Because of their sizes, people do ask are Chihuahuas good with kids, let’s look at this question together!
In this post, we will really tell you the harsh truth about Chihuahuas and kids without painting words.
We will also discuss some common benefits of getting Chihuahuas for kids and some cons.
We will outline and discuss how to teach kids to handle Chihuahuas to allow bonding.
Before we proceed, let me quickly answer your question are Chihuahuas good with kids in a few paragraphs.
Are Chihuahuas Good With Kids
Chihuahuas are fragile dogs that may be easily hurt by children who are rough with them; Chihuahuas are known to snap at kids necessitating their supervision around kids below 10 years
As a result, it is advised that only children aged nine and over be permitted to interact with Chihuahuas as long as they are polite and do not tease them.
Chihuahuas do not normally get along with toddlers and, due to their size, can be hurt. They can also snap at children who mistreat them.
However, properly socialized and trained adult Chihuahuas can get along very well with kids of any age.
Reasons Chihuahuas are good for kids
Here are some common reasons why you can get Chihuahua for your kids:
1. Chihuahuas are Affectionate Towards Kids
Chihuahuas are an energetic breed of dog that like being in the company of lively children.
They enjoy showing affection to children by sleeping in the same bed with them and running around with them.
They have a kind, loving nature, which makes them ideal for families with children.
They are dedicated to their owners and form close bonds with them. Chihuahuas are known for being too attached to their owners.
Chihuahuas display their love for children by quietly winking, weaving their tails, purring, bunting, or rubbing their heads and faces against them.
If you want a dog that will shower you with affection and never tire of you, a Chihuahua is the appropriate choice for you and your children over the age of eight.
2. Chihuahuas can Help Kids Overcome Stress
Stressed children can relax if they have a little dog to keep them company, such as a Chihuahua.
Chihuahuas enjoy playing with children and jumping all over them, which may be beneficial to children who are stressed.
Chihuahuas can help your child cope with despair and frustration, but they must be trained to bond with your kids.
3. Chihuahuas can Help Kids Get more Exercise
When your child has a Chihuahua, he or she will be able to get more exercise since Chihuahuas like running about with children.
Children require activity to keep healthy and happy, and Chihuahuas require only a little exercise to remain happy, so buying a Chihuahua for your children is a win-win situation.
Remember to educate your children how to properly handle and play with a Chihuahua so that your Chihuahua is not injured.
4. Chihuahuas can Help To Teach Kids Trust And Patience
Chihuahuas may improve a child’s self-esteem while also instilling a feeling of responsibility.
Chihuahuas also teach your children how to care for them, which helps them develop trust and patience.
Small dogs, such as Chihuahuas, have a hard time trusting children at first, but with time, your children will learn to accept your Chihuahua, which will convert to true human trust.
Taking care of a Chihuahua or living with one requires patience, which your children will undoubtedly learn from living with one.
5. Chihuahua can help kids socialize
When properly taught, Chihuahuas are sociable to strangers, but they have a special bond with the children who look after them.
Chihuahuas will go to considerable lengths to locate and spend time with their favorite kids at home.
Chihuahuas have a reputation for following kids around the house as they play these can help kids to learn how to socialize with other pets or kids
It’s not unusual to see a Chihuahua welcome kids at the front door if they’ve been properly taught.
Chihuahuas nearly seem to be able to express gratitude to the youngsters with whom they play or are fed!
They can also assist your children in making new friends and strengthening their bonds.
6. Chihuahuas can Adjust Well To Kid’s Schedules
It’s all about early socialization and obedience training.
Chihuahuas are one of the best dogs because they adapt quickly and follow a set of rules if you start training on time.
Chihuahuas prefer to do things when the moment is right, and you don’t have to do things over and again with them.
A well-trained Chihuahua will retire to his or her bed as soon as it’s time to sleep, but may try to wake you up as quickly as possible.
They’ll always remind your kids what’s coming up next in their schedule by engaging them in activities that lead up to it. Chihuahuas are really smart.
7. Chihuahuas Can Keep Kids Busy
Chihuahua can keep kids busy while you do other things or even while you are away.
Since Chihuahuas are so fascinating and entertaining children may forget they have other things to do when playing with them, such as schoolwork.
When a Chihuahua sits on a child’s lap and wants to embrace them, it’s awful if your children get up and go about their business.
If this is the case, your children may be late for an activity or take longer than necessary to complete tasks.
Chihuahuas will unnecessarily follow their favorite children around the home. If kids don’t pay attention to them, they’ll make unnecessary noise.
8. Chihuahuas are very intelligent
Chihuahuas are intelligent canines. They are capable of learning not just obedience orders, but also tricks.
Early training and socializing are beneficial to them.
This entails introducing your dog to a wide range of people, places, and things in order for them to gain confidence.
Why You Shouldn’t Get A Chihuahua For Your Kids
Before acquiring a Chihuahua for your kids, there are a few things to think about:
- Chihuahuas are too fragile for kids to handle.
- Chihuahuas do bark a lot for so many reasons.
- Chihuahuas sleep under covers and your kids may sit on them without knowing and hurt them.
- Strangers that come to see your children may terrify or intimidate Chihuahuas.
- Kids can underestimate Chihuahuas because of their sizes.
- Chihuahuas are notorious for their tenacity, which may make training difficult for kids.
- Chihuahuas can become possessive of toys and can hurt kids.
- Chihuahuas can develop play aggression and mistakenly hurt kids when they are playing.
- Loud noises can shock Chihuahuas, and your children may like screaming or making loud noises.
- Chihuahuas become obsessed with the ball rapidly and will nip or bite your kids if they don’t get it.
- Chihuahuas require daily brushing, and because younger children may not be able to keep up, long-haired Chihuahuas require extra maintenance.
- Chihuahuas are prone to heat exhaustion, and kids may overplay with them, resulting in future respiratory difficulties.
- Chihuahua size is too small for kids who love playing roughly.
- Chihuahuas can become aggressive for some reason and bite kids.
How To Teach Kids To Get Along With Chihuahuas
Here are some general Chihuahua guidelines or recommendations to educate your children:
1. Teach Kids How to handle and care
Because they are little and soft, your children will want to squeeze a Chihuahua, but Chihuahuas are not toys.
Teach your children how to properly handle and care for their Chihuahuas and to appreciate them as living creatures.
Your children should understand that Chihuahuas, like humans, have desires, feelings, and suffering.
Without being pushy or restrictive, your children should be able to play with dogs.
2. Teach Kids when to let Chihuahuas go
Teach your kids to leave your Chihuahua alone when it’s eating, sleeping, or needs to be alone.
Your Chihuahua’s growth requires eating and resting, and your puppy will need their own space, so educate your children when to let go.
If your kids are frequently crowded and focused with being around your Chihuahua at all times, this might be a great guideline to help build in some natural pauses and relaxation for your puppy.
3. Teach Kids not to yell at Chihuahuas
Chihuahuas are normally friendly dogs, therefore loud noises and screaming may be frightening to them.
As a result, teach your children never to scream or yell at their Chihuahua.
Screaming or screaming at Chihuahuas might lead to the following consequences: barking, biting, and nipping that isn’t essential
4. Teach Your kids Not To Feed Human Foods to Chihuahuas
Garlic and onions are two of the most toxic foods for dogs, and they may be found in many different cuisines.
A small amount can cause stomach upset in Chihuahuas, but it has no effect on people.
Allowing a Chihuahua to nibble on your child’s food might result in begging, which is difficult to resist even with thorough training.
As a result, your children should be educated not to feed their own food to the Chihuahua.
5. Teach Your Kids How To Pick Up A Chihuahua
Teach your children how to pick up a Chihuahua puppy until they are comfortable doing so.
Squat down and cradle the puppy from the side, one hand on the rump and the other on the tummy/chest area softly yet securely.
Make it a point to practice with your kids simultaneously.
When your children are holding your Chihuahua, teach them not to run, spin, leap, or swing it about.
6. Involve your kids during grooming
Grooming is a great time to bond with Chihuahua puppies and adults.
You should educate your children the basics of brushing depending on their age and your lifestyle or daily routine.
There’s no reason why your kids can’t help you groom your dog, especially when it comes to washing and combing the coat.
You’ll have a helper who can take on these chores when your child grows older.
7. Teach your kids proper petting
It is your job as a Chihuahua owner to educate kids, whether your own or visitors, how to properly pet your Chihuahua.
Begin by caressing the dog’s chin or chest gently. Scratching is also OK, but avoid placing your hands over the dog’s face or head.
If mild petting/scratching of the chin/chest is accepted, demonstrate the youngster that the neck and back may also be softly petted or scratched. In the direction of the fur, turn around.
If the dog backs away, snaps, growls, or shows appeasement gestures or terrified body language, cease touching him.
8. Let your chihuahua ACCLIMATIZE To kid Sounds & Scents
This is especially important for individuals who are having a baby and are worried about how their pet will respond to the new arrival.
Allow your dog to become accustomed to all of the baby equipment – bottles, prams, and so on.
If you can afford it, hiring a professional trainer to assist your pet adjust to new baby sounds and odors is also a good idea.
9. Establish Some Rules
Make sure you develop and follow certain home rules. Allowing your Chihuahua to eat from your child’s plate is not a good idea (or vice-versa).
Make sure the Chihuahua toys are out of reach of children until the kids are above the age of 10.
Pet toys do not have the same safety regulations as children’s toys and might be dangerous in the hands of children.
Whatever home rules you create, make sure you follow them religiously and without exceptions.
With the information provided on this page, I hope your question Are Chihuahuas Good With Kids was answered!
