Choosing Your Reward
In order for the positive, reward-based system of training to be most effective, you will need to figure out what secondary or conditioned reinforcement drives your Chi nuts. Some Chis will do anything for food, so tiny bits of training treats might do the trick.
For others, toys or use of a clicker might be the answer.
Treats
If you are purchasing prepackaged training treats, make sure you read the nutrition label. Many of these treats are high in salts, sugars, and preservatives. You want to make sure that the treats you are using are not only delectable to your Chihuahua but also nutritious.
What's a really healthy treat that most dogs can't resist?
A favorite training treat is baked chicken chopped in small pieces. Chicken is a wonderful source of protein, but if you use this make sure that you adjust your Chi's food portions to take into account the calories from the added treats. Ask your veterinarian for nutritional advice; you don't want to skimp on any vitamins that your Chi would be receiving in her missed supper portion.
As a toy-breed owner, however, you'll need to be aware that it doesn't take many treats to overfeed a Chihuahua. For this reason, you may want to explore a few food options. One option is to portion your Chi's daily food allowance in a fanny pack and carry it with you all day. Her rewards will be bits of food. For this to work, however, you'll need to ask her to learn and/or perform different exercises throughout the day. If you aren't able to work in little segments throughout the day, you might consider using a low-calorie option for your training treat, such as cut-up carrots.
Toys
A favorite reward for many Chihuahuas is a highly desired toy, one that is very special to the individual dog. (This is the most common reward used for Chihuahuas that work as service dogs for the hearing impaired.) The toy could be one of many different objects, such as a ball, which must be big enough to hold but not so small as to be swallowed, a small tug toy, a squeaky toy, a balled-up sock, or a rope toy.
If you can't find a rope toy that is small enough for your Chi, check out the bird supply section in a pet store. Often this department has toys that are similar to those for dogs but that are smaller and more easily handled by the Chi.
It is important that the Chihuahua only has access to this toy when she is being trained. As with children, if she has access to the toy all day, it becomes not so special anymore. Additionally, some of these toys are those that must be enjoyed under close supervision. For example, a Chi can tear apart a squeaky toy to get the squeaker and choke. A balled-up sock can be a choking hazard, too.
Clicks
For those Chi owners who have good dexterity, a clicker may be an excellent training tool. Many professional and amateur trainers prefer a clicker to verbal praise or a treat because the click is very precise. Your dog knows exactly when she did the right thing — even if you are at quite a distance. The click also serves as a signal to the dog that the exercise is over and is an automatic release, too.
To use a clicker in training, you must first condition your Chi to make the connection between the click and a food reward. To do this, you will click only when you have your Chi's rapt attention, and then you'll immediately treat. After practicing this for several days, your Chihuahua should be anticipating a treat whenever she hears the click.
What if I can't juggle the clicker, the leash, and a treat at the same time?
You're not alone! Police K-9 trainers use a cluck instead of a clicker because it is impossible to juggle a handgun and a clicker at the same time. If you're all thumbs with the clicker, you can substitute a verbal click with a cluck of the tongue, a finger snap, or a short, sharp whistle toot.
