Chihuahua puppies are bundles of energy, and it seems a pain to make these hyper dogs fall asleep. If you do not want a pet that will continue to bark and want to play after all the lights are off and everyone should be sleeping, the following recommendations will aid you in creating a healthy routine for your puppy, no matter how easily excited he or she might be in the beginning.
Create a routine
The puppy needs to understand when the time to be asleep comes. That means that it is up to you to signal the preparations for falling asleep, because you’re the one in charge. Chihuahuas are well known for their ability to take after their owners, and if you are well too much awake, or other members of the family are loud and by no means ready to go to sleep, don’t expect your puppy to go against the flow.
In the same way that you need to create a routine for feeding your young pet, preferably using special food for Chihuahua puppies that can cover the energy needs this breed is known for, you need to create a routine for going to bed. Any dog can learn a habit, but the key to it is consistency.
Be calm at all times
Signal the time for going to bed by becoming calm and staying that way, while recommending other members of the family to do the same thing. Turn off the lights, do the same with any electronics in the house, and ask everyone to be quiet.
It is essential that you don’t pay attention to your dog during these preparations so that you don’t condone a hyper behavior. He or she will try to get your attention, and will cause quite a ruckus, but, as long as you don’t pay him or her attention, eventually all the ruckus will die down.
Playtime before bedtime
Remember that Chihuahuas are very energetic, and that means that they need their energy consumed somehow. To help your puppy become sleepy and tired enough to go to bed, a good idea would be to organize some playtime before bedtime.
Throw the toys around, take the puppy out for a walk, do things you know your pet enjoys to ensure that nothing of that endless energy remains to keep the dog awake. It is the surest way to have a sleepy puppy that will not cause a lot of trouble later.
Use a crate
When it’s time to go to bed, take your puppy and place him or her inside the crate you already have appointed for the purpose. Lie in your bed without making any loud noises, and be prepared to allow the dog several minutes, if not a little more, to get accommodated with the crate.
Bear in mind never to use the crate as a means for punishment. Your puppy needs to associate the crate with a feeling of safety so that he or she can quickly fall asleep there.
