This is keeping your baby clean and groomed...how do you go about this? You're about to find out.

One way to keep your pup or dog looking clean and nicely groomed is to groom on a regular basis. Making a daily habit of grooming for a few minutes a day will help your pup's coat look top-notch. If you don't have that much time to spend, try every couple of days.

The General Grooming

For short coats, a natural bristle brush will help distribute the oils in your Chihuahua's hair, a rubber bristle brush removes dead hair, and a flea comb will help you check for fleas. Long coats will do best with a pin brush or a wide-tooth comb. Use a hair de-tangle solution to aid in brushing out mats. When grooming your pup, pay special attention to the eyes and ears.

When Shedding

Chihuahuas kept indoors will shed year-round. A daily vigorous grooming using a bristle or rubber curry brush will help hurry the shedding process. More hair will shed after bathing.

Feet

If your dog has hairs on his feet that make him slip or track mud, you can snip them off. Most dogs don't need much trimming, even if they are show dogs.

The Bath

If you bathe your pup or dog in the sink, it helps to have a spray attachment. Put a towel in the bottom of the sink to keep him from slipping and make sure to have a way to hold the pup in case he tries to jump. Wet him with warm water starting up his rear and working forward. Make sure and use a shampoo that's for dogs. If your Chihuahua puppy has skin problems, you may have to get a special shampoo. Take care that it doesn't get in his eyes as you apply the shampoo or that water doesn't get into his ears. Work in the shampoo and then rinse your pup thoroughly beginning with the head and working backward. You can follow with a creame rinse if desired. Don't let your pup outside on a chilly day when still damp, be sure and dry him completely. A blow dryer is the best way to dry him off on a chilly day. Introduce it gradually though.

A good daily grooming and occasional bath will help your Chihuahua pup stay healthy looking, soft, and more fun to hold. Plus, grooming time should be a cherished time between you and your pup, a time to get to know each other better. "How do I care for my new Chihuahua puppy?" hopefully is now a question of the past and both of you can start enjoying a lifetime of a clean and well-groomed coat.