Why are Chihuahuas so twitchy and nervous?

Answer 1

well i have two and mosly because they are scared all the time!!!!!!

Answer 2

If you were as tiny as a Chihuahuas with people walking around you would be nervous and twitchy too! Think how terrifying it must be to have someone 5 or 6 feet taller than you walking around where you are?

Answer 3

I breed Chihuahuas and don't own one that is twitchy and nervous. Although I'm careful who has a pup off me - as a new owner can make them that way. But I don't sell them to carry round in handbags, mine come complete with legs that they use for running around. And they are brought up with Collies, and find it normal to play with them, so they have no reason to be nervous. It's all in the breeding and the upbringing.

Answer 4

Any dog poorly bred and poorly socialized is twitchy and nervous. I knew a top breeder of chihuahuas and none were nervous because she bred for temperment and got her dogs out. I lived with one of her 1.5lbs BIS winning females and she was a terrific dog. Not at all nervous or shy, very outgoing and bold. She had all the dogs scared of her but 1 of my male MinPins. Too often people won't let their poor widdle baby walk on it's own 4 feet and make the dog a wreck.

Answer 5

Little dogs have good reason to be nervous dont ya reakon?? Most of the time these smaller dogs are given the wrong message to being a DOG!!! It goes two ways... by treating a chi like a baby you either get a unconfident submissive baby or a dog that thinks it owns the place. To pick up a dog constantly will either say you are the man or I control you!! Simple answer to this or any other dog behaviour is "reward the good stuff - ignore the bad!!" when they act nervous - look the other way, if they act fun and adventurous say "good dog".

Answer 6

It is truly the nature of the breed and indicates proper breeding to retain it's natural abilities. Chihuahuas originally hunted rats in Mexico. It takes a keen sense to hear a rat and thanks to the over sized ears they have that ability. And because most are five pounds they can catch a rat anywhere. What you describe as nervousness is sensitivity to its surroundings. You have a good puppy. Spend a little time and discipline on training and you will have one of those "once in a lifetime dogs." All the best...

Answer 7

I had a chih.for 15 yrs and I loved her like a child. They are very nervous around strangers.My girl was a biter and she was not the nervous kind of chih.I would tell people she will bite.This will not stop people from trying to touch them.They are so cute and small people just have to touch them are put there face right in front of them.If you lived in a world where people were always coming at you would't you be nervous.I feel so sorry for Paris Hilton's little dog she is scared to death you can see it in her eyes.People can just not leave them alone.

Answer 8

I have a Yorkie which weighs 4 pounds right now. Every time there is some noise he always jumps and runs away. Small dogs do that because they know that they are very small and in these types of situations they feel helpless. They are also very scared of thunderstorms. The best thing to do is to ignore the dog because if you're going to try to comfort him he is always going to think it is okay to be scared , but if you are going to ignore him he is going to think it is no big deal and just get used to it.

Answer 9

I have 4 pure bred Chihuahua's and none are this way. They are well trained and well socialized. I always get comments on how they are not yappy or shaky. I put it down to good breeding as well as them being well trained/socialized.

If you notice you don;t see them shaking and quivering in shows either. It;s the same principal. Good training and socialization along with the good breeding.

Answer 10

If you were only 6" off the ground and surrounded by giant's trying to step on you, you would be nervous too! LOL

Answer 11

I heard the announcer at the Westminster Dog Show say one time that there is no clinical explanation for chiawawa's shivering. FYI