Seven Activities I Do With My Chihuahua That Seem Ridiculous

My neighbor watched me carry my chihuahua, Pepper, through an obstacle course I built out of pool noodles in the backyard last Tuesday. She did not say anything. She just slowly closed her blinds. I get it. The chihuahua activities I do with my dog would look certifiably unhinged to anyone who does not live with a four-pound creature who demands entertainment like a tiny Roman emperor.

Swimming Lessons in a Plastic Tub: My Favorite Chihuahua Activity

I fill a shallow storage bin with about three inches of warm water and let Pepper splash around. She does not actually swim. She stands in it looking personally offended for about thirty seconds, then starts pawing at the water like she is trying to dig through to the bottom. Occasionally she bites the water, which confuses her every single time.

The point is not that she loves it. The point is that water exposure keeps her from having a full meltdown during baths. Before our little tub sessions, bath time was a two-person operation involving towels, bribery, and at least one injury. Now she tolerates it with only moderate drama. The AKC recommends gradual water exposure for nervous dogs, and chihuahuas are about as nervous around water as it gets.

Scent Work and Treasure Hunts for Mental Stimulation

This is the chihuahua activity I am most passionate about. I hide treats around the house, starting easy, behind chair legs, under the edge of a rug, next to her food bowl. Then I tell Pepper to find it. She puts her nose down and works. The focus is incredible. She becomes a completely different dog when she is tracking a scent, methodical, intense, quiet for once in her life.

Scent work taps into instincts that most chihuahua activities ignore. These dogs have noses that work just as well as any hound’s, relative to their size. The Dogster tracking guide explains that scent games provide mental exhaustion equivalent to a long walk, which makes them perfect for days when the weather is bad or your chihuahua’s energy exceeds your patience. I do treasure hunts three times a week and Pepper sleeps like a rock afterward. If you want more ideas for keeping your chihuahua engaged, check out our list of ten games to play with your chihuahua.

Dress Rehearsals, Yoga, and the Activities People Judge Most

Yes, I do yoga with my chihuahua. She sits on my back during downward dog. She walks under me during warrior two. She licks my face during child’s pose, which I consider her contribution to the practice. Is it real yoga? No. Does it bond us in a way that regular walks do not? Absolutely.

I also have a small collection of outfits that Pepper wears for what I call dress rehearsals. Before you judge, hear me out. Chihuahuas who are not desensitized to wearing clothing will fight a winter sweater with the fury of a thousand tiny suns. Pepper has practiced wearing bandanas, light t-shirts, and a rain jacket so many times that she barely notices when I put them on now. That means when it is thirty degrees outside and she actually needs a coat, we are not having a twenty-minute wrestling match on the kitchen floor. com/three-ways-to-bond-with-your-chihuahua/” title=”Bond With Your Chihuahua: Three Ways That Actually Work”>Bond With Your Chihuahua: Three Ways That Actually Work.

The obstacle course gets the most looks from neighbors. I set up low jumps using broomsticks across shoe boxes, tunnels made from blankets draped over chairs, and weave poles using water bottles. Pepper runs it with the enthusiasm of a dog ten times her size. These chihuahua activities look silly from the outside, but they keep her body moving, her brain working, and her confidence building. For more on building your chihuahua’s confidence outdoors, read our guide to walking a chihuahua.

Why These Chihuahua Activities Actually Matter

A bored chihuahua is a destructive chihuahua. They chew. They bark. They develop anxiety behaviors. They become the stereotypical yappy, nervous little dog that gives the breed a bad reputation. Every ridiculous activity I do with Pepper serves a real purpose. The swimming builds tolerance. The scent work builds confidence. The yoga builds our bond. The obstacle course builds coordination and fitness.

Chihuahuas were not bred to sit on laps all day. Their ancestors were active, alert, working dogs who had jobs and territory and purpose. When we reduce them to accessories, we rob them of the stimulation their brains are wired for. That stimulation has to come from somewhere, and if we do not provide it intentionally, they will find it on their own. Usually by destroying something you love.

I would rather build pool noodle obstacle courses and hide treats behind furniture than spend my evenings replacing chewed up shoes. If that makes me the weird chihuahua lady on the block, I will wear that title proudly. Pepper certainly seems to prefer it to boredom. You can also learn from reading your chihuahua’s body language during activities to know what they enjoy most.

Getting Started With Your Own Chihuahua Activity Routine

You do not need expensive equipment. You need creativity and ten minutes. Start with a simple treasure hunt using three treats hidden in plain sight. Watch how your chihuahua responds. If their tail goes up and their nose goes down, you have found something they love. Build from there. Add difficulty. Vary the hiding spots. Introduce new textures and environments.

The only rule is that every chihuahua activity should end before your dog gets frustrated or tired. Short sessions with positive endings create a dog who looks forward to the next one. A ten-minute activity done with enthusiasm beats an hour of forced interaction every time. Pepper has taught me that the best chihuahua activities are the ones that make both of us look a little ridiculous, and feel a lot closer afterward.