Do Chihuahuas get jealous? Does my Chi love me as much as I do?
We all wonder about these questions, don’t we? There is no doubt that dogs do show human-like emotions because we have so many studies being conducted about this.
Certainly, canine psychology is different than human psychology and dogs definitely think a lot differently than we humans do.
But one thing is for sure: Our Chihuahuas’ feelings matter because we all want them to have good lives.
So let us try and answer the question: Do Chihuahuas get jealous and what to do if your pet shows jealousy towards a new baby or other pets/dogs.
Do Chihuahuas Get jealous? (The Short Answer)
Without the facility of human language between us and our Chihuahuas, we often assume a lot of things about our pets.
So what exactly goes on in our little Chihuahua’s mind? Does it sulk? Does it get jealous?
Yes, most Chihuahuas are known to display human emotions. Some get angry and won’t hesitate to bark angrily at their pet owner. Some get aggressive when their needs aren’t met (remember aggression is not a normal dog trait!). And don’t all Chihuahuas display separation anxiety, fear, sorrow, and even cry when left alone?
So why is jealousy any different?
Science has now shown us that dogs certainly feel human-like emotions.
Have you seen a smile on your Chi’s face after it has had a good meal? Can we assume it is happy then? We can assume that – and as dog owners – most of us can accurately tell what our dogs feel.
So, if you believe your Chihuahua is showing jealous behavior, then it is very likely that it is indeed jealous. A Chihuahua might get jealous if you (or its favorite person) gives attention to someone else. This could be a new baby or another dog/pet. It can even be another Chihuahua! In the next section, we will study some of the main reasons why Chihuahuas get jealous.
Why Do Chihuahuas Get Jealous?
Here are the reasons why Chihuahuas get jealous:
1. You give your attention to someone else
If your little dog has closely bonded with you, then chances are that it will not let you hug or give attention to your second dog or another human.
You might have experienced this: you hug someone but your Chi starts whining behind you and insinuates itself into your hug!
Definitely your Chi will want that hug for itself and all your attention on it!
2. The small dog syndrome
Chihuahuas are the world’s smallest dog breed. They are aware of their tiny size and this plays into everything they do.
Their small stature makes them rather insecure and they look up to you for everything. So if your Chi is jealous often, the small dog syndrome could be the reason.
3. Changes in routine
Has your Chihuahua suddenly started displaying jealousy? Then it may be due to a major change in its environment? Have you changed its schedule? Have you moved to a new neighborhood? Have you had a baby or brought another dog/pet? Are there new people living in your house?
All these changes can lead to behavioral issues in your Chihuahua and one of them is displaying jealousy when your attention is not on it.
4. Boredom and loneliness
Chihuahuas may be small dogs but they still need exercise and mental stimulation as much as a medium or larger dog. Without exercise, your Chi might feel bored or lonely when you leave for work.
This can also lead to feelings of dog jealousy when you don’t give your attention to your pet when you are home.
5. Attention-seeking ploy
Any behavioral issue in dogs is a ploy to seek attention. These small dogs need a lot of individual attention without which they feel terribly insecure.
So any display of jealousy may simply be a cry for your attention.
Do Chihuahuas Get Jealous of Each Other?
If you have brought another Chihuahua, chances are that your Chi will bond with it quite well. It is because Chihuahuas mostly bond well with other Chihuahuas. Often, Chihuahuas also do better in pairs. This is because they get along well, their energies, temperament, and personalities match, and they “recognize” their own kind.
However, that does not mean that there won’t be any jealousy. If you did not introduce your Chihuahuas from puppyhood and haven’t given them a chance to bond with each other, chances are that they might fight for your attention.
If you bring home a new Chihuahua, your existing Chihuahua is still quite likely to get jealous owing to the insecurity that the ‘interloper’ might steal all of your attention!
Do Chihuahuas Get Jealous of Other Dogs?
Yes, it is very common for Chihuahuas to get jealous of the other dogs that join your household.
This mainly occurs in Chihuahuas that have not been socialized or desensitized to other dogs.
Also, there are ways to properly introduce the two pets so that there are fewer arguments. You cannot spring another dog on your Chihuahua without first preparing it! The key is to introduce the two dogs in neutral territory, preferably on leash.
You can also separate the two pets and feed them at the same time with a door/barrier in between. This can help them relate the scent of food to the other dog’s scent.
Naturally, you may want to begin the training and desensitization process from an early age so that your Chi is much more accommodating and open to having other dogs in the house.
In the subsequent sections, I will discuss exactly how to handle jealousy between Chihuahua and other dogs.
Do Chihuahuas Get Jealous of Babies?
Yes, it is highly possible for a Chihuahua to get jealous of a new baby.
This happens if a Chihuahua owner suddenly gives all of their attention to the baby and not to the Chi.
There have unfortunate been cases where dog owner have abandoned their Chihuahuas because of growling and snapping behavior displayed by them towards the baby.
Sure, any new parent would feel concerned if a dog shows aggression towards a young child. But, things really do not have to get that bad. You can use desensitization techniques and prepare your dog to receive the baby more positively.
If needed, also seek some training/counseling with a dog trainer or a canine behaviorist. These professionals can tell you exactly how to treat your Chi once your baby arrives. It helps if you can give your Chi plenty of attention, treats, and cuddles even after your baby is home.
This can curb jealous behavior in your pet and make the environment more harmonious.
What are the Signs That Your Chihuahua is Jealous?
Here are some signs that your Chihuahua is jealous of other pets/dogs/other Chihuahuas/new baby
1. Aggression – snapping, growling, biting, chasing
Your Chi cannot speak – so it conveys its emotions through its actions. It might bite or nibble at you or your other pets/small children. This is its way of getting your attention.
2. Going potty indoors
If your Chi starts peeing or pooping indoors then it is a sign that it wants to express emotions that it cannot otherwise indicate.
3. Becoming extra-clingy
As such, Chihuahuas are rather clingy but once a new pet or baby arrives, you might find your furry baby getting extra needy. It might rub against you or constantly ask to be held.
4. Pushing/herding the other pets
A jealous dog will try and restrict the other pet’s movement and might get in its way, paw at it, or try other ways to keep it from moving freely in the house.
5. Picking fights with the other dog/pet
Another sign of Chihuahua getting jealous is that it might hiss or growl at other pets.
In case of baby, small dogs like Chihuahuas can even single out the baby and bite or snap at it.
This is very serious and dangerous behavior and you may want to monitor your Chi constantly to prevent bites and other harm to your baby. It is best to separate your pet and child for a while until you can see a trainer/canine behaviorist.
6. Fetching its toys/doing tricks
My Chihuahua often brings out her toys when we give our attention to a newcomer – especially a baby visiting us.
If your dog suddenly starts performing tricks, then it is a surefire sign that it wants to impress you and wants your attention.
7. Getting in your personal space
Some Chihuahuas will demand attention by jumping in your lap or even sitting on your computer keyboard when they want your attention! Some Chihuahuas also stand on their hind legs and demand to be petted.
8. Leaving the room
Some Chihuahuas will leave the room when they realize your attention is on the other dog/pet/baby. This withdrawing behavior is a clear sign of anger and jealousy in your pet.
How to Handle a Jealous Chihuahua?
Here are some expert recommended tips to curb jealousy in your Chihuahua:
1. Keep a record
Journal your Chi’s behavior and jealousy display. This will help you keep a track of the number of times your pet has shown it was jealous. You can also discuss this behavior later with your canine behaviorist/trainer.
2. Train it in basic obedience commands
Show your Chi you are in control. You can do so by training it in basic obedience commands like sit/stay/heel, etc. This will also help when your Chi shows aggression towards the new baby or other pets – you can give it a command to stop and back off. Once your Chi learns who the top dog is, it will keep its ‘grumbling’ to itself.
3. Do not be partial
Show attention to all pets equally. Do not be partial.
4. Give your Chi a space of its own
Another thing you can do is to crate-train your Chihuahua. This will give it room of its own so it can rest, feel relaxed, and secure. A crate is the best place for a time-out when your Chi displays aggression/jealousy.
5. Use separate resources
Use separate food bowls, water bowls, and toys for each pet so that there are no wars or arguments over them. This can help you avoid unnecessary conflicts at meal times.
6. Ignore your pet/s when you come home
After you are back from work, do not immediately pet your family dog and new pet. Ignore both pets for a while. This way, no one feels left out. Once your Chi and other pet are emotionally calmer, play with them on your own terms.
Remember: never pet one pet at the expense of the other.
7. Reinforce positive behavior
When you catch your Chihuahua being good to your other pets/baby, immediately reward it (and your other pet too).
8. Train it to accept your baby
When you are holding your baby, reward and pet your Chihuahua simultaneously. This way, it will understand that having a baby does not change the level of attention it receives.
9. Cut back on protein
Veterinarians have found that dogs that get too much protein are likely to jealous and aggressive dogs’ reaction. Discuss with your vet and cut back your Chi’s protein – preferably switch to a food with lower protein.
10. If nothing works consider rehoming
If, despite the above, your tiny Chihuahua continues to display jealousy and aggression, then you may want to consider rehoming your dog. This is the last option of course so please speak to a dog trainer before you decide.
Conclusion – Do Chihuahuas Get Jealous?
Yes, Chihuahuas that are not trained or socialized could get jealous of newcomers – a baby or other pet/s. A little bit of jealousy is normal– perhaps your Chi simply disappears when you pet the other house-pet or when you are with your baby.
However, jealousy in Chihuahuas can quickly escalate and small signs of displeasure could quickly pave way to aggressive behavior like growling, snapping, and even biting.
Your aim should be to treat the root cause of your Chi’s jealousy. You can curb the behavior through training, positive reinforcement, and early socialization. Never shout or hit your pet as that would only make it more aggressive. If needed, consult a canine behaviorist or a dog trainer for further guidance in the matter.
