Chihuahua: Training Insights & Behavior Traits

The Chihuahua's history is complicated and sketchy at best. There are many thoughts and theories in relation to the origin of the breed. Archeologic diggings have unearthed what seems to prove that the breed originated in Mexico. The most common and most likely theory is that Chihuahuas are descended from the Techichi, a companion dog favored by the Toltic civilization in Mexico and the smaller hairless dog brought from Asia to North America via Alaska.

There are no records of the Techichi available before the 9th century, although artifacts dating back to 300 BC have been located, buried as part of the western Mexico shaft tomb tradition. Which are thought to depict Techisis society that buried the pets along with their owners.

There is also proof that the Chihuahua’s were used as living hot water bottles. Anyone who lives with a Chihuahua will understand why that is more than likely fact.

The Right Training for Your Chihuahua

This breed needs gentle and consistent training to control any aggression, nipping or barking as well as any tendency he has to fight with other dogs. The Chihuahua is generally not the most social dog with others outside their family and rarely with other dogs, unless they have accepted them into the family. Therefore training is required in many cases, but it does not need to be regimented but it needs to be consistent and focused on the issues your dog has.

Our methods are very compatible with this breed as we don’t have to just rely on treats to train, we also use communication. The Chihuahua is a very finicky eater and it will usually ignore treats as being any incentive to do anything.

Always start any training with your dog slowly, gradually and try not to pick your dog up to control its behavior. This can make them more determined to still do that which it always did but just then try to avoid your hands and run away.

The Chihuahua has been known to jump straight out of their doggie-parents hands to get to someone entering the home, seriously injuring itself as a result.

Many doggie-parents might think that training is unnecessary or pointless, but that would be akin to not seeking some form of education for your children. The facts are you owe it to your dog to educate it if you can, or you seek professional help if you can’t. Remember that your dog would have received ‘canine education’ if it had remained with its mother and litter mates. You have a responsibility to now complete its education.

Although we often hear about Labradors or German Shepherds being service dogs, don’t rule out the Chihuahua who is quite capable as well. Chihuahuas are intelligent and can be trained when it is done with a gentleness, patience and kindness.

Their large, round eyes are expressive and their single-minded determination makes them good at a variety of activities when they put their mind to it.

• Very territorial
• Good watchdogs
• Loves frequent attention
• Survive best in warmer climates
• Escape artists
• Can be suspicious of strangers or other dogs if not socialized properly

These diminutive dogs have personality plus and are experts at getting their way. They often do it by being very sweet and loving, jumping into their owner’s laps and snuggling in for hours at a time.

Multiple Dog Households

I vividly remember a very nice woman we worked with who had five Chihuahuas. To her they were like potato chips, she couldn’t have just one. She called us because she couldn’t have a cup of coffee or read her newspaper without the dogs being all over her. She loved them and the snuggling and cuddling with them but at times wanted to be left alone to enjoy her morning coffee or sit in her sunroom and read.

We spent a little time getting to know her and her dogs and watched as they continuously demanded and received her attention. Her biggest problem was that her dogs didn’t respect her. Because they didn’t respect her, they didn’t respect her space.

Chihuahuas Are Very Clever at Getting Their Own Way

One of them had her completely fooled. While four of the five would readily jump up on the sofa and then start climbing on her, one of them, who was a little on the plump side, would put her paws on the woman’s legs and make a little crying sound. The woman would then reach down and lift the dog into her lap, giving her the most desirable seat in the house.

We watched this happen a couple of times and then I told the woman she was being played and the dog could easily jump up on her own. The woman didn’t believe me so I asked if she’d like me to prove it. She agreed and I asked her to give me one of the dog’s favorite treats, which she did.

We got all the dogs into the next room and then I put the treat on the sofa. I let only that one dog into the room and within a matter of seconds, the dog was up on the sofa eating the treat. The woman laughed and said, “that little stinker has been playing me for two years”.

We helped her understand how her behavior affected her dogs’ behavior and how to begin changing the dynamics there. By the time we left she was able to sit on her sofa, drink her coffee and read her paper without her dogs demanding her attention. She said it was the first time in years she had her coffee while sitting down. She was now able to both enjoy her dogs and enjoy time without them.

Training Exercises to Try

One easy to start is try walking from room to room, or throughout your home and make sure you always lead the way through all doors as well as up and down the stairs. Dogs instinctively know that ‘the leader always leads’ and they are ‘hard-wired’ to try to see who is fit to lead. It must be you if you want to make sure that your dog listens to you.

If your dog rushes through the door before you, then just turn around and go the other way immediately. Your dog will more than likely try once again to get ahead of you, but don’t give up.

Once your little charge starts to drop in beside you or drops behind, praise with just a very high-pitched melodic tone.

Once you gain the ability to have your dog stop rushing ahead of you praise lavishly and go to the treat cupboard, you have done enough for the day.

Just remember to always do this every time you start to walk around your home or go for a walk.

Remember: ‘The Leader always Leads’ and this is a gentle and passive exercise to establish you as leader.

Do’s and Don'ts of Training for Chihuahua Parents

Never force your shy puppy or dog to make friends with visitors or strangers, this will only make them more concerned-instead have visitors or friends you meet in the street ignore your dog and just chat to you. This will make your dog feel less threatened and they will learn from your example to remain calm.

Ask visitors not to get excited when they see your puppy or dog, this will encourage your dog to become over-excited when it hears that door-bell go-instead have guests remain calm and enter your home sedately. This will make for a calm dog when you open the door to greet your visitors.

Never rush to the door when you hear a knock or the door-bell, this will encourage your dog to do the same thing-instead walk calmly to the door. Also never say things like; Who's that? Who's that? This once again, causes anxiety and excitement for your dog. Always try to stay calm and in control and encourage your visitors to do the same and you will have a better-behaved dog.

Your dog’s behavior is in your hands and you owe it to them to make sure they understand what is acceptable-part of the key to successful canine education, is how you react in every-day situations.

Never encourage your dog to bark-dogs do this naturally and this only encourages them to bark more and will turn them into ‘nuisance barkers’ which will cause your neighbors to complain.

Because of their diminutive size, parents of Chihuahuas can sometimes cope with their dog’s bad behavior and generally only seek help from Bark Busters when their patience in managing the behavior runs out or they receive complaints from their neighbors.