OPEN MOLERA OR CLOSED MOLERA? This is not just in chihuahua's
Molera (Open Fontanel)
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Many Chihuahuas are born with an opening (or soft spot) at the top of their skull. This opening is known as the Chihuahua Molera (or fontanel). While this is very similar to a human baby's soft spot, it is unlikely most Chihuahuas will outgrow it.
The Chihuahua's molera (or fontanel) is considered a breed characteristic and not a defect. Unfortunately some veterinarians not familiar with the molera may diagnose it incorrectly as Hydrocephalus (water on the brain).
The molera usually shrinks as the dog matures and ends up between nickel- and dime-sized. In rare cases, it can remain quite large and can be a sign of Hydrocephalus; but, Hydrocephalus has several other signs besides a larger than usual molera.
As shown in the illustration below, the molera in a Chihuahua will occur on the top of the head and may vary in shape and size when present.
Potty Training Tips
- Step 1:Start by placing the puppy pads on the floor inside the house. These pads are specially scented and are designed to encourage the puppy to pee on them based on the smell.
- Step 2:Encourage your puppy's good behavior as he uses the puppy pad correctly by gently petting her after she is done. Use a soothing voice together with the petting to tell her what a good
dog she is being as she is peeing on the pad.
- Step 3:Move the puppy pads closer to the door that leads outside of your home as your puppy learns to pee on the puppy pads. It may take a few days before your puppy consistently pees on the puppy pad, especially as you move its location, so be patient.
- Step 4:Try placing the puppy pads on the ground outside of your home. Bring your puppy outside with you and allow him to sniff the puppy pad as he normally would. Allow your puppy to use the puppy pads outside, repeatedly placing the pad in the same location over the course of a few days.
- Step 5:Remove the pad from your regular outdoor location but bring your puppy to that same spot. Use the same soothing voice and encouraging expressions you use when he pees on the pad to encourage him to go on the ground. Eventually your dog should learn that the proper place to go to the bathroom is outdoors, even without the use of the puppy pads.
- Step 6:Scold your puppy only if you catch her in the act of going to the bathroom inside without a puppy pad by saying "no" in a firm voice. Your puppy will not understand she is being scolded for the accident unless she hears as it is happening. Scolding her at later time will only confuse the puppy and will not be effective in potty training.
Tips & Warnings
- Confine your puppy to an area of the house where the floor is easy to clean, such as the a tiled or linoleum floor in the kitchen or bathroom, if you will not be around to bring him outside at a moment's notice to prevent him from going to the bathroom inside.
- Never hit your puppy for having an accident or for any other reason.
