Calling All Itty Dog Owners :D

[TwinTails]

Ok, so it's for sure I am getting my two dogs Mac is a purebred CKC registered Chihuahua. He's black and only about 5lbs. Hala is a mix, I think Chihuahua and something (she has terrier hair), about 8lbs. I met Hala 4 months ago when picking up Sadie for my Mom. Hala was born Christmas Day '08, was bottle raised and has a hare lip. She's adorable. I haven't seen Mac yet, but we'll be getting them both soon. He is 1 1/2 years and she is almost 1 (so still puppies).

Now, it has litterally been years since I've have a itty bitty dog. My only small dog was Sophie, a Chihuahua, 15 years old (we had her 2 years). That was more than 10 years ago. She was quite old and wasn't very active in the least. Gary's dog, Tico, was a senior also when I moved in, and he was not a playful boy by then, lol.

So, my questions are: what will I need for them? I have small dog harnesses x2, someone is mailing me 2 Service Dog in Training vests, I have pee pads, newspapers and a low cat pan and spot for it, I have a kennel and blankets. I will need to get leashes (I may end up making my own for them, since they will be walked together). A friend is sending me a clicker, and I have about 35 dog training books (from puppies to older dogs, tricks and other behaviors that a SD should know). I will get their food from the rescue, and will then decide on what to feed them (how often? Would free feeding a specific amount each be ok?). I have meat in the freezer to get them onto raw once they have settled in here.

For toys, I know they like stuffed animals (which I have tons of here). What else would be good for them? We have lots of cat toys (large balls with bells in them, laser light, etc).

Treats for training - what do you recommend? Also, does anyone have any links to patterns for making dog clothes (I can adapt to make winter stuff for them, warmer vests, etc)?

Anything else I should know? I will be sticking with the vet I've had the most experience with, and has been an invaluable (I hope that is the word?) asset to us

Ok, thanks so much! I am very excited! And yes, I will post billions of photos once I have them!!

[pbpatti]

Congratulations TT on your upcoming arrivals. It sounds like you have all of the necessary items on hand for these two new lovlies Mac and Hala, I am sure they will settle in woth you and your family quickly. Oops, did you mention beds?? or will they have their own spots on the master bed ?

[TwinTails]

They will have beds on the floor near our bed (or in the crate, not sure which yet) Thats because our bed is a pet free zone (for sleeping, as I'm allergic to everything), and it's not that big, lol. Plus, having them in one spot will keep them safer, as I tend to bumble around at night, lol. Also our groomer for Tico is excited to see these two, which is great (not that they need it, as I usually groom my own critters, but nails and ears they can do, lol).

[LittleMonster]

I have a 10lb dog myself. Im no expert but here is what i know.

I will get their food from the rescue, and will then decide on what to feed them (how often? Would free feeding a specific amount each be ok?). I have meat in the freezer to get them onto raw once they have settled in here.

We free fed our dog when he was much younger, but at around 8 months, we stopped and gave him portions twice daily. Once after his walk in the morning, and another time at night. He never had any problems with low blood sugar or anything. You can always free feed in small amounts so they actually finish the bowl in less than a day, that way you know exactly how much they eat.

For toys, I know they like stuffed animals (which I have tons of here). What else would be good for them? We have lots of cat toys (large balls with bells in them, laser light, etc).

Watch out for the noses and the eyes or any other hard plastic on the stuffed animals. Mine kept chewing them and taking them out.

There are some really nice squeaker balls that most dogs like. My dog loves this toy: http://mrpets.ca/Products/Product.as...&categoryid=-2
and dont forget a small kong!

Treats for training - what do you recommend?

Since our dog gets home made/raw, we give him orijen kibble as treats. I figure its healthier than regular treats.

Anything else I should know? I will be sticking with the vet I've had the most experience with, and has been an invaluable (I hope that is the word?) asset to us

Watch out for pancreatitis, most little dogs get it if they have too much fatty foods.
Have the vet check their knees for luxating patella, lots of little dogs have weak knees.

[TwinTails]

Thank you LM! I will deffinitely look into that toy and watch the stuffies. I think I have a coupon for free Merrik food and free Nature's Varriety food, so I will try those as treats

[hazelrunpack]

Congrats on the new additions, TT! How exciting to be getting two newbies!

I'm too clutzy to have little dogs I need something big enough to survive being tripped over by lead-foot Mom. So I have no advice for ya, except to keep the batteries to the camera charged at all times!

[ScottieDog]

Congratulations on your soon-to-come new arrivals! I do want to comment on the treats. My dog is huge compared to yours (23 pounds) but she really likes the Zukes training treats. The are small, solid, semi-soft meaty bits. I actually cut them in half--tedious, but you can do this. These seem to have healthy ingredients. Here is a link:

http://www.zukes.com/woof/mini-naturals.html

I also have a bag of Merrick kibble (purchased for my ill doggie who recently passed) and I use this kibble for training as well. Since it isn't her normal food, she sees it as a treat. We are working on beginner agility with our Scottie girl Cassie. What type of service work will your little pooches do?

[Melinda]

kongs...mini puppy kongs (usually pink) will be great for them, keeps them busy when you have to go out, or for after great training sessions to help them wind down.

[TwinTails]

Hazel, that is so true, I will need to buy lots of 'em

ScottieDog, those treats look awesome, and quartering them would be a great way to save & treat at the same time I tend to treat a lot of the time, whenever anything good is done, lol. So nibbles would be perfect

Melinda, I totally forgot about Kongs! I don't know how I forgot about them, lol! Well, hubby and I both work at home, and as they will be trained as service dogs, they will be out and about with us most of the time. But I will have to invest in a couple of special treats for when we do have to leave them at home

Thank you everyone! I am so looking forward to getting them I can't wait to hold them and start our lives together Kinda sounds like I'm preggers, huh?

[maneater]

I have two chihuahuas and I have found that baby toys are the best for them. They are small enouhg for the chi's and made alot better then most small dog toys. Do you have any sweaters for them for the winter?

[Frenchy]

I am also new to this (extra small , tiny dogs ) but one thing I know : CUZ ! They make them all sizes , and they have the mini ones. Unfortunately , the one I got for Jack died minutes after Sienna got to it

[TwinTails]

No sweaters yet. I need to wait to measure them so I can make them to fit

[TwinTails]

Frenchy, those are awesome! I will have to see if I can find some here

Maneater, I will check to see what baby toys I can find

[14+kitties]

One thing that concerns me. The pee pads. Are you planning on having them only use them for relieving themselves or are you planning on training them for outside? IF you use pee pads and then later try to train them for the outdoors you could be setting yourself up for a huge failure. Dogs who are trained on them seem to think that they can go any time indoors while not using the outdoors at all. If you are planning on using them as service dogs this may not go over too well. Just my
I have a five pound 15 year old poodle. She has been a source of much love, joy and some heartache since she was ten weeks old.

[TwinTails]

Oh, let me clarify Mac and Hala are out door trained. The couple works week days in another city, and can't let the dogs outside (they live on a highway, and the neighbors dogs have been stolen right out of their yard recently). Pee pads are used for emergencies only Both dogs prefer to go outside, but if needed, will use the pee pads inside. See both hubby and I take meds to help us sleep. Mine are very heavy, and he sleeps through all sorts of commotion, lol. So if they need to go while we are sleeping or if we're very sick (the flu knocks us down for about 2 weeks at a time), there is a place they can go and we won't be upset about it

[kmd]

Hi, congratulations. I also have a wee one. She is 4mths old and 3lbs...longhaired chihuahua..Bella. We used to have a 22lb poodle (Bentley) so with her being so small I put a bell on her collar. It really helps to know where she is, since she had now discovered hiding under the bed.
I see you are from Kamloops. I have family there. One worry in Kamloops for small dogs are the eagles. I would go out with them when they are in the yard. This summer we were told another story about a chi that was out in the yard with the other larger dogs but when the mom looked out, she was surprised to see an owl in the yard. Realized a bit later that the chi was gone. She warned me to be careful, but I don't let Bella out by herself, we have had an osprey and several red-tail hawks around since we back onto a swamp and pond area.
Bella likes the little dog treats by Cesar. perfect size for her little mouth, and she loves playing with the cats toys.
Because our winters are colder, I am pee pad training her, so far 50/50.
Enjoy your little ones.

[TwinTails]

Thanks KMD Yes, we do have a lot of birds of prey here! We live in an apartment, so anytime they are outside they are on leash (we are a block from McArthur Park, right near Dennys). Also I believe Kamloops has leash laws, so we will have to keep them on leash at all times (except for the off leash parks and beaches). Thanks!

[abmacdon]

A camera to show them off.

The little ones are so cute, but can also be quite timid. My Tigger, 8 lbs, loves joining the other dogs at the off leash park but when there are too many larger dogs he tells me he wants to go home. Sometimes the big ones treat the little ones like they are toys.

I've also noticed that the smaller the dog, the faster they try to eat, at least in my house. And I don't think it's because they are afraid their food will be taken because it is more often the other way around as they finish first. Anyway, as a result they seem to choke on their food at least two or three times per meal. I'm working at getting them to slow down by giving only a few bites at a time.

[Smiley14]

I have some extra small collars that I can send you if you think they would fit them. I have some leftover from a craft fair so would be happy to send you a couple if you want. They're so tiny, I don't know what to do with them, LOL. The XS are 1/2 inch wide and fit up to about 4 pounds. I think they are 7-9 inches or something like that.

[TwinTails]

Oh wow, thank you! That would be lovely I was just looking for collars around here, and can't find any that would fit them, lol Thanks again

[Smiley14]

Originally Posted by TwinTails

Oh wow, thank you! That would be lovely I was just looking for collars around here, and can't find any that would fit them, lol Thanks again

Oh, no problem! If you can PM me your address, I can send them right out to you!