The Misbehaving Chi
Sometimes even the best chi can act up. Here is a list of some of the common problems that chi's can experience and ways to correct them.
Barking
Chi's have a bad reputation for being problematic barkers. This is not the case in a well trained chi. You can call our house and most of the time you won't even know we have a dog, but come to visit and you will know we have many dogs! The goal is to teach your bark when someone is knocking at the door and momentarily at strangers, but then to distract them by calling them to you and praising them for quiet behavior. If the dog still barks excessively, buy a spray bottle and when he has barked enough, say "Enough!" and give him a quick spray of the squirt bottle.
Some dogs will bark to get attention, even if that attention is negative. To a dog it is worth the punishment to get the temporary company of the owner. If your dog barks a lot, make sure that you are spending enough time with him. If he barks at your presence, call him to you and them praise him for being quiet. Other dogs will bark to relieve being lonely. If you are gone long periods of time during the day and your neighbors complain about the barking, consider getting another animal, this is the perfect reason to get another chi!
Digging & Chewing
Digging and chewing are usually signs separation anxiety. Many owners note that the destruction is usually around doors and windows where the dog was trying to escape to get back to its owner. The worst thing that you can do is punish a dog with separation anxiety. This makes matters worse because then it learns to fear your return too, which make it even more destructive while you are gone.
Instead, you must start a new training regiment. It is best to start this on a weekend or on a week of vacation when you don't have to spend long periods away from home. Pick the area that you want to leave the pup in while you are gone and start leaving it for small amounts of time, but not long enough for it to be destructive. Be sure to leave lots of chew toys for him to play with while you are gone. When you return, ignore the dog for a few minutes so that your return isn't a big event, this will only make matters worse. Then have the dog perform a small command such as sit or lay then you have an excuse to give him a reward and praise. Each time you leave increase the time just a little. Continue this until you have reached the amount of time that you will be gone most of the time. If you do have to leave him for a long period of time during the training, put him in a different area of the house, that way it doesn't interfere with the training.
Puppy Destruction
Is your pup destroying your house when left alone? Pups may not be mad, but rather trying to impress you by "rearranging" things for you. Others love to play "search and destroy", and you can imagine what that is. Also, chi's love confetti. If you won't give them any, they will make their own with anything that they can find. If it is important, DON'T leave it in his reach. Instead if you see him chewing something that he shouldn't be, say a firm "NO!" and then give him one of his chew toys and praise him when he is chewing on his toy. You can also take him on "shopping trips" where you put several items in the floor, some of yours, some of his, and when he picks up something of yours say "Drop It!", and when he picks something of his lay the praise on thick.
House soiling
If your dog soils in the house it may be for several reasons. Maybe he had diarrhea, maybe you weren't home to take him out when he needed to go or maybe he wasn't fully house broken. In any situation, clean the area and restrict him from going there. Revert back to basic housetraining.
Aggression
Chihuahua's have a very bad reputation for being nippers. You, the owner are responsible for making sure that this doesn't happen. First, be sure to chose your chi from a breeder who handles the pups and socializes them, never from someone who crates them or doesn't love or handle them. If your pup is used to being loved, life long socialization will be easier. Once you get your pup be sure to keep it well socialized. When strangers come to your house, let your pup approach them, do not force your chi into a situation that will scare him. If your pup is comfortable with other people from a young age, allow as many people as possible to pet your pup so that he associates strangers with praise and petting.