Your little Chihuahua is just like a small baby who is not yet ready to learn the basics of life. Like most tiny babies, Chihuahuas were unable to hold on to their urine for long periods of time. So their first experiences of potty training were not smooth at all. If you don’t want to have to go through the same experience, you need to learn the proper way to potty train a Chihuahua.
Chihuahuas are creatures of habit and usually learn very quickly. This means that it is very important that you, as the owner, provide your Chihuahua with constant opportunities to be potty trained. This should happen every day.
If you have adopted this breed, I guess you’ve already known that – they are stubborn. Some people consider these little dogs not to be as nice as the other breeds, but they are actually loyal, affectionate and very protective of their owners. They don’t have the same habits as their larger cousins, so they need a bit more sternness than Yorkshire terriers when potty training them.
Chihuahuas can be trained to go outside or on piddle pads for potty, but they tend to be stubborn and selective about where they are going to do their business. This makes puppy potty training, a necessary task.
You should take her outside at least three times a day, especially if there are children in the house. If you fail to give your Chihuahua enough opportunities to empty her bladder on a regular basis, she will eventually develop the bad habit of soiling everywhere as she goes.
Constant repetition with your Chihuahua is the way in making sure that she learns her schedule. Your puppy probably won’t understand that you’re taking her out at seven in the morning until she gets used to going at such a specific time. Always remember to praise her when she goes potty outside. She will relate this to a good deed that she did and will be eager to repeat it.
You should also put her on a feeding schedule. Puppies that have been raised in small places or that have free feeding never really potty train. They are used to having a huge belly full of food and then wolf it all down until they have to go.
To prepare for your puppy’s potty training, you should feed her at the same time every day. This should be part of your training regimen. Do keep a close eye on her at mealtime.
You should also familiarize yourself with the signs that she needs to go to the bathroom. Watch for any signs such fussing, whining, running in circles or sniffing the floor.
It is inevitable that your little one will have accidents while she is still being potty trained. It is important that you do not punish him for accidents. Any negative response from you will only lead to a more difficult training down the road.
Instead, make sure to offer praise or rewards when she eliminates correctly. Your Chihuahua will learn what would be the appropriate behavior that will earn her a reward. This will help reinforce positive behavior and encourage her to continue doing these actions or behaviors. Chihuahuas respond to sound of their name, so use this to let them know they did a great job!
Do keep a close eye on her. She may be getting anxious because she is being separated from her family, so try to keep an eye on her during this time. If you think she may have an accident, pick her up immediately and take her outside to her designated spot for potty.
You may also want to have an adult to watch her while you are taking her outside because if your Chihuahua can see the person watching her, she is less likely to worry or mess up.
You must create a good relationship with your pet, and spend a good amount of time reinforcing her good behaviors. This is the essential step when you are potty training her or any other puppy behavior that you want.
When you reinforce a behavior, you make that behavior stronger. And that’s what you want when you are training your Chihuahua. You want her to remember the “right” behaviors every time and remove any undesirable behaviors.
Using a crate for potty training is another option that is widely used by many dog owners. This may not be an option for you if you are on a tight budget as crates can be somewhat expensive or you feel that it’s cruel to keep your loved one in the small cage.
Making use of puppy potty training pads is another alternative. These training pads are scented in such a way that your Chihuahua will instinctively choose the pad over the newspaper for his potty.
Remember, your Chihuahua is in a strange place without her mother or siblings to comfort and encourage her. In order to overcome this, you need to exhibit a steady, firm, and loving demeanor at all times.
Potty training a puppy does not have to be an arduous process. As long as you have the patience and give your Chihuahua enough positive reinforcement, you’ll be on your way to a long and happy relationship with your furry friend.