Prepare for unexpected vet bills
If your Chihuahua is your beautiful baby, then you will love to spend precious time with your delightful pal. Playing games and activities is a great way to bond with your dog, but there are many other benefits too, as any activity that keeps a dog physically active will help you to keep them fit and healthy. Chihuahuas donât necessarily need a lot exercise but as an intelligent breed they need to be kept mentally active. They love your attention and companionship, so quality time will really benefit their well being, as well as having a paw-sitive impact on their temperament.Â
Bubble paw-p and chase is a great game for your cheery Chi-chi. Now we all know that your cuddly Chi is on the small side, and for a dog of this size, you can be quite limited as to what toys can be bought. Most canine balls in a pet shop are too large or too heavy for your little buddyâs muzzle, so bubbles are the perfect alternative. They are cheap to buy, colorful and attractive, and really light so they wonât hurt or injure. You can have a lot of fun chasing and paw-pping bubbles, so why not make this an energetic and fun game? Games create the perfect opportunity for you and your four-legged friend to bond.Â
While this game is not physically challenging, the difficulty stems from your poochâs intelligence and trainability. Chihuahuas are known to be clever and loyal, and this particular game requires their obedience and concentration. The game itself is easy to play and itâs a great activity if you donât have a lot of time. Maybe youâve just taken your Chi out for a brisk walk for 10 minutes and you want to finish off your bonding time with a 5-minute game that will treat them for their good behavior while challenging them mentally. Dogs of high intelligence need this type of stimulation, to ensure they donât become bored.Â
We teach our children to tidy up, right? So, why not teach our fur-babies? The truth is, your little tinker will really enjoy tidying, because to them, itâs a game. By getting them to put their toys away and then rewarding them by petting, tickles or kisses, you are giving your pooch everything they need. Chihuahuas love to have your time and attention, so this game is ideal for them. They seek your approval and love; constantly and quite simply, they want your companionship. Often, all they want to do is snuggle up to their owner and especially as they get older, they can be difficult to motivate. This game tricks them. Itâs not an overly energetic game, but there are rewards for good behavior and itâs a great way to provide mental stimulation, with light exercise. You may choose to treat your pooch to a delicious doggie treat, or they may be quite happy just being recognized in a paw-sitive way. This choice is yours, but remember that although an occasional treat is great, this breed is not always overly energetic, so be careful not to overfeed. Â
Rather than throwing a ball for your Chi-chi, why not throw their favorite teddy bear? Throw the teddy and then tell your poochie pal to fetch. Once they pick up the teddy, encourage them to come back over to you by saying âcomeâ, âhereâ or âcome onâ. The final stage is to encourage your little buddy to drop their teddy, so you can praise them. Once thatâs happened, you can repeat the game. The further you throw, the more physically challenging the game is.
Why not mix up a boring walk by adding a task that challenges mental ability? This is a âSimon Saysâ type of game, so when on your daily walk, just shout instructions to your pooch. When you shout ârunâ then you both run. If you shout âwalkâ you change back to walking. When your sporty canine has the hang of this and is mirroring you, add other instructions like âstopâ, âfast walkâ, âsitâ, âjumpâ and âspinâ. Turn this into a fun game while walking your pooch. Changing the speed of your walk, increases heart rate which is good for the heart.Â
You can play this game at home and the aim is to instill obedience. Call over your pet and instruct them to sit. Say facing them and take a step backwards, while saying âstayâ. Keep moving back and repeating the words stay in a low, authoritative tone. If your pup moves, then you need to say no and take them back to their original spot to sit again â then try again. Once you move a few steps back, then call your buddy over. Praise, fuss and offer a treat. To increase difficulty, move further back.
Spending quality time with your pal has so many benefits. By keeping your Chi active, both mentally and physically, you are making them feel loved and secure. Your dog can sense this and it will motivate them in a paw-sitive way which will improve their social skills. If you do feel your pooch would benefit by improving their socialization skills further, you can develop the activities in this guide to include more than one fur-ball. Arrange meet-ups with furry friends or groups as this will certainly help your pooch get along with others. Ensuring that your pooch is trained and treated paw-sitively will help to develop their obedience and agility which will ultimately keep your dog happy, as well as healthy.
Up Next: Best Dog Food for Chihuahuas