Chihuahua Training: An Obedient Dog is a Happy Dog

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Benefits of Training Your Chihuahua

Chihuahuas have a reputation for being tough to train, but it is not well-deserved. Chihuahuas are clever, curious and devoted dogs and chihuahua training is the perfect practical way to give them the attention they demand. Training some tasks and tricks must take the breed’s tiny size into consideration, but they are completely capable of learning all of the basic obedience training commands. Training your Chi consistently using positive dog training methods is one of the most rewarding aspects of the breed.

Good obedience training reinforces a close, healthy and appropriate relationship between the trainer and the dog. It helps your Chihuahua understand what is expected of him or her in all situations, not just training scenarios. Obedience training also helps establish boundaries and rules for the Chihuahua’s behavior. Good training helps teach a dog basic manners when interacting with humans and other animals. Maybe the best benefit of training your Chihuahua is that the attention and confidence that it builds will help prevent unacceptable behavior problems such as barking, chewing and digging.

A well-trained Chihuahua is a happy dog, a safer dog, who can be relaxed and confident and who you can take anywhere with you.

Top Chihuahua Training Rules

• Here are a series of proven training techniques to remember in nearly any obedience situation:
• Training sessions should be short and fun.
• Set realistic goals. Begin learning one simple task or command before moving on to more complex ones.
• Once your Chihuahua has mastered a command, test the command in various situations, different locations and with different distractions.
• Be consistent! Make it clear to your Chi what you want by giving him a simple decision. Then provide instant feedback, praising the correct decision.
• Proper training involves the whole family. It is much easier for your Chihuahua if everyone uses the same command word for the same desired  task.
• Dogs love to be given tasks. Outside training situations, make regular, consistent use of the commands he has mastered so that they become part of everyday life. Grooming time is a great opportunity to reinforce commands, for example.
• Correct your Chihuahua every time he does something wrong, but only if you catch him in the act! Dogs are very sensitive to timing and it helps them to see cause and effect if you correct them as soon as they misbehave.
• It is always better to give a positive command to do something than to just say ‘No.’