You don’t have to go to an obedience class to start training Chihuahuas. In fact, Chihuahuas are some of the easiest dogs to train. Classes for big, out of control dogs aren’t appropriate for this breed. You don’t need to dominate and force this dog to obey. In fact, training Chihuahuas should either be done on your own or in classes with other small dogs.
Chihuahuas respond best to gentle training techniques. Here are some things to keep in mind when training Chihuahuas.
1. You should guide, not force your dog. Chihuahuas want to please their human companions. If you show them what pleases you, they will be quick to comply. But if you force them, a stubborn streak comes out.
2. Training Chihuahuas does not require punishment. Gentle correction is almost always sufficient for getting the dog to do what you want.
3. Reward the dog when he or she pleases you. This will let him know what he should do. Always accent the positive when training Chihuahuas.
4. Chihuahuas respond well to food based reinforcement. Don’t start a Chihuahua training session when the dog has just eaten. Working on an empty stomach tends to get the best results.
5. You should keep training sessions short and fun. A Chihuahua training experience should be no more than 10 minutes at a time. You should also begin and end the session with something the dog already does well.
6. Avoid training when you are already tired and angry. Chihuahuas need your love and patience.
Potty training must be one of the first areas that you teach your dog. You should find a place for them to pee and poo and then consistently reinforce this behavior. This is especially important if your Chihuahua is going to be a house dog.
Chihuahuas are intelligent dogs. They don’t hunt, herd, or guard so they can’t “show off” the way other breeds do. But this doesn’t mean that they don’t like to do tricks. In fact, they often show what they can do through obedience and agility trials. Even if you don’t compete in formal competitions with your dog, you can enjoy training Chihuahuas.
One way of training Chihuahuas is with a ticker. You teach your pet that a “click” means a reward is coming. Then, over time, you only click when your dog has done something you want it to do. This reinforces the behavior.
In training Chihuahuas you should always be gentle with them. Don’t try to use choke collars because their necks can get hurt easily. Instead, use the flat buckle collar or harness to protect its trachea.
Exercise must be done on a daily basis. But, your Chihuahua may not need long walks because it has an energetic nature so running around an apartment is enough exercise for the dog.
In summary, you should always stretch your patience when training Chihuahuas. Consistency is vital if you want to ensure that your little dog obeys and remains loyal to you.