3 Common Chihuahua Behaviour Problems (And How To Fix Them)
Remember: Your Chihuahua might be tiny, but they've got the heart of a lion. That fierce spirit is exactly what makes them such incredible little dogs.
Where Do Chihuahuas Come From?
Chihuahuas are an ancient breed from Mexico. They possibly descend from Techichi dogs kept by the Toltec civilisation around 900 AD. Archaeological evidence shows small dogs in Mexican cultures dating back to 300 BC.
They were named after the Mexican state of Chihuahua. Americans discovered them there in the 1800s.
What were they bred to do?
- Companions to Aztec nobility
- Possibly used in religious ceremonies
- Watchdogs despite their tiny size
- Fearless protectors, not submissive lap dogs
Key breeding traits: Chihuahuas have terrier-like confidence despite their tiny size. They don't know they're small. They're alert watchdogs with a tendency to be vocal. They show intense loyalty to one person but suspicion of strangers. When not properly trained, they can show surprising aggression. They're adaptable to various climates and often live 15-18 years. They were bred to be bold, not fragile.
Why Do Chihuahuas Have These Behaviour Problems?
Here's the truth: most Chihuahua behaviour problems aren't the dog's fault.
They were bred as fearless companions and watchdogs for nobility. Despite their size, they were never meant to be delicate toys. But modern owners often treat them that way.
This creates what trainers call "small dog syndrome". Behaviours that would never be tolerated in a 50lb dog get excused in a 5lb dog. Jumping, barking, snapping—it all gets a pass because they're small. This creates poorly socialised, reactive dogs who genuinely believe they need to protect themselves from a dangerous world.
Problem 1: Owner Mismanagement (By Far The Biggest Problem)
What's happening: Your Chihuahua jumps, barks, snaps, and generally acts like they run the house.
Why it happens: Chihuahuas weren't bred to be submissive lap dogs. They were companions to nobility with terrier-like confidence. Owners fail to socialise or train them properly because of their size. You're allowing behaviours you'd never accept in a larger dog.
The fix:
Train your Chihuahua exactly like you would a large breed. Set firm boundaries. Provide extensive socialisation before 16 weeks—expose them to 100+ different people, dogs, and environments before the fear period sets in. Make sure they meet dogs of all sizes. Everything will be bigger than them anyway, so don't wait.
Implement proper training with heel work, sit-stays, and impulse control exercises. Never reinforce fear or aggression by picking them up or using a soothing voice. This rewards the behaviour. Instead, calmly move them away from the situation to a separate room.
Stop picking them up during barking. You're dealing with a symptom, not the cause. Being carried everywhere increases their vulnerability and reactivity.
Struggling with setting boundaries that actually stick? Inside our Skool community, you'll get weekly live Q&As where experienced trainers help you troubleshoot exactly why your Chihuahua isn't respecting boundaries—and what to change.
Problem 2: Excessive Barking & Alert Behaviour
What's happening: Your Chihuahua barks at everything. The doorbell, people walking past, leaves blowing, absolutely everything.
Why it happens: They were bred as companions who needed to alert owners to threats despite their small size. Their survival required being vocal about potential dangers. They're naturally suspicious and hyper-vigilant, especially given their vulnerability due to size. They genuinely believe their barking protects you.
The fix:
Establish a two-part acknowledgement system. When they bark, calmly go toward what they're alerting to for 2 seconds. Then turn your back and walk away without speaking.
If barking continues after your acknowledgement, immediately place them in a quiet room without a word. Release them only after complete silence for at least 30 seconds. Do not release during any noise. You must wait for silence.
Never shout in response to barking. Shouting reinforces the exact opposite behaviour you want. Everyone in the household must respond the same way. Be calm and have a designated consequence.
Know what excessive barking is. Not all barking is excessive. Excessive barking is unnecessary demand barking. They're a dog—they will still bark sometimes.
Need help timing your responses correctly? Our Skool community has video demonstrations showing exactly how to implement the acknowledgement system so your Chihuahua actually learns to trust you're handling things.
Problem 3: Separation Anxiety & Attachment Issues
What's happening: Your Chihuahua follows you everywhere, panics when you leave, and can't settle unless they're touching you.
Why it happens: They were bred as constant companions to nobility. Their small size made them portable palace companions who never experienced solitude. Modern "purse dog" culture has reinforced this attached behaviour. They were literally bred to go everywhere with their person, making independence difficult.
The fix:
Practice numerous mini-departures throughout the day, starting with just 20 seconds. Return without any greeting, eye contact, or touching for 5 full minutes until they're completely calm. You must wait them out.
Never make departures dramatic. Don't only pick up keys and put on shoes when leaving. Do these actions randomly throughout the day to desensitise the cues.
Don't allow them to space invade. If they're on the couch, you can cuddle them—but on your terms. If they sit right on top of you or paw for attention constantly, create a gap with your hand. If they require more than 3 repetitions, calmly place them in a separate room and wait for calm behaviour.
Never give in to your dog's demands, especially barking for attention. Under no circumstances use treats for "not attention seeking". This may work short-term but creates long-term issues.
Separation anxiety feeling impossible to fix? The Skool community offers ongoing troubleshooting when techniques don't work the first time—because they won't always—plus support from other Chihuahua owners who've been exactly where you are.
Is a Chihuahua Right for a New Owner?
A Chihuahua might be perfect for you if you're looking for:
A portable dog - Their tiny size makes them ideal for apartment living and travel. They can live comfortably in small spaces and adapt well to urban environments.
A long-term friend - Chihuahuas often live 15-18 years. You're getting a companion who'll be with you for nearly two decades.
A dog with minimal exercise needs - About 30 minutes of daily exercise is sufficient. They don't need huge gardens or marathon walks.
A loyal, one-person dog - If you want a dog who bonds intensely with you, Chihuahuas deliver. That fierce loyalty is unmatched.
Low grooming requirements - Smooth-coat Chihuahuas need minimal grooming. Long-coat varieties need moderate brushing but nothing excessive.
Owning any dog is a serious commitment. Chihuahuas need proper training and socialisation just like any other breed. Don't let their size fool you.
Get the Full Support System for Your Chihuahua
This article gives you real, actionable solutions you can start using today. But here's the reality: fixing Chihuahua behaviour problems is an ongoing journey, not a one-time fix.
That's why we created our free Skool community—to give you continuous support every step of the way.
Inside the community, you'll get:
- Weekly live Q&A sessions where you can ask about YOUR specific Chihuahua and get personalised advice from experienced trainers
- Full breed-specific courses covering everything from puppy raising to advanced behaviour modification
- A supportive community of other Chihuahua owners who understand exactly what you're going through
- Video demonstrations so you can see techniques in action, not just read about them
- Troubleshooting help when things don't go to plan (because they won't always!)
- Updated resources as we add new courses and training blueprints
Best part? It's completely free. No subscription. No catch. Just dog owners helping dog owners.
Join The Toe Beans Co community today and get the ongoing support you need to build the best relationship with your Chihuahua.
