Why are Chihuahuas Aggressive? Is It Our Fault?

Chihuahuas are not naturally aggressive. But when they are, it’s often our fault.

While a toy breed, they’re like any other larger dog—they need socialization and training. They can be territorial and vocal sometimes, but they aren’t incapable of being well-behaved and well-trained dogs.

Take it from me: I’ve trained every Chihuahua my family’s ever owned, and they have a whole book of tricks they try to speed-run through.

✨ Dog Parent Training Tip: Avoid giving commands in the same pattern every time, or they’ll try to beat you to it.

From the classic sit, lay down, stay, and shake, to the more complex play dead, “dance,” sing, it doesn’t matter. Chihuahuas are incredibly eager to please their owners; after all, they love you!

My Chihuahua knows to wait before and after a door and to hop into the grass to wait for a car to pass. He knows “wait” means waiting for me before resuming whatever he’s doing, while the stay command means waiting for a release cue regardless of his proximity to me. He knows to leave it when I drop food, the name of his toys (and their functions), and he takes his medication with no cheese.

Okay, brag session is over. Clearly, these feisty little dogs can be quite talented.

However, Chihuahuas can also be protective of their families and space. This means they’re apt to “bad” habits if they aren’t trained, such as excessive barking, separation anxiety, and aggression. As their pet parent, it’s up to you to address these behaviors… like any other dog.

How is Chihuahua Aggression Our Fault?

Most of the videos you see of a chihuahua losing it over a hand getting too close are likely due to a lack of socialization… or a pushy person. Often, it’s both.

Chihuahuas are more than small dogs—they’re tiny dogs, “toy”-sized dogs. We are at least ten times their weight, even when they’re full-grown. If we want to pick them up without their consent, there’s nothing they can do. If we’re holding them upright and wriggling our fingers in their face or chewing on their ears, they’re stuck there.

What can they do to us? Their growling is “cute,” their snarls are “hilarious.” What’s left if not to bite? Often, even their more serious bites go ignored… or they aren’t biting you with the intent to truly harm you. They’re warning you. Either way, they learn to react with rage-filled temper tantrums.

Dogs communicate and correct one another through body language, barks, whale eyes… and nips, at times. When we ignore our dog’s boundaries for a laugh, we push that dog further into reactivity. Suddenly, being held is a trigger that causes an episode, because they’ve learned what that means.

And while they might not bite an adult’s fingers too hard, it’s only a matter of time until they get at someone (or something) softer. This could be cuddle time with kisses that go awry at a human nose or eye or a child that can’t read Chihuahua body language.

These episodes are not out of nowhere, as some might claim. These are compounded issues that have pushed the dog this far because nothing else they’ve done has worked. As forever-puppies, some owners let them get away with it because they’re cute.

In other cases, another dog or cat may be bullying them. It’s easier for a fifteen-pound cat or a twenty-pound dog to bully an eight-pound chihuahua who can’t shove them away or “correct” them as well as a similar-sized (or larger) animal might. This can add to the feeling of needing to “up the ante” to be respected.

Obviously, this desperate behavior can’t be encouraged with pets or kisses, nor can it continue. It’s dangerous for humans and other animals.

Small Dogs are Easier to Keep Home

It’s harder to socialize a dog that isn’t exposed to the outside world. While large dogs require plenty of exercise to accommodate their energy levels, Chihuahuas can get an equivalent within a standard house and yard.

With enough effort, an owner can provide ample exercise within an apartment.

Though, I’m sure your dog would like some sun- and sniff-filled walks… (And that’s part of fixing the problem.)

What Can I Do?

Find a local dog trainer and take your Chihuahua to them. Even if it’s to tell you the basics or lodge your dog to retrain them for you, they’ll be able to give you tips that will make home life easier.

While employing your newly acquired skills, look for your dog’s triggers. Do they get more frustrated when they’re lying down and are bothered? When trying to eat food? Take note and report to your trainer for guidance.

There are certain boundaries you’ll likely be told to respect, such as getting in their face. If they don’t like it, it may be their preference. Most dogs don’t enjoy someone up in their personal bubble like that. It may take respecting your dog’s boundaries for a while for them to realize not everything requires an explosive reaction.

Depending on a Chihuahua’s age and personality, fixing the issue may take a significant stretch of time. They have to unlearn what they’ve been taught. That said, it’s well worth the effort. Chihuahuas are truly lovebugs who live to work with you—work with them, too!

So, to put it all simply… Chihuahuas aren’t naturally aggressive. They’re just fed up.