When you see celebrities carrying their Chihuahua puppies, they often appear to be more of an accessory than a pet. I’m here to say that the tiny Chihuahua is an absolutely wonderful pet and one of the most loving and devoted dog breeds. They are well suited to an apartment lifestyle, provided that they receive sufficient mental and physical activity. Chihuahua puppies are very cute, intelligent, highly energetic and entertaining, full of spunk, and constantly challenging you. They are true companion dogs and love nothing more than to snuggle up on your lap. Because of their intelligence, they need plenty of stimulation and love to learn.
Due to their small size, they should not be in a household with small children. Chihuahua puppies can be easily injured so they should never be left alone with a small child who may handle them roughly or stand on them. Puppies should never be outside alone where hawks, coyotes or other wild animals may see them as prey. Chihuahuas are extremely sensitive to cold temperatures so make sure that your puppy is dressed warmly when he is outside in cold weather and bring him back inside again quickly. Although Chihuahuas are the smallest dog breed, they seem to have no concept of their diminutive size and show no fear as they bark at a Rottweiler!
It is vital that you make it clear to your strong-willed Chihuahua puppy from the get go that you are the alpha in the household. If you don’t do this, your dog will think he is in charge and will likely yap and nip, and could also become aggressive. Socializing Chihuahua puppies during the first 15 months of their life is very important. If they are not provided with opportunities to meet different people and dogs, and experience various environments, they can become very fearful, shy, and aggressive. Even though Chihuahua puppies are very smart and can learn very quickly, they can be quite challenging to train. These puppies respond well when you include positive reinforcement and affection in their obedience training sessions – and, of course, treats! They also respond well to clicker training.
With consistent training, persistence and positive reinforcement, I have been able to train my own Chihuahua puppy to use a litter box, stop barking on command, perform a variety of tricks, and stop whining when I leave her on her own. When house training your puppy, you should never punish your pet or rub his face in his poop. The best approach is to congratulate your puppy and be openly excited when he goes potty in the right location. If you catch your puppy going potty in the wrong place, say “No” firmly and carry him to the appropriate spot. House training Chihuahua puppies can be challenging but with persistence you will soon have a well-trained dog.
Chihuahua puppies are mainly known for two things; being cute, and being small. Of course, there is absolutely nothing wrong with them being cute, however the fact that they are so tiny means that they can get hurt or maybe even killed a lot easier than larger breeds of dogs. It just takes a careless child racing around your home to inadvertently stand on or perhaps knock something down on top of your Chihuahua puppy. If you have small children or other dogs in your household, it is important to make sure you always keep them away from your puppy. It is absolutely essential that your Chihuahua puppy is provided with a safe environment.
Sheila loves animals, is a volunteer with a pet rescue group, and has her own adorable Chihuahua puppy.
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