What Skill You Need To Know About Chihuahua Training

Allen Stokes // January 28 // 0 Comments

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What skill you need to know about Chihuahua training dog commands for sit, down, come, stay, leave-it commands, potty training, obedience, and socializing.

Chihuahuas are tiny, adorable, and more aggressive than other dog breeds. In addition, they are stubborn, headstrong, and determined to have their way. Consequently, Chihuahua training is essential to raise a well-behaved, happy family pet companion.

What Skill You Need To Know About Chihuahua Training

Distinctive Chihuahua Characteristics

Chihuahua dog training

Before you bring home a Chihuahua, it is essential to understand this breed's distinctive temperament. They are naturally possessive, dominant, and born leaders' instincts. They are loyal to their dog parent but have little interest in meeting new people or other dogs.

The Chihuahua ranks sixth among American dog breeds. Some first-time dog parents of Chihuahuas fail to obedience train their dogs. They assume Chihuahuas can't be dangerous. This thinking is incorrect.

Chihuahua dogs are perfect for small apartment living. However, these dogs will require supervision when outside in your yard.

apartment chihuahua dog training

When exercising with your Chihuahua in forest-type areas, be aware that they are vulnerable to attacks from big dogs, coyotes, birds of prey, and other creatures that view them as a food source.

Chihuahuas are intelligent, snappy, and energetic and love to play with their owners. However, first-time dog parents should know that outside toilet training could be a struggle for you and your Chihuahua.

New situations can cause your Chihuahua to become nervous. For example, you should be aware of meeting strangers, bigger dogs, loud noises, busy city street conditions, and large groups of people.

A daily exercise regimen is a must and should be a priority. However, Chihuahuas are already energetic, so taking long walks isn't necessary. Usually, running around an apartment is enough exercise.

A Chihuahua's neck is very fragile. Pet parents must therefore handle their dogs carefully to avoid neck injuries. Only use a flat buckle collar or harness to protect its trachea.

As most toy breeds such as Chihuahuas are usually susceptible to cold temperatures, you should ensure your pet wears a sweater during walks in cold weather or keep him inside when temperatures reach below 35 degrees.

It isn't wise to let a Chihuahua jump from a high height because of the risk of damaging his joints. The breed is prone to joint disorders and fractures, so a dog parent must handle it carefully.

The American Kennel Club is a great learning source for more information on what skill you need to know about Chihuahua training commands for sit, down, come, stay, leave-it commands, potty training, obedience, socializing, and how to care for them.


 Positive Reinforcement Training

Before you bring your Chihuahua home, it is essential to understand this breed's distinctive temperament. In addition, you will realize why obedience training is necessary if you want to raise a well-behaved adult pet companion.

The best way to train Chihuahuas is to reward them with treats and praise, also called positive reinforcement.

Chihuahua Positive reinfo

 Chihuahua Clicker Training

The Clicker training method uses the Mark and Reward method, an operant conditioning dog training that relies on the positive reinforcement theory.

The clicker training tool will teach your dog that you will reward his behavior.

Chihuahua Clicker Training

The clicker is suitable for teaching new behaviors and stopping destructive behaviors when used in conjunction with other Chihuahua training tips that work.

Chihuahua Basic Obedient Commands

You should train your Chihuahua in a quiet, distraction-free area.

Name Acknowledgement

You start with name recognition makes teaching new commands much more manageable. Always say your dog's name and follow by the desired power. Example: "Tippy, come."

When your dog hears his name mentioned, he will respond by staring back at you. It would help if you always rewarded him immediately for doing this correct behavior.

Every Chihuahua parent should know the below obedience dog training commands:

SIT ~ DOWN ~ COME ~ STAY ~ LEAVE IT
Chihuahua Dog sit training
SIT- is a valuable command that calms your Chihuahua.
Chihuahua dog down training
DOWN - keeps your dog from jumping on guests or furniture and keeps him calm.
Chihuahua Dog training Come
COME - is an important command that signals your dog to return to you and keep him out of trouble.
Chihuahua Stay dog training
STAY - keep your dog safe from getting hurt by moving vehicles, larger dogs, or other dangerous animals.
Chihuahua Leave it dog training
LEAVE IT - Prevents your Chihuahua from picking up foreign items or food that could be a safety risk.

Do's and Don't Chihuahua Training.

Here are some general guidelines for Chihuahua positive reinforcement training rules. In addition, I provided a list of 'dos and don'ts' for dog training.

Do's
  • Consistency
    Your dog will not get confused if you use the same word commands as all family members.
  • Short Training Sessions: All Chihuahua training sessions should be positive, a pleasurable experience, and kept under 15 minutes.
  • Praise and Reward: Chihuahuas are naturally spontaneous animals. They learn how to perform the correct behavior you desire because they know you will give them instant treats and affection.
  • Remove Treats Gradually: When you feel your Chihuahua understands your commands and gives you the correct desired behavior, you can start gradually cutting back on giving him treats. Soon you can replace treats with the phrase.

Don’ts
  • Complicate Training - You never mix command words and signals; keep the command terms simple so your Chihuahua can distinguish the correct behavior. You should instruct household family members should use the exact command words.
  • Punish -  When training, your Chihuahua should never yell, scold or display a disgusting attitude. Your training progress suffers delays if you act negatively.
  • Stop Correcting Unwanted Behavior - Unfortunately, the positive reinforcement technique may confuse some Chihuahua owners by causing them to believe that you cannot say "NO" to their Chihuahua. You always stop inappropriate behavior immediately.
  • Be Inconsistent - You must keep your training commands constant because wavering command signals will confuse your Chihuahua as to what you want him to do.

Well-behaved dogs understand the basic commands. However, for your Chihuahua to obey your commands, it must pay attention to you.


Socializing Chihuahuas

It would help if you began socializing with your new puppy immediately. Your dog needs to discover other humans, dogs, and animals. This process allows your dog to feel comfortable with other people and pets and know the difference between children and adults.

Chihuahua socialize dog training
The purpose of socializing with your Chihuahua will encourage them to stay calm and confident.

New situations can cause your Chihuahua to become nervous when meeting strangers, bigger dogs, loud noises, busy city street traffic, and large groups of people.

You may face challenges when socializing your Chihuahua to dealing with larger dogs due to their tiny size and the risk of them getting hurt.

Good socialization behavior will encourage your dog to ignore noisy situations that pose no safety risk.

An exception to the socialization training rule is "strange small children" playing too near your Chihuahua. After that, the dog parent must be alert and manage your dog and kids.


 House Training Chihuahuas

Housebreaking your Chihuahua will be difficult if you don’t have a routine daily schedule.

Make your puppy's potty break schedule easy enough so that you can follow it.

 House Rules for Chihuahuas


Chihuahuas are a territorial breed. They require their own private space for eating, drinking, playing, and sleeping.

house Rules for Chihuahuas

You must mark off, restrict and control your Chihuahua's space. If you don't, they will automatically assume that they are the pack leader for your family.

You always want to use simple words like "go potty" and use the exact phrase repeatedly every time you take him outside.

Outside house training chihuahuas

It would help if you learned to read and understand your dog's body language for toilet emergencies. Then, your Chihuahua will let you know when he will need to go outside.

To discover more about how to read a dog's body language, the American Kennel Club provides some information on this phenomenon.

K9 Training Institute Free Workshop

The K9 Training Institute offers a free workshop where you can learn firsthand their effective training methods.

The Free Workshop emphasizes building a solid bond between you and your pup. They explain how to apply positive reinforcement techniques that make learning enjoyable for dogs and their owners..

Does your dog tug on its leash, bark constantly, and won't come when called? Sign Up and get the FREE Obedience Training Workshop Now!

What Skill You Need To Know About Chihuahua Training Is It The Right Choice For You?


Chihuahuas love their dog parents, but they are not a good fit for families with young children.


Choosing a Chihuahua puppy is a big decision for any family. Watch the video below to discover what skill you need to know about a Chihuahua puppy before bringing home a Pug puppy.


Chihuahuas need attention, so be sure you can provide it if you're considering getting one.


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About the Author Allen Stokes

For more than 50 years, Allen Stokes has been training dogs. His blog features a compilation of the best in-depth dog training tips used by the most renowned trainers today.

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