is scared, or stressed out may tremble as if he were cold.

Drooling: A dog that is stressed out may drool.

Starring into space: A dog that spaces out may be under a great deal of stress and are trying to avoid the situation.

Lounging at other dogs: A dog that is stressed out may lunge at other dogs, cats, or humans.

Potential stressors:

Other dogs

Strangers

Noises

Shadows

New location

Have to handle your dog stress

The best way to handle your dog stress is to determine what is causing it.  Once you determine what is causing the stress, you can then remove it, or introduce your dog to it.

In some unfortunate cases, such as a new location, your dog may have to bare with it and readjust.

About the Author

Charlene Little is the mother of three wonderful boys and a volunteer foster mom for her local animal shelter. She enjoys working with various breeds of dogs and cats in learning social behavior, training, and how to be the successful member of a fur-ever family. She enjoys studying animals' behavior and finding solutions to behavior problems that the everyday person can handle. She covers topics from various forms of aggression and small problem behaviors. Every problem behavior has a solution, and the solution is never to give up on your pet! Love, kindness, and small adjustments could be just what you need.