Tips on Training a Chihuahua

Chihuahuas are one of the most loyal little dogs you can have as a companion. These quirky critters are entertaining and absolutely full of personality. They can be stubborn, but are always eager to please their owners. More so than other breeds, Chihuahuas have a reputation of being sneaky, noisy and aggressive toward strangers. However, this really depends on your ability to train and socialize your pup. Here are several tips on training a Chihuahua.

  1. Commands

    • Your training should start on the very first day you bring him or her home. The very first thing you will focus on is potty training. You want to train your dog to do its business outdoors. Once you have potty trained your Chihuahua, you can begin to teach commands for him to follow. You should begin training your dog to "Sit", then "Stay," "Down," and "Come." After your dog has mastered these basic commands, it will be easier for you to teach more commands or tricks later on if you like.

      Some tips on training your dog to respond to your commands are (1) train him in an area of your home that is quiet with no distractions, (2) always provide him with praise and treats when we follows your commands correctly, (3) keep your training short so you won't lose his attention. Teach commands twice a day to keep the training consistent, and (4) one-word commands work best for these little dogs. You don't want to confuse your dog by giving long phrases or sentences. For example, don't give the command, "Sit down Lucy." Instead, say firmly, "Sit Lucy."

    Persistence

    • Persistence is the best tip to successfully train your Chihuahua. This means you must not let your guard down. You need to show your dog who is boss. Training these small dogs is not for the lazy, because they are quite hyper and get distracted easily. You must constantly work hard to reinforce your commands. Chihuahuas are very sweet and cute and they will try everything to get you to play with them instead of train them. You must always follow through with your commands and perform them on a regular basis.

    Authority

    • When giving your commands, have authority. You can still love your dog while letting them know that he must be obedient when a command is given. All commands should be given in a firm voice with a louder tone. You don't have to aggressively discipline your Chihuahua. Never ever hit your dog in order to teach him. If your dog refuses to follow your commands, you say, "No," and don't give a treat. Start your command over, but slower until your Chihuahua understands.