Are you the proud owner of a charming Chihuahua? If so, you must be eager to train them to come when called.
It can be a challenge to teach any dog to obey commands, and Chihuahuas are no exception! But with the right techniques and a little bit of patience, you can have your Chihuahua coming when you call them in no time.
This article outlines the proven steps for how to train a Chihuahua to come when called, from selecting a command word to training the dog in various situations.
Read on to find out more and start teaching your Chihuahua today!
Table of Contents
Short Answer
Training a chihuahua to come when called is relatively simple.
Begin by calling your chihuahua’s name when you have its attention and then reward it with a treat or verbal praise when it comes to you.
You can also use a leash to help guide your chihuahua to you.
Once it has learned the basic “come” command, you can start to increase the distance and distraction levels to make sure it is well trained.
It is important to keep the training sessions short, fun, and positive.
Select a Command Word
When it comes to training a Chihuahua to come when called, the first step is to select a command word.
Its important to select a word that is easy to say and remember.
The word should be short and distinct, so that the Chihuahua can easily identify it.
Some of the most popular command words include come, here, and now.
Its best to pick one word and use it consistently when training.
You can also choose a different command word for different situations, such as come for when youre inside the house and here for when youre outside.
This will help your Chihuahua know the difference between the two commands.
Once you have selected a command word, you will need to practice it with your Chihuahua regularly so that they become familiar with it.
Use Treats to Reward Good Behavior
Training a Chihuahua to come when called can be a daunting task.
As an owner, you need to be patient and consistent when working with your pup.
One of the best ways to teach the come command is to use treats as a reward for good behavior.
Whenever your Chihuahua responds to your command, offer a treat as a reward.
This reinforces the behavior and encourages them to come when called.
You should also use the same command word each time, such as come or here.
This will help your pup recognize the command more easily.
Its also important to give your pup plenty of praise and affection when they do come.
This will help to build a positive association with the command and ensure they respond consistently.
Practice in Different Locations
Training a Chihuahua to come when called is an important part of having a well behaved pet.
It is important to practice the command in different locations so that the dog can respond appropriately no matter where they are.
Start by practicing in the same room or area and gradually increase the distance.
Make sure the dog is responding to the command consistently before moving to a new location.
Once the dog is responding in the same room or area, try moving to a different room in the house or to a different area in the yard.
This will help the dog learn to respond to the command in a variety of settings and with different distractions.
Make sure to use rewards each time the dog responds to the command and keep the training sessions short and focused.
You can also practice the come command with other people.
Have a friend stand a few feet away from you and call the dog.
When the dog responds, have them offer a reward and praise the dog.
This will help the dog learn to respond to the command no matter who calls them.
Finally, you can practice the come command in public places like a park.
Make sure the dog is responding consistently before taking them to a public place.
Start in a quiet area with few distractions and gradually increase the distance.
Keep the training sessions short and reward the dog each time they respond to the command.
With some patience and practice, your Chihuahua will learn to come when called no matter where they are.
Increase the Distance Gradually
Increasing the distance gradually is an important step in teaching a chihuahua to come when called.
This will help the dog understand the command better and increase their response time.
Start by standing close to your chihuahua and calling them with the command word.
As they come to you, reward them with a treat.
With each successful response, gradually increase the distance between you and your pet.
This will help the chihuahua understand that the command is to come no matter how far away they are.
It’s important to ensure that each time you increase the distance, the chihuahua comes when called.
If they do not come, shorten the distance again and practice the command several times before trying to increase the distance again.
Also, practice the command in different environments and with different people.
This will help the dog learn that the command applies no matter who is calling them or where they are.
Rewarding the chihuahua with a treat each time they come when called is also important.
This will help reinforce the behavior and encourage the chihuahua to come when called in the future.
As the chihuahua’s response time increases, you can start to use verbal rewards instead of treats.
This will help the chihuahua understand that coming when called is a desirable behavior and will help increase their obedience.
Reward Quick and Consistent Responses
Rewarding a chihuahua for quick and consistent responses to the come command is an important part of the training process.
When the chihuahua responds to the come command, it is important to give the dog a treat or verbal praise immediately.
This will reinforce the desired behavior and help the dog learn to associate coming when called with something positive.
It is also important to consistently reward the chihuahua for their behavior and not to offer rewards inconsistently.
Doing so will help the chihuahua understand that coming when called is a desirable behavior and will encourage them to keep responding in the future.
Additionally, it is important to reward the dog with something they enjoy, such as a treat or a toy, to ensure they are motivated and engaged in the training process.
Practice the Command with Distractions
Once your chihuahua is responding reliably to the come command, its time to practice with distractions.
Distractions can be anything from other people, animals, or objects that may be more interesting to your pet than obeying the command.
This is an important part of the training process as it will help ensure your chihuahua is responding reliably in any situation.
Start by having someone or something your chihuahua is interested in stand a few feet away.
Then, give the come command.
If your chihuahua responds, reward them with a treat and lots of praise.
If they dont respond, use a cue like a clicker or a verbal cue to get their attention and then give the come command again.
If they respond, reward them with a treat and praise.
Gradually increase the distance between your chihuahua and the distraction and repeat the process.
If your chihuahua doesnt respond, gently lead them back to the distraction and repeat the command.
This will help ensure they understand that they must respond, even when there are other interesting things happening around them.
Finally, practice the come command with a variety of distractions in different locations.
This will help your chihuahua understand that the command applies in any situation.
With some patience and practice, your chihuahua will be able to come when called in any situation.
Train the Dog in Various Situations
Once a chihuahua has mastered coming when called in a few basic scenarios, its important to practice the command in a variety of settings.
This helps to ensure that the dog is following the command without hesitation, no matter the circumstances.
Start by practicing in different rooms and areas of the house.
Practice on different surfaces such as grass, dirt, and pavement.
You can even practice in different types of weather, such as rain, snow, and wind.
When practicing with distractions, make sure to use a variety of things that the dog may encounter as theyre out and about with you.
This could include people, animals, toys, and even noises.
Gradually increase the number of distractions and the intensity of the distractions until the dog is consistently able to come when called.
Finally, practice the command in a variety of situations.
This includes when the dog is playing or when they are in the middle of a task.
This helps to ensure that the dog is able to respond immediately and consistently, no matter what they are doing.
Practicing in a variety of situations is especially important for chihuahuas, since they can be easily distracted and may need extra reminders to stay focused.
By training the chihuahua in a variety of situations, the dog is more likely to respond quickly and consistently when called.
With patience and consistency, a chihuahua can become a well-behaved and obedient companion.
Final Thoughts
Training a chihuahua to come when called can be a challenging yet rewarding experience.
With patience, consistency, and the right techniques, you can teach your chihuahua to respond reliably to the come command.
Try the steps outlined in this article and see how quickly your chihuahua will learn to come when called! With patience and practice, you and your chihuahua will be on your way to having a well-behaved and obedient companion.