Breed profile · toy · devoted · feisty

Chihuahua training guide

Reviewed by Sarah Mitchell, CPDT-KA · Updated July 1, 2026

The world's smallest dog with the world's largest self-image. Chihuahuas bond intensely to their person and view most strangers as suspects. Much of their reputation comes from being under-trained and over-carried — treat them like dogs and they train like dogs.

Most Chihuahua 'attitude' is actually fear at ankle height — the world is enormous and hands descend from the sky. Train on the floor, at their level, and let them approach rather than looming. Their barking is both alarm and distance-making: desensitization must move slower than with confident breeds. Tiny stomachs mean tiny treats — slivers, not cubes — or you'll fill them up in one session.

Trait profile

Energy3/5

Trainability3/5

Barkiness5/5

devoted
feisty
suspicious-of-strangers

Common challenges for Chihuahuas

Top guides for Chihuahuas

Fix it in your ChihuahuaHow to Stop Barking at Visitors in a ChihuahuaStop the rehearsal first: block the window view and muffle the doorbell, then pair the bell sound with treats at low volume until your dog stays calm. Over 2–3 weeks, teach a 'go to mat' response so an incompatible calm behavior replaces the barking.

Fix it in your ChihuahuaHow to Stop Potty Training in a ChihuahuaPotty training is a numbers game: maximize successes outside (frequent scheduled trips, reward within two seconds of finishing) and prevent accidents inside (constant supervision or safe confinement). Clean misses with an enzymatic cleaner and never punish — punishment just teaches dogs to hide where they go.

Fix it in your ChihuahuaHow to Stop Leash Reactivity in a ChihuahuaReactivity is an emotional response — frustration or fear amplified by the leash — so the fix is changing the emotion, not suppressing the display. Find the distance at which your dog notices a trigger but stays calm, and pay heavily there (trigger appears → chicken rains). Shrink the distance over weeks. Manage routes ruthlessly so rehearsals stop.

Train your ChihuahuaHow to Teach a Chihuahua to QuietWait for a pause in barking (or create one with a soft attention noise), say 'quiet' in the silence, and reward 2–3 seconds of continued silence with a treat. Gradually stretch the silent gap before paying. Never yell — from the dog's perspective you're just joining in.

Train your ChihuahuaHow to Teach a Chihuahua to SitHold a treat just above your dog's nose and move it slowly back over their head — as the nose follows, the rear drops. The moment they sit, mark ('yes!') and treat. After a few reps, add the word 'sit' right before the lure, then fade the lure to a hand signal.

Train your ChihuahuaHow to Teach a Chihuahua to Recall (Come)Pick a fresh word ('here!'), pair it with your dog's favorite reward every single time, and never use it to end fun or to punish. Practice on a long line, starting close with no distractions and adding distance and difficulty gradually. Pay every recall like it's the lottery.

Train your ChihuahuaHow to Teach a Chihuahua to Go to MatPut a mat down, and reward any interest in it — a look, a step, a paw. Shape toward all four paws on, then a down, then duration. Add the cue 'mat' once the dog charges over reliably. The mat becomes a paycheck zone, which is exactly why it fixes doorbell chaos and dinner begging.

Fix it in your ChihuahuaHow to Stop Jumping Up in a ChihuahuaJumping is paid attention — even pushing the dog off is a payment. Remove all attention for jumping (turn away, go still), and pay lavishly for four-paws-on-floor or a sit. Manage greetings with a leash or gate while you retrain, and brief your guests: the humans are half the training problem.

Common challenges for Chihuahuas

Top guides for Chihuahuas

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