Training Chihuahuas With Praise & Affection

Chihuahuas are sensitive, intelligent dogs who are fast learners, but can be stubborn. This breed does not respond well to punishment or negative reinforcement and tends to shut down when it is used. Train your Chihuahua with positive methods. Praise and affection, combined with short training sessions, will result in an eager, happy pet.

  1. Equipment

    • Because of their small size, Chihuahuas must be handled carefully. Chain or choke collars can hurt them, and pulling on a leash attached to a neck collar can cause injuries. If you're working with your Chihuahua on a leash, it's best to use a harness. Purchase a harness that is made to prevent the dog from pulling out of it, such as a soft harness that is made to fit small dogs. Always work with high-value treats that you only use for training. Soft treats with a strong scent work well, are easy to break into tiny pieces, and Chihuahuas love them.

    Training Basics

    • Start training your Chihuahua early when it's a puppy, using basic commands such as ̶0;sit,̶1; ̶0;stay,̶1; and ̶0;come.̶1; Don't teach more than one command in a training session. Concentrate on one at a time, and keep the training sessions short -- 15 to 20 minutes is enough, once a day. Chihuahuas learn quickly and are easily bored, so long, repetitive training sessions are not effective.

    Early Training

    • The first lesson your Chihuahua will need is house training. Your Chihuahua should have a crate in the house when he is a young puppy during early training, and should be taken outside every 30 minutes to potty in the same place every time. Choose a command word or phrase, and use it whenever you take your puppy outside. When your Chihuahua performs, immediately praise the dog enthusiastically and give him a training treat.

    Teaching Commands

    • The most important command you will teach your Chihuahua is ̶0;come.̶1; Choose a room with no distractions and move away from your dog. Hold a treat in your hand; say the dog's name and give the command; for example, ̶0;Chi, come.̶1; When your Chihuahua comes to you, praise and treat. Always give the treat and praise immediately when the dog performs, so he associates good behavior with the reward. Train other commands the same way. When teaching commands such as "sit," help the dog understand by placing him in the position when you first give the command.

    Reward with Affection

    • Chihuahuas are very affectionate and love attention.

      Your Chihuahua loves treats, but attention and affection are just as important. At the end of each training session, give your dog a bit of play time with a favorite game that he enjoys such as fetch, tug or playing ball. This builds your bond with the dog and teaches your Chihuahua to enjoy training. If he doesn't understand the command or fails to perform, never scold; just say ̶0;oops,̶1; and start again. If your Chihuahua isn't learning the command you are trying to teach, end the session on a positive note with a command the dog will do, praise and treat that command, and try again another day.