How to Train Your Chihuahua Dog to Not Be Scared
Introduction
Defining Tasks
Helping your Chihuahua overcome his fear may take some work, but it isn’t impossible. Plenty of patience and gentle guidance through these obstacles is usually what he needs to succeed. A Chihuahua that isn’t afraid is much more relaxed inside and outside of the home and less prone to stress that can affect their more fragile physical health. A less fearful Chihuahua is also easier to adjust to things like guests or new pets in the home, small children, and loud noises.
Getting a dog over their fears is often a time-consuming task and Chihuahuas especially may take longer than most dogs to show progress. It’s much easier to condition a puppy to these scary things than it is an adult, but most Chihuahuas will respond to training at any age with the right amount of persistence and care.
Getting Started
The Exposure Method
The Activity Method
The Avoidance Method
Written by TJ Trevino
Published: 12/14/2017, edited: 01/08/2021
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Success Stories and Training Questions
Training Questions and Answers
Norman
How do I stop my puppy from barking like crazy and lunging on walks towards people walking past, joggers, bikes ect.
104 Dog owners recommended
Hello, I have an excellent guide that may help Norman on his walks. https://wagwalking.com/training/greet-other-dogs You will see the Passing Approach Method, which enables you to control Norman on the opposite side of the street, all the while teaching him to heel. The Heel command is a great way to get your dog to focus on you and not be concerned with other dogs or people in the vicinity. The Turns Method and the Treat Lure Method are both top-notch techniques. Take a look: https://wagwalking.com/training/train-a-poodle-to-heel. Bringing your puppy to group obedience classes is also the ideal way to get them used to people and other dogs. I always recommend it as a way to have a well-rounded dog who has confidence and is content. Good luck!
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We just adopted Karen (we did not name her) and she is afraid of people. She tries to stay alone and when we come into the area she runs under the bed. We have tried treats and picking her up (even though she tries to run) and put her on our lap. Once on our lap she does well and seems to like it. Questions is we pick her up even though it causes stress? How do we build trust?
104 Dog owners recommended
Hello, it will take time for Karen to come around - she is still adjusting and getting used to you. Don't pick her up just yet. It's all about letting a scared dog have their space for a while when they first arrive, too. When she goes under the bed, sit on the floor and offer high value treats (liver snacks, pieces of plain boiled chicken, hot dogs). Leave the treat and walk away so that she does not feel threatened or that you are asking anything of her. Do this several times a day. After several days, when you see that she is anticipating the treat, still leave it for her but stay in the room at a distance. Keep doing this until Karen runs out for the treat willingly. She'll soon learn that you are a good person. When you do interact, pat her on the back, not the head (it is less threatening). Don't stand over her, get down to her level. Take her on lots of walks (several a day, they don't have to be long and make sure the walk is in a calm quiet area) and verbally praise her as you walk. Walking is a good way to bond. Don't expose her to strangers while on the walk until she is over the timidity. Lastly, once she gets used to you, start exposing her to friend's dogs as long as they are calm. Having canine friends will boost her confidence, too. All the best!
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Fomo is comfortable and loving with myself, my husband and 8 year old daughter but is otherwise very fearful of strangers and other dogs. On our walks (which we started a couple of weeks ago after last vaccine) she barks and growls aggressively at other dogs if they get too close to her and likewise if adults approach or try and touch her. I take her into the kids playground and strangely she is fine with children and even let’s some children hold her, but she never allows adults to pet or stroke her. It’s difficult having even close family over as she barks constantly when they enter the house and tries to bite if they attempt to touch her, including my cleaner who she sees every week. I fear it will get worse if we don’t nip it in the bud now.
821 Dog owners recommended
Hello Farah, I recommend socializing pup with as many people as you can. Recruit people you know first, and bring treat with you. Have people approach but stand a few feet away and ignore pup while they happily and calmly greet you. Whenever pup stops barking for even a second, have the toss a treat at pup's paws while ignore pup still. Check out the video linked below also. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LXCELHDT2fs Check out the article linked below on shy dogs also. https://www.petful.com/behaviors/how-to-socialize-a-shy-dog/ Best of luck training, Caitlin Crittenden
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Our little dog is afraid of his own shadow, loud sounds, dogs, cats, some people, his leash, the vacuum,cars,just about everything and some people not all. He is very smart he know to watch the monitor to see what is going on or what someone is doing outside. If the weather is bad and he won't go outside and can't hold it he goes out to the kitchen in the middle of the vinyl floor to potty. He don't do it on the carpet. He is a very good boy.
821 Dog owners recommended
Hello Roxane, Check out Kikopup's youtube channel. She has numerous videos there on desensitizing dogs to various types of fears and things they are reactive to. https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLAA4pob0Wl0W2agO7frSjia1hG85IyA6a https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3-CCJxF-9U4&t=2s Best of luck training, Caitlin Crittenden
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He has over the last couple of weeks become more scared of things such as strangers when they come to the house/on a walk and dogs when he is outside. Is there any way I can help him overcome this? He’s perfect with people and dogs that he is familiar with.
821 Dog owners recommended
Hello Meg, Check out the barking video channel I have linked below, and the Desensitize method from the article I have linked second. Videos - especially the video found there on strangers: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLAA4pob0Wl0W2agO7frSjia1hG85IyA6a Desensitize method: https://wagwalking.com/training/train-a-shih-tzu-puppy-to-not-bark Also, check out the section on shy dogs and humans from the article below. https://www.petful.com/behaviors/how-to-socialize-a-shy-dog/ Best of luck training, Caitlin Crittenden
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