You might be wondering, “Are chihuahuas difficult to train?“
Chihuahuas are not difficult to train. They are, however, quite sensitive and must be trained using positive reinforcement techniques. Chihuahua owners need to understand that they have a smaller dog with a big personality who needs patience and time in order for the training process to work well.
Owners should also know that chihuahuas can be stubborn and easily distracted during training sessions so consistency is important.
In addition, it’s very important to never yell at or punish your chihuahua as this will only make them afraid of you which will then lead to more problem behaviors than before.
Why Are Some Chihuahuas Difficult To Train? 5 Reasons
It’s a common misconception that all chihuahuas are easily trainable. Chihuahuas have stubborn personalities and can be difficult to train for various reasons, such as the breed of chihuahua the dog owner has. All chihuahuas are different though, so some may be easier to train if the owner is more consistent with their training.
Here are the top 5 reasons why some chihuahuas may be difficult to train:
1. Stubborn Personalities
Some chihuahuas have stubborn personalities and sometimes don’t want to listen. They can be difficult to train because they may not want to please their owners. Training should be fun for both the dog and their owner. If training is difficult, then it’s a waste of time.
2. Easily Distracted
Chihuahuas are small dogs with big personalities, so they like to go where they please. When chihuahuas smell something interesting or hear something that attracts their attention, they tend to get distracted and won’t pay attention to their owner. Distractions can be dangerous for chihuahuas so owners need to know how to manage these situations.
3. Easily Bored, Get Overly Excited
As mentioned, chihuahuas are very small dogs with big personalities, which means they get excited about everything. It’s very important to manage their energetic behavior so they don’t get overly excited and distracted.
In addition, it’s a good idea to have lots of toys around the house for your chihuahua to play with especially if you are having trouble training them on their own or aren’t home most of the time. For example, leaving out a few toys for them to play with will keep them busy so they don’t get too bored or excited. It’s also a good idea to leave out treats and chew toys for them in case they are starting to get anxious or have separation anxiety.
4. Chihuahuas Need Patience And Positive Reinforcement
Training is not easy when you have a chihuahua. If you’re not patient and consistent, your training will be difficult to accomplish. Chihuahuas are also sensitive so they need positive reinforcement techniques such as praising them for doing the right thing while ignoring bad behavior and giving treats when they obey commands. This is more effective than yelling at or punishing them like many dog owners do. If you yell, they’ll just think you’re being loud and will ignore you. For example, if your chihuahua barks at the doorbell then ignore them and give them a treat when they stop barking.
5. Chihuahuas Often Get Away Easily
Just because chihuahuas are such small and cute dogs, some owners may find it difficult to be persistent with their training. They easily get away with not doing what their owners ask them to do, and if you don’t enforce the rules then there will be no consistency in your training.
Consistency is a very important aspect of training your chihuahua. It’s also crucial for their safety because they are so small that they could get injured easily from jumping off of furniture or running into things.
Chihuahuas are very intelligent dogs, so it’s necessary to be consistent with their training in order for your relationship with them to work out.
6 Easy Tips To Train Your Chihuahua
Here are 6 easy tips to train your chihuahua so they can obey basic commands. If you have a stubborn, easily distracted or overly excited chihuahua then incorporating these tips will help you manage their behavior and teach them how to better listen.
1. Timing Is Everything
If you’re trying to get your chihuahua to come back in the house then it’s important that you give them time to finish their business. If they are out chasing a squirrel or bird and you start yelling then your chihuahua is more likely to run away because they will think there’s danger and will want to escape. Now, if they have already finished their business then it’s a good idea to call their name and praise them when they do come back. If they don’t come then give them some time and try again later.
2. Positive Reinforcement And Rewards
When you’re trying to train your dog, timing is very important but so are positive reinforcement techniques such as giving treats and praise while ignoring bad behavior. For example, if you want to teach your dog to sit then get a treat and place it in front of them. Then, encourage them to sit by saying “sit” and using their name.
When they do as you say then give them the treat and keep praising them. After a few times, they will learn to follow your command because of the treat and frequent praise. Looking for training treats? Try Crazy Dog Train-Me!Dog Treats!
3. Consistency Is Key
Training takes practice and consistency is very important for chihuahuas. For example, if you tell your dog not to jump on the furniture but then don’t enforce this rule then they will think that it’s alright to jump. If you don’t want this to happen then be consistent with your training.
4. Limit Distractions
When training, try keeping the distractions limited so your chihuahua can learn how to focus on one thing at a time. For example, if you’re trying to train them to go through their potty process outside then don’t put toys or treats nearby. This will makes sense later on when you start training. If there are distractions, they might not concentrate and might learn to jump off of the furniture because they want something else instead.
5. Take Your Chihuahua On Walks
Taking your chihuahua on walks can be a great way to allow them to get some exercise while training them at the same time. For example, if you have trained your dog on basic commands like stay and come then you can take them for a walk where they will learn not to run off or get distracted by squirrels. If they get distracted then just calmly and quietly call their name and encourage them to come back. This is also a great way for them to learn how to socialize with other people or dogs while getting some exercise.
6. Make Training Fun
If you want your chihuahua to pay attention more then it’s best to jog their memory by making training fun. This can be done by incorporating toys into the training process because they will want to play with them and you can even make your own toy out of a cardboard box or baggie.
Remember, consistency is important for chihuahuas because they are very intelligent and small dogs so being consistent is crucial to training them to listen. If you’re having trouble training your chihuahua then it’s best to hire a professional dog trainer who will come over and train them for you while teaching you how to be consistent.
How To Train An Older Chihuahua?
Because chihuahuas are very intelligent, they can be trained at any age. To train an older chihuahua, you can do the same things you would do with a younger dog. Be patient, be consistent, use positive reinforcement and make training fun.
All you have to do is follow these steps:
1. Don’t Punish Them
Never yell or hit your older chihuahua when training them because this will only encourage bad behavior and they’ll think that someone is hurting them when really you’re just trying to train them.
2. Be Extra Patient
Be patient with your elder dog and don’t expect them to learn immediately because they may not understand at first since they have never been trained in this way before. Some older dogs may need a longer command training time because they are set in their ways but you can still train them the same way as a younger dog.
3. Use Positive Reinforcement
Use treats and dog food as positive reinforcement when teaching them a new command or trick just like you would with a younger chihuahua. Older dogs are just like puppies but have more life experience so they are more set in their ways.
4. Help Them To Stay Focused
Limit distractions by keeping toys and other treats away from the training area so your elder dog can concentrate longer without getting distracted. Try to keep them in a smaller area than you would with a younger dog so they can concentrate on the task at hand and not get distracted.
5. Praise, Praise, Praise
Once your chihuahua has learned his new command, don’t forget to give him lots of praise and treats for doing a great job! This will reinforce that he is doing something right and encourage him to continue doing great during the rest of his training.
Training an older chihuahua can be very rewarding but it also requires time, patience and consistency because they are one of the most intelligent dog breeds that exist today!
Is It Too Late To Train A Chihuahua?
A chihuahua’s age doesn’t matter when it comes to training because this breed of dogs are so intelligent that they can be trained at any age.
With the Chihuahua, you should use patience, consistency and positive reinforcement while making training fun. You should also make sure that there are no distractions by keeping treats and toys away from the training area. Older Chihuahuas may take longer to train then younger ones, but overall they are just as smart and can be taught at any time in their life.
Furthermore, a dog’s intellectual abilities remain long after the playful and puppy years are over. So yes, you can train a full grown dog.
Also Read: What Vaccinations Should You Give Your Chihuahua Puppy?
What Basic Commands Should A Dog Know?
A dog should know the following commands:
1) sit
2) stay
3) down
4) come
5) off (or stop doing something)
6) leave it (or drop it)
7) no
What Age Should A Dog Be House Trained?
House training a dog can begin at or before 12-16 weeks of age. However, this is just the age most experts recommend training begins when your puppy is fully weaned and has control of his bladder and bowels.
It’s possible to start house training well after this time if you aren’t rushed in doing so though it may be more challenging. In general, you should start potty training a dog as soon as possible from the time you bring him or her home.
What Is The Best Method To Train A Dog?
Training your chihuahua is easy and fun once you find the right training method. The best method to train your dog depends on your lifestyle and the environment your dog lives in.
If you work full-time then a dog trainer is highly recommended. Professional dog trainers may charge higher fees but they will train your chihuahua to do basic commands and maybe even more complicated tricks or behaviors. Your dog trainer will also teach you how to be consistent with your dog while teaching them how to be obedient.
If you have a flexible schedule then you can teach your chihuahua basic commands at home like sit, stay, come, down and leave it! All these commands are easy to teach with positive reinforcement. You can use treats as a reward and you dog will quickly learn how to obey your commands once they know that doing so gets them the treat they want!
Conclusion: Are Chihuahuas Difficult To Train?
Chihuahuas are intelligent and trainable dogs. Hence, with regards to the question: Are Chihuahuas Difficult to Train, the answer is not really.
It is not too late to begin training your chihuahuas, no matter how old they are. With patience, consistency, and positive reinforcement the chihuahua will learn new behaviors quickly so long as there are no distractions during their learning time.
