If you’ve ever owned or known someone that has owned a chihuahua it’s likely you’re well aware that chihuahuas are little dogs with big personalities. Despite being, on average, less than 6 pounds, these little dogs can be quite the powder keg. Barking, biting, and standing up to dogs three times their size are all things you can expect from these little gremlins.
One of the more peculiar attributes of the little beasts is their seemingly jealous behavior. You might find yourself asking questions like “Why are chihuahuas so jealous?” or “Do chihuahuas get jealous of other dogs?”, which is an extremely common thing to wonder when dealing with this breed.
Are chihuahuas jealous dogs?
Chihuahuas were bred specifically to be a companion pet, rather than a working breed like a herding dog or a hunting dog. They’ve been tailored to be small, portable, and adorable, requiring constant human contact to be truly happy.
Because of this feature, chihuahuas have a tendency to get jealous when their chosen human or humans interact with other animals or people. While cute, this jealous behavior is oftentimes worsened over time without proper correction and can lead to problematic behavior down the road.
Signs of jealousy to look out for:
- whining or barking while hugging another family member
- growling whenever someone walks by
- putting themselves in the way if you try to give attention to another dog or family member
- growling or snapping at bedtime or whenever you try to be intimate with a partner
Why do chihuahuas get jealous?
It is important to remember that jealousy goes hand in hand with feelings of possession. Your chihuahua will imprint on you and as a human our instinct is to find that adorable, even to encourage it by carrying them around or giving them special treatment. So the answer to the question “Why are chihuahuas so jealous” is oftentimes: us.
Sometimes jealousy can come on quickly though, caused by changes in your dogs’ environment like moving or the arrival of a new pet or partner. Dogs can feel insecure or bored and oftentimes rely on us to keep them busy or give them reassurance that things are okay. An unconfident dog can develop anxiety, which can lead to jealousy if allowed to go on unchecked over a long period of time.
Do chihuahuas get jealous of other dogs?
The short answer is yes, especially if the other dogs are also chihuahuas that are imprinted on the same person they are. It may become difficult to keep fights from breaking out if you live in a multiple chihuahua home by yourself. The breed of dog generally doesn’t matter, because there’s always a chance you’ll face jealousy issues with any dog, cat, or other pet in the household. Training your chihuahua to go to a specified place can help with these issues.
Do chihuahuas get jealous of babies?
Yes, it is entirely possible for your chihuahua to become jealous of your new baby. An infant takes up a lot of your time, and in a household where your dog was originally your baby, it can be very hard for your chihuahua to adapt to suddenly having to split up their time with you.
To help your dog cope with their new reality it is important to remember to make time for them specifically. Going for walks together or spending time snuggling while the baby is asleep is a great way to ensure that your chihuahua doesn’t start developing feelings of resentment. Introducing them to the baby in small steps can even start to encourage feelings of acceptance which will go a long way towards keeping jealousy from setting in.
How can I keep my chihuahua from getting jealous?
The first step towards managing jealousy is being real with yourself. Chihuahuas and other small dogs are baby-sized, making them prime candidates for us humans to dote on them. Dressing small dogs in cute outfits, buying them cute collars and leashes, and getting personalized beds, crates, or purses are all ways that little dogs are treated differently than other dogs. This special attention often leaves the little dog with an expectation of things going a certain way, and if those ways change then their behavior can change too.
If you take the time to train your chihuahua to “leave it” or designate a spot like a pillow, blanket, or crate for them to go to it goes a long way towards managing jealous or aggressive behaviors. Don’t let them get away with bad behavior, but also be sure to reward good choices.
If you see your dog start to get triggered by something and they correct themselves, load them down with praise! Teaching them that you like a specific reaction goes a long way towards adjusting their attitudes around new people, dogs, or babies.
When it comes to jealousy in chihuahuas, they oftentimes go hand in hand. Are chihuahuas jealous dogs by nature? No, but our love and affection combined with their desire to be around us all the time often lead to it.
So just remember there’s a good chance that you made yours pooch that way. Don’t beat yourself up too hard though, because your dog is eager to please, and every behavior can be adjusted no matter how bad.