Chihuahua Training
Chihuahua Training Tips From The Experts
Don’t let their reputation for stubborn, thick headedness precede them; Chihuahua training does not have to be the most stressful part of your day, or life. They are quite intelligent, and though they are not famous people pleasers, they can be “manipulated” toward favorable behaviors at a very young age. Much as the terrier group is known for, this little rascal can easily turn the tables on his unsuspecting owner and wind up running the show, but we will attempt to put the control and trust solely in your hands with the following information. Step one to Chihuahua training: consistency. If he will never be permitted on the couch, never lift him to the couch. If the kitchen is off limits, stop him from following you from the very beginning. Putting these barriers and rules up immediately will help him to learn more quickly, and with as little stress and hurt feelings as possible.
If you want a good head start on your Chihuahua training, try to get him during a time when you have vacation from work, or better yet during the summer break when there is always someone home. Your tiny pooch doesn’t enjoy a lot of time left to his own devices, and much prefers your company over any other circumstance. Potty training for your little guy will be a pretty in depth process, as the bladder in these dogs is rather puny, and they aren’t known for their urinary tract control. Once an hour, every hour, your Chihuahua training will find the two of you outdoors waiting for a tinkle, and each time you receive one while he is outside is cause for much praise and celebration. If you have found accidents in the house, but your pooch was not caught in the act, you are not allowed to react with a scolding, or any other discipline.
Chihuahua training is most important when teaching the commands that could potentially save your dogs life. In instances where traffic or other dangers could spell certain disaster for your precious little chi baby, you will need to have complete control over him, even off of the lead. Young chi’s will benefit from short training sessions several times per day, and you will want to remove all distractions from him during these periods. Using tiny pieces of cut up dog treats or boiled beef liver, you can begin working on the reward for action premise with him. Negative reinforcement should never be used, but rather steep praise and rewards for an action achieved.
Chihuahua training should always include the all important “come” command, for this little guy could find himself in a world of trouble if he doesn’t listen to you in every situation. Find the word that you want him to respond to, perhaps his name or simply “come”, and then begin to reward him each time that he responds to your call. He may do the right thing on accident at first, but if you keep practicing at farther distances and during larger distractions, he will learn that coming back to you when called is always the best idea.