Do you want to understand why do Chihuahuas attach to one person? You will find many Chi owners saying the same thing too!
In this guide, we will cover:
- 5 Tips that can help you help your Chi if it is strongly attached to one person
- 9 Reasons why Chis form strong attachments with one person
- What it means when a Chi imprints on a human
Why Do Chihuahuas Attach to One Person?
Chihuahuas attach to one person because they are a Velcro dog breed. This means these lap dogs gravitate toward one person, mainly from whom they receive love and affection. Chihuahuas also tend to get attached or clingy with that individual whose energy level, temperament, and personality matches with their own.
Read on to find out all other reasons why do Chihuahuas attach to one person.
9 Reasons Why Do Chihuahuas Attach to One Person?
Chihuahuas attach to one person because of the following reasons:
1. They are Velcro dogs
As stated earlier, a dog’s past can give us an insight into why they behave the way they do.
Chihuahuas are tiny dogs, and in recent times they are being extensively bred to be companion dogs and lap dogs. They are even carried around in purses and bags. Some Chihuahuas are even emotional support dogs used for calming anxious individuals.
2. Their breeding and history makes them so
The breed’s history and specific breeding enables them to form deep loving bonds with their direct owners. It is usually a single person that trains them or has rescued them from a shelter and it is no wonder that the Chihuahua chooses to bond with them.
3. They understand the language of love
Chihuahuas – like all dogs – may not be able to speak but they certainly understand who is coming from a place of love and affection.
Your dog can read your body language and vibes. So, it understands who loves it the most. Even if your Chi gets love and cuddles from every member of the family, it will still attach itself to one person because it is a Velcro dog breed. It will find one person to imprint upon and mostly this person is the one its energy levels clicks with.
4. They are mostly prone to separation anxiety
It is no secret that most Chihuahuas have separation anxiety. This means they hate being left alone and will follow their favorite person all around the house. This also leads them to get very strongly attached to one member of the family that is always at home.
Even if all members of the household leave for work and school, your Chi will eagerly look forward to its favorite person’s arrival. Often, such dogs sleep on their favorite person’s clothing or keep sniffing their shoes or footwear for assurance.
5. Their personalities match with that of the person they bond with
Most Chihuahuas will imprint upon that individual whose personality and energy closes matches with their own. More often than not, this individual is also bound to be the one that feeds, trains, and takes care of the Chihuahua puppy.
6. They form a loving bond with that one individual
As the dog grows up, it naturally forms a deep loving bond with this individual more than any other member of the family. This is because the Chi and owner might cuddle together on the bed or sofa and even go for walks together. Spending time together helps seal this loving bond.
7. Some breeds are ‘simply’ like that!
The fact that dogs like Chihuahuas attach to one person can be attributed to their genes.
Many dog breeds imprint and attach themselves only to one person. You will typically see this behavior in Labrador retriever, Yorkshire terrier, and Golden retriever breeds. The same is the case with Chihuahua dog breed. These dogs always attach themselves to that single favorite person.
Don’t get me wrong: they love all members of the household but will reserve those licks and kisses only for that one person.
8. They are loyal dogs
Chihuahuas – like most dog breeds – are very loyal dogs despite their small size. There are many great stories of Chihuahuas’ loyalty.
This loyal dog feels compelled to always be by its favorite person’s side. They are anxious about their owner’s safety and well-being and will always be vigilant and ready to protect them!
9. They get positive vibes from that person
Most humans on whom a Chihuahua has imprinted also feels the love from their lap dog. They cannot help return that love back too. Often, such individuals will cuddle with the Chihuahua in bed and also take it out for walks, car rides, feed it etc. The more time you spend with the dog, the more attached it gets to that individual.
Your Chi can easily read your body language and get those loving vibes from you. This makes it become even more affectionate towards you and the dogs bond strongly with you.
5 Tips to Help Your Chihuahua Who is Strongly Attached to One Person
It is a nice feeling to love and be loved. Ask any human who has a strong bond with his/her dog, and chances are that they won’t give that up for anything in the world. However, Chihuahuas that attach themselves to one individual also tend to suffer from separation anxiety.
They might refuse to do anything without that person. Here are some tips to help your Chi who is strongly attached to some other individual:
1. Spend time with your Chi
Simply spend more time with your dog.
Teach it some basic obedience commands like Sit, Stay, etc. and take it out for walks and car rides. This will help with the bonding process. You must naturally keep the things very positive and praise and reward your Chi with its favorite treats. This will strengthen your bond with the Chihuahua and also help your relationship grow.
2. Be patient
Understand that your dog has a unique personality. Do not force it to accept you or other members right away. Be loving, kind, and patient. Remember: Chihuahuas are very sensitive. And, like all dogs, they understand the language of love, patience, and kindness.
3. Use anxiety-busting tools
Make use of anxiety reducing tools like music CDs, nature shows DVDs, and puzzles with food treats to keep your Chihuahua occupied when its favorite person is away. Provide it with a crate as it is a secure and safe place to rest.
You can also speak to your vet about dog calming treats containing hemp or CBD oil to reduce anxiety.
4. Exercise your Chihuahua
There is little doubt that exercise does a world of good to humans and dogs alike. So exercise your pet well. Take it out for walks two-three times a day. This small dog does not need too much exercise.
Exercise can help stimulate feel-good endorphins and make your dog sleep better. A well-exercised dog is also less likely to indulge in whining, excessive bark or chewing up things, etc.
5. Socialize your pet
It is important that your Chi gets to meet other humans. Take it out on walks, car rides, camping trips, etc. The more humans it meets, the more open it will be in accepting new people and situations.
What Does it Mean when a Chihuahua Imprints on a Human?
Imprinting is a kind of learning. When a Chihuahua puppy imprints on a human, it learns ‘how to be a human’ from them. In a litter, the puppy imprints on its mother to learn how to be a dog. That is why you train your Chi pup so it can be a ‘dog’.
Imprinting is critical for a dog’s growth, survival, and development. Naturally, a domesticated puppy imprints on a human since its dam isn’t available.
The imprinting period is between 3 and 12 weeks of age. If you have adopted or rescued an older Chihuahua, then it too could imprint on you.
That is why, it is important to buy your Chihuahua puppy from a reputed breeder and not from puppy mill. In puppy mills, the pups do not get to learn much. They are also separated from their dam before the crucial period of 8-weeks and either sold to pet shops or sent to rescue homes.
In the wild, the process of imprinting helps dogs survive. They learn appropriate behavior and vocalization from their dams. By imprinting on you, your Chihuahua will identify with humans for life.
What are the Stages of Chihuahua Imprinting?
Every Chihuahua puppy that is obtained from a good dog breeder will go through three stages of imprinting. It begins at birth when the dog learns from its dam.
With littermates
Your dog will imprint on its mother and littermates in the age between 3 and 7 weeks. Here, your dog will learn how to be a dog. It will learn important information like bite inhibition, relying on the pack, etc.
With humans
After 8 weeks, you will bring your Chihuahua puppy home. At this point, it will form a close loving bond with one human. This is a good time to train your dog. It is also rather important to expose your dog to other humans – preferably after its vaccinations are done. This is a very important stage for your Chi to learn about human species and how to interact with them.
Fear imprinting
This is the stage between 8 and 10 weeks. It is important to keep things positive for your dog. Any phobias and traumas are likely to set in at this stage. Avoid major changes in your dog’s life and keep all its interactions positive.
Do Male Chihuahuas Prefer Female Owners and Vice-a-Versa?
Whether or not a male Chihuahua prefers a female owner and vice a versa is hard to answer because every dog is different and every human is different too. There is no doubt that Chihuahuas like certain behaviors in humans. Chihuahuas generally adore the humans in their lives.
For example, a shy or nervous Chi might prefer a woman because of her softer voice. Also, many nurses, veterinarians, and groomers are usually female, which is why some dogs might feel more comfortable around them.
The converse is also true. Although your groomer might be a soft-spoken female, your Chihuahua might not like her much because your toy breed dog associates the groomer with ‘torture’ – water, hours of standing for grooming, separation from its parents, etc.
Your Chihuahua’s past can also play a role in this aspect. A Chi that has been abused by a boy or a man might be fearful of all males. Its early life experiences will play a major role in its social behavior and that is why such dogs might prefer females.
Conversely, a man of the house may naturallyassume the role of the alpha that cares and protects the family or the pack. Naturally, a Chihuahua family dog might bond with that person. In general, all men with stronger bodes and deep voices may seem to command more respect from the puppy and fellow pack members.
Often, men tend to have more playful and adventurous natures too which might help a Chihuahua gravitate towards men. They are simply more energetic and an energetic pup would naturally follow them. If the woman in the household is more energetic and takes it upon herself to train the dog, then the Chihuahua pup might imprint on her.
So there are no hard and fast rules here.
Also Read: 5 Differences Between Male and Female Chihuahua (#3 is important!)
Conclusion
Why do Chihuahuas attach to one person?
Chihuahuas are Velcro dog breeds that get clingy with one favorite person and might even reject the others. Generally, a Chihuahua puppy will closely attach to one individual whose energy level and personality matches with their own.
If your Chi displays signs of separation anxiety, then you can help your dog by socializing and training it. Speak to a dog trainer or a canine behaviorist to learn more.
