Owning a Chihuahua is one of the most rewarding things anyone can experience but.. There is the issue of potty training which can be a little difficult given that most Chihuahuas are stubborn and a bit hyperactive. So they may have a hard time focusing on things you want to teach them.
When I first added Lulu to my household I had never owned a dog of my own so I had to play it by ear.As a condo owner, I didn't have a yard so that was going to be a big problem if I didn't show her where to go. My place is fully carpeted and I didn't want it to smell like pee. I read about crate training but after much thought and consideration I decided that wasn't an option for me. So, what to do?
I knew it was possible to train some dogs to use puppy pads, so that's what I decided to try. Growing up our family had a dog and we would put down newspaper which was a hit or miss then.Nowadays they sell puppy pads in all different sizes and quantities.
First, I made sure I took her out to pee in a grassy area outside as often as I could. That sometimes meant going out every two hours when I was at home, and waking up to walk her at 5am before she had a chance to even pee on the pads.
For the first three to four days I isolated Lulu in a room with some food, water and a two giant puppy pads when I was out. Although that worked, I didn't want to keep her locked in a bathroom all day while I worked so I gradually expanded the area so she could roam around my place.The shelter life is traumatic enough for a Chi. I put the puppy pads in my living room but she'd sometimes tear them up and drag them off the spot I had them on. I figured she was used to going on the grass,so I bought one of those artificial grass potty squares.You can find them at most pet stores or online and they range in price from $39-$200. I got the cheaper one and it worked fabulously!The first couple of times she wasn't sure what it was for so I showed her by placing a paper towel damp with the pee from one of her accidents. I was surprised at how well she took to it after just little encouragement.
OK, a lot of encouragement!
I waited until she was peeing on it and then I made a big fuss,"go pee pee" then "YAY, LULU GO PEE PEE!YIPPEE!GOOD GIRL!". Yes, and how proud she was of herself I tell you! She would kick those little feet up behind her and strut over to me to be petted. Then, I did the same thing when she went outside on the grass, except not as loud.
One vital tip I want to add, when you do find an accident or catch your Chi doing a no, no don't freak out and yell at them or scold them. If you do, you might confuse them and they might associate going pee any place as a bad thing. You should say, "NO", in a firm voice and pick your Chi up and put them on the pad or grass patch and say, "go pee pee".That way they learn what you do want.You can use treats as reinforcement at the beginning until they get it. The other thing is to make sure you clean the accident before it sets in.They sell several enzyme cleaners that remove odors and will prevent your Chi from reenacting the deed. Although this is a lot of work at first you will feel so rewarded when your little one learns where to go and you can relax and leave home without coming home to a smelly place. You also don't have to keep them caged up or isolated which helps prevent separation anxiety.
When I first left her alone all day while at work I didn't know what to expect when I walked in the door.I tried my best to come home in time for her number two time but sometimes that was not possible.What a relief it was to see her little presents were left on the grass patch instead of my carpet!All I had to do was pick it up with some toilet paper and flush.
To clean the fake grass patch I bought a pet safe cleaner from a pet store.It was especially made to clean but not deter my Chi from using it again. I also use puppy pads under the fake grass to make my clean up easier during the week.I bought a second one to use a replacement while the washed one dries out.
One last but wonderful thing I found out is, if you get a second dog the first one will do the potty training for you! When I adopted Jolie the Chi this year I thought I was going to have to do all that work again.But much to my amazement Lulu showed her what to do!She only had one small mishap on her first night with me and after that has used the grassy patch exclusively.Yay!Happy potty training to you and your Chi!
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