How to Make a Chihuahua Happy

Ensure that your Chihuahua lives a happy life by fulfilling its basic needs. The Chihuahua is a naturally cheerful breed of dog that loves its owner, according to the Dog Breed Info Center. If your Chihuahua appears to be unhappy and is exhibiting unwanted behaviors, such as growling, snapping, excessive barking, constant licking or nervousness, then you must find and address the cause of your dog's frustration. This is a dog that requires proper leadership to prevent it from developing "small dog syndrome." This is when a small dog is treated like a baby rather than a dog and as a result the dog becomes dominant.

Things You'll Need

  • Treats
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Instructions

    • 1

      Take your Chihuahua on a walk every day to allow it to exert energy and to make it feel happy. The Chihuahua is an intelligent breed that enjoys the mental stimulation of different sights and smells that it experiences while walking.

    • 2

      Act in a calm, confident manner when you are in the company of your Chihuahua. Your dog can tell when you are feeling frustrated or anxious and will think that it needs to take charge because you have a weak energy. Taking charge can be stressful for the Chihuahua.

    • 3

      Show your Chihuahua that you are a leader that it can respect and trust to protect it, as an alpha dog would in the wild. Do this by implementing rules for your Chihuahua to enable it to feel happy and balanced.

    • 4

      Give your Chihuahua the attention that it loves by spending time enjoying active play sessions with your pet on a regular basis.

    • 5

      Practice obedience training with your Chihuahua to provide it with mental stimulation. Enroll your dog in obedience training classes to allow it to socialize with other dogs. Praise your Chihuahua for successfully learning commands and give it a special treat, such as a small piece of chicken or cheese.