Puppy Toilet Training
Toilet Training My Puppy -Help?
Hello
I am at lost cause !! I have a 5 month old chihuahua named lexi and she is absolutley wonderful but she isn’t learning to go to the toilet outside, she loves going on soft things .. for example if i have just got out of the shower and dropped my towel on the floor for literaly 2 seconds .. she’ll jump on and wee…!!
I have used puppy training mats but now i have taken them away and im trying to get her into a routine.. im letting out in my garden when i wake up and then walking her when i get in from work.. then again letting her in the garden before i go to bed.. !! I dont know where im going wrong..!!
What age shoudl puppies be toilet trained – i know they all learn at different ages – but just an average age!!
Thanks!!
Hi, The Chihuahua presents some special problems because they hate the cold and many times will refuse to go outside, especailly one of my girls. Chihuahua’s are not fond of wind, rain, and the cold, . No matter what you do never use physical punishment on Lexi when you are housebreaking her, as that will just develop aggressive and negative behavior. Some people tell you to smack her bottom and rub her noise in the wee etc, this is wrong and should never be done. Lay some papers in a designated paper area away from the dog’s food, but a small area that the dog can easily get to.
Get your dog on a regular feeding schedule because this will reduce accidents. If you know when your dog eats then you will know when it needs to relieve itself and that can help immensely in the training. When Lexi has finished eating, or whenever you notice her doing, drinking water, take her to the papers. When lexi uses the papers praise her and make her understand that the papers are where it can go in the house and the only place that it is allowed to go to the loo. Lots of clever girl , etc, Keep an eye on your dog and its bathroom habits and when it looks like she has the hang of paper training then you can start slowly moving the paper area towards the door to the outside. Make sure you clean the papers regularly but leave some soiled paper there so they know that it is their spot. Start setting part of the paper spot under and outside the door and make the inside paper spot smaller. Soon lexi will realize that the inside spot is too small and will want to go outside.
When you want her to go to the paper, say lexi go wee wee and when she does lots of praise she will soon learn that wee on paper is a good thing and she gets lots of attention. Trying to get her to go out side will be harder now the weather has changed, take her out and stay with her, when she goes say go wee wee and again lots of praise, this way she will remember the words wee wee and good girl, so she will want to please you, therefore she will wee. If i remember right lexi is a smooth coat so she will find out doors colder than a long coat so try not to leave her out side to long, as she is still a puppy.
It is hard with some chihuahuas, but just remember lots of praise and when she does do it in the wrong place dont tell her off.
You mentioned she did it up stairs, now this is where people say different things, you should keep her in the kitchen or a room untill she understands that the paper is where she goes, therefore if she is up stairs she should no to walk to the kitchen for a wee, at this stage a 5 month of chi, will be so lost in a big house, she is small and feels she is living with giants. I would personally not let her upstairs until she is clean. Once she starts weeing upstairs you wont be able to get the smell out of the carpets and each time she smells her scent she will do it again, which will cause a problem, especailly if you get her a friend , then they will do it more to cover her scent up and leave there own.
You are doing well, dont give up. Hope this helps. you no where i am if you need any more help, all the best Maria.
Puppy Potty Training