Returning home after a long commute from the office, there is nothing worse than the vision of pure chaos created by a bored and lonely Chihuahua chewing on everything in its sight. It may be true that Chihuahuas are more susceptible to problems such as chewing than other breeds and that curbing these problems is made difficult by their stubbornness, but they have enough positive characteristics to more than make up for their shortcomings. Chihuahuas are worth the time and dedication required to make them manageable.
Determining the Underlying Cause of Chihuahua Chewing
As with almost all other dog problems, chewing is rooted in more deeply ingrained psychological issues. Chihuahua chewing might be occurring for countless reasons, but the most common are certainly loneliness, anxiety, fear, or boredom.
Which of these is causing the problem might not be immediately identifiable, but with time and investigation the answer should become apparent. If the dog only chews after strangers have come around, then the cause is likely stress brought on by unwanted company. Although it might be difficult to always keep your Chihuahua separated from outsiders, the problem can be addressed in a less direct way. Many Chihuahuas experience excessive stress caused by the presence of others. The problem stems from a lack of socialization at an early age. The only way to help this problem is to attempt to socialize the dog now, This is not always entirely successful, but usually helps to some extent.
Another common cause of Chihuahua chewing, boredom,, can be more easily solved. Dogs that are left alone for long periods should be given companionship of some kind, either through a dog sitting service, friend or other animal. If the option is available, people who must be gone for work could also consider providing more space for their Chihuahua to occupy themselves in.
Managing Chihuahua Chewing Problems
There are certain dogs that will chew no matter what situation they are in or how happy they are. For these cases the only solution is obedience training and other management techniques.
As with all other obedience issues, a chewing dog must be taught to associate rewards with good behavior and punishments with bad behavior. Many people make the mistake of yelling at their dogs while or after they have been chewing. This behavior will only confuse and frighten the dogs. The most effective action to take if you catch a Chihuahua chewing is to give a firm, calm reprimand. This will send a clear message that its behavior is inappropriate without causing unnecessary harm. Immediately after the reprimand, basic commands such as sit should be given and rewarded. This will provide the positive counterpoint for the dog and distract from continued chewing.
Certain precautions should be taken while training a Chihuahua. A room or blocked off area should be cleared of valuables and designated as the place in which the dog stays when it is left alone. This will prevent unnecessary damage. The dog should also be provided with plenty of toys, so that it might have something other than destruction to occupy itself. With time, such precautions will become less and less necessary until chewing is no longer a problem.
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