How to Train a Chihuahua: The Complete Guide

General training information. Every dog is an individual; for health or behavior concerns, see your veterinarian.

Chihuahua training is not like training a Labrador in a smaller package. This is a dog with big opinions, a lot of confidence and a body that fits in a tote bag. Owners who understand that early tend to enjoy the process far more than those who expect a tiny, easy-going shadow.

This guide covers how to train a Chihuahua from the first week home through adulthood. It explains what the breed's own club says about temperament, how to build reliable habits with rewards, and which problems to plan for before they start. Every dog is an individual, so treat the advice here as a framework, not a script.

Key Takeaways

The Chihuahua Club of America describes the breed as alert, with terrier-like attitudes of self importance, confidence and self-reliance. Train the dog you have, not the size you see.
The PDSA, a UK pet charity, says Chihuahuas need consistency, respond to reward-based methods with a firm but fair approach, and should be socialised from a young age.
Barking, snapping at strangers or small children, and difficulty being left alone are the challenges to plan for, according to the PDSA and Hill's Pet.
Short, happy sessions beat long drills. Small bodies tire quickly and small attention spans wander.
Never use shock, prong or choke collars, alpha rolls, scruffing or dominance methods. The American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior (AVSAB) supports reward-based training.
Questions about pain, limping, coughing or sudden behavior changes belong with your veterinarian, not a training plan.

What the Chihuahua Is and How That Shapes Training
Principles of Humane, Reward-Based Chihuahua Training
Training Stages From Puppy to Adult
Motivation That Works for This Breed
Exercise and Mental Work
Challenges to Plan For
Building a Routine That Lasts

What the Chihuahua Is and How That Shapes Training

Good training starts with an honest picture of the dog. Here is what the breed's parent club and other breed sources say, and what it means in practice.

Origins and purpose

Hill's Pet says the breed is named after the Mexican state of Chihuahua, where the dog was discovered about 1850. Earlier ancestry is uncertain. Hill's notes that Aztec dogs, dogs of the Incas and Spanish dogs of the 1500s have all been proposed.

What the breed was originally bred to do is not something we can state with confidence here. For the history and original purpose of the breed, check with the Chihuahua Club of America or the American Kennel Club. What matters for training is the temperament that has come down to us.

Temperament in the breed standard

The Chihuahua Club of America breed standard describes the Chihuahua as alert, with terrier-like attitudes of self importance, confidence and self-reliance. That one sentence explains a lot of daily life with this breed.

Alert means the dog notices every doorbell, footstep and squirrel. Expect to teach it what to do about those things.
Self importance and confidence mean the dog may not see why it should defer to anyone. You win cooperation by making cooperation rewarding, not by making demands.
Self-reliance means a dog that may decide it has a better idea. Short, clear cues and consistent follow-through help.

Individual dogs vary. Some are bold, some are shy, and many are a mix that changes with the situation. Use the standard as a starting point, then watch your own dog.

Size and what it means for handling

The Chihuahua Club of America breed standard says weight should not exceed 6 pounds. The United Kennel Club lists an ideal of 3 to 6.5 pounds. Published height figures are inconsistent between sources, so check the parent club if you need a precise number.

What matters for training is that a very small dog is easy to pick up, carry and over-handle. Carrying a dog everywhere teaches it nothing and takes away chances to practice walking, greeting and settling. It also means a fall from your arms or a couch is a real risk to a body this small.

Some puppies are born with a molera, a soft spot on top of the head. The Chihuahua Club of America's molera statement says many puppies have one and about as many do not, and that its presence does not mean a medical problem. Handle the head gently either way, and ask your veterinarian about anything that worries you.

Energy and attention

Hill's Pet describes the Chihuahua as active and likely to want to be kept occupied, despite being a lap dog. That is a useful reminder. A bored Chihuahua does not nap politely. It finds its own jobs, and those jobs often involve barking or chewing. Training itself is part of the solution, because it gives the dog something to do.

Principles of Humane, Reward-Based Chihuahua Training

The PDSA says Chihuahuas need consistency and respond to reward-based methods with a firm but fair approach. "Firm" here does not mean harsh. It means you are clear, predictable and calm, and the rules do not change from day to day.

What reward-based training means

You mark the behavior you want, then reward it. The reward can be a tiny treat, a toy, praise or a chance to do something the dog loves. Behavior that pays off happens more often. Behavior that never pays off fades.

This matches the position of the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior, which supports reward-based training and advises against punishment-based methods. For a small, sensitive dog, there is another practical reason: fear and pain make a nervous breed more reactive, not more obedient.

Methods to avoid

Do not use any of these with a Chihuahua:

Shock, prong or choke collars
Alpha rolls or pinning the dog down
Scruffing or shaking
Dominance-based approaches of any kind

A small neck and trachea are fragile. The PDSA lists tracheal collapse among the health problems seen in the breed, so a well-fitted harness is a sensible choice over pulling on a collar. Ask your veterinarian for advice on equipment that suits your dog.

Consistency in a household

Sit down with everyone who lives with the dog and agree on a few things: the cue words, the house rules, and what earns a reward. A Chihuahua who is allowed on the couch by one person and scolded by another learns that rules depend on who is watching.

Choose one word for each behavior and stick with it.
Reward the same way each time.
Decide in advance which furniture, rooms and behaviors are allowed.
Ask visitors to follow the same rules, especially for greetings.

Training Stages From Puppy to Adult

There is no single schedule that suits every dog. Use these stages as a rough order of priorities, and move at the pace your own dog sets.

Stage 1: The first weeks at home

Your goals are safety, routine and trust. Do not worry about fancy tricks yet.

Set up a safe space. A crate or small pen with a bed lets the puppy rest without being stepped on or handled constantly.
Start housetraining. Take the puppy out after waking, eating, playing and any time it sniffs and circles. Reward right after it goes in the right spot, while the dog is still there.
Learn the name. Say the name, and when the puppy looks at you, give a treat. Repeat in short bursts through the day.
Introduce gentle handling. Touch paws, ears and mouth briefly and pair each touch with a treat. This makes future grooming and vet visits easier.

Tiny puppies have tiny bladders and need frequent trips outside. Ask your veterinarian about feeding schedules and any concern about housetraining setbacks, since health issues can play a part.

Stage 2: Socialisation

The PDSA recommends socialising Chihuahuas from a young age. This matters because both the PDSA and Hill's Pet mention snapping at strangers or small children as a known challenge for the breed.

Good socialisation is about positive, low-pressure experiences, not about flooding the puppy with everything at once. Aim for calm exposure to:

Different people, including people in hats, uniforms and with beards
Household noises such as the vacuum, doorbell and dishwasher
Car rides, carriers and new floor surfaces
Other well-mannered, vaccinated dogs, as your veterinarian advises

Let the puppy approach new things at its own pace. If it freezes, trembles or tries to hide, increase the distance and make the experience easier. Pair new things with treats so they predict something good. Ask your veterinarian when it is safe for your puppy to meet other dogs and visit public places.

Please watch children closely. Hill's Pet says Chihuahuas make good family pets when treated respectfully, but they have a reputation for snapping at strangers or small children. Teach children to sit on the floor, pet gently, and leave the dog alone when it is eating or resting. Never leave a small child alone with a small dog.

Stage 3: Basic manners

Once your puppy is settled, build a small set of useful cues. Keep sessions to a few minutes and end while the dog is still keen.

Sit. Hold a treat just above the nose and move it back over the head. When the rear touches down, mark and reward.
Come. Say the cue in a happy voice, back away, and reward generously when the dog arrives. Never call your dog to scold it.
Down. From a sit, lure the treat toward the floor between the paws.
Leave it. Close a hand over a treat, wait for the dog to back off, then reward from your other hand.
Place or mat. Teach the dog to go to a bed and relax. This one is valuable for doorbells and visitors.

Practice in the living room first, then in the kitchen, the yard and eventually quiet public places. Dogs do not generalise well, so a cue that works at home may need rebuilding elsewhere.

Stage 4: Leash skills and everyday life

Teach loose-leash walking in a secure, boring place first. Reward the dog for staying beside you and for checking in. If it pulls, stop and wait, then move on when the leash relaxes. Use a well-fitted harness and a lightweight leash.

Also practice:

Being picked up and put down calmly
Staying still during grooming and nail trims
Riding in a carrier or car restraint
Settling in a crate or pen while you are at home

Stage 5: Adolescence

Between puppyhood and full adulthood, many dogs seem to forget what they know. They may test boundaries, bark more or become wary of things that never bothered them. This is normal developmental behavior, not stubbornness.

Go back to basics, keep rewards high-value, and keep rules consistent. Do not punish. Short, successful sessions rebuild confidence for both of you.

Stage 6: Adulthood and beyond

Training does not stop when the dog grows up. Adult Chihuahuas benefit from regular refreshers and new challenges. Teach tricks, practice cues in new places, and keep up good social habits.

If you adopt an adult Chihuahua, the same steps apply. You may need to go slowly with a dog whose history you do not know, and a trainer who uses reward-based methods can help if you hit a wall.

Motivation That Works for This Breed

A self-reliant dog needs a good reason to listen. Your job is to become the most interesting and rewarding thing in the room.

Choose rewards that matter to your dog

Many Chihuahuas love food, but some prefer a toy, a game or a cuddle. Test a few options and watch what the dog works hardest for. Use the best rewards for hard tasks, such as coming when called outside, and plain rewards for easy ones.

Keep treats very small. A tiny body gets full quickly, and extra treats add up. Count training treats as part of the daily food allowance, and ask your veterinarian how much to feed.

Timing and markers

Reward within a second or two of the behavior. A marker word such as "yes" or a clicker tells the dog exactly what earned the treat. Say the marker, then deliver the reward.

Keep sessions short and upbeat

Five minutes of focused practice, a few times a day, is better than one long session. End on a success. If the dog is distracted, make the task easier or take a break.

Use real-life rewards

Everyday things can reward good behavior too. Sit before the door opens. Wait before the food bowl goes down. Settle on the mat before the walk starts. These small habits teach the dog that polite behavior makes good things happen.

Be patient with a sensitive dog

Many small dogs are easily startled by loud voices and quick movements. Keep your tone cheerful and your body language relaxed. If the dog backs away or looks worried, you have asked too much. Make the next step smaller.

Exercise and Mental Work

How much exercise

The PDSA suggests a minimum of half an hour a day for a Chihuahua, ideally split into two walks, plus play in a secure area. Hill's Pet describes the breed as active and happier when kept occupied.

Those figures are a starting point. Puppies, seniors and dogs with health problems may need less or different activity. Ask your veterinarian what is right for your dog, particularly if you notice limping, coughing or tiring quickly. The PDSA lists luxating patellas, hip dysplasia, eye conditions, heart disease, tracheal collapse and dental problems among the health issues seen in the breed, and only a veterinarian can assess whether any of these affect your dog.

Safe play

Use a secure, fenced area or a long line. A small dog can slip through gaps that a larger dog cannot.
Avoid rough play with much larger dogs.
Discourage jumping off furniture. Teach the dog to use a ramp or wait to be lifted down.
Keep an eye on the weather. Tiny dogs can feel the cold and heat quickly, so ask your veterinarian about suitable gear and limits.

Mental exercise

Because Chihuahuas are alert and like to be occupied, thinking games are as useful as walks. Try these:

Scatter feeding. Toss part of a meal on the floor or a snuffle mat so the dog has to sniff it out.
Puzzle toys. Choose sizes safe for a small mouth and supervise use.
Hide and seek. Hide a toy or treat and let the dog find it.
Trick training. Spin, paw, bow and "touch" are easy to teach and fun to show off.
Short training games. Practice cues in new rooms or with new distractions.

Dog sports and dog jobs for the breed are not something we can describe from the sources here. If you are curious about activities such as trials or performance events, ask the Chihuahua Club of America or the American Kennel Club what is open to Chihuahuas.

Challenges to Plan For

The PDSA lists snapping at strangers or small children, barking and difficulty being left alone as known challenges for the breed. Hill's Pet adds that Chihuahuas may be more prone to barking than some larger dogs. None of this is certain for any single dog, but it pays to be ready.

Barking

An alert dog tells you about everything. Start by deciding what you want. Many owners are happy with a few barks and then quiet.

Notice what sets the barking off, such as the doorbell, hallway noises or passersby.
Reduce triggers where you can, for example by blocking the view from a window.
Teach a "thank you" or "quiet" cue: let the dog bark once or twice, say your cue, then reward the moment it stops.
Teach an alternative behavior, such as going to the mat when the doorbell rings.
Meet the dog's needs for exercise and mental work, since boredom adds to the noise.

Shouting at a barking dog often sounds like joining in. Stay calm and reward quiet.

Snapping at strangers or small children

Snapping is communication. The dog is saying it is uncomfortable. Punishing a warning teaches the dog to skip the warning next time.

Watch body language: stiffness, lip licking, backing away, showing the whites of the eyes, or a growl.
Give the dog space and let visitors ignore it until it chooses to approach.
Ask guests to offer a treat by tossing it, not by reaching over the dog.
Supervise all contact with children, and teach children how to behave around a small dog.
Provide a retreat spot where the dog is never disturbed.

If a dog has bitten or seems fearful, contact your veterinarian to rule out pain or illness, then seek a trainer or behaviorist who uses reward-based methods.

Difficulty being left alone

Many small dogs become attached to one person. Teach independence slowly, from the first weeks.

Practice short separations while you are at home, using a pen or a gate.
Give the dog a safe chew or a stuffed toy as you leave.
Keep departures and arrivals calm and low-key.
Build up the time you are gone gradually, in small steps the dog can handle.

If the dog panics, drools heavily, destroys things or has accidents only when alone, ask your veterinarian for advice and consider a behaviorist who uses reward-based methods.

Housetraining setbacks

Small dogs can be slow to housetrain, partly because small mistakes are easy to miss. Stay consistent with a schedule, supervise indoors, clean accidents with an enzyme cleaner, and reward every success. If a trained dog suddenly starts having accidents, a veterinary check is the right first step.

Over-protection and "small dog" habits

Carrying a dog everywhere or excusing bad behavior because the dog is small teaches bad habits. A dog that growls at people near the couch, guards its food or lunges at other dogs needs the same patient training as a large dog. Do not use force. Manage the situation, reward calm behavior and get professional help if needed.

Health and training

Pain can look like bad behavior. A dog that suddenly snaps when picked up, refuses stairs or stops jumping may be hurting. Veterinarians diagnose and treat; trainers do not. When behavior changes suddenly, call your veterinarian first.

Building a Routine That Lasts

Training works best when it fits into daily life. Here is a simple framework you can adjust.

A sample day

Morning: Potty break, a short walk, a few minutes of cue practice before breakfast.
Midday: A play or scent game, a short rest in a safe space.
Afternoon: A second walk or secure-area play, plus a two-minute trick session.
Evening: A calm settle on the mat while the household eats, followed by a final potty break.

A simple weekly focus

Week	Focus
1	Name, handling, housetraining routine
2	Sit, treat-taking manners, crate or pen comfort
3	Come, harness and leash introduction
4	Down, leave it, short separations
5 and on	Mat, polite greetings, new places, new tricks

Treat this as a loose guide, not a deadline. Some dogs need more time on each step, and that is fine.

When to get help

Look for a trainer who uses reward-based methods and welcomes questions about their approach. Avoid anyone who recommends shock, prong or choke collars, alpha rolls, scruffing or dominance. For serious fear, aggression or anxiety, ask your veterinarian for a referral to a qualified behavior professional.

Keep it fun

The best Chihuahua training tips come down to patience, consistency and good humor. This is a breed with a big personality. When you channel it with kindness, you get a confident companion who knows how to live in your world.