Q&A for How to Potty Train a Chihuahua

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  • Question
    Is it hard to train a Chihuahua?
    Pippa Elliott, MRCVS
    Veterinarian
    Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years.
    Veterinarian
    Expert Answer
    Chihuahuas are intelligent, strong-minded dogs that like to do their own thing. This can make them stubborn, earning them a reputation for being hard to train. However, reward-based training methods do appeal to a Chihuahua and there's no reason why they can't be trained to be obedient, just as with any dog.
  • Question
    How often should I take my Chihuahua out to pee?
    Pippa Elliott, MRCVS
    Veterinarian
    Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years.
    Veterinarian
    Expert Answer
    When training a Chihuahua puppy, you should take them to the toilet spot every 20-30 minutes. An adult Chihuahua has a bigger bladder capacity and can hold on for at least 4 hours. However, you may wish to offer breaks more frequently than this for the dog's comfort, say every 3 hours.
  • Question
    We have a 7 year old dog that was fully trained. We take her out at least every 3 hours and reward her with verbal praise. This last month have had close to 20 pooping accidents. Now we go outside every 2 hours. Help!
    Community Answer
    Sometimes it's just practice, practice, practice! But with verbal praise, try giving her a treat also. You could get a bell called Potty Bell to hang on your door so if she approaches the door to go outside, you will hear her.
  • Question
    Why does my two month-old puppy eat his feces?
    Community Answer
    Many dogs do this, and it's a habit easily c.f. corrected by training. Luckily, your puppy is at an ideal age to be broken of this habit.
  • Question
    My puppy still sneaks away to my dining room and will go under my dining room table. Why?
    Aaliyah Smith
    Community Answer
    This is maybe because he has gone there before, and knows the scent. Try blocking off said area, so your pup can't potty there. Put puppy pads out, away from that area.
  • Question
    I got my dog a flea collar, but he's still biting himself. What's the deal?
    OKcowgirl03
    Community Answer
    He could still be itching. Give the collar some time to kill the fleas. The skin will need time to heal after the fleas are killed as well.
  • Question
    I'm just starting on a 3-month-old teacup and it's winter, any ideas?
    Community Answer
    You can find cheap jackets and boots at Walmart/pet stores/online. Make sure to shovel a path for her.
  • Question
    We just got our puppy from a shelter at seven months old from a hoarding situation, so he is used to living in his own filth. What should we do?
    Community Answer
    Take him out very often, so he'll learn that is where you'd like him to go.
  • Question
    How long will it take to potty train my Chihuahua?
    Community Answer
    Every Chihuahua is a little different. The average length of time it takes to potty train a Chihuahua (or any puppy) is about three to four weeks.
  • Question
    My Chihuahua puppy will not do his business outside. He waits until we get back in the house to go. Why is this happening?
    Aaliyah Smith
    Community Answer
    He is most likely not used to going outside, and would rather go indoors because the scent of his feces is there. Try giving a treat to your pup when he goes outdoors. When you see him peeing or pooping on the ground indoors, yell, "no!" and pick him up and take him outside.
  • Question
    What should I do if I work night 12 hour night shifts?
    Community Answer
    Hire someone to look in on your dog in the evening and morning when you work. You can also ask a friend or neighbor to help.
  • Question
    My nine month-old Chihuahua is still not potty trained. What should I do?
    Community Answer
    Just follow the advice in this article and stick with it. These things take time, but it's never too late to train your dog.
  • Question
    What should I do if my chihuahua wants to potty anywhere but the pee pads?
    Community Answer
    Every time your chihuahua goes, stop him right away, say "No" loudly, and carry him over to finish on the pee pad. Hold him there until he continues to pee. You can also take a spray bottle and spray them whenever they do something "bad." If regular pee pads don't work, try the Glad ones. Also, if he does not pee when you carry him over to the pee pad, then just put him in the crate and take him out 15-20 minutes later and place him directly on the pee pad again to see if he will go.
  • Question
    How can I train my puppy to pee in its crate only?
    Community Answer
    If he sleeps in his crate, he will not want to pee there. You can try to buy a large crate and put a pee pad on half of it, but they typically will not want to go where they sleep.
  • Question
    What should I do to get my dog to like me more?
    Community Answer
    Try giving it more attention. If there are multiple people in your home, make sure you're the one that feeds it and walks it as much as possible.
  • Question
    How often should I change the potty pad?
    Community Answer
    The potty pad should be changed each time your dog uses it. If you're just beginning potty training, it's helpful to buy potty pads in bulk.
  • Question
    Can I let my dog out if it's a puppy and not had all the shots?
    Community Answer
    Only in your garden, not out in public until a week after its second shots, so please be patient.
  • Question
    I walk my one year old chihuahua every hour and the back door to my house is open 24 hours a day so he can come and go as he pleases, but he still does his business on my floor and sofa. What should I do?
    Community Answer
    My chihuahua potty trained with a cardboard box we cut down to 1/4 inch on all sides so he could easily step in and out, we used news paper, whenever he pooped we put the poop in the box along with him. He immediately left the box but the consistent repetition had him going to his box on his own in under a week. You may need to keep him in a smaller space (bedroom or laundry room until he learns that the box is where his bathroom is. If you have a large home try keeping a box in each room. When he gets older you can use a litter box as he will be able to jump over the higher sides but do not use litter. Newspaper with several layers helps keep the pee from reaching the cardboard bottom.
  • Question
    Where do I make my chihuahua's puppy pad spot?
    Community Answer
    One idea is maybe in the laundry room where you won't go too often and your dog will be familiar with.
  • Question
    My chihuahua is three and now decided to pee in my kitchen, dining room, and all over my living room. Why has he gotten worse?
    Community Answer
    Have there been any changes? Such as moving or a new baby or dog? if so, then he will need to get used to new things. If not, then when you are not around, confine him and start again and it should help.
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