Professional Dental Cleanings

[Capri]

Does everyone know chis are known to have dental problems and lose their teeth early in life? You need to brush them once a week or more if you can. They will develope tartar and it will lead to gingervitis (gum disease) and they will lose teeth and need to be anesthetized to have them pulled and cleaned later on, so clean them now and bring them for professional cleanings after a few years if there is tartar build up.

I haven't started cleaning my 3 year olds teeth. I have the tiny brush and chicken flavored paste from Petsmart. The vet said she has a little tartar, so I will have them professionally cleaned. They will have to be anesthestized for this, so it's better to keep them clean yourself, especially as they age.

Just clean the outside of the teeth, the saliva and tongue keep the inside teeth clean. Gingervitis can lead to a dogs early death as it effects their heart just like with people.

[Chloe's Mom]

Capri,

While it's always nice to see a new member on the boards - (hello, and welcome, by the way...)

I've just been perusing your posts, and I am struck by the COPIOUS amount of very direct and apparently difinitive advice you have shared with us in just one day!

While I am relatively new here myself, I took the time to introduce myself, and in turn, others introduced themselves as well. In doing so, we all have come to understand each other's experience with animals in general, and the Chihuahua breed in particular. This sharing of "point of reference" is INFINITELY valuable to all of us in gauging, frankly, the voracity of advice we give each other.

Having said that, I wonder if you would share with us your experience, and the avenue through which you have gained your plethora of "Chihuaha expertise"? Are you a Vet? A long time Breeder? Do you show your Chi?

We are obviously all caring Chi owners who are interested in only the best for our little ones, but we all are at different stages of knowledge - that's why we're all here, to learn from and help each other. That can only be productive if opinions are clearly stated as such, which allows us to individually research further based on helpful suggestions. Immutible facts are generally stated as such, and "backed up" if you will, with supportive reference sites. (That system has worked GREAT so far!)

The reason I bring this up is not to be offensive, certainly. But, seeing so many contradictions to advice already presented by members who are VERY well respected seemed odd to me, frankly.

So, I hope you'll take my comments in the spirit in which they are given. (I hope the administrators will, as well! I think by now everyone here knows me to be fairly forthright, and not terribly malicious!:))

I look forward to hearing more about you and your Chi, and again...welcome.

[Capri]

Chloe, I don't see a good spot to post any info about myself or my dog to say hello. I think a discussion and information board is best when it's active and people post whenever they want to. I see no rules limiting people to how many posts they may make.

I would be glad to tell you how I've gained my experience. I've read many articles by unbiased sources, read books written by vets and by personal experience. I believe everything I have posted so far is based on what I've read and none of it is from my personal opinions. I feel there is so much contradicting information by vets and professionals, that I could never say for myself that I consider anything to be 100% fact, but a person has to do reading and come up with and end result as to how they want to care for and feed their dogs by what they have read.

You want references? I don't have all the nutrition books that have now gone back to the library to quote their names or authors. Will someone quoting their vet and giving me their name help me at all. I doubt it. Does that count? Not necessarily. Vets disagree with each other, so please don't anyone tell me that they have THE ANSWER for anything, because it came from their vet who are in this business to make money, promote their products and sometimes do unnecessary things to your dog for more money in their pocket.

Do I show my dog or am I a breeder? Does that mean anything? Not to me. I have seen quite a few unreputable show dog breeders. My first experience with one sold me a pup and the next day said the pup was dead and never called me, I called her. Her kennel has had parvo, and she has bred dogs on occassion without knowing who the correct sire was. I was later told my pup was probably sold to the highest bidder, because she had other pups to sell and mine was in with the rest and was the cutest.

Then there was the breeder who recommended that I feed my dog store brand hard food. I could go on and on. If being a show person is any kind of good reference for knowledge, it isn't always in my book. If someone wants to say they can state facts, simply because they breed or show, it won't matter to me. I'll listen, then make up my own mind.

I do have strong feeling about certain things and I want to share them, because I care for pets and especially for chihuahuas. I want the best for everyone's dog, but I realize everyone has their own idea of what is best for them and their dog, and I do not plan on converting anyone to my way of thinking unless they feel my information makes sense.

I've seen well respected veterans of dog forums, and what they do is when someone asks a question, they go to Google, do a search and spit out information that I can get myself. I'm not saying that people do that here, but I don't know who these respected people are and why they are respected. I'll respect them too if I can post and agree to disagree when we have different ideas.

[Chloe's Mom]

I could go on and on.

That was my point.

I was merely inquiring (nicely, I thought) as to your background, and the basis for your posting so many definitive and at times caustic remarks on a forum where you are so new a member.

No matter, though. You allude to the fact that opinions are just that...and I've formulated mine.

Thanks

[Amaze]

I would be glad to tell you how I've gained my experience. I've read many articles by unbiased sources, read books written by vets and by personal experience. I believe everything I have posted so far is based on what I've read and none of it is from my personal opinions.

Do I show my dog or am I a breeder? Does that mean anything? Not to me. I have seen quite a few unreputable show dog breeders.
If being a show person is any kind of good reference for knowledge, it isn't always in my book. If someone wants to say they can state facts, simply because they breed or show, it won't matter to me. I'll listen, then make up my own mind.

Where to begin? Let's see. As a Mass Communications Major whose concentration was Written Journalism, I have to disagree with what you stated "I've read many articles by unbiased sources." There is no such thing (unless it is Biography). No matter how hard a writer tries, there is always opinion involved. If in nothing else, the subject chosen to write about and the topics that are discussed are what he/she feels is important; thus, an opinon!I too have read many books on the topics and have yet to find one void of opinion.

Showing dogs or breeding them does not make one an expert on any canine subjects, but it does show commitment, dedication, or, if nothing else, more experience then the average pet owner in the field of dogs. It is just one of many references one can use to support their shared opinion but does not make anyone better or worse than anyone else.

There are reputable and not so reputable breeders out there (far more unreputable) and instead of "playing the victim," people need to take responsiblity for purchasing animals from those types of breeders. "Its a two-way street" as my dad used to say, bad breeders wouldn't exhist if people didn't buy dogs from them.

[Capri]

H&T, by unbiased, I meant that the article was not written by a pet food company or some other company that is selling pet products. Can it still be a biased report, I guess so. Like I always say, everything you read is not always 100% correct.

If you show your dog, you may gain more information, but is it from other breeders or is it from reading information due to concern about your dog? Then does the breeder use that information to better their dogs? I see every breeder as an individual. I do know many more reputable show dog breeders than I know unreputable ones, but oddly enough, I find that the reputable ones will still deal with the unreputable breeder by breeding their dog with the other unreputable breeders dog.

We can talk about different sources of information and come out saying there is no one that can be believed from vets who have an agenda to holistic vets that want to treat a dog "their" way, to pet food articles that can be biased to the point that your hair turns gray and you don't know which way is up anymore. I just think if your read a lot from different sources, listen to people, you make up your own mind. Afterall, who can we trust 100%? Do you have any sources that you find to be unreproachable?

[Amaze]

If you show your dog, you may gain more information, but is it from other breeders or is it from reading information due to concern about your dog? Then does the breeder use that information to better their dogs?

Do you have any sources that you find to be unreproachable?

If you are in the sport of breeding/showing dogs for the right reasons, then yes, you do both read and use the informatin to better your dogs. There are hundreds of books full of valuable information out there that both educate and make you a better dog owner. Some of my favorites include "The Dog Whisper, Breeding Dogs for Dummies, and Born to Win.

As far as having any unreproachable sources, I am not the one stating my opinion as fact. Might I repeat, OPINION.

[Capri]

H&R, I own the "Chihuahua Book for Dummies". It's a very basic book I bought before I got Capri. Since I am not into breeding, I don't read books along those lines. I read dog nutrition books.

Do you want to go on a merry go round that never lets you off, discuss vitamin C. It's good, it's bad, a dog makes it so it's not necessary as an additive, it's water soluble so it's okay to take every day, it's not okay to take every day, dog's create it, they don't need it, but some dogs have problems and don't create it, blah, blah, blah, pull another gray hair out of my head :)

[Amaze]

H&R, I own the "Chihuahua Book for Dummies". It's a very basic book I bought before I got Capri. Since I am not into breeding, I don't read books along those lines. I read dog nutrition books.



I agree that I mentioned two out of three books that are related to breeding. But there is more to owning a dog then nutrition as I'm sure you will agree. Behavioral Issues, Health Issues, Genetics, and Responsible Ownership are all important topics for a well-rounded dog owner to educate themselves on.

As far as "Breeding Dogs for Dummies" goes, it is NOT a basic book as you feel that "Chihuahuas for Dummies" is (and I tend to agree that it is a bit generic). This book was written by Ric Beauchamp, one of the canine world's master breeders, all group judges, and professional handler. He writes a quality book full of valuable information for both the novice and experienced breeder.

[momof1chi]

Wow! I just like this site because it is one Chi. lover talking to another Chi. lover! I like the friends I have made here! They all have been very helpfull to me and chili! If I wanted the mumbo jumbo about books and stuff like that I would visit my vet for the afternoon! I hope I have not made anyone mad (H&T, I really like all your info, you have really helped me with chili and his paper problems! )because all Info is needed! But from now on lets use our experience with a Chi and not a Books?
Chassi and Chili Pepper