Training a tiny Chihuahua might be more challenging than you might think. Especially given their size and the fact that the majority of their training is done with food. There are methods to train a Chihuahua without using food, but rewarding a behavior with a good experience is one of the greatest ways to not only teach but also bond with your Chihuahua.
Unfortunately, you can’t give a little dog a lot of food or they’ll become fat. As a result, the number of training repetitions required to acquire a behavior may be limited. When you decide to take on the job of training a chihuahua, keep in mind that they are intelligent.
Prepare Treats
As many repetitions as possible, have your goodies ready and cut into teeny, tiny pieces. If you reward them with a treat every time they follow your commands, they’ll be more likely to follow your orders in the future.
Start Small
The first few minutes should be spent playing with your dog. If your Chihuahua like toys, fantastic, if not most Chihuahuas will enjoy playing with your hands instead. Start by having fun with them before starting to train them. In this way, they will learn to link training sessions with something they want to accomplish and something that they like.
Use Props
As you hold the clicker in one hand, use the other hand to keep your prop.
Click and reward your Chihuahua if it sniffs or paws at it. Removing it and bringing it straight back to try again if he doesn’t show any interest maybe your Chihuahua’s nose and its paw will interact.
Repetition
So that obtaining the reward is easy and there are no expectations placed on the dog because you haven’t established a concept for an end behavior, repeat this process for two to three sessions. Play for a few minutes at the end of the session to help them relax and feel calm.
Potty Training your Chihuahuas
Potty training Chihuahuas isn’t difficult if you follow the proper steps.
Make no mistake about it! Chihuahuas may quickly and easily learn how to either pee outside or on a puppy pad. Potty training those cute tiny dogs requires persistence if you want to reduce accidents.
👍Take Them Outside
All-day long, take your Chihuahua to the potty at regular intervals. Walking your Chihuahua should be done at least four times a day. Choosing the same time every day is vital so your Chihuaha knows when it may go potty and how long he must hold it.
👍Find them a Spot
Whenever possible, take your Chihuahua to the exact potty location. In your yard or on the street, choose a place for your dog to relieve himself. Your chihuahua will learn your routine if you always go through the same door and to the same location.
👍Reward them
Your Chihuahua should be rewarded for going to the potty outside by giving him positive attention. As a reward for a job well done, tell it “good dog” and give it a pat on the head. It’s more likely to repeat the habit if you demonstrate to the dog that it has done the correct thing by going to the potty outdoors and that it will be rewarded for it.
👍Show your Disapproval
Whenever your Chihuahua enters the home, give it a stern warning and take it outdoors. Make sure your dog understands that he or she should not use the restroom indoors. If you discover it peeing or pooping, tell it “no” and take it to the bathroom right away.
Behavior Modification for Your Chihuahua
When it comes to behavior modification methods, most are easy to understand and may be applied successfully as preventative measures. The downside is that they do demand a consistent commitment of time and effort.
It is essential to socialize your Chihuahua
A Chihuahua that isn’t used to socializing with strangers may be hostile against them. If your Chihuahua is 12 weeks or older, introduce it to a variety of settings, people, and other dogs.
Teach your Chihuahua to Respect You
Letting him know that you are in authority is essential. This breed is well known for entering into a house and assuming that they are the boss of everything. When your dog walks through the door, you want to show him that you are the pack leader. This may be accomplished by making them wait for permission to eat or do activities like as jump on a bed.
Make sure your Chihuahua has its own area
Make a secure place for your Chihuahua to go to when it wants some alone time, or when it is afraid, furious, or feels threatened. You may buy or create a comfy dog bed for your Chihuahua. You may even use a blanket on the couch or in a chair.
Put an End to Harmful Behavior
It’s important not to overlook behaviors like biting, snarling, and excessive food aggressiveness. As soon as you notice your dog acting in this manner, tell him “no” loudly and clearly until he changes his behavior. Redirect your Chihuahua’s behavior if necessary by removing it from the situation and giving it something it enjoys doing.
Equipment You’ll Need
You are all set to welcome a Chihuahua into your house, including working on his manners with him. Now it’s time to prepare your training items before he arrives so you can begin training on the first day. Here are the necessary dog-training equipment, as well as a few extras you might want to have on hand.
✔️Clicker
A clicker can be used to indicate desired behavior whether it occurs spontaneously or in response to a stimulus. Clickers exist in a range of forms and sizes, including portable and wrist strapped models. Some leashes are even equipped with built-in clickers. There are even smartphone clicker apps and clickers built for training numerous dogs, each with its own individual sound.
✔️Treats
Rewarding your dog keeps them engaged and motivated. Individual canine treat preferences will vary, but soft, meaty snacks are often canine favorites. Small treats, around the size of a pencil eraser or a blueberry, are ideal. Some rewards are pre-sized for training, while others must be broken apart or trimmed down to size before use.
✔️Leash
The length of a training leash varies, but it is usually between four and six feet. The leash should ideally be long enough to allow for small slack when your dog stays near to you during walks. During training sessions, a waist-clip leash will enable you to keep your hands free. Keep your dog’s leashes in easily accessible places, such as on hooks near the entryway.
✔️Long Line
Your dog can learn to stay and come when called by using a long rope as an alternative to being off leash. There’s also plenty of area to explore during breaks and for games like smell detecting when there are long queues. Typical long lines range in length from 15 to 30 feet long.
✔️Target Stick
When training fundamental skills like walking politely on leash or more complicated tricks such as spinning or bowing, a target stick may be pretty helpful. From a simple, fixed-length stick to something fancier like an integrated clicker or one that folds for convenient storage, targets come in many shapes and sizes. the equipment isn’t necessary if you educate your dog to touch and follow a hand target instead.
✔️Mat
Portable mats and beds give comfort and security for your dog wherever they may be. An easily transportable, washable bed, mat, or blanket that folds up and can be washed is perfect for camping trips. On slippery surfaces, varieties with a sticky bottom tend to be more stable than others.
✔️Collar
In case your dog escapes, a flat collar will keep their identification tag. However, a front-clip harness is preferable for most dogs since it may assist prevent tugging and make it easier for you to manage your dog’s mobility when you’re out and about. If you have a dog that is difficult to handle, a head halter may be an alternative.
✔️Obstructions
There are several different types of containment devices that you may use to keep your dog contained in a particular area, such as for house training or chewing control purposes. You may also use a barrier to keep your dog away from potentially dangerous locations, such as stairways and the front entrance.
Routines for Making your Chihuahua Happy
Chihuahuas aren’t afraid to show off their joy. They grin at you or want to play with you, give your kisses, wag their tails with their entire body, are well-behaved, and are sociable with other dogs. Here are some simple, enjoyable, and achievable methods to keep your Chihuahua happy.
Take Walks Together
Your Chihuahua spends most of its time at home, and their notion of relaxation is not the same as yours. Dogs, on the other hand, spend the entire day caged up at home. What they look forward to is going out of the house, thus a glance at the leash in your hands sends your Chihuahua into a frenzy. They become thrilled because they know you’ll take them for a stroll. Chihuahua’s also requires a change of scenery, even if only for a few hours. Give them an area larger than your garden where they may roam to their hearts’ content and show them the world outside your front door.
Talk to Them
Most of the time, dogs require your supervision, and you must repeatedly instruct them what to do. Being kind to your Chihuahua will give stability and security to them. Avoid shouting because they will get scared and agitated if use loud voices. Use their name to emphasize the message when you compliment your Chihuahua. “You are a brilliant girl, Lissa,” or “Good girl, Lissa,” are examples of compliments. Your kind yet strong tone will boost their confidence and trust in you.
Pet Them
Massage your Chihuahuas because it soothes and calms them. Scratch their ears or their stomachs, whatever they choose. Massages are so relaxing that they’ll be looking forward to it. How would you know whether they’re having a good time? They are lying on their backs, paws in the air, tongue out.
Play with Them
Dogs, in general, are pack animals who like company. Chihuahuas like playing with other animals and their owners. Especially when they are puppies and spend all of their waking hours playing. They receive their daily dosage of exercise and good attention. You will build your relationship with them while also cognitively stimulating them.
Be Patient
Chihuahuas like to rush around and make a mess. They could eat everything, even if it was on the floor. The problem is that they’d put anything in their mouth. You have to tell them over and over until they understand it, and by then you are probably at your wits’ end. Being a dog parent takes a significant amount of effort and commitment. Not to mention a lot of patience.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Why are Chihuahuas so agitated?
A: Chihuahuas are not naturally predisposed to be furious or violent, but just like any other puppy, a Chihuahua will try to attract your attention in any way they can.
Q: What is the most effective approach to train a Chihuahua?
A: Begin teaching your Chihuahua as soon as you bring it home. Chihuahuas may be obstinate, don’t quit up even if your dog loses interest.
Q: Is it tough to train a Chihuahua?
A: Chihuahuas are clever, strong-willed canines who want to go their own way. This can cause them to be stubborn. However, reward-based training methods are appealing to a Chihuahua, and there’s no reason why they can’t be educated to be obedient like any other dog.
Q: How do I get my Chihuahua to quit peeing in the house?
A: Take him outside right immediately and when he pees outdoors, praise and treat him with food.
Q: Should you let your Chihuahuas sleep with you?
A: Just make sure you and your pup are both healthy and parasite-free, and everything should be great.
Final Words
Remember to gently raise the difficulty of every training session so that you maintain a high rate of reward that stimulates learning. The disposition of a Chihuahua is distinctive in many ways. They are deliberately bred to be attached to their owner at the hip wherever they go. Even yet, when these dogs are not properly socialized with other dogs and people, this connection can develop into dominating tendencies. Was this article helpful? Share your opinions in the comments section.
Here at ILoveChihuahua, we share our personal experiences as owners of this feisty breed. We talk about recommended methods, dog supplies picks, and advice on common Chihuahua problems. Our goal is to promote responsible dog ownership, so there would be fewer Chihuahuas in shelters.
