How to Keep Your Chihuahua Entertained?

To keep your Chihuahua occupied and happy, take them for a walk, run, or hike often. These are affectionate, sociable, and very athletic little dogs.

Also, be gentle and patient and give them activities to do. These can be puzzle toys that dispense treats or sniffing mats.

Chihuahuas do not hesitate to show their happiness and are not destructive (unless they are left alone for too long).

With this new article, the team wants to provide you with 7 fun and achievable tips to make your little pet even happier 💕

1. Take your Chihuahua for a walk

Your Chihuahua spends most of their time at home and their idea of relaxation is not the same as yours 😜

You spend your day working or studying. You think about coming home to relax or watch Netflix, while your Chihuahua, meanwhile, has been stuck inside the house all day...

What they are looking forward to is getting out, getting busy, and spending time with you! 😊

So, one look at the leash in your hands and your Chihuahua goes crazy.

What your dog breed needs is a change of scenery, even if only for a few hours (this applies to adults, not puppies).

Give them a space larger than your garden or balcony where they can explore at their leisure. Show them a world outside your home and opportunities to meet new friends.

If you are training your Chihuahua, make walks an important part of your day, which is an excellent activity for them. Indeed, walks put them in a relaxed state, so they respond better to training.

2. Running or Hiking

 

Do not think your Chihuahua is a couch potato, or a fragile dog! ❌

You can easily take your Chihuahua running or on a hike because they are a small, athletic, and hardy dog.

A dog park is the best place for your pup to run and bark freely. They will also have the chance to play with other dog breeds. 

Another highly stimulating canine activity to keep your Chihuahua occupied would be a hike in the nearby woods (hunting dog or not... all dogs love it).

This training session will be beneficial for both of you 😊

And don't forget to bring water and their bottle with you to keep your little companion well hydrated, especially in hot weather.

3. Occupy your Chihuahua through play

 

Dogs in general are pack animals. They enjoy company and like doing things with other animals or their owners.

Especially when they are puppies, Chihuahuas spend their waking hours of the day having fun.

For dogs, know that you accomplish many things when you play with them:

- They get their daily dose of exercise

- You give them healthy attention

- You strengthen your bond

- You stimulate them mentally

All of this contributes to making your Chihuahua happy 😇

Note: set aside 30 to 60 minutes a day to play with your Chihuahua.

The garden is the best place to start. Play fetch or catch. Play with a frisbee or a ball.

There are a multitude of ideas, such as mental stimulation games (photo below), so don't hesitate to try a few with your Chihuahua to occupy them with fun! 😁

 

4. Make your dog work their nose

 

Still in the realm of toys, make your Chihuahua work their nose to distract them.

When you take them for a walk outside, let them sniff what they find (except for trash, waste, etc.). Their sense of smell is much more developed than yours.

So don't be surprised that your dog smells something with interest. These pets do it all the time...

At home, play a little game where you send your Chihuahua on a treat hunt! They will love it!

While you are present, hide the treats and let your Chihuahua's nose simply find their little snacks.

And since the sense of smell comes naturally to them, they will have a blast! 🥳

5. Offer a sniffing mat to your Chihuahua

Is there any dog that doesn't want to dig? 😜

To help pass the time, give your Chihuahua a sniffing mat where they can dig to their heart's content. Hide toys in it and let them find them.

 

If you have a garden (or even a terrace), let your Chihuahua dig and assign them a dedicated spot for their distraction. This is a form of play that can entertain them for hours (watch out for your plants, though).

Digging for Chihuahuas is what fitness is for humans... yes, it's a sport!

They will most likely be dirty afterward, but at the same time, you will be able to take care of them by grooming them to look after their beautiful coat, claws, and body.

6. Do some simple obedience training

You don't need to hire a canine behaviorist to teach basic obedience to your beloved Chihuahua 😉 it is a smart little dog.

That being said, don't hesitate to train your Chihuahua with new tricks; it's a great brain workout for them.

Devote a few minutes to it every day. Even 10 minutes of teaching your dog simple tricks allows them to burn off their energy.

If your furball is new to training, start with simple commands. You can always start with "sit," "stay," "heel," and "lie down."

Be patient with your pet dog while they learn and don't forget to reward them appropriately with their favorite dog treats so they easily associate education with play.

 

7. Introduce them to a new dog or a playdate

If the dog park is far away, try organizing a playdate with a friend's sociable pet. Or perhaps your family has another breed of dog that your Chihuahua can play with?

If your neighbors have a dog, you won't have to go far. Ask them if they would agree to play with you. And perhaps you can make it a regular activity for your pups!

Your smooth-haired or long-haired Chihuahua will always enjoy being able to play with another small dog or even a large one!

These are just a few examples of what you can do to keep your Chihuahua occupied and happy! 🥰

- The Teckelshop team - We are fans of Dachshunds but remain in love with all canine breeds 💚🐶