Children and pets; pets and children, they just go together. Is that true of Chihuahuas though? I’m sure you have heard that Chihuahuas are not good dogs for families with children. True or False? Here is the truth.
The good news is Children of any age and Chihuahuas can coexist! The other news is that they both have to be trained to coexist. Yes, you have to train your dog, but you have to train your children also.
Training a Toddler How to Hold a Chihuahua
Chihuahuas are tiny but mighty. They are tougher than you may think, however, they have tiny little bones that break easily. Because they are tiny, they can be easily dropped by a toddler and seriously injured.
Never leave your Chihuahua and a toddler in a room alone together. Be sure they are supervised by a responsible adult or older child at all times. If you or another adult cannot be right there to supervise, then make sure the dog and the toddler are in separate rooms or put the Chihuahua in a crate or other closed off space.
Teach your toddler that Chihuahuas are living, breathing beings, not one of their stuffed toys and that they should be handled with care. Teach them that your Chihuahua can be hurt and that they feel pain.
Show them how to gently pet and cuddle your Chihuahua. Sit down with them and show them how to gently and softly pet from the neck down without putting too much pressure on the dog.
As the toddler becomes older and they and the Chihuahua have developed a close bond, only then can they be alone unsupervised.
A Child and a Chihuahua
Never ever let an older child tease a Chihuahua, by pretending to take away a treat or a toy. Many children think it is fun and that it’s funny when the Chihuahua snarls, curls his lip, and growls. Even some adults do this. I’m sure you have seen the videos on YouTube. If not, please don’t. Teasing a Chihuahua should NEVER be entertainment.
Although Chihuahuas antics can be very entertaining, teasing and making them afraid is NOT entertainment. Teasing is not harmless fun. It causes a Chihuahua to become afraid, frustrated, stressed, and agitated. They become less trusting of all adults or children. Does that sound like fun to you?
Training Your Chihuahua
Obedience is something every Chihuahua owner should teach their Chihuahua. And socializing them is a must! When your Chihuahua is with another child, (someone not in your family) no matter the age, supervise them. If the child gets too rough, correct him. If your Chihuahua begins to growl or snarl, tell them NO in a stern voice (don’t yell) and put them in immediate time out. That is in his crate or in another room.
Chihuahuas want nothing more than to be with their people. So if they are removed immediately from being with people when they growl or snarl, they will soon get the idea that it is unacceptable behavior.
When Out In Public
Obviously, you can’t train other people’s children. But if you see a child running towards your Chihuahua. Tell them to stop, stand still or sit on the ground and let the dog come to them. Dogs are curious and your Chi will soon go to the child to sniff and check them out.
You can imagine how scary it must be for a tiny Chihuahua that is only a few inches off the ground sees this strange giant running toward them. They may growl, snarl, or even snap out of fear.
