Although your Chihuahua is a member of the smallest dog breed in the world, there is nothing undersized about its intelligence, personality and bravery. Chihuahuas usually have strong, loyal bonds with their owners, and tend to be alert watchdogs. They seem almost comically unaware of their diminutive size, and will often challenge much larger dogs. Proper training and socialization will help your Chihuahua avoid bad habits and become a great dog citizen. Interactive, cooperative games--such as your Chihuahua fetching a toy you've thrown--can help strengthen your relationship with your pet, and also help the dog burn energy.
Things You'll Need
- Favorite toy
- Bite-size puppy treats
Instructions
Crouch down with your dog and wiggle one of its toys back and forth on the floor in front of it to pique its interest. Choose a toy that your dog already likes and is interested in, preferably one that you've seen it carrying around. Make the toy act like it's alive--jumping, creeping and turning.
Say "good dog" when your pet pounces on the toy and takes it in its jaws.
Extend your hand after a moment to offer a treat that you've concealed until now in your pocket. Make sure the treat is one of your puppy's favorites.
Say "drop" just as its jaws start to open to take the treat, and then "good dog" as it drops the toy and takes it. Both your praise and the treat are positive reinforcement for the dog doing what you want it to do.
Repeat this sequence over the next few days or weeks until the dog consistently drops the toy on command. Don't forget to offer lavish praise, both for picking up the toy and for dropping it.
Crouch about a foot away from the dog, letting it see both the treat in your hand and the toy. Roll or throw the toy to it. Then say "bring" in a happy, encouraging tone, lightly slapping the ground in front of you.
Say "drop" when the dog brings the toy to you, and give it the treat and the praise. If the dog bolts with the toy instead of bringing it, don't scold it, and never chase it. There's nothing as thrilling to a puppy as dashing away and being chased by its owner while it has something in its mouth. Simply terminate the training session and calmly walk away. Later, you can start again, trying a shorter distance.
Increase the distance between you and your as puppy as she gets more consistent. It eventually should catch the toy when it's thrown, bring it to you, and drop it into your hand. You can start phasing out the treats. Sometimes just merely praise the dog instead. Its reward is your petting and praising it, plus the fact that--since the dog has brought the toy back to you--it now gets to chase it again.