Feeding
Keep your puppy on the food they arrive with, feed small meals every three to four hours, and change brands gradually over a week if you want to switch.
Puppy Care
Chihuahuas are not just small dogs — they are tiny ones. A few habits in the first weeks will protect them for life.
The first weeks
Calm routines beat perfect routines
Set up a sleeping spot, a feeding spot, water and a safe area before your puppy arrives. Your puppy does not need to learn everything on day one. Gentle repetition, plenty of sleep and consistency work far better than rushing.
Warmth
Chihuahuas genuinely feel the cold. Give them a warm bed away from draughts, and use a coat for winter outings.
Sleep
Puppies sleep 18 hours a day. Limit visitors, long play sessions and new experiences in the first week.
House training
Take your puppy out after sleeping, eating and playing. A tiny bladder means frequent trips — praise quietly the moment they go, every time.
Coat care
Short haired chihuahuas need a weekly brush. Long haired chihuahuas need brushing two or three times a week, especially behind the ears.
Teeth
Small mouths crowd teeth, so dental care matters more than in a big dog. Brush regularly and have your vet check the bite at every visit.
Handling a three-pound dog safely
The biggest risk to a chihuahua is a household accident, not illness. Lift with one hand under the chest and one under the hindquarters, never by the front legs. Teach children to sit down before holding the puppy. Check before you sit on the sofa, close a door or step backwards, and discourage jumping down from beds and furniture while the puppy is growing — a fall from sofa height is a long way for a dog this size.
Exercise for a growing chihuahua
Far less than people expect. Short, frequent play is better than long walks while the growth plates are still closing. One short walk a day plus indoor play suits most adults, and a wet or cold day is a perfectly good reason to stay in.
Barking, boldness and socialisation
Chihuahuas are alert, opinionated and completely unaware of their size. Left unsocialised they get snappy with strangers and other dogs; socialised properly they are confident little dogs who travel anywhere. Introduce people, surfaces and sounds gradually and positively, treat your puppy like a dog rather than an accessory, and do not carry them past every situation they need to learn about. Reward-based training works; repetition and raised voices do not.