When it comes to training your Chihuahua, it’s really up to you to decide what you want to teach him. Most likely, it will depend on whether you just want a nice family pet or a performance Chihuahua. If you are looking for just a nice family pet, you may not care too much if your Chihuahua even knows the basics – and that’s fine. However, there are a few behaviors all dogs should learn for safety reasons. The following are the top 3 cues to teach your Chihuahua to keep her safe.
#1 – Come
A solid recall is important for your Chihuahua if he is ever off-leash in public areas (that are enclosed and where it’s allowed!) or even to avoid a headache in the backyard or house. In addition, it can save the life of your Chihuahua if she bolts out the door toward the street. It’s just a good basic cue for any dog to know.
#2 – Leave It
Leave It is a great cue for your Chihuahua to know for a few reasons. One, it can keep them from chewing your shoe or stealing your chicken. Two, it can keep your Chihuahua from investigating every scent on a walk or even reacting to dogs and people (though this takes a fair amount of training). Third, and most importantly, it can save your Chihuahua’s life if he is about to eat something dangerous – this includes toxic human foods or something unsafe he comes upon during his walk.
#3 – Stay
Chihuahuas are terriers and definitely like to chase things. Like Come, it can help keep your Chihuahua inside the house when you open the front door. Stay is also useful if you are trying to get your Chihuahua to not chase the neighbor’s cat or the bunny that pops out of nowhere. Finally, it helps teach your Chihuahua self-control, which is never a bad thing.
