Get

In Your Inbox

Dogster is reader-supported. When you buy via links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you. Learn more.

How to Train a Chihuahua: 10 Vet-Approved Tips

Merle and tan chihuahua dog training obedience with a man

The Chihuahua is the ultimate city dog, an adaptable, pocket-sized companion that fits in almost anywhere. Owners love them for their oversized personalities, which make them a daily delight, even if they have a bit of cheekiness. The Chihuahua is one pet that owners often don’t expect to be super-trainable, instead focusing on their more endearing traits to justify their preference.

Does that mean you should lower your expectations for your Chihuahua? Absolutely not! After all, a dog is a dog, and each has, to some degree, a knack for cooperation with their owner. While it might take clever problem-solving, training your Chi can be a fulfilling way to bond with them and impress anyone you meet. Set your dog up for success by following these 10 tips and tricks to train a Chihuahua.

divider single dog paw oct 2024

The 10 Tips on How to Train a Chihuahua

Regardless of your training focus or your dog’s unique personality, the most crucial aspects of training are persistence and positivity. Like any dog, Chihuahuas constantly learn, build associations, and use past experiences to guide decisions.

By staying optimistic and consistent in your lessons, they will stay more attached and engaged with you, making training faster and more straightforward.

1. Work With Friends Who Have Dogs and Control Interactions

Socialization will be crucial when you bring your Chihuahua home from the breeder or shelter. Even if they haven’t had all their shots, a week after they’ve had at least their first round of vaccines, you can let them meet familiar dogs in controlled settings to teach them proper behaviors and to become comfortable with other animals.

Chihuahuas may be little, but they aren’t afraid to get aggressive with dogs of any size. Providing as many positive experiences with other dogs as possible from a young age will reduce territoriality and possessiveness and promote calm, outgoing, and accepting temperaments.

Find friends who have socialized, well-behaved, and vaccinated dogs to set up playdates. Alternatively, take your dog to puppy socialization classes, where they can meet other dogs on their level in a safe environment.


2. Create a Dependable Daily Schedule

Life will likely be a bit more hectic with your puppy during the first few weeks, as you work to keep them safe from infections until they get all their vaccinations and can be exposed to diverse environments. The eventual goal will be to create a consistent routine, with on-schedule feeding, walking, play, and alone times.

Creating certainty like this will make your Chi more relaxed and confident in their relationship with you. They’ll know what to expect and how to meet your expectations to make both of you happy. There will be more trust with a rigid, recurring daily flow, fostering a richer bond and fewer challenges in getting your dog to cooperate.

Woman hand writing down in small white memo notebook for take a note
Image Credit: antstang, Shutterstock

3. Crate Train Your Chihuahua

Crate training is an excellent tool for potty training and separation anxiety. A crate is a rewarding area where your Chihuahua can feel safe and comfortable while dissuading them from peeing indoors, as dogs don’t like to eliminate where they sleep.

Get a crate just big enough for your Chihuahua to stand, turn around, and lie down comfortably. Set it up with soft bedding, high-value toys, and treats to make them want to use it. Praise and reward your dog for entering and settling into the crate when introducing it.

Crate your dog during the day, especially when you can’t keep an eye on them, taking them out frequently for play and potty time. As a puppy, they can only manage 2–3 hours at most, but adult Chis can stay there for up to 8 hours. This doesn’t mean they should stay there every day, but it’s a resource for certain occasions. Put the crate in a common area during the day to keep your dog around others, but move it to your room at night so they can stay close.


4. Potty Train Consistently

Potty training may seem like one of the trickier aspects of raising a Chihuahua. Their small size makes it hard to monitor their behaviors (and sometimes find them in the house), and their sensitivity to stress can cause undue accidents.

Crate training will help your efforts since you can keep an eye on your dog, and they’ll be less likely to pee in their sleeping space. Your potty schedule will be crucial. Generally, dogs can hold urine for about an hour for every month of life (e.g., a 2-month-old puppy can hold it for 2 hours). Due to their size, Chihuahuas may have to go more frequently, which you’ll figure out as you get used to your dog’s habits.

How to Potty Train Your Chihuahua

Create a consistent potty schedule so your dog knows what you expect of them. The following are some of the critical times you must take your Chihuahua out:

  • After play
  • After naps
  • 15 minutes after eating and drinking
  • 10 minutes before you leave for the day
  • 15 minutes before bed

Pick a specific place outside in a low-distraction environment where your dog can pee and poop. Praise them profusely, and give them treats immediately after they do their business. After doing this several times, you can add a command like “Go potty!” before they pee.

Don’t punish or yell at your dog for indoor accidents. They won’t learn any lessons and may become more fearful of you, thus harming your bond. A firm “No” will suffice. Clean any accidents thoroughly with an enzyme cleaner to remove the scent, or your Chi may be motivated to continue eliminating inside.

chihuahua dog holding poop bag in her mouth outdoor
Image Credit: otsphoto, Shutterstock

5. Take Your Chihuahua to Different Places Immediately

Regardless of when you get your Chihuahua, working on socialization is crucial in your home and public places to develop their manners and a positive attitude.

Take your Chihuahua to as many places as possible to meet diverse groups in different settings. Ensure the experiences are positive, stress-free, and confidence-boosting. Over time, your dog will generalize their good behavior and positive perceptions of others.

If you’re worried about infection risks for a young Chi that hasn’t had all their shots, limit the types of places you’ll take them, and use a sufficient carrying option. Fortunately, Chihuahuas are lightweight and portable. Exposing them to people, sounds, smells, and sights in the pet shop or grocery store is easy enough from the safety of a sling carrier or backpack.


6. Don’t Forget Their Size

It’s easy to get carried away in the excitement and want to continue offering treats to your Chihuahua for their training wins. However, these dogs tend to gain weight easily, partially due to owners not realizing how little their pets are supposed to eat to stay within their daily calorie allowance. So, it is best to plan accordingly: Set out your Chi’s total daily treats allowance in the morning, and then divide it into each training session. This will help guarantee that you do not overfeed your tiny pup.

Remember, at least 90% of your Chihuahua’s calories should come from a complete and balanced dog food and only 10% from their treats. Using kibble pieces or bits of their food as a reinforcer is always a possibility if this works for them.


7. Scope Out Your Neighborhood and Walk Your Dog

Chihuahuas will be ready for walking once they get all their vaccinations (typically by week 16), but it is best to wait at least an extra week after the last shot. Until then, you can do some preliminary work by walking a few different routes in the neighborhood to scope out hazards or potential issues that might affect the experience.

Look at factors like other dogs in the area, high-traffic places, and various stimuli that may affect your dog and your ability to train them. With a few outings, you can determine when and where you should walk your dog, giving you a starting point for building a schedule for them.

woman walking with her chihuahua dog outdoors
Image Credit: CandyRetriever, Shutterstock

8. Use a Front-Clip Harness for Walking

A Chihuahua’s pulling habit rarely makes walking difficult since they’re so small, but it can cause damage to their fragile neck. For safety and training purposes, use a front-clip harness for walks.

A well-fitting front-clip harness will apply pressure to the body and redirect your Chihuahua if they pull, helping to reduce the behavior. Use this for walks, and keep a flat or martingale collar for when you go out for quick potty breaks.

Black chihuahua dog in red leash and red collar
Image Credit: Lesia Kapinosova, Shutterstock

9. Walk Your Chihuahua at Least Twice Daily

Walking is an easy way to knock out training, socialization, and exercise at once, so you should make a few short strolls daily once your dog is fully vaccinated. Work on pulling and focus, rewarding them for maintaining a loose leash and checking in on you for direction.


10. Supervise Children Closely

Training children is as vital as training your Chihuahua if you want your dog to develop docile behaviors around others. Chihuahuas can get snappy when mishandled, which is all too easy with small kids who don’t know any better. Always supervise children with your dog, coaching them on proper handling before petting your dog, offering them treats, or playing with them.

Chihuahua dog on bed in front of woman an baby
Image Credit: Albina Gavrilovic, Shutterstock

divider dog paws 2 oct 2024

Final Thoughts

Training a Chihuahua is surprisingly effortless when you make it consistent, straightforward, and fun. Although they can have feisty personalities, they also adore their relationships with their owners, making decisions that reward themselves and please their handlers. When you harness that motivation with positivity and love, your dog’s cooperation will become a natural habit.

Sources


Featured Image Credit: LNbjors, Shutterstock

Want content like this delivered to you?

Sign Up For Our Newsletter

News, insights, expert advice, and everything dog

* By submitting, you agree to our Terms & Conditions and Privacy & Cookies Policy.

How useful was this post?

Click on a star to rate (you can leave written feedback after clicking submit)

Help us improve Dogster for pet parents!

Your feedback really matters.

What did you like about this post? Also how can we improve it?

Join the conversation

2 Responses

  1. I enjoyed reading this article very much. i have a long haired chi. named Sophie. She is 10 yrs old and I just found out that she has a heart murmur so they put her on heart med. If something should happen to her, trust me I could not handle it. So much love we give our darling pets, hugs, kisses, just loving them endlessly. I wish the best of happiness to you and ALL your fur friends. Joyce Hayes

Leave a Reply

You’re very welcome to leave a comment or question. Please know that all comments must meet our community guidelines, and your email address will NOT be published. Let’s have a positive and constructive conversation.

Talk With A Vet Online

Peace of mind,
anywhere, anytime

Affordable vet advice

Dog Debarking Surgery: Is It Legal & Vet-Approved Correction Tips

Barking is normal behavior for dogs, as they use it to communicate with you and other animals. However, some dogs take it to...

11 Best Wet Dog Foods for Chihuahuas in 2025 – Reviews & Top Picks

Chihuahuas are feisty and charming little dogs, and when it’s time to find new food, you want to ensure that your pup is...

Allergy Bumps on Dogs: Our Vet Explains Hives & Urticaria

If bumpy red welts have erupted suddenly all over your dog, you may be wondering what they could be. These innocuous little bumps...

How to Set Up a Dog Room: Tips & Ideas

If your house has a spare room or even a large walk-in closet, you might give your dog his or her own room....

More related

How to Discipline a Corgi Puppy: 6 Vet-Approved Tips & Tricks

Objectively, Corgi puppies are among the cutest of all baby dogs. However, you may find some of their behaviors less than adorable. Since...

7 Safety Tips for Boating with Your Dog: Vet-Approved Advice

If you are a dog owner who loves to spend time on the water, you probably feel bad leaving your furry friend behind...

160 Popular & Unique German Wirehaired Pointer Names

German Wirehaired pointers are so unique in appearance and personality, and it’s only fitting that you give them a name that reflects that....

Ear (Aural) Hematoma in Dogs: Causes, Signs & Treatments

An ear or aural hematoma in dogs is a blood-filled bubble in the dog’s ear. It can be caused by infection or the...

Keep reading

Can Dogs Eat Goat Cheese? Vet-Verified Nutrition Facts & FAQ

Goat cheese might not be among America’s top 15 most consumed cheeses, but it certainly has its fans. You probably won’t have any problem getting your dog to eat it, but does that mean you should? The answer raises more...

Can Dogs Eat Goat Cheese

Puppy Feeding Guide: Quantity, Schedule & FAQ

It is essential to feed your puppy correctly. Puppies are constantly growing and need different nutrition than an adult dog. Feeding your puppy correctly now can prevent problems later on. For instance, many large and giant dogs will develop hip...

Cocker Spaniel puppy eating

11 Best Dog Foods for Huskies to Gain Weight in 2025: Reviews & Top Picks

It can be stressful to have a dog that is underweight, and Huskies are a breed that are particularly prone to this because of their high activity level. It can also be difficult to determine your Husky’s body composition due...

young siberian husky eating

10 Best Dog Foods for Hypothyroidism in 2025 — Reviews & Top Picks

A dog’s thyroid gland is located in their neck and has two lobes, one on each side of the trachea. The thyroid is responsible for regulating the body’s metabolism. Dogs with an overactive thyroid experience hyperthyroidism, and their metabolic rate...

dog rescue sad pixabay

Why Does My Puppy Eat So Fast? 5 Vet-Reviewed Reasons & Advice

Bringing a new puppy into your home is always exciting, but along with the good can sometimes come some bad. Your puppy may exhibit some behaviors that you need to train them out of, like chewing on absolutely everything or...

Great Dane Puppy Eating

9 Best Treats for Dogs With Sensitive Stomachs in 2025: Reviews & Top Picks

No matter who you are, you probably give your dogs treats at least once every month or so, whether it’s for training or just because they’re good puppies. However, dogs with sensitive stomachs may struggle with this normal part of...

jack russell terrier having treats

Sources of Omega-3 for Dogs & How Much They Need Daily (Vet Approved)

Dogs need a wide variety of nutrients for a healthy and active life, especially nutrients that play important roles in brain function and immune system health. Omega-3 fatty acids have received lots of attention due to their anti-inflammatory effects which...

Shiba Inu dog eating from stainless steel bowl

5 Benefits of Sweet Potatoes for Dogs: Vet-Reviewed Facts & Considerations

Sweet potatoes are superfoods chock full of many health benefits for humans. They’re loaded with vitamins and minerals and are generally considered a healthier choice than regular potatoes. Since they’re so beneficial for humans, you might wonder if sweet potatoes...

dog smelling the homemade cooked sweet potato on plate