Tiny dogs not toys for play

The image that comes to mind when I think of a Chihuahua is a tiny, cuddly pooch nestled in a handbag. Or perhaps you think of the canine ambassador of "Yo quiero Taco Bell" fame. Neither of these is a true picture of the feisty dog who seems to appear everywhere these days.

The fame that Chihuahuas have experienced in the media the past decade or so has not done the breed any favors. Just ask Laura Hasenstab, coordinator of (US) Chihuahua Rescue.

She has seen a huge increase in the numbers of Chihuahua owners who are coming to her organization because they no longer want their dogs. A few years ago, she would get nine or 10 calls a week. Now she has as many as 20 people e-mailing her each week, asking if she can find a home for their unwanted pet. The reasons they give are remarkably similar. It seems that they wanted a tiny little baby, a toy, just like a stuffed animal. What they got was the surprisingly independent and bossy little bundle of energy that is typical of Chihuahuas.

These little dogs are smart enough to know who is boss, and if their owners don't take command, they will.

Many of the Chihuahuas turned in to Laura come with tales of how they are aggressive, but when she places them in foster homes with folks who know the breed, the problems vanish.

Laura explains that many people treat their dog like a baby and think it is "cute" when it growls to protect its owner. The problem escalates, however, and then no one, including the owner, is safe around the tiny terror. It doesn't have to be that way.

Chihuahuas are intelligent and respond well to obedience training. They respect humans who show them that they are the boss.

This isn't done through punishment or cruelty, but by consistent, patient training that puts the dog in his place. Laura says it is important to crate-train Chihuahuas, especially if there are young children in the family. Children, by the way, need to be trained well to be safe around this breed. They need to understand that when they want to pet the dog, they need to sit down and ask the dog to come to them.

Owners of Chihuahuas should also be aware that they are more difficult to house-train than many other breeds.

If you think that a little dog with a great big personality would fit in well with your household, then a rescue chi might be for you.

Just don't be like the girl who e-mailed Laura and said, "I have long, blond hair just like Paris Hilton. I've got a doggie purse, and now all I need is the Chihuahua."

Reference: www.suburbanchicagonews.com

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