How to Train a Hyper Chihuahua to Calm Down

Hello, I would purchase a disposable real grass pad for consistency with outside potty training, then use either the crate training method or exercise pen method from the article I have linked below to train inside potty training too. For the first week, I would do just inside potty trips, then once pup is going potty on the grass pad willingly, even if not fully trained to be able to remove the exercise pen, take pup potty outside and to the inside potty both, so pup is getting used to going to the inside potty while maintaining outside potty training. Choose where you want the grass pad to be long term and set up the exercise pen there if you can, because pup will be learning not just to go on the pad but to go in that location, so location needs to stay as consistent inside as it can, to avoid pup going potty in the wrong location inside. Exercise pen method - mentions a doggie litter box but other indoor potty pads can be used instead, like the grass pad. https://wagwalking.com/training/litter-box-train-a-chihuahua-puppy Disposable real grass pad brands - also on amazon.com: www.porchpotty.com www.doggielawn.com www.freshpatch.com Best of luck training, Caitlin Crittenden

Hello Heather, I would start with teaching Place, Leave It, and Out, to help with personal boundaries. Place: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O75dyWITP1s Out - which means leave the area: https://www.petful.com/behaviors/how-to-teach-a-dog-the-out-command/ Leave It method: https://wagwalking.com/training/train-a-shih-tzu-puppy-to-not-bite I would especially work on Out - which means move away. For the jumping, check out this article, including the Leash and Step Toward method. With your MS I would have someone else be in charge of teaching that, they can practice the leash method with you involved, but with them stepping on the leash so pup is never actually jumping on you. https://wagwalking.com/training/train-australian-shepherds-to-not-jump Check out this video on desensitizing to greetings. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bpzvqN9JNUA Best of luck training, Caitlin Crittenden

Hello Claudia, I recommend teaching a few commands that can help pup learn to settle, respect your space, and leave items alone. Crate Training - Surprise method. It's okay to crate pup with a dog food stuffed chew toy from time to time when you need a break, and when you can't supervise pup and pup could destroy something or injure themselves from chewing. https://wagwalking.com/training/like-a-crate Out - which means leave the area. Use this command when you want pup to give you space or move away from a temptation. https://www.petful.com/behaviors/how-to-teach-a-dog-the-out-command/ Leave It method - helpful for biting and chewing items. https://wagwalking.com/training/train-a-shih-tzu-puppy-to-not-bite Quiet method - if pup is an attention barker: https://wagwalking.com/training/train-a-shih-tzu-puppy-to-not-bark Place command - this is a great alternative to the crate when you need space. Pup can be sent to Place to chew their own chew toy and stay there until released, giving you time and facilitating pup learning self-control, a bit more independence, and calmness. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O75dyWITP1s Down-Stay: https://www.thelabradorsite.com/train-your-labrador-to-lie-down-and-stay/ Best of luck training, Caitlin Crittenden

Hello Gillian, I suggest practicing something called "Jazz up and Settle Down". Which is a bit like red light, green light for dogs. During training, get pup a little excited, then command "Stop" or something puppy knows like "Sit", and freeze. Wait and completely ignore them until they calm back down. As soon as they get calm or sit, praise and give a treat. Tell pup "Let's Play!" again, and start playing and getting them a bit excited again. As soon as they start to get a little worked up (not too much at first), command "Stop" or "Sit" again, then wait, reward with a treat when they calm down, then continue the game after they are rewarded. Repeat this a few times each training session, then end the session (have lots of frequent shorter sessions throughout the day at this age). As pup improves, and can really calm down quickly, let them get a bit more excited before calling Stop. Gradually work up to pup becoming more and more excited and having to calm down quickly from a higher level of excitement as they improve. Also, understand that this will take some time and practice. Puppies have to learn self-control just like any other skill, while young. This game can help them develop it sooner though. I also suggest teaching the Leave It command from the article linked below. https://wagwalking.com/training/train-a-shih-tzu-puppy-to-not-bite Out - which means leave the area: https://www.petful.com/behaviors/how-to-teach-a-dog-the-out-command/ Place command: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O75dyWITP1s Best of luck training, Caitlin Crittenden

Hello Maya, Chewing: https://www.petful.com/behaviors/train-dog-not-to-chew/ Quiet method: https://wagwalking.com/training/train-a-shih-tzu-puppy-to-not-bark It's also very common for many dogs to bark when they get impatient for treats. It usually either means pup is impatient and you simply need to withhold the treat until pup gets quiet for a second, or pup doesn't understand Sit well enough and is frustrated, not understanding how to get the treat from you. Sit: https://wagwalking.com/training/train-a-german-shepherd-puppy-to-sit For the begging, I recommend teaching pup Place, and rewarding pup if they quietly wait on Place while you eat meals. At first you will need to reward pup more often while you are eating, by placing a treat between pup's paws while still lying down (the treat doesn't mean pup can get up though, so return pup to place if they jump up, they will learn with being repeatedly calmly returned to Place that they should still stay when given a treat). As pup improves, give less and less treats until pup is only getting one at the end of your meal if they waited calmly and quietly on there the whole time. Place: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O75dyWITP1s I would also teach Out- which means leave the area, and Leave It, for when pup is being pushy in general. Out - which means leave the area: https://www.petful.com/behaviors/how-to-teach-a-dog-the-out-command/ Leave It method: https://wagwalking.com/training/train-a-shih-tzu-puppy-to-not-bite Obedience and Consistency methods for listening: https://wagwalking.com/training/train-a-doberman-to-listen-to-you Know that attention and listening is a skill that has to be developed with practice in puppies. Few puppies listen well at first, so you are not alone. Practicing teaching pup new commands and improving skills with commands pup already knows can help pup learn to focus and listen better in general by exercising their brain and increasing their desire to work with you and focus on you. Lure reward training tends to work best with young puppies like yours. I have included a free PDF E-book download, After You Get Your Puppy, at the link below also. www.lifedogtraining.com/freedownloads Best of luck training, Caitlin Crittenden