Chihuahua socialisation. Don't make these mistakes! - Chihuahua School by Chihuahua Power

Chihuahua socialisation is one of those topics that everyone has an opinion on.

Whenever your chihuahua has a meltdown and ends up spinning on the lead, barking at other dog’s, people shake their heads sagely and suggest the dog hasn’t been properly socialised. It’s also the number one answer when someone asks in a forum why their dog barks on walks or is unfriendly.

But the chances are, if you had your chihuahua from a puppy, you did everything you were told to, took them to puppy parties, let them meet other dogs, got them out and about as soon as they were vaccinated and exposed them to lots of experiences. You probably ran yourself ragged trying to fit this in before the dreaded ‘fear window’ closed at 16 weeks.

If your chihuahua is a rescue with behaviour issues the previous owner probably did the same. Most people want the best for their chihuahua, tried their best and don’t understand how it all went wrong. They find themselves with a dog that barks and bites and they end up surrendering them to a rescue.

So, if you did everything right, why have you got a crazy, barking ball of fury, every time you take your chihuahua out?

The answer is socialisation, but not that you didn’t try to socialise your chihuahua, but because you did. I write a lot about chihuahua socialisation because it’s often the root of a chihuahua’s behaviour challenges.

The idea of the 16-week fear window is often misunderstood and new owners end up pushing their dogs through an intense programme of socialisation activities. We do it because we we’re told that if we don’t meet the 16-week fear window deadline our chihuahuas are doomed to a life of barking at other dogs and antisocial behaviour.

Malleable brain

A chihuahua puppy’s brain is an open book, malleable and ready to soak up information and this is the perfect time to teach them the skills they need to cope with the environment. But they learn all lessons, good and bad. Lessons that create trauma or anxiety are much harder to get past and will inform your chihuahua responses.

The problem with common socialisation ideas is they put your dog into situations they have never come across. Situations they don’t have the skills to deal with. The shock of these experiences can create ‘flash-bulb memories”

Let’s look at puppy classes

Most owners are keen to avoid the stereotypical barking chihuahua. So, one of the first things they do is sign their chihuahua up for puppy classes or socialisation parties. The idea is your chihuahua will learn to be around other dogs. But puppy classes are noisy and full of larger dogs that will want to say hello. The average chihuahuas will find an approaching large dog worrying and this noisy environment overwhelming. They are likely to have a full-on meltdown, barking and spinning or they may just shut down. What lesson have you taught your chihuahua?

Meeting other dogs

You also get told to take them up to other dogs when you’re out on a walk, so they can meet and greet, and they will learn not to mind them. This is what really happens. If it goes well and your chihuahua enjoys the interaction, they have learnt to run up to other dogs when off lead. If it goes badly and the other dog barks or worse, pins your puppy down, all your chihuahua has learnt is that other dogs are scary. The trauma of such an interaction could ruin any puppy.

First walk on the harness

Walking them along a noisy street, before they are ready can turn walks into a barking frenzy. It only takes sudden loud noises or worrying incidents to create anxiety that they remember forever.

All worrying incidents go in as a flashbulb memory which can be difficult to get past.

So, when your chihuahua is having a meltdown and someone tells you your chihuahua needs socialising. Or shame you because you didn’t get your chihuahua socialisation right, you have my permission to ignore them!

So, what should you do?

Getting your chihuahua socialisation of to a good start is the foundation your chihuahua’s behaviour will build on. To help you get this important step right you can download our free guide here.