My Dumb Dog

Chihuahuas may be a tiny breed of dog, but they can be quite territorial and protective as well. Some people think there are few things cuter than a Chihuahua pup, but before you bring that adorable baby home from the breeder, you would be well advised to learn more about the best methods for training your Chihuahua puppy.

Like any puppy, a Chihuahua has to have a clear understanding of what is expected of him from day one. Many Chihuahua owners make the mistake of going easy on training their Chihuahua puppy, because of his tiny size. However, an untrained Chihuahua can create big problems for the owner if he is allowed full run of the house for too long. Like any breed of dog, Chihuahuas are pack animals that have to understand their status in the pecking order. If you do not establish authority by properly training your Chihuahua puppy right away, it is very likely that he will attempt to take charge of you.

House Training your Chihuahua Puppy
One of the first steps in training your Chihuahua puppy will be toilet training. Chihuahuas will react well to either the crate method of housebreaking or the paper technique. The key to effectivelytoilet training your Chihuahua puppy is in the patience and consistency that you bring to the process. The more frequently that you can show your puppy the proper place to go to the bathroom, and the more praise that you can give him when he gets it right, the more quickly the puppy will catch on to what is expected of him. When your puppy has run of the house, keep a close eye on him to make sure that he doesn’t go to the bathroom in the house. The first time that your puppy has an accident indoors, clean up the mess promptly and get rid of the smell as much as possible. Otherwise, the pet will return to this spot the next time he feels the need to eliminate.
Check out these articles for more tips on house breaking your puppy.
how to crate train a puppy
how to housebreak puppy
Puppy litter training a great house training method

Socializing your Chihuahua Puppy
Chihuahua puppies are clan animals, and that means they tend to get along better with their own kind than they do with other animals. They can also be skittish around strangers and children. Therfore, it is important to include socialization when training your Chihuahua puppy. This means that you have to teach your dog how to behave around other animals and people, as well as educate children in the house how to act around your pet. This may include approaching the dog slowly and letting him sniff before attempting to touch him. The more you expose your puppy to other people and pets, the easier it will be to socialize your dog properly.

A Chihuahua puppy can be a cute and enjoyable addition to your family. With proper training of your Chihuahua puppy, he will be a much more welcome addition as well.