12 Top Chihuahua Behavior Problems & Helpful Fix

Some Chihuahua behavior problems drive most Chihuahua owners crazy, which is why we will talk in detail about Chihuahua behavior problems you should know.

We’ll go through some of the issues with Chihuahua behavior that you should be aware of before obtaining one.

We’ll also go over some of the most frequent approaches to deal with some of the behavior issues that Chihuahuas have.

Let me give you a rundown of common Chihuahua behavior problems, and then we’ll talk about them.

Most common Chihuahua behavior problems

Here are some of the most frequent Chihuahua behavior concerns to be aware of, as well as some helpful ways for resolving them:

1. Separation anxiety

Chihuahua separation anxiety is a behavior problem that develops when Chihuahuas are left alone unsupervised for an extended amount of time, resulting in biting, excessive barking, and aggression if left untreated.

Separation anxiety in Chihuahuas manifests itself in biting, nipping, barking, self-isolation, destructive chewing, and other behaviors.

Leaving a Chihuahua alone at home can induce separation anxiety, which can be mitigated by having a buddy or using effective crate training.

Tips

1. Make a purchase of anti-anxiety products or medication.
2. As soon as possible, you should bring in a second pet.
3. Make sure there are lots of soft and fascinating toys to keep the puppy occupied.
4. Allow plenty of time for rest, relaxation, and physical activity.
5. Begin a new, appropriate crate training program for your dog.
6. Make an appointment with a behaviorist for your pet.
7. Consider hiring a dog sitter.
8. Teach them to leave you alone at home and to keep a safe distance from you.

2. Begging for table scraps or human foods

It may be difficult for the owner to resist the Chihuahua’s enticing smiles, which promote begging.

Despite the fact that begging is bad behavior, many Chihuahua owners reward it by feeding their Chihuahuas while they eat.

Weight gain, gastrointestinal problems, and even persistent diarrhea are all possible side effects.

The most basic way to avoid this annoying behavior is to never encourage it in the first place.

Tips

1. When your Chihuahua is begging, don’t stare at him.
2. When your Chihuahua is begging, don’t talk to him.
3. If your Chihuahua attempts to pounce on you while begging, twist and turn away.
4. Feed your Chihuahua while eating your meal.
5. Teach your chihuahua to do more than sit at the table begging for food.
6. While you eat, put your Chihuahua in his room.
7. When it’s time to dine, place the bowl near the table, so your Chihuahua believes he’s dining with you.
8. Teach your Chihuahua that begging is connected with poor conduct by using positive reinforcement.

3. Dominance behavior

Chihuahuas are known to be very bossy such that they forget their size, this is a serious issue if you have kids around your home.

It is important to properly socialize your Chihuahua to avoid this dominant behavior in them.

Chihuahuas love to lead while you follow and this leads to different behavior problems that if not fixed can cause unnecessary aggression.

Tips

1. Develop an “Alpha” mentality from the start.
2. Insist on proper behavior.
3. To communicate, use good energy.
4. Learn how to behave like an alpha male.
5. Be consistent and fair when it comes to correcting incorrect behavior.
6. Be consistent and precise when it comes to regulations.
7. Teach the principles of obedience to your Chihuahua.
8. Learn how to regulate and control the amount of time your Chihuahua spends eating.
9. Always give your Chihuahua a job to do.
10. Positive reinforcement should be used.
11. Submissive behavior should be rewarded.

4. Little difficulty in house-training

The act of teaching a dog to defecate outside or in a specified location within the house instead of following its natural propensity of pooping everywhere is known as housetraining.

Because of their domineering temperament, housebreaking Chihuahuas is notoriously difficult. Expect to train in sessions for two to three months.

Even after you’ve accomplished toilet training, your Chihuahua may make blunders. However, once you’ve finished it, you may expect to see a nice dog.

One of the most common difficulties with Chihuahua behavior is housebreaking. When you have a Chihuahua, try to pay attention to house training from the unset. 

Tips

1. During housetraining, don’t overfeed your Chihuahua.
2. During the house-training process, don’t keep your chihuahua on a leash when you’re not around.
3. During the house-training process, provide your Chihuahua a choice of areas to relieve himself.
4. During the housetraining procedure, take your Chihuahua to the potty frequently before sleep.
5. The day your Chihuahua arrives at your house, you should begin potty training him.
6. Do not yell or hit your Chihuahua if he makes a mistake.
7. During the house-training procedure, make no significant changes to your Chihuahua’s regular routine.
8. Throughout the housetraining process, feed your Chihuahua at the same time and in the same manner.
9. Make the toilet as accessible as possible during and after the housetraining process.

5. Chihuahuas are so clingy

While some people find it bothersome that their Chihuahuas follow them around the home searching for love, others find it amusing.

When it comes to seeking attention by barking, biting, or nipping, Chihuahuas are no exception.

A Chihuahua is not for you if you don’t want a loving dog who requires regular care.

Chihuahuas are wonderful companion dogs that spend their days with their owners; yet, if not properly controlled, this may become a major issue.

Tips

1. Invest time in obedience training.
2. Teach the sit or stay command.
3. Invest your time in proper crate training.
4. Provide lots of engaging and interactive toys.
5. Provide mental stimulation activities like puzzle.
6. Always give your Chihuahua a job to do.
7. Create a regular routine and follow it up daily.
8. Set a clear rules.

6. Chewing valuables

Boredom, depression, frustration, and loneliness are the most common reasons for destructive chewing in Chihuahuas, all of which can be induced by separation anxiety.

Something is wrong if your Chihuahua is chewing everything he sees even valuables. It might be a sign of separation anxiety.

According to some, spray areas where you don’t want your Chihuahua to chew or conceal your valuables and electronic wiring.

You, on the other hand, are utterly clueless about your Chihuahua’s needs.

Rather than spraying or masking the problem, why not figure out what’s causing the destructive nibbling and treat it once and for all. 

Tips

1. Never leave your Chihuahua alone or bored.
2. Keep your chihuahua occupied at your side at all times.
3. Get a variety of chewing and interactive toys for your Chihuahua.
4. If you can’t stop chewing, spray your furnishings.
5. A greater amount of mental stimulation is required.
6. Make sure your Chihuahua gets enough exercise.
7. Dog-proofing your home is a good idea.
8. If you want your chihuahua to remain away from your valuables, get him something to chew on.

7. Possessive behavior

Possession behavior occurs when a Chihuahua believes that he or she owns toys, space, or food.

Chihuahua has an innate need to protect what they own, whether it’s their food, territory, or toys.

Possession is frequent, but being overly aggressive in this area might endanger the owner, their family, and friends, as well as other dogs.

When your Chihuahua is at peace and has established boundaries at home, he will become possessive.

A new Chihuahua will not exhibit possession signs until he has adjusted to his new environment.

Tips

1. Start obedience training sessions as fast as possible.
2. Teach the “leave it” command.
3. Desensitization
4. Distraction means should be provided.
5. Always put your Chihuahua on a time-out when he becomes possessive.
6. Talk to an expert.

8. Shy at strangers

Chihuahuas are also susceptible to shyness. To identify whether a Chihuahua is shy, it is required to check the dog’s ears.

The ears of a shy Chihuahua will tilt back toward its head when he’s around strangers. This is why people say Chihuahuas bark at strangers.

When dogs are around new people, they pant excessively and their pupils dilate. These are both signs of nervousness.

In order for your Chihuahua to overcome his shyness, you must first convince him that there is nothing to be afraid of.

Tips

1. Take your Chihuahua to dog parks to meet other dogs and people.
2. Expose your Chihuahua to loud sounds or music.
3. Visit other dog owners.
4. Take your Chihuahua to a shopping mall.
5. Go for a dog show with your Chihuahua.
6. Go camping with your Chihuahua.
7. Take your Chihuahua to your workplace and let him meet people.
8. Visit your friends with your Chihuahua.
9. Go on evening walks down your street.
10. Start your Chihuahua socialization at a very young stage.

9. Very selective of what to eat

Some Chihuahua pups know what they want to eat, but they won’t tell you since they can’t communicate.

Chihuahuas’ taste receptors rotate, causing them to take only a few bits or refuse to eat at all.

The majority of Chihuahua owners are concerned about this, but it is a behavioral issue that can be resolved by feeding your dog the correct foods.

A Chihuahua might sense a deficiency of protein in a dish and refuse to eat it.

Chihuahuas are notorious for being picky eaters since they are aware that eating may bring them distress.

Tips

1. Stop changing your Chihuahua food whenever you wish.
2. Any food that has shown to be successful should be kept.
3. If necessary, make the dish more appetizing.
4. Consider what you’re going to put on the table.
5. Keep your Chihuahua on a regular eating regimen.
6. Switching to a grain-free choice is a smart idea.
7. Use the smallest serving sizes possible.
8. If you have any medical concerns, talk to your veterinarian.
9. Stop giving your Chihuahua a bunch of different meals all at once.
10. Simply do what you think is best for you and your Chihuahua.

10. Unnecessarily barking

Chihuahuas are a naturally non-aggressive little dog breed that have never been known to attack other dogs or children since they were created to be human companions.

Aggression in Chihuahuas can be caused by a variety of factors, including poor socialization, fear, anxiety, possessive behavior, and a lack of training or behavioral guidance on the side of the owner.

Chihuahuas can bark excessively, and one of the best methods to prevent excessive barking is to properly socialize your Chihuahua as soon as possible.

Tips

1. To get your dog to quit barking, teach him a new behavior.
2. Select a spot that can be seen from the front entrance.
3. Train them to lie down and stay put when you say, “Go to your place.”
4. This will keep them occupied as they wait to be greeted and will keep them calm.
5. Bring a reward at the door and invite a friend in, but only open it when your dog is calm.
6. They’ll learn to relax if they desire that treat if you do it frequently enough.
7. Teach your Chihuahua the stop command.
8. Learn how to distract your Chihuahua.
9. Teach your Pup to stay focused.

11. Digging

You need to discover out why your Chihuahua is digging so much and take action as soon as possible.

Maintain constant engagement with your Chihuahua and avoid leaving him outside for long periods of time.

For a variety of reasons, none of which are cruel, Chihuahuas have a natural need to dig.

If your Chihuahua falls in love with your flower or plant beds and begins digging into them while you’re out walking, don’t get angry or yell at him.

Simply remove your Chihuahua from such locations multiple times until he knows that his actions are wrong.

Tips

1. Always try to connect digging to a negative behavior.
2. Make a list of mental-stimulating tasks to do.
3. Distract the Chihuahua’s attention away from their bad behavior.
4. Make the regions where your Chihuahua is digging unpleasant.
5. Make a daily routine.
6. There should be more chewing toys available.
7. Allow for constant entertainment for your Chihuahua. 
8. Avoid separation anxiety.

12. Unnecessary play aggression

One of the most well-known types of Chihuahua behavior issues is nipping or biting when playing. 

Chihuahuas express their play aggression in a variety of ways, including growling, snarling, flashing teeth, lunging, and biting.

It’s common among Chihuahuas since their owners always tolerate or encourage it because it’s the right thing to do.

Play aggression in Chihuahuas develops over time and, if ignored, may lead to significant issues with both your children and your dog.

Tips

1. Begin by playing lightly with your Chihuahua.
2. Learn and educate your Chihuahua on how to regulate his or her exuberance.
3. The socialization of your Chihuahua should begin at a young age.
4. Make arrangements to play with other pups and well-behaved adult dogs who can teach your puppy proper behavior.
5. The hormone-driven hostility of your Chihuahua can be reduced by neutering or spaying him.
6. Praise your Chihuahua when he or she engages in pleasant play.
7. Include a toy in the equation, and when a line is crossed, redirect your Chihuahua to prevent him from continuing to play.
8. Teach compliance strategies and expectations.
9. The only way to develop is through positive reinforcement.

Chihuahua behavior problems are 75% resolved with early socialization and obedience training.