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CONTENTS

Now 18 Articles!

Last updated 10-Sep-09

Introduction - Chihuahua
Breeding Your Chihuahua
Chihuahua Boredom When Home Alone
Chihuahua Breed Standards
Chihuahua Destructive Chewing
Chihuahua Eating Poop
Chihuahua Fear Biting
Chihuahua Joint Pain
Chihuahua Massage
Common Chihuahua House Training Problems
Finding Chihuahuas for Sale
History of Chihuahuas
House Training Tips for a New Chihuahua Puppy
How to Clean Your Carpet When Your Chihuahua Pees On It
How to Train your Chihuahua to Heel off the Leash
Paper Training Your Chihuahua Puppy
Recognizing, preventing, and handling Chihuahua aggression
Treating Chihuahua Arthritis Through Regular Dog Massage

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Canine Cancer Secrets
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How to Train
Your Chihuahua
to Heel off the Leash

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Important: When you take the leash off, remember the following:

Your Chihuahua should not run off, with you chasing vainly behind, yelling for your Chihuahua to come back. Yes, if you want Fido to free heel, you must have your Chihuahua trained to heel on the leash first.

This is how you need to start:

  • Take your Chihuahua off its leash.
  • Walk in a straight line. Angling into your Chihuahua will cause her to heel wide.
  • Walk briskly! Don't walk at the pace of your Chihuahua.

Don't wave your hands about - hold your left hand close to your body!

Make sure you always give the first command in a happy tone of voice. Your Chihuahua needs to know that you are happy. Don't try to teach your Chihuahua anything if you are in a bad mood.

Change your voice to a commanding tone or call the name of your Chihuahua sharply if they don't keep up to your walking pace or if they amble away.

After the second command, gently pat your side and give praise (give praise at every opportunity).

If forging (your Chihuahua tries to get ahead of you) is your problem, or if your Chihuahua attempts to dart off, you must stand still! Signal back with your left hand and repeat the heel command forcefully and then pat your side coaxingly.

Remember, training your Chihuahua is not unlike training your child to behave in a way society expects. Give those rules and boundaries. Be firm about what is right and what is not. Praise whenever you have an opportunity. That is, whenever your Chihuahua performs as asked.

When your Chihuahua is doing a good job of learning, give it a commendation it deserves! Praise them when they are learning and performing well.

If the Chihuahua you are training is large, make sure you carry the leash folded twice, with the snap end in your right hand. If the Chihuahua fails to pay attention, call her name loudly or reach out and "spank" her playfully on the hindquarters with the end of the leash. You should then coax your Chihuahua close by patting your side. Never hit hard or in such a way that you cause pain. Just the light spank is all that's needed.

If all attempts to keep your Chihuahua at heel position fail, it's time to put the leash back on, give it one good jerk to bring the Chihuahua in close, and try again. The change in voice, followed by flattery with the occasional use of the leash, should eventually teach your Chihuahua to stay at your side at all times. Especially if you make the heeling fun!

Ultimate
House Training Guide

Ultimate House Training Guide
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immediate download

Clicker Training
Click image for information on how to use a clicker to train your Chihuahua