How to Train a Chihuahua Puppy

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     Congratulations on your new Chihuahua puppy! Big things come in small packages and your tiny little ball of fur will bring more joy and love into your home than you could ever imagine. While you may just want to cuddle him and carry him around, now is the perfect time start to train your Chihuahua puppy so that he grows up to be a well-mannered little gentleman.

A lot of people consider Chihuahuas to be spoiled rotten yappy dogs. This is due to no fault of the dogs, but because their owners didn't take the time to train their Chihuahua puppies. It is up to you to raise your puppy to become the kind of dog you can be proud of and enjoy.

Because of their small size, Chihuahuas spend most of their time being carried around like the babies they are. Being that cute is a trick enough in and of itself, but Chihuahuas can learn tricks just like any other breed of dog. Teaching a Chihuahua tricks takes patience, but your favorite pup can be taught if you take the time to teach him.

Top 5 Things to Train Your Chihuahua Puppy
While you can train your Chihuahua puppy to do many fun and entertaining tricks, there are a few basics that he should learn as a puppy.

1. House Training ?take the time to teach your little fur-baby to go potty outside from the get-go and you will save yourself a lot of trouble over the years. The key to house-training your Chihuahua is to take him outside often and praise him every time he does his business outside.

2. "Leave It" ?If you teach your Chihuahua puppy this simple command, you will be well on your way to having a well-behaved little friend. When your pup is chewing on your favorite shoes or tries to steal your hamburger, sternly tell him "Leave it!" Then calmly take the taboo item away from him and give him something else to occupy his attention.

3. Come When Called ?For his own safety and your peace of mind, it is very important that your Chihuahua puppy be trained to come when called. Lots of love and praise is the key to teaching your puppy this important skill.

4. Sit ?Although your Chihuahua will probably be spending a lot of time in your arms, he still should learn to Sit on his little rump when asked. This is also the basis for a lot of other tricks such as Lie Down, Shake, and Stay.

5. Stay ?Like coming when called, "stay" is a command that will help keep your Chihuahua puppy safe.

The Do's and Don'ts of Training a Chihuahua Puppy
You can train a Chihuahua puppy just like you can any other dog; with patience, consistency, and lots of praise.

DO:
?Be consistent in your expectations. If you tell him that chasing the cat is a no-no one day but then allow it the next, your baby-dog will get very confused. Set rules and boundaries and stick to them!

?Be patient. By being patient with your tiny Chihuahua puppy your Chihuahua will learn to trust you.

?Use praise and rewards to get the behavior you want. Positive reinforcement is the key to letting your Chihuahua know right from wrong.

?Socialize him. Many Chihuahua puppies grow up afraid of other dogs or humans besides their owners. Socialization will give him confidence and make him a better companion.

DON'T
?Don't spank or hit your little dog. Punishment will only lead to a fearful dog that may try to protect himself by biting. You want your little companion to trust and adore you, not be afraid of you!

?Don't expect perfection. Puppies will make mistakes, use them as teachable moments and eventually he will stop making them.

?Leave him alone for long periods of time. Chihuahuas, like all dogs, are pack animals. They need lots of time playing and interacting with you and other people to stimulate their brains.

?Don't ignore unwanted behavior. Take the time to teach your Chihuahua puppy right from wrong so that he will grow up to be the dog of your dreams.

Your little puppy could live as long as 15 or more years. It's up to you to set the foundation of love and mutual respect that will make those years happy ones.

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