How to Train & Care for a Chihuahua

Is that a fashion accessory? No, it's a dog! Weighing about six pounds, a chihuahua is one of the tiniest dogs available and will easily fit into your purse. Its personality, however, is more suited to an 80-pound dog. Chihuahuas are energetic dogs, and although they can be affectionate with their owners, they can be aggressive to strangers. They are protective and courageous and can get themselves into trouble if they aren't properly trained or cared for.

Things You'll Need

  • Dog treats
  • Small breed dog food
  • Collar
  • Leash
  • Dog toys
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Instructions

    • 1

      Socialize your chihuahua as a puppy. Aggression is a problem for these dogs, despite their size, and you must teach them how to get along with strangers, children and other animals. Introduce your chihuahua to as many different people, animals or circumstances as you possibly can. Keep treats on hand to reward your chihuahua when it remains calm or happy throughout the experience.

    • 2

      Play with your chihuahua, or take it for a walk around the block. It is energetic but small, and can get most of its exercise running around the house. It does need human interaction and a chance to experience the outside world, however, so take the time to play games and take walks together. This will keep your chihuahua from becoming bored and developing behavior problems.

    • 3

      Give your chihuahua rules to follow, just as you would a larger dog. These dogs are prone to develop dominance-related behavior problems (such as aggression), so they must have boundaries. Don't allow your dog to jump up on you or on your guests. Decide if you want it on the furniture or in the dining room. Enforce your chihuahua's rules consistently so that it does not have the opportunity to become dominant.

    • 4

      Use only positive methods to train your chihuahua. Like all dogs, it should know basic commands such as sit, down, come and stay. This small breed can become timid or aggressive if it is punished, however, and it can be easily injured. Use treats and praise to teach commands to your chihuahua and to reward it for obeying.

    • 5

      Feed your chihuahua food that is formulated for small breeds. Their teeth cannot bite through large kibble meant for bigger dogs, and large dog formula contains too much protein and other nutrients for your chihuahua's system to process properly. Check the label to see how much you should feed your chihuahua each day.

    • 6

      Take your chihuahua to the vet at least once a year for physical checkups and vaccinations. The vet will look for early signs of illness or disease and can help you keep your chihuahua healthy. A healthy chihuahua can be your companion for up to 18 years.

    • 7

      Hire a certified dog trainer or animal behaviorist if your Chihuahua becomes aggressive to you, to other adults, to children or to other dogs. Its teeth may not do as much damage as a large dog's when it bites, but this is a behavior problem that must be dealt with as quickly as possible. Aggressive chihuahuas are not only a danger to others, but they can be a danger to themselves. Unwilling to back down from a fight (even one it starts), a chihuahua can be seriously injured if it decides to tangle with a larger dog.