How to Socialize a Chihuahua

Overview

Though each dog has their own unique personality, it is not uncommon for a Chihuahua to be nervous, skittish, or fearful around people outside the household or in reaction to other dogs. It is also not uncommon for a Chihuahua to show some aggression to unknown people or animals such as growling or barking.

When a Chihuahua has trouble around people, dogs, or other triggers, socialization training can help reverse this behavior. However, the best time to socialize a Chihuahua is during the first 6 months of puppyhood before fears are established.

It must be noted that socialization is a very detailed topic that literally deserves a chapter in a book to cover it sufficiently. For this reason, PetChiDog’s GIANT Book of Chihuahua Care does indeed include this sort of training. This article, however, will offer a broad outline and a general guideline as to what is involved.

Age to Socialize

Very young puppies can be rather oblivious to what is truly happening around them. And, older dogs can be quite set in their ways. However, at the 3 to 4-month mark, puppies become much more aware and are impressionable; it is during this time that socialization training should begin.

This said, Chihuahuas that are older than this may benefit from training; though, adults may struggle with it a bit and may need more frequent sessions as well as more leeway in regard to what will be worked on and what will be accepted.

What a Chihuahua Should be Socialized To

There are countless things that a puppy is socialized to without owners doing any purposeful training. These are elements that a puppy comes into contact with or things that a pup interacts with throughout the course of his days. However, dogs that have been neglected may have been denied this natural socialization.

This includes everything from walking on different surfaces (grass, pavement, carpeting, etc.), going up and down stairs, hearing and seeing household items like the vacuum, coffee grinder, or dishwasher, and even sleeping on a dog bed.

Even assuming that a Chihuahua was raised with natural and expected socialization, many do still need purposeful training to become accustomed to people outside of the household and to other dogs.

In regard to people, it is normal for Chihuahuas to be very attached to their owners but a bit standoffish and wary of others. They may bark at or even lunge at neighbors or people that come close when out and about. Though, others may cower down, shake, or otherwise display fear during encounters.

In regard to dogs, it is natural for a small Chihuahua to be apprehensive of a much larger dog, but since larger dogs can pose a legitimate danger to toy breeds, this is not necessarily a bad thing. However, for the sake of sanity when walking your little guy or gal, it is a reasonable goal to be able to walk your Chihuahua without wild barking fits and lunges at other dogs.

How to Socialize a Chihuahua to People and Dogs

With puppies:

1: Training by owners for outside the home:

Start before issues arise and never assume that your Chihuahua ‘should’ naturally be friendly. Your young pup that seems to like everyone may mature into a dog that fears those same people or dogs or sees them as a threat.

1) Take your Chihuahua for walks where they will encounter a wide range of people and dogs of various sizes (using common sense to avoid larger and possibly aggressive dogs). This can include outdoor malls and markets, fairs and festivals, downtown shopping areas, parks, beaches, and more.

At first, simply walking by is fine. As your pup progresses encourage short meet and greets.

2) Be sure to have your puppy on a retractable leash and a harness (not a collar) like the Puppia Soft B Harness Vest, so that you have good control and can direct your little guy or gal with putting strain on the neck.

3) Bring along some small training treats so that friendly interactions can be randomly rewarded.

2: Take caution at dog parks.

Dogs parks can be a great place to let a pup learn how to play with others; however, it is vital to locate a park that has separate enclosures for dogs based on size. Chihuahuas should not be running around with larger dogs and allowing this puts the pup at risk of attack.

3: Consider signing your puppy up for classes at your local SPCA:

SPCA shelters around the US offer classes to let young pups learn to socialize with other dogs and other people. Their Play n’ Learn classes are designed for puppies up the age of 5 months.

With adults:

1: Decide what to train for and what to accept.

While reactions to triggers can be improved upon, a dog’s personality cannot be completely transformed. A very shy or nervous Chihuahua simply may never be a very outgoing dog. And, a Chi that has deep-rooted phobias may never fully overcome them.

Socializing an adult dog requires exposure to the very elements that bring about distressed reactions, so it is important to decide what really does warrant working on and what can be passed over.

2: Training by owners for outside the home:

If your Chihuahua barks at or is fearful of people outside of your household or has trouble with other dogs, training must be done in small steps.

1) Prepare as you would with a pup (see previous tips) by having your Chi on a leash and harness and having training treats at the ready.

2) While you are training, limit exposure to people or other dogs seen during walks or outings; this may involve changing your walking route.

3) Begin with short 5-minute training sessions. The goal will be to expose your Chihuahua to the trigger while ignoring negative behavior and greatly rewarding good behavior.

It may seem that ignoring negative behavior does not bring about results. However, the more a dog is exposed to a trigger, the less reason he has to react to it. When you pair this with reward when not reacting, that dog then has a reason to modify his behavior.

4) Whenever your Chihuahua stops barking or otherwise stops showing negative behavior (even if it is because the trigger is out of sight), offer a training treat along with praise.

Be sure that the treat is seen as high value. It should be small (to offer instant pleasure and not interfere with appetite), moist, extra tasty, and something that is not given out at other times.

For puppies and small adults 5 pounds or less, a good choice is Wellness Soft Bites Puppy Training Treats.

And, for adult Chihuahuas 5 pounds and over, a good choice is Zuke's Mini Naturals Training Treats.

5) Never allow your Chi to walk ahead or behind you. You’ll want to be in charge and have full control over your little guy or gal by keeping your Chi in a heeling position. This is to your immediate left and no further ahead than the extension of your foot..

See also: Training a Chihuahua to Stop Barking, which covers all situations and triggers, including barking like mad at visitors, along with effective training techniques to stop this behavior.

3: Consider signing your dog up for classes at your local SPCA:

If your Chihuahua’s social skills just need a bit of fine-tuning, an obedience class may be beneficial. And, if the road to becoming socialized appears to be a long one, the SPCA can suggest more personal one-on-one training that is catered to your particular Chihuahua.