Common Chihuahua Problems

When you bring your new Chihuahua home you should be expecting to encounter a certain amount of Chihuahua problems with your new dog. Some problems are behavioral and others are just because of the way they are made. Then there are the problems that come up from bad breeders that do not understand what a healthy and good Chihuahua is supposed to be like and they are only in it to make money. Any of these problems can sneak up on you and make your life difficult if you don't know what to watch for.

First and foremost Chihuahuas are not good pets for children. All of the commotion, loud noises and sudden movements that are associated with kids will cause a lot of stress for a Chihuahua and could lead to a biting reaction. Plus the Chihuahua is a fragile dog that cannot take the physical abuse that a child is destined to give it. So if you are planning on getting a Chihuahua for your kids then you may want to think again.

Be wary of a breeder that tries to sell you a Chihuahua that is four pounds or less. One of the biggest Chihuahua problems is the misconception that the cute little Chihuahuas that fit in teacups make the cutest little pets. Chihuahuas that are bred to be four pounds or less are unhealthy animals and very fragile. Their bones cannot withstand much stress and a simple jump from the back of the couch to the floor can cause a bone to break. So be suspicious of a breeder that tries to sell you a tea cup Chihuahua because no such healthy animal exists.

Chihuahuas are very territorial and will bark and snap at anyone they do not recognize or to protect what they believe is theirs. Everyone thinks this protection reaction is very cute but the fact is that if this behavior is not dealt with immediately then it can turn into a situation where the Chihuahua is barking and snapping at anyone that comes near it and that can be bad.

In all honesty one of the biggest Chihuahua problems that any owner will encounter is the difficulty in housebreaking a Chihuahua. They will usually refuse to go outside in the cold or rain and they will also become quite stubborn about relieving themselves outside at all. Some owners find that they are never able to totally housebreak their Chihuahua and are forced to resort to the litter box method which has problems all its own.

There is no one set way a Chihuahua will act. Some are aggressive while some are passive and some are obedient while others just won't listen. You are just going to have to spend a lot of time with your Chihuahua to figure out what kind of dog you have and then alter your training habits from there. Not every Chihuahua is the same and they do not all react to the same training methods the same way.

Sandra Dean is an animal lover that owns many indoor pets and is considered an expert on canine behavioral problems. This article can help you with your Chihuahua training. You can use this article, along with dog training books when preparing to train your Chihuahua.