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Chihuahuas have really boomed in popularity over the recent years. But now it seems like people are deciding to own one without realizing the special needs of this dog breed. Here are the top 7 mistakes made by Chihuahua owners:

* Letting Small Children Play With Them - Chihuahuas are the smallest dog breed in the world, and unfortunately it's easy for them to get seriously injured by getting stepped or pulled on. In addition, they can easily become defensive and bite out if they are provoked. You should keep your Chihuahuas away from small children at all times to avoid any potential accidents.

* Not Socializing - Chihuahuas can become aggressive if not socialized properly. You should spend some time every week taking them to social locations, such as a friends house, the park, or a pet store. This will let them become used to people more and should make them less aggressive, and it only takes a small amount of your time.

* Not Exercising - We all have busy schedules, and it's easy to forget about taking your Chihuahua for walks or to play outside, but their bodies require it. Try to spend at least fifteen minutes a day letting your Chihuahua play outside, this will keep them healthy and fit, and help prevent serious problems such as obesity.

* Too Much Attention - As crazy as this may sound, by giving your Chihuahua too much attention and "babying", they can develop unhealthy attachment issues. A few things you can do to avoid this is to let your Chihuahua sleep in their own bed at night (not yours), and don't hold them all the time. You need to let them know that it is OK to be without you. In addition, you should let your Chihuahua sleep by themselves. I know alot of people like to have their Chihuahua sleep in their beds, but they are just like children and can grow an unhealthy attachment to you.

* Not Using a Crate - Keeping your Chihuahua in a crate at night is an excellent way to keep them from having accidents, or from just getting into trouble. Just don't keep them locked up all day, and take them out frequently to go potty.

* Punishment - Many people are misinformed about punishing their Chihuahuas. You should never hit, spank, slap, or even yell at your Chihuahua. The correct form of punishment should be speaking a negative command, such as "No", or "Bad", firmly at them.

* Housebreaking - A lot of people think Chihuahuas are hard to housebreak. Well, some can be difficult, but if you are patient, consistent, and keep a close eye on them, you shouldn't have a problem. Using a crate will also help to keep your Chihuahua confined when you can't watch them.

These are the top 7 mistakes made by Chihuahua owners. If you are thinking about owning one, I recommend really researching them to make sure they are the right choice for you. There are many dog breeds out there and Chihuahuas arn't the right choice for everyone. I hope this helps!