Chihuahua Training Guide – Crate, Toilet & More Tips!

Many people make the mistake of thinking that toy breeds do not require dog training because they are easy to handle and are just there for the fun of the owner. The personality of the Chihuahua is here to teach us otherwise.

If you train a Chihuahua correctly, these small dogs can be wonderfully sweet and obedient family dogs. Still, if you do not establish your dominance, this small dog will show you the full size of its feisty personality quickly and will reverse the roles in the household hierarchy in no time.

In our extensive Chihuahua training guide, we will provide you with helpful tips on how to train a Chihuahua, from basic commands to fun tricks all the way to whether you should be using pee pads or not.

Should I Train My Chihuahua?

Absolutely! Every dog, including the Chihuahua, should be trained in order to follow your commands, respect your authority and not go potty inside your home. Although training may be a time-consuming task and sometimes tedious, the benefits are well worth the effort.
 

Are Chihuahuas Easy To Train?

Chihuahuas aren’t the easiest breed to train, and you might have to put in some extra time and persistence to get the results you are looking for. They can be a bit feisty and snappy, and some Chihuahua owners have reported issues with potty training their fur babies.

At the end of the day, it really depends on their personality. You might get lucky with a super sweet dog. However, if you do struggle with Chihuahua puppy training, getting some help from a professional dog trainer might be a good option.
 

What Kind Of Training Does A Chihuahua Need?

Just like other dogs, Chihuahuas require the following types of training:

• obedience training
• toilet training
• socialisation
• crate training.

Toilet Training A Chihuahua Puppy

Because of their minute size, a lot of Chihuahua owners do not see little “accidents” in the home as a big deal. This means an owner is more likely to be less consistent when they potty train their tiny dog. This is a big mistake!

Toilet training Chihuahuas is just as important as potty training any other dog and should be started from as young as possible to instil good habits.

When to start toilet training your Chihuahua puppy

The sooner, the better when it comes to toilet training your Chihuahua. If you want an adult dog that is properly potty trained, you should start training between 8 and 12 weeks of age.

How to toilet train your Chihuahua puppy

Here is a simple guide to help you make toilet training your Chihuahua as easy as possible.

Choose a spot

Make sure you take your puppy outside to the spot where you want it to go. Taking them here about every two hours, in the beginning, will help them build a regular toilet routine and teach them which spot is appropriate.

Use a lot of positive reinforcement

Consistency and a whole lot of positive reinforcement are key in this sometimes challenging task. Your Chihuahua won’t respond well to harsh discipline and could have adverse effects on the process. Have a treat handy and give lots of verbal praise every time your dog has relieved itself in the correct spot.

Be mindful and consistent

Make sure you offer your puppy the opportunity to relieve itself before and after nap time, after feeding times and after a heavy play session, as these situations can trigger your dog to need to go potty.
 

Crate Training Your Chihuahua

The crate method is a philosophy that is based on providing your dog with a safe space in the household where it can retreat and where you can keep it away from harm by keeping it inside a comfy crate for a short amount of time, if necessary.

Why is it important to crate train your Chihuahua puppy?

Dogs have an instinct to create a den for themselves as a safe space where they can relax and sleep, and so do Chihuahuas.

Additionally, to protect your Chihuahua from harm while cleaning the house or making it easier to transport your dog in a car, having a crate that your dog feels safe in is absolutely paramount.

When to start crate training your Chihuahua puppy

You can start crate training your Chihuahua puppy from about 10 to 12 weeks of age.

How to crate train your Chihuahua puppy

Crate training is a process that should never be rushed. You need to be patient and gentle when encouraging your pet to Here are a few easy steps to follow:

1. Make sure you establish a positive connection to the crate. Do not use it to lock your puppy away. Let your dog explore the crate calmly and happily.
2. Make it a comfortable space. You can do this by adding cushions and blankets, and perhaps your dog’s favourite toy.
3. Use a lot of positive reinforcement and associations. When your puppy enters the crate by itself, make sure to verbally reward it or provide it with a treat. You can use the crate for playtime purposes by hiding a toy or treat inside or playing fetch and throwing the toy into the crate so that your dog associates it with positive situations.
4. Make sure your dog does not wear a collar. Collars create dangerous situations and a very negative experience for your pup.
5. Never use the crate to punish your dog!

Pros and cons of crate training

Here are the advantages and disadvantages of a crate at a glance:

Pros

• Becomes your dog’s safe space.
• Grows your dog’s den instincts.
• Easy for safe-keeping your pup.

Cons

• Dangerous if your dog gets stuck.
• It can feel like a prison if not introduced correctly.
• A dog can get physically frustrated if you keep it inside too long.

Can I Train My Chihuahua To Do Tricks?

Yes, despite their minute size, Chihuahuas can still learn the same cute tricks as bigger dogs, for instance, standing on their hind legs, rolling over or giving paws and other fun tricks.
 

Tips For Training Your Chihuahua

Here are some more tips on training your Chihuahua correctly:

Be consistent

Spending time with your dog and sticking to daily training sessions split up into a few minutes is key when it comes to training your Chihuahua puppy. If you repeat exercises regularly and stick to them daily, you will be able to see long-lasting results and have your Chihuahua fully trained in no time.

Positive reinforcement is key

Never force your pup to do anything, and never punish your Chihuahua for not behaving in a certain way. You should always speak kindly and give praise to your dog if it is doing something right, as punishment and anger will only cause your dog to mistrust you and will prevent it from wanting to please you by listening to your commands.

Avoid over-using treats

Split your dog treats into smaller portions, phase them out over time, and introduce your dog to verbal praise and physical affection rather than treats.

Too many treats will make your dog gain too much weight and can lead to health issues.

Consider clicker training

Clicker training is a great way to use a neutral sound, followed by positive reinforcement, as a way to teach your dog commands and tricks.

The clicker method works in such a way that you use the clicker at the precise moment your dog is performing the command or trick correctly, after which you give it a treat or verbal praise straight away.

If done regularly and consistently, Chihuahuas will start associating the clicker with the correct behaviour and know better what is expected of them.
 

Final Thoughts on Training A Chihuahua

Most owners think it is not necessary to train a Chihuahua, but we beg to differ.

Small dogs, such as Chihuahuas, need exactly the same amount of training as larger breeds to become a well-trained, fully socialised and fun addition to the family.