Crate Training, Potty Training, Indoor, Outdoor

[Romans Mom]

Here's some information for those who wish to crate train and other tips for house training.


House training is primarily a matter of taking your dog outside when he needs to go, making sure he relieves himself, and restricting his freedom in the house until he is reliably trained. Don't be shy! Discussion is welcome here! We won't bite! For most of us, this training has not happened over night, so never feel bad if you feel it's taking too long. It's not, and you just can't give up, or your Chi will too.


***HOUSE-TRAINING TIMETABLE*** :D

Your dog will need to relieve herself at the following times:

AFTER EACH MEAL

AFTER DRINKING WATER

AFTER PLAYTIME

AFTER WAKING UP FROM A NAP

EVERY TWO TO THREE HOURS IN BETWEEN

ALERT: When you see the puppy sniffing the floor and circling, grab him quick and get him outside!



USING A CRATE TO HOUSE-TRAIN :D

Crate training is a wonderful training tool to help housebreak your puppy. Puppies are born with an instinct to keep their beds clean, and a crate builds on that instinct. When the puppy is confined to the crate for the night, he can gradually develope better bowel and bladder control. Of course, that means that you must get the puppy out of the crate and outside as soon, and as often, as he needs to go.

Puppies who have been purchased at a pet store are often much more difficult to housebreak because the puppy has been confined to a cage, where whe had to relieve herself. She had nowhere else to go, so the instinct to keep her bed clean was overridden by the need to releive herself.

Older puppies and adult dogs can still be crate-trained even if they were never introduced to a crate as a puppy.

HOUSE-TRAINING GUIDELINES :D

Using a crate is not the only thing you need to do to housebreak you dog, be he a puppy or an adult. Housebreaking is also a matter of teaching the dog where you want him to relieve himself. You also want to teach him a word, a command, so that you can ask him to relieve himself when, for example, you're on a trip.

just sending the dog outside alone won't work. If you just open the door and send her outside, how do you know that she's relived herself? You may let her in, only to have her go on the carpet. You need to go outside with her. Tell her to go potty(using whatever word you want as a command) and them wait for her to do it. When she does what she needs to do, praise her.

Once she's done what needs to be done, bring her inside and let her have some supervised time im the house. But don't consider her to be housebroken for at least six to eight months. If she has no accidents, that just means that you're doing everything right!

If, when you take your dog outside, he doesn't relieve himself, bring him in and put him in his crate for a while. Then take him back outside again. If he still doesn't go, put him in his crate again. Do not let him run around the house (even under supervision) unless you know that he has relieved himself.

One of the most common mistakes dog owners make is giving their dogs too much freedom too soon. Many dogs don't want to take the time to go out side to relieve themselves, especially if the family is inside. It's too easy for the dog to sneak behind the sofa and do it there undetected. You may not find the accident for hours, and then it's much too late to correct the puppy. By restricting the dog's freedom to the room where you are, you can keep an eye on the puppy, and the puppy will be less likely to have an accident.


WHEN AN ACCIDENT HAPPENS :D

If you catch the puppy in the act, you can let her know that she's making a mistake, "OH NO BAD GIRL!" or if you don't want to use the word bad, say something like, "ECHH! ECHH!" and take her outside (or to the box or potty padwhat ever you are using. However, if you find a puddle, don't scold her at that point. It's too late.

While teaching the puppy, remember, that the act of urinating or defecating is not wrong: he has to releive himself (rather than the place) is wrong, he'll become sneaky. Make sure to teach him that you're concerned about the place, not the fact that She does it.

Go outside with your puppy, praise her for going where she should go, teach her a word for relieving herself, and be patient. The process could take several months for some puppies.

ASKING TO GO OUTSIDE :D

Because Chihuahuas can easily become problem barkers, I never encourage owners to teach their Chihuahuas to bark to go outside. You can teach the dog to ring a bell when he needs to go out. Hand a string with a couple of bells on it from the doorknob where you want your dog to nose it and lick it. When the bell rings, open the door, take your dog outside, praise him, and give him the treat. Repeat this training three or four times per training session for several days. When he makes the association and rings the bell on his own, praise him enthusiastically as you let him out.




HOW A CRATE CAN HELP :D

Originally built as travel cages, crates have become a very popular and valuable training tool. A crate can help you house break your Chihuahua by confining him to a small place during the night and for a few hours during the day. Because he doesn't want to soil his bed, he'll develop bowel and bladder control.

The crate is also a good training tool to prevent problems from occurring. It's very easy for a tiny dog to sneak off behind the sofa to releive herself, so when you cannot watch her, instead of letting her get into trouble, put her in her crate for a little while. The crate can also prevent your dog from getting into the trash cans or the kids' toys or from chewing up your slippers. When your dog is prevented from getting into trouble, she's also prevented from learning bad habits. As she grows up, she can gradually be given more freedom, but not until she's mentally and emotionally grown up --at least two years old.

As you use the crate, it will become your dog's special place. He can retreat to it for a nap when the house is quiet or when he doesn''t feel good. He can hide his favorite toys in his crate or chew on a special rawhide there. It becomes his special place; his refuge.

Many first-time dog owners initially have a problem with the concept of confining their dogs, comparing the crate to a jail cell. But dogs are den animals. In the wild, wolves and coyotes give birth in a a den, burrow, or cave, and the pups are confined there until their mother thinks that they're old enough to venture out. Most mother dogs are the same way and prefer to give birth in a quiet, secure spot.

Introduce your chihuahua to the crate by propping the door open (so it cannot close accidentally) and tossing a treat inside.

Let your dog go in after it and come back out. when she goes in after the treat, tell her, "Sweetie, go to bed!" Over the next few days, offer her a meal or two in the crate, still with the door open, and place the dish far inside so that she has to step inside to eat.

The best place for the crate is in your bedroom. A crate for a Chihuahua is very small, so you can put it just about anywhere. Maybe it will fit under your nightstand right next to your bed. When your dog can sleep right next to you, he can hear you and smell you all night long. Even though you're not actively doing anything together, he's spending time with you--and with today's busy schedules, that's a definite plus.

Don't exile your Chihuahua. Don't make her sleep in the laundry room or the garage. Chihuahuas need to be with their people. When they are exiled, behavior problems will result. Loneliness, anger, or frustration may lead to destructive behaviors such as barking, chewing, or digging.

Once your Chihuahua is used to his crate, he can spend the night in it and a few hours during the day. Try not to ask him to spend more than three to four hours* in the crate during the day. Because he's spending the night in it, he needs time during the day to play, exercise, and follow you around.
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*This is not necessarilly meant to be a 3 or 4 hour solid block in the crate. Make it so it fits your schedule and the puppies potty traing schedule throughout your waking day which could be 18 hours. When you look at it this way, 3 or 4 hours he spends in the crate is not a lot of time for training.


IS IT EVER TOO LATE?

Do you have a 4 year old Chihuahua who's not as well behaved as you would like? It's not too late; you can still train him. The downfall to beginning training later is that you then have to break old (bad) habits as well as teaching new behaviors. If you've ever tried to break a bad habit (for example, smoking), you know how hard it is to do. However, most Chihuahuas up to about seven years of age, can with patience and consistent training, learn to control most bad habits.

If your dog is more that seven to eight year old, your attempts to change bad habits will be much less sussessful. You can still teach new commands--the adage "You can't teach and old dog new tricks" is nonsense. However, a long-ingrained habit can be very difficult to stop. With an older dog, your efforts would be better served by trying to prevent the problem from occurring rather than trying to change her behavior.


CHOOSING THE RIGHT CRATE

I recommend the plastic crates for Chihuahuas. These are solid-sided crates (rather than the open-wire ones) and provide the dog with a lot more security. You want a crate that's big enough for your dog to stand up in, turn around, and lie down comfortably when she's full grown. For most Chihuahuas, a cat crate (one big enough for a normal housecat) works just fine.

Don't get a bigger crate thinking that you're doing your dog a favor by giving him more room. If he has too much room in the crate, he will relieve himself in one corner or in the back and still have room to get away from it. He will not develop the bowel and bladder control you want. Training wil progress much more quickly if you get a crate just big enough and no bigger.

If you have questions, or need help while crate training, feel free to post a question.


more information on crate training...

http://www.animed.org/dogs_crate_training_tips.htm

[aliciatobytaco]

Thank you so much Roman's Mom for posting this!!!!!!!
I have been having major crate problems with Taco lately so this reaffirmed what i know the problem is now. He has a wire crate that is way to big! Over the weekend Taco decided he was going to pee and poop in the crate!! I'm talking major poops and pees , not accidents.
This morning he did the same thing!!! Do you think he is doing this because he thinks I will take him out if he goes to the bathroom in it? He cries all night wanting to get in the bed with me. He can't sleep with me, b/c his potty training needs more work! I wa about to pull my hair out!!!
ANyone got any advice????? :(

[Romans Mom]

Hi Alicia, I'm glad you like this advice as much as I do. I don't know what I would have done without it. :D And now I'm going through a "refresher course to get ready for Bailey." :D

Here's the things I would check:

His schedule might need to be changed
if he's too cold if he has to go outdoors
and like you mentioned, his crate is too big for potty training properly and needs a smaller one for crate training.

I think Taco might just have to go potty a little earlier, or a little later than usual for some reason and may have to be taken out at that time, placed on his puppy pad or outside. Then put right back in the crate.

Roman cried in his crate, so I placed him on my nightstand or chair, so when he cried, I put my finger in the crate. It's OK to comfort them and let them know you're right there. I hope this answer you question. Let us know how it goes, and If I come across any more, I'll post it. :D

[Bentley's Mommy]

Barb.

This is such wonderful information. Expecially for a new Chi puppy owner like myself.

This site is wonderful. I appreciate all of the good advise, new friendships and enjoyable stories.

[mypepsee]

HEY BARB!!! I just found all this potty training info. And I'm *VERY* glad cuz you know how my 3 guys have been in several homes til I get my new place and that too.....I'm sure they will now be totally confused now just *WHERE* to go potty. I figure when we are finally settled in a new home that I might have to start from scratch for potty training...oh I'll tell you I have some friends who trained their Chi's to use a LITTER BOX!!!!!!!!!! I'd LOVE to try that......and since my guys are all adults I bet they'd learn quick!! :w00t:

[Bren75]

Thanks for posting this! Anyone have weewee pad advice? I am doing weewee pads. So far its 50 / 50 with kiwi and the pads... sigh. It may be the kitchen is too big where I let her out to play. When in the crate her bed and food are up front and the wee pad is in the back. She is good about doing ti on the right place when in there so there is hope I suppose.

[Bren75]

ugh, feeling fustrated. Kiwi is about 50/50 on potty training.... she'll squat next to her potty pad at times.... WHY?

[debradaniellee]

Nala does that too... but I figure...she has the right idea. Sometimes she doesn't quite hit the pad tho. I guess you should worry about it if she is going all the way across the other side of the room....

[2Chiwawa]

Brenda, you are right. Kiwi needs a smaller area when she is out. They do learn to zero in on the pad. Though Sammi Girl will pee right on the edge of the pad holder tray. Yuck. I use many Clorox Wipes in my house.

[Bren75]

I always feel bad and like to let her run .. but I realize smaller may be better. Gonna have to do something if we are to get this potty training down.

[2Chiwawa]

Smaller is better. She will learn more quickly and then you can let her run and run and run.

[kpet]

I was attaching 4 pads together and now we're down to 1. He's hold it when he's cooped up in the bathroom (even though there is a pad) and only uses the pads when my daughter and husband are home without me. I know exactly when to take him out but they can't seem to figure that out. He's definitely not just going when he feels like it anymore though and I'm sure that's because of age. 12 weeks today yay!

[Jemma's Mom]

I find what works for dogs that sometimes go just RIGHT next to the pad is to have a little tray hold the pad where they have to 'step in' to do their business. Jemma has one because after Laddy was added into our home, her potty skills were a tad bit messed up and she learned all the bad habits from him!

So, after making a few trips to different stores to check their Rubbermaid storage sections, I decided to make my own. I had some leftover coroplast from making my bunny's cage and just cut and tape. The sides aren't high at all, just enough so she has to step in to pee.

[Bren75]

newest issues:

Kiwi loves potty pads..... she'll take her food on them sleep on them!!! ACK! USes them sometimes
I've tried big space, small space, very small space, crate only space.......
This is soooooo not going well.
She'll poo on her sleeping bed or pee on it and still sleep on it.... I've made distinct areas for her so its not that its confusing.... but she pull the pad up and take it to her bed etc... (yes she's very much going through teeny years) I really feel like I have an out of control child! lol

She is very fiestyand sometimes I sware she's sassing me LOL and everything is about biting, running or playing so it could just be that she's a puppy and not wanting to train right now..

What else can I do?

Brenda

[Bren75]

ALSO another thing she has been doing is RIPPING the wee pad out of the tray!!! If the pad doesn't come out she'll jsut rip it up as is...... ARGH!!

She is such a BRAT... we've been calling her Brat-ZILLA! :twisted:

[kpet]

I wonder if changing pad brands would help.

[Bren75]

nope tried that

[ChrisNDesiree]

Thanks For The Tips...

Guess I should of read this before I posted my question..

Hee Hee!

[Ankhesenpaaten]

Hi! I just joined here. I've read all sorts of potty training hints and I get the idea but my puppy, Sherman, is confused about where to pee.
First off, I am trying to indoor train him as the frigid weather here in the winters will be WAY too cold for him to go outside. I am using pee pads and sometimes he uses them in his little penned in area. But when I put the pee pad outside of it and let him run around the room he won't use it. I keep catching him again and again squatting to pee and I stop him and take him to the pee pad but he jumps off of it and won't use it. We go around and around like this. He just won't go on it, even if it has a spot of his previous pee on it.
I don't know what to do to get him to understand me. Any suggestions?

[princess j]

Hi Ankhesenpaaten,

First of all, Welcome to the forum! We're glad to see you and hope you will post pics of your baby and share stories with us!
Bianca is now 8 months old and I was wanting to train her in a litterbox. First we started with paper, and there were times that she would go on the paper and times she wouldn't. That was the first thing I asked about when I joined this forum. I got a lot of great advice, which was keep them crated or penned, whatever the case may be. I finally got it, but by the time I got it, the cat had already taught her how to go in the litterbox.:). I am still no expert, but read some of the posts and have a little patience, and one day he'll surprise you! Again, welcome! I hope we hear from you a lot more! :headbang:

[Ankhesenpaaten]

Hi Princess J and thanks for the welcome. I'll certainly read thru this forum and get to know everyone. I just got my puppy and he is my first so I have much to learn. Of course I read up on chis before I got him but there is nothing like advice from other chi lovers! I have his pic in my avatar now so I'll have to go and look thru the puppy pics and stories section! :)
Now I'm off to supervise Sherman on another potty watching session...

[2Chiwawa]

Hi and welcome to Club Chi, Sherman is adorable. He will learn to go on the pads. How old is Sherman? When they are tiny they think everything is playtime even going pee on the pads. You have to be very patient but he will learn. Try to keep the pads in one place only and take him to that one spot when you see him squatting. He will become fixated on that one spot. Just play with him near the pads so he can make it back to the pads fast. Leave him in his pen at all other times unless you are supervising him.

Where are you from that it will be so cold in the winter? Welcome to the Club. My name is Faye and I have Sammi Girl who is seven years old and Happy Boy who is seven months old. They go on pee pads only. I do not walk them to poop or pee though we go out for exercise. They are good about going on the pads only. Good luck with your little Sherman.:flower:

[Bren75]

Kiwi goes on her pads most of the time but when she's out of her main area she doesn't ... and even when she's in her penned area she'll drag her potty pads into her sleeping bed too...... so I don't know.... Sometimes I think she's retarded..... Some days are better than others.... just hang in there.....

She's turning one here soon....
I hope there is light in the end of this tunnel but so far kiwi is still learning.....

[Ankhesenpaaten]

Hi and thanks for the welcome, Faye! I am Laura and Sherman is 12 weeks old and generally very good. I just worry about the potty training. Today is a typical day...he starts out pooping and peeing on the pad, then later he'll pee and poop on the floor a few feet away. I am getting better at catching him, but not quickly enough to get him to go on the pad. I can only catch him as he is doing his business, then I carry him over to the pad just seconds after the act. I don't know if he'll catch on to that or not. I hope so!
I live in the Chicago area so that is why I'm working on indoor potty training. I'd never forgive myself if he caught a cold in these harsh winters.

And, Brenda, I'm sure Kiwi isn't retarded! But she drags her pads into her bed??? Wow. Well, I have Sherman's taped to an old cookie sheet so maybe that's why he can't drag his!

[2Chiwawa]

Hi Laura, It gets very cold on Long Island too during the winter. I knew I was going to pad train Sammi and Happy. That is a good idea to tape the pads down to a cookie tray. Here is the pad system I use for Sammi Girl and Happy Boy that you might want to use when Sherman is bigger. http://www.inthecompanyofdogs.com/itemdy00.asp?c=&T1=D15120&SKW=+pads&PageNo=1

The pads are more expensive than puppy training pads because they have a gel layer inside that is very very absorbent. The system is for adult dogs. The tray has two parts. One part locks down over the pad to hold it in the tray and there is a deep groove in the bottom part that holds any pee that the pad can't hold. I have gone with this because I don't walk them outside at all. They do all their business on two of these trays that I put side by side. I have two other trays that I keep ready with clean pads so I can just swap the trays every morning.

I bought the trays online at In The Company Of Dogs. They come with a few pads to get you started but I found the pads on the Target website for much much less. They only sell the pads online not in the Target stores. They are called Pawtrax Pads. Target has packs of 50 pads for $20.00 In The Company Of Dogs only sells 30 pads for $20.00

I also use Pooch Pads and Oops Pads under the trays because I have wood floors. These are washable pads like hospital bed pads that you launder and use again. They catch any pee that doesn't make it onto the pads in the trays. I can give you links if you are interested.

[Bren75]

I had a tray thing I bought at petco remembet that thing... kiwi would just rip the pads out of it... or til the pads would rip...... whats her issue do you think? I stopped using it due to that...... She behaves most of the time.... I think its mostly puppiness..... yet.... she has and is getting better. I think she's just "high needs" but my husband says its cause she's a spoiled brat! LOL

[2Chiwawa]

Hi Brenda, Happy rips the pads up when I am at work. He leaves them alone when I am home. Some days he does not rip them at all. But I don't walk except for exercise so I have to go with the pad system.

[Bren75]

Glad to hear she's not the only one..... I do have to say its gottne less and less... She was worse a few months back if you all recall.
She hwas been doing pretty good for the most part.... lately

She's an indoor only dog so pads are my only option too...
I do take her outside sometimes but mainly she's indoors only.....
I still can't give her full run of the downstairs so she's limited to her area still :( but maybe in time.... she is only gonna be 1 :)

[Ankhesenpaaten]

Thanks for the suggestion, Faye! I just bought the tray you mentioned from Petco tonight. It looks great and so far Sherman isn't trying to rip out the pad! It sure beats the heck out of taping on the cookie sheet every day. : )

Well, he's pooped and peed on it once already so at least he's accepted it in his space.

For another question for all you chi experts here (I'm such a noob) I read up on basic training such as how to begin training your pup to sit, stay, and lie down. I am working on him with "sit" and it is going all right, but my biggie that I want to teach him is to come when called. How do I go about doing that? I still haven't read all the posts in this forum yet so if I missed this I'm sorry!

[2Chiwawa]

Good luck with the tray. I wipe mine down with Clorox wipes when I put in a new pad.

[Ankhesenpaaten]

Heh, thanks! Sherman likes his tray just fine, it seems. He hasn't even tried to pull up the pad lately. He uses it when he is near it, otherwise he still piddles on the floor. He is just so hard to catch in the act.
However, my hubby and I take every evening to watch him like a hawk and we are getting him to the tray more often and make a big deal of it and give him a nice treat when we see him go on it. Hopefully one of these times Sherman will really make the connection and go there all the time. Or at least most of the time!
It seems he is "shy" about going in front of us. I think that may be why he is so quick and sneaky. We don't yell at him when he has an "accident" as we are trying hard to be very positive about the whole thing. Anyway, how can we get mad at such a cute face? : )

[2Chiwawa]

I am so glad the tray worked out. I also believe in postive reinforcement. Yelling at them just confuses them. I gave my first puppy a dab of Nutrical vitamin gel as a treat for going on the pad. It comes in a tube and is a healthy way to give a treat. She figured out that when ever she went on the pad she got this treat. What ever is Sherman's fav treat should eventually do the trick. Be patient.

[Ankhesenpaaten]

We will be patient! I read back what I wrote and it looks as if I said I am not patient with Sherman but am trying to be. I am patient and really don't mind his accidents. It is not a bit deal, but of course pad training would be great and it will allow us to grant him more freedom in the house.
I read somewhere (I don't recall where) that someone said that sometimes males don't pad train well until they are neutered. Does anyone know if that is true? I'd never heard of such a thing. Well, Sherman won't be neutered for another month or so, but since he does use his pad in his "area" I know he will catch on eventually.
Oh the irony...he just peed on the floor as I was typing this! Okay, out with the paper towel and vinegar! : )

Oh...I remember Nutrical! He does love that! I'll try that for an incentive, thanks!

[2Chiwawa]

My Happy Boy learned to use his pads before he was neutered. He was on the verge of marking just before I had him neutered. He was 5 pounds so they did it before he was a full 6 months old.

[Fleaweeda]

I feel like a meany. I am making Izzee go outside. No Pads. I have 2 other dogs that go outside. One is the Mutant Chi. I shovel a path out the back door and that where they will go. Izzee is quite a bit smaller at this point. She is doing very well with no pads. We still have issues to work out, but she is doing very well. This morning I made her stay out in the mist( me included) until she went potty. I kept telling her over and over go potty. She watched the other 2 go in and then she finally went. I feel so mean.:cry:

I know a lot of you use the pads or litter train. I just don't want the other 2 to think its okay to go in the house.

Flea:grin:

[2Chiwawa]

Oh if I lived in a house with a yard I would probably have trained them to go outside except in the coldest winter weather. I live in a second floor apartment that has no yard so I went with the pads. There is more pee pee and poopy than I imagined there would be sometimes :shock:. That's when I sort of wish they knew to go outside but in the coldest or hottest weather I am glad I don't have to walk them. And of course, if they go outside, there is no eating it opportunities.

[Ankhesenpaaten]

I have considered training Sherman to go outside but inside would not only be more convenient for us all, he is also marking a lot (at least I think that's what he is doing) and even taking him outside does not stop him from doing that. Also, I am a housewife so I can pick up his poop and change his pee pad as often as needs be. Plus he currently HATES being outside. I hope to change that, tho.

[Fleaweeda]

Hey, what ever works. I am basicly home through the day, I drive school bus. My mom tried to litter train her dog, not good. So now the dog goes in on a rug in her sunroom. My other two go outside, so she has role models to follow which helps out a lot.

Flea

[RyleighsMommy]

So I have been really really studying and following all that advice other people have been given about potty training their Chi's but mines problem is that he will pee 4 or 5 times right in a row. Ryleigh has been pretty good about only going outside but even if he goes and we wait ten minutes outside he will still come in and pee a few more times. HELP?! My Fiancee is getting really frusterated!:cry:

[Bren75]

when you bring him in are you putting him in a small area / back in his crate area? do you use any potty pads in the house?

[Ankhesenpaaten]

Ryleigh's Mommy, how is it going with your baby? When I first joined here I have to admit that I was skeptical about being able to teach my Sherman to go potty in the right place. Now, I am only indoor training him, so I was really worried. He is now about 17 weeks old and the folks here were right. He is doing SO much better. We kept rewarding and praising him when he did his business on his pee pad (are you using those?) and now he is really making the connection that when he goes there he gets a nice liver treat. At first it helped us to keep him in his small area for awhile. We bought one of those doggie flexible cages so his area is not too small, but he uses his pee pad tray almost all the time now. He has a few near misses but that's okay. With time and patience Sherman is really coming along.
How long have you had your baby? If you told us and I forgot, I'm sorry. I think she may just need time to get comfortable in your home. We had Sherman about 3 weeks before he started peeing more and more on his tray (instead of around it but sort of close) and after a few more weeks I hardly see him have any accidents. Of course we still don't give him TOO much freedom without a belly band because he seems to want to mark "new" territory, but for the most part he is now coming along so nicely that I am just so pleasantly surprised. Everyone here said to just wait and one day Sherman would surprise me. Well, that day has finally come!
Just keep trying with Ryleigh and I'm sure she will soon surprise you as Sherman has surprised me. And don't underestimate the power of a really delicious treat! I swear Sherman would sell his own momma for a liver Pro-Treat! : )
Your baby may be excited and her bladder still a little weak. Sherman still piddles a few times in a row but now on the pee pad. Of course I still treat him even if it is only a few drops. Your Ryleigh probably doesn't know her bladder is not empty after one tinkle and is still excited and then finds herself having to go again.
Please keep us informed and feel free to ask any of the pros here questions!

[KRS1000]

Hi! I am ne here, and I just bought a baby chihuahua Monday night (10-28) she is 8weeks old, which I have just after purchasing her learned is not old enough... but I have already done the damage...SO....
she is having issues sleeping in her crate... she will whine ALL night long... I know not to get her out, because that only teaches her to whine to get what she wants, but sometimes, I get her out to use the potty pads, so she doesnt have an accident. How long do you think it will take to get over the whining issue?

Also... I tried using her crate to conviently use as her bed and potty.. leaving one area for sleeping, and another for pottying. So she got used to doing this the first two nights of owning her, but she was also peeing and pooping pretty much where ever it dropped. Realizing how messy this was, I wanted to change her method- which I did last night. I have her using a litter box with a weewee pad in it. I correct her AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE about going in her bed, and also sectioned her crate off so she can only have enough room to comfortably sleep in. Did I already cause damage? or do you think that she will catch on because she is so young and impressionable? Also... about how long should I give her on this method before she SHOULD be catching on to it? also... I have been considering outside pottying- can anyone tell me what they've had the best luck with?????
oh and by the way... Her name is Daisy!!!!

thank you!

[2Chiwawa]

Hi, welcome to Club Chi. Your little chi is very young but if you are gentle and patient with her she will eventually learn to love and trust you and if you make any mistakes you and she will be able to correct them together later on based on trust.

I am no expert on crate training or pottying so I will let others help you out here.

You sound a little scared because your baby is so young and new. I felt the same way with my first chi.

The one hint I can give you is that very gentle reprimands in a quiet voice are best so that your chi will learn to listen to you without being afraid of you. Then use positive reinforcement when ever your chi does something right. Tiny treats, little bits of cheese, and praise get more results than negative reinforcement.

[KRS1000]

Thank you!... can I give her cheese then? I was wondering what type of treats to give her... since most treats, even training treats are too big for rewards for good behavior.... she is only 14 ounces, and I dont want to ruin her meals!!!! :) she is, in my opinion, without any proper treatment, the best dog I've ever seen! :D.... she is friendly with EVERYONE!, plays anytime anywhere, loves sweaters, and even going to the vet! :D... I am glad that I am getting advice already!! thanks again! I hope to hear some more soon!

http://http://s12.photobucket.com/albums/a245/ratloverkoobie/?action=view&current=aaadaisy.jpg

[princess j]

Hi and welcome! I am also no expert on potty training, but it just takes repetition on what ever you do. They will have mistakes, but one day they will surprise you and do what they are supposed to do. I have trained Bianca to go in a litterbox. I love the fact she goes in the box because for one, scoopable litter lasts a long time and we tried potty pads and all she wanted to do was play with them. She caught on one day watching the cat go to the bathroom in the litterbox, and after the cat climbed out, Bianca jumped in a did her business. I praised her to high heaven!! Although now she does a little dance every time she goes to the bathroom and expects a treat. That day she went in the litterbox, was the end of her accidents. Just be patient. It'll come. Good luck and hope to hear more from you!! :)

[2Chiwawa]

Well first of all, Daisy is adorable.

Here are some ideas for treats: teeny tiny bits of cheese, crushed up dog biscuits, teeny tiny cut up bits of baby carrots. But because she is so small I would make these bits as small as possible.

I broke up biscuits and had them ready when I was doing training. I had a few bits ready in my pocket all the time.

You can also buy Nutrical and put a bit on your finger for Daisy to lick off whenever you want to reward her.

I'm sure others here will have more suggestions.

[OceanaRain]

Hi, I just joined. I have a 12 week old female, & I am lost in the training!! I have only had her for 3 days & she is peeing & pooping everywhere. I am trying the pee wee pad, I live in Michigan & it is just so cold here. but every time I put her on the pad she just jumps off it.

[KRS1000]

I am soooo happy! Daisy is doing so much better!... but it seems like I am the only one that she behaves correctly for!

I have her going outside, and since then there have been no mistakes for me, but when I go to work, I have my boyfriend take care of her, and she seems to have accidents... seems like somebody cant read puppy body language or something! :) I am so happy, oh and for the post above mine, I live in MI also, and I think the cold helps her to get her business done, and once she finishes, I pick her back up and we rush inside and cuddle to warm her up quickly!
I think everything will turn out OK!!!...what a relievement!

[2Chiwawa]

Hi OceanaRain, when you put her on the pad give her a teeny tiny treat right a way. She will associate the treat with the pad and know the pad is special.

Be patient and consistent and you will see improvement.

[momo2chlo]

The best potty training that has always worked for me is taking my new puppy to bed with me and everytime it wakes up i run it outside and say lets go pee pee, so they always associate that for later. I use the crate during the day when im gone half with puppy pad other half their bed. Then once i know they use the pad i let them be free in the house and leave a puppy pad as a backup if they need to go. This just always works for me. At first your very tired, but its so worth it in the end. Now when i say lets go pee pee all my dogs run to the door....lol. When not in bed though i do like lots of people have said, each time they get up from a nap or walk around alot or just every hour i take them out. I have 8 babies right now and their new owners will be so lucky because i have already started them on puppy pads so they will be trained by the time they are ready to go to their new homes. I have started them on puppy pads as soon as they turned 3 weeks old and were more mobil. Its been only two days now and they are doing great already with them. Yippie!

[Stella Baby]

I trained stella to use her pee pads with Cheerios. Every time she used the pad she got a cheerio and they are low fat and you can just keep them in a baggie close by. I would take her to her pad in the beginning and tell her to go potty, if she didn't I'd watch over her and take her back every few minutes till she did. Then she'd get the cheerio. It only took a few days. Although I must say it took some time to get her aim. Now she has the run of the first floor and goes to her pee pad on her own. If I see her go I still give her the cheerio but only if I see her going. "Knock on wood" no more accidents!! Stella is the first dog I've had that has used pee pads. To much snow and she is just to small to out. My yorkie Mia, goes outdoors and doesn't seem to mind that stell goes indoors.
I taught Stella to come when I call in five minutes with a cheerio, now she always comes even though I don't give her a cheerio for that anymore.

[2Chiwawa]

I like the idea of the Cheerios. Happy needs to learn to come immediately when I call him. He recently learned to go right into his crate with treats as incentive.

[Chihuahua_mama]

I had a tray thing I bought at petco remembet that thing... kiwi would just rip the pads out of it... or til the pads would rip...... whats her issue do you think? I stopped using it due to that...... She behaves most of the time.... I think its mostly puppiness..... yet.... she has and is getting better. I think she's just "high needs" but my husband says its cause she's a spoiled brat! LOL


Brenda, I also use potty pads with the trays. As for tearing up the pads. I have found that even though they use the pad, it sometimes gets damp on the tray. If the tray isn't wiped clean everytime I change the pad, they dig until the pad is shredded, trying to get to the tray. A quick wipe with a clorox wipes on the tray before putting a new pad down seems to help the destruction impulses.

[gheetam]

Hi all

I am new here and its absolutely great that there a website just for chis. Thank you!

I have a adorable four month + chi who still have not been toilet trained. I am now leashing him to a corner so he learns to do his poos and pees in one place. I am using the newspaper and tray (nobody in the forum seem to be doing this!) He seem to pee correctly but pooing he does not seem to want to do it on the newspaper. Anyone can advice me why Jethro (that's his name) do this?

We have tried the other methods. Crate training - he does it where he sleeps - probably because he used to confine places. We tried litter box (as we have a cat) but its too far for Jethro and cant hold. Finally we just let him loose, watching for any signs and promptly picking him when he has to go, but that was so fustrating as there are so many accidents!


I do hope this method works out as I hate seeing him leashed like that. We do play with him and then tie him back. Suprisingly, in the night - there are no accidents - he sleeps with me in the bed and in the morning when I put him on the tray with the newspaper - he does it properly.

Any advice is welcomes as I really want Jethro to roam around the house as he pleases as long as he knows where to go relieve himself!

Thanks so much

Esther :-|

[gheetam]

:-|Hi all

I am new here and its absolutely great that there a website just for chis. Thank you!

I have a adorable four month + chi who still have not been toilet trained. I am now leashing him to a corner so he learns to do his poos and pees in one place. I am using the newspaper and tray (nobody in the forum seem to be doing this!) He seem to pee correctly but pooing he does not seem to want to do it on the newspaper. Anyone can advice me why Jethro (that's his name) do this?

We have tried the other methods. Crate training - he does it where he sleeps - probably because he used to confine places. We tried litter box (as we have a cat) but its too far for Jethro and cant hold. Finally we just let him loose, watching for any signs and promptly picking him when he has to go, but that was so fustrating as there are so many accidents!


I do hope this method works out as I hate seeing him leashed like that. We do play with him and then tie him back. Suprisingly, in the night - there are no accidents - he sleeps with me in the bed and in the morning when I put him on the tray with the newspaper - he does it properly.

Any advice is welcomes as I really want Jethro to roam around the house as he pleases as long as he knows where to go relieve himself!

Thanks so much

Esther :-|

[princess j]

:-|Hi all

I am new here and its absolutely great that there a website just for chis. Thank you!

I have a adorable four month + chi who still have not been toilet trained. I am now leashing him to a corner so he learns to do his poos and pees in one place. I am using the newspaper and tray (nobody in the forum seem to be doing this!) He seem to pee correctly but pooing he does not seem to want to do it on the newspaper. Anyone can advice me why Jethro (that's his name) do this?

We have tried the other methods. Crate training - he does it where he sleeps - probably because he used to confine places. We tried litter box (as we have a cat) but its too far for Jethro and cant hold. Finally we just let him loose, watching for any signs and promptly picking him when he has to go, but that was so fustrating as there are so many accidents!


I do hope this method works out as I hate seeing him leashed like that. We do play with him and then tie him back. Suprisingly, in the night - there are no accidents - he sleeps with me in the bed and in the morning when I put him on the tray with the newspaper - he does it properly.

Any advice is welcomes as I really want Jethro to roam around the house as he pleases as long as he knows where to go relieve himself!

Thanks so much

Esther :-|

Welcome to the forum Esther! We're glad you've joined CC!
I'm no expert on potty training, and I know it took Bianca a while to figure out where to go potty. She had LOTS of accidents. we trained her to the litter box because of where we live. Too much in the way of wildlife to let her go out on her own to potty. One day she just got it. I think she was about 7 months old before she stopped having accidents. I'm sure there are others who would be more able to help you. I did want to welcome you. And we always welcome pictures! Lots of them!:)

[zealot]

Hi Esther

Welcome to CC! We are glad to have you and your baby aboard.

I used newspaper to train my babies, its fairly inexpensive here and the peepads were shredded.
With Gordy i got him from the breeder pre trained, but he still missed with the poos that ended up wherever he felt like it. it took him a while and lots of patience from our side before he got it right, then we got a second, she was not trained at all and Gordy started to poop wherever again... nightmare.

what worked for me, it the praise reward system. when he gets it right go bananas for him, "good boy" "smart baby" and treat him with something he really likes.
also never clean all the paper , always leave some of him scent on a piece of it, so he knows where to go back to.
remember that they wont get it right so we have to help them get it right, then praise the heck outta them! never punish him for having an accident (they see your anger as encouragement and not as you being upset, and it only makes them go in the wrong place again). always put him away when you are cleaning his accidents, he shouldnt see you, when he sees it he is assuming you are enjoying yourself and that he is making you happy.
and persistence is key.

Good luck and let us know how it goes!

[Crackers Mom]

HI and welcome!!

I paper trained (pee pads) Crackers, it took a lot of patience and awards when he did good. But as of now I would say he is 90% trained on his pee pads. I too have to much wildlife around my house to let him out. Everytime he went on his bad I gave him a training treat which seemed to work. Good luck!!

[gheetam]

Thanks so much for your comments and for such a nice welcome! I did not know that I should not clean his accidents infront of him - Is that why I had hard time!! Sigh!

This morning Jethro went to the newspaper try all by himself and peed and few minutes later pooed at the correct place. You can bet I was so happy.

What kind of treats can you give a puppy. I have some biscuits (forgot the name) which I break in into small pieces and give it to him - he has not made the connection yet - that this a reward.

I will upload the photographs as you soon as I figured how to do it!

Cheers!

[2Chiwawa]

Hi and welcome. You can use teeny tiny little pieces of cheese as a treat. :)

[zealot]

Thanks so much for your comments and for such a nice welcome! I did not know that I should not clean his accidents infront of him - Is that why I had hard time!! Sigh!

This morning Jethro went to the newspaper try all by himself and peed and few minutes later pooed at the correct place. You can bet I was so happy.

What kind of treats can you give a puppy. I have some biscuits (forgot the name) which I break in into small pieces and give it to him - he has not made the connection yet - that this a reward.

I will upload the photographs as you soon as I figured how to do it!

Cheers!

Hi

Yes cleaning his accidents in front of him is like rewarding him for pooping or peeing there. He sees the effort you put into cleaning it, how upset you are about it and he thinks he did a good thing (remember that any reaction, even bad is attention and he likes that).

As for treats, cheese works well, carrots work well (cut into small pieces) or go to you local petstore or specialty pet store and purchase some, the assistant can advise you which are best.

Good luck

as for photos, try using photobucket to upload them and then the img code at the bottom of the picture to put the image on your post.

XOXOX
Lee-Anne, Gordy and Nooshie

[Brianne]

WOOHOO!!! I'm so proud of Maddy and Tanner!!! I've always lived on the top floors of my apartments, so have always used pads for Maddy and Tan to do their business on. Since we moved into our house, and the weather is better, I have started trying to get them to go outside, and thought I would have problems with Maddy catching on. It's only been a month, and she will litterally cry at the door to let her out now!!! They have hardly used their pads at all...even when we're at work, they're waiting till we get home!!! I'm SO excited!!! Just wanted to share!

[zealot]

oh wow Brie! thats amazing... you got some seriously smart kids there! Congratz to Maddy and Tanner!

Kisses to them both on a job well done!

[Brianne]

Thanks Lee-Anne!
I think training with treats definetly helped!!!
I'm so happy...Maddy's been using pad's inside for 3 years now...so I really didn't think we'd have luck training her outside!

[zealot]

i am so glad to hear it.
i think treats are a definite sure fire.

all the professional trainers i have spoken to here all say that treating them works wonders...

[monikers01]

Well i just got a new puppy about 3 days ago and he is about 2 months old. i am trying to potty train him and wow its been tough. i have the little wee pads and sometimes he will use them on there and some times not. i live in an apartment right now and its been hard because he is peeing everywhere and im like "no" :( and the wee pads are in the restroom and in the kitchen, i dont know if im confusing duke or not. he will pee just like it says on the top blog, when he wakes up , after he eats , etc. but he sure is taking a long time to learn, when we leave we put up a doggy gate in the restroom and we come back and he uses the wee pads perfectly, but when hes loose he sure doesnt...i dont know i feel like im doing something wrong, or am i trying to hard to soon?

[Brianne]

Congrats on your new baby, and welcome to CC! I'm Brie!
It defenitly takes time, and patience while training.
When I brought my Maddy home, I was in an apartment as well, and I started off with the pee pads right in my main room, always visible and accessable to her. Gradually, I moved it closer and closer to the place where I actually wanted to keep them (I read this in the "Chihuahua's for Dummies" book!) It seemed to help in my training process!
Always keep an eye on him too, and watch for the signs he has to go!

Good luck, he'll get there soon!!!

[2Chiwawa]

8 weeks is very young. You might want to keep your baby confined to a small area even when you are home. This way they have no choice but to use the pad. You can take them out and play while you keep a close eye on them. If you see them giving any signals that they are ready to pee you put them back in the area where the pad is. When they pee you give lots of praise and then a small treat. They will learn that when they pee on the pad they get a treat. I used NUTRICAL as a treat. I would praise and then let them lick a little off my finger. If you praise them every time they use the pad you will not have to say NO so often. If they do miss, you say no and then put them on the pad. It more about keeping them in a smaller area than letting them out in the whole apartment and treats. Good luck.

Welcome to Club Chi and we love to see pictures here. :)

[gheetam]

Hi ! I have good new! Finally!

Jethro has finally mastered his toilet training just as he is turning into six months old. There were no accidents for the past two weeks - he is not doing on rugs either! Yippee!

[2Chiwawa]

That is great news! What a good boy. :)

[Aniska]

Ok...so Dudley is 16 weeks tomorrow and had had NO training up to the point where we got him...The keeping him in a small area is a great idea...He's had the whole downstairs to run in with me chasing him since we picked him up on Friday..
i'm wanting to litter box train him with the cat...I just put him in the mudroom/laundry room that has the litter box and so I'm hoping he see's Jack do his thing.
My biggest concern is his whining cause he can't be with the family when he's in there. will that stop???
We have 2 year old twins who haven't started potty training yet...I have a feeling they are going to be easier...(sigh)

I'm glad to have my chichi, but I feel totally confused about what to do with him now....

[zealot]

HI Aniska

Welcome to CC.
It is very possible to litter trai him, and although his breeder should have starte dhim on potty training, its not too late.
Having the cat show him how its done will help, I am sure.

The whining will stop. you have to ignore it for now, tough love is always hard. And we just want to rush to them and snuggle them, but if you want him to learn then you have to persevere.

Remember to give him tons of praise when he gets it right. And treating is a good idea too.
They will see what you like and they will repeat it. so keep at it.

Good luck!

[Aniska]

thanks for the welcome :) i'm sooo glad ifound you guys!!!

i know having him in his "area" is best for all of us...mostly my sanity...he sounds so sad...LOL course if the girls would quite howling at him and getting him going...I think they are having a contest to see who can be loudest and most annoying....

Now...what about his jumping and nipping?? his nickname is jumping dudley bean...I have been trying to redirect his chewing and nipping...but i'm afaid he is going to nip a little too hard and frighten the girls...

[zealot]

well it is best to nip the nipping in the bud early. you can try putting yucky things (at least yucky to him) on your sleeves and pant legs or hands and arms (wherever he is biting), i would say try eucalyptus oil or citronella oil or even some vinegar. He will bite you and see it tastes bad. or if you cant then at least have a chew toy nearby, so that when he bites, stop him and give him the toy. you have to show him that people are not for biting, toys are. Also socialising him well is important, have guests touch him and spend time rubbing him and touching his whole body. Right from the inside of his ears to inbetween his toes. also touching him while he is sleeping is good for his temprement, he will learn that humans do this, they touch me when i am awake when i am asleep. He will be less likely yo snap at anyone if he learns to trust people.

as for the jumping a sharp no is good and when he is down give him encouragement/praise and a treat. teach him that being down is good. Ignoring him while he is jumping is a good thing too, he will learn that he has to get attention by being well behaved as apposed to being rowdy and nippy.

I hope this helps *wow that was long winded*...

glad you found us too!

[serg_pam]

Hi. Hope everyone is having a good day today. I have a question. From Monday to Friday i am and so is Chuey are at my parents house, then friday night to Monday afternoon my dog is at my boyfriend's (so am i but I go to work on Monday morning). we are in the process of potty training him (he is 2 mos and a wk old). is it ok that he goes back in forth between my parent's and my boyfriend's house? or should i train him in just one house for now? I mean he is doing good in both houses there is no problem there.

Also he growls and gets so mad when we put a collar/leash on him or wipe him with wipes when he pees or poops. how do you break him from that? Cutting his nails is very hard, i pretty much have to wait for him til he is really asleep or it takes for me and my boyfriend to do it together and he is a small dog.

Just want to hear some ideas from you guys. This is my first puppy (my own that is) that i have to train. Thank you very much for all your help.