Why Are Chihuahuas So Aggressive and Mean?

Chihuahuas are the smallest breed in the world. They are called the “Toy Breed” and have big personalities. Despite their cute and small size, they are very aggressive.

Does the Chihuahua breed have a natural tendency towards aggression, or is there another side to this stereotype that we don’t see?

Let’s dive into the world of Chihuahuas and try to figure out the reasons for them to be aggressive and mean.

Why Are Chihuahuas So Mean and Aggressive?

It’s just the nature of Chihuahua. They are extremely protective of their owner, and there is no stopping the Chihuahua from barking at another dog walking by the house, although when they go outside, they don’t mind other dogs.

Sometimes, it’s okay to be aggressive, but not every time as first-time owners may suffer from their aggression behavior. There can be several reasons behind their aggression. Let’s discuss some of the reasons here.

Reason 1: Chihuahuas are One-Person Dog

Chihuahuas are meant to be independent as a breed. You will notice that many of them are “One Person” dogs, meaning they only like one person in a family. And they always try to protect their owner. This protective nature makes them aggressive. But apart from this syndrome, more than 5 environmental factors shape dog’s behavior.

For instance, My neighbor Chihuahua is so Mean. He barks, growls, and aggressively behaves toward other dogs and unknown people like crazy. And, if he thinks that anyone is trying to harm his owner, he growls and potentially bites. That’s only because he is one personal dog.

Reason 2: Little Dog Syndrome of Chihuahuas

According to American Kennel Club, Height of Chihuahua is between 5 and 8 inches. This causes little dog syndrome. The smaller the dog, the meaner they can be.

When they realize that everything around them can crush them, they become more vocal and agitated when things bother them. They make themselves feel like big dogs, and they build a rep to keep away from predators.

Reason 3: Frustrations of Being a Chihuahua

Their boundaries are constantly stomped. You would back off a large dog growling at you, but not a Chihuahua.

People don’t behave with Chihuahuas because they are so tiny. People always mock them for their size and all the stuff. And as Chihuahuas are temperamental, they become frustrated and bothered by every little matter. As people think, they show aggressiveness to prove that they are not too weak.

It is very obvious that if everyone mocks Chihuahua, then they have to show their power to live. So, they become aggressive.

One more thing is that:

If a large dog is scared and doesn’t want to go somewhere, you can’t just pick it up and force the situation. It’s frustrating to be a Chihuahua.

Reason 4: Misunderstood Personality

They always observe their surroundings and judge other people who approach their owner. If an unknown person encounters their owner, they usually growl and bark. If Chihuahuas realize any troubles on their owner’s part, they bark rapidly and eventually bite.

So, Chihuahuas sometimes misunderstand the personalities around them. Though their intention is to protect their owner, they seem aggressive and mean to other creatures.

Chihuahuas need early and consistent socialization to feel comfortable around people, animals, and new environments.

They will behave aggressively without socialization when unknown people or dogs approach them.

For instance, when I go to the park, I see many Chihuahuas who feel unsafe all the time. They don’t trust people easily and never play with other furry friends. Also, they bark and growl at anyone approaching them.

It seems okay for a couple of months, but in the long run, it will be embarrassing. They need to be socialized as early as possible.

Reason 6: Health Issues of Chihuahuas

Chihuahuas are prone to health issues. This is one of the Cons of adopting Chihuahua, because they require much more care and exercise compared to large breeds.

They act very rudely and aggressively while they are sick or in discomfort. So, it is necessary to take care of everything. Also, you have to provide enough food and fresh water routine-wise for a relaxed Chihuahua. Otherwise, Chihuahuas will behave aggressively, and people will start saying that “they are naturally Aggressive” instead of understanding the situation.

The tinier the creature, the more care it needs.

Reason 7: Fiercely Intelligent Breed

Chihuahuas are the smartest dog breed. They understand situations quickly and can learn anything and everything.

Chihuahuas always show their smartness in front of people. Sometimes, it amazes them.

For instance, I saw a Chihuahua owner looking for water one day. As soon as the Chihuahua realized this, he unleashed himself intelligently and ran for a water bottle. The Chihuahua saw a man walking with a water bottle; he ran to the man, seized it, and brought it to the owner. This is a brilliant act by the Chihuahua, in addition to being mean and aggressive while holding the water bottle.

As they are Intelligent, they want to be dominant over people and show aggressive behavior to announce their dominance.

Reason 8: Not Getting Attention

Chihuahuas thrive on spending time with their loving owners. They want attention all the time. So, there is a problem with that, you cannot leave alone your chihuahua at home alone. Learn More: How Long Can You Leave a Chihuahua Home Alone?

For instance, I bought a T-shirt and wanted to take a photo. But my Chihuahua can’t wait for that one second and starts growling.

Not giving Chihuahua attention is a crime. So always make your Chihuahua happy with your valuable attention, or they will get aggressive.

How can the mean and aggressive behavior of Chihuahuas be fixed?

A few things must be maintained while Chihuahua’s mean behavior is fixed. Here are some tips from my real-life experience.

Tip 1: Socializing

Introducing your Chihuahua to other people and dogs from the first day is necessary. Socialization is the best way to calm a hyperactive dog.

For socializing, you can start at a distance where your Chihuahua can see other dogs and people, but it also pays attention to you. You want to reward calm behavior and disengagement for the dogs. With success, you can keep moving closer to the other dogs and people. From this practice, you can socialize your Chihuahua. But, do not use dog parks for socialization, it won’t work and might get worse for your Chihuahua.

Explore: Why Dog Parks and Chihuahuas Don’t Mix.

Socialized Chihuahuas feel less anxious and fearful around strangers and other dogs. Leading towards a well-behaved Chihuahua. Also, You can consider getting a Second Chihuahua.

Tip 2: Obedience Training

Chihuahuas are the smartest and most intelligent dog breed. As they are very intelligent, they want to be dominant over people.

So, while training, you must ensure that your Chihuahua obeys your request. It would help if you made them realize they must follow your commands. And give treats after he follows your command.

If not, use Negative Reinforcement method. Say “No” and stop giving him attention. This will make him feel like He has to be obedient or his owner won’t care for him.

If your Chihuahua responds well to the Sit and Stop command, it will reduce the chance of getting mean and aggressive to strangers and other dogs.

Tip 3: Make Distance while Barking at Others

If your Chihuahua is barking and growling at other dogs and unknown people, you can make an alert by saying “No” and maintaining a distance from him.

For instance, one day (in the early days of my Chihuahua), I went to a park with my Chihuahua, and I noticed that he was barking at each and every person who tried to approach me. It was very embarrassing for me. After talking with some of my neighbors who have Chihuahua, they suggested I distance myself and say “No” while he is barking and growling with others. I did that, and eventually, it worked.

So, if your Chihuahua is aggressive toward unknowns, doing this can also work for you.

Tip 4: Enough Exercise

Chihuahuas are known as apartment dogs. But that doesn’t mean they will stay all day in the apartment. They need daily exercise to keep their fitness perfect and remain mentally happy.

Without enough exercise, they may feel boredom and anxious, which leads to more destructive behavior. Not ensuring enough exercise requirement one of the things that Owners Should Never Do. According to PDSA, Your Chihuahua will need a minimum of half an hour of exercise every day to stay happy and healthy.

There are multiple types of exercise you can provide your Chihuahua:

Walking.
Ball games.
Mental stimulation through puzzles and training.

Through these exercises, your Chihuahua will remain healthy and well-behaved.

Tip 5: Ensuring A Safe Environment

Chihuahuas are always suspicious about their surroundings. They don’t easily believe someone except their owner.

You can ensure a safe environment by introducing everything in your house and everyone you meet regularly. Make him play with other dogs; it will make him feel safe.

A safe environment for your Chihuahua is necessary. It will keep your Chihuahua stress- and anxiety-free, and it will keep it cool and calm.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why are Chihuahuas so hyper?

Chihuahuas often get hyper because of a lack of daily exercise, lack of mental engagement, and lack of toys. Chihuahuas need at least 15-20 minutes of regular exercise, 2 to 3 walks a day, and some running around in a yard playtime. They also need some toys to keep their mind busy and sharp.

Why are Chihuahuas so clingy?

Chihuahuas are clingy due to their strong attachment to their owner. They are known for their loyal and affectionate nature; They love to get attention and companionship from their loving owner. Their small size and vulnerability may also be why they stay close to their humans for comfort and security.

Why are Chihuahuas so protective?

It’s just the nature of Chihuahua. They are extremely protective of their owner. They are always in charge of protecting their owner from any danger.

Why are Chihuahuas so yappy?

Chihuahuas tend to be yappy because of their alert and protective nature. Their small size and high energy levels may contribute to their tendency to bark frequently to alert them of their presence.

Are Chihuahuas jealous dogs?

Chihuahuas are the most jealous dogs in the dog world. They always seek attention from other people or dogs. They want to be loved and get in touch with their loving owner all day. That makes them the happiest on the planet.

Final Words

Chihuahuas are the most loving and caring dogs towards their owner and the people. Chihuahuas sometimes behave mean to other creatures for their small size and lack of socialization.

They are always protective of their owner and act aggressively when realizing the danger.

With proper training and support, Chihuahuas are the best dog breed.