I have have my sweet foster dog for one week today. When I tell people about her they have very discriminatory comments to share. I even told the vet how snuggly and affectionate she was and she said, "That doesn't sound like a Chihuahua." Most people comment on how yappy she must be, this dog rarely yaps at all. Just three or four barks when someone knocks on the door. I have been told to not even bother to try and train her not to growl at strangers because "all Chihuahua's do that."

So my question is, what are the traits that really are specific to most Chi's that may be just to hard to train away in the short time we will have Jenna? I didn't plan on trying to teach her not to shake (although she rarely does that.). I am focusing on potty training, not growling at people, and the basic commands like sit, stay, and come. Oh also, the "don't climb on the table" command .

Thanks!

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You can work to educate some people, you will find people who will never understand and you can broaden your (and her) exposure to people who will understand and appreciate her.

I'd not tolerate a Vet who stereotyped my dogs. Granted, our Vet is not as familiar with the breed as I so I do take him a lot of printouts and such but I'd certainly verbally correct him if he made disparaging or stereotypical comments.

Yes, I have met yappy Chis. I look more critically at the owner then I ever would the dog. They need to be trained, disciplined and loved.

My girls display some very typical Chi traits but they are well behaved and I expect manners.

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Just like people...everyone is of a certain race, but each individual is unique and have their own character. Same thing with dog breeds.

I am guilty of being prejiduce against chihuahuas until I got one. Now I see how wrong I was..she is terrific. She does not yap all day, she does not look like a "rat", she trains fairly easy. She is not stubborn at all. I almost feel guilty that she learned so quickly..Oh! oh! maybe she isn't a REAL chihuahua :P
She gets nervous around strangers and is very scared to go out on walks..but I have met german shepards with the same issues.

Many of what is called "chihuahua characteristics" apply to many breeds of dogs. Its a shame that they are stereotyped...it is racism.

I would have told that vet that dogs, all dogs have traits that people let them have, that's the problem not the breed


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Shaking they can't control right?


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I think stereotypes will always be around, tho not fair. Even my husband said NO to a chihuahua at first because they were "demon dogs" ~ in HIS experience from being bitten. He eventually gave in to me... But my mom & his aunt both have Chi's that will bite your face (and have) in a heartbeat if anyone other than their owner is too close.

If a dog is spoiled and bad-behavior is enforced (even unintentionally) that is what could happen - and with any dog at that! But especially with a dog that naturally (genetically) has traits that can make it reserved with strangers.

The only characteristic that is probably true of most chis is the shaking, which happens when they're scared, excited or just cold. I know that a lot of people who say that they're harder to housetrain, which may be partially true but I'm sure it's true of many other breeds and many will tell you that they had absolutely no problem whatsoever.


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Chihuahuas bad reputation is not their faults it is the faults of owners that never bothered to train the dog. Every dog has their stereotypes good and bad. I think as responsible owners it is our job to make sure our animals are trained and do not add to the stereotypes of yappy chis.
My chi is not a yappy he hardly ever even barks. He will bark once when I ask him if he wants something to eat but that is it. He doesn't bark when people knock on the door or come into the house.
I try to explain to people that stereotype chis that it is not true and that chis are very smart and learn very quickly.
I do not think though that I would have a vet that stereotyped my dog.

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