Some people feel that potty training a Chihuahua can be a difficult task. The truth is that Chihuahua potty training is no more difficult than it is with other breeds. But like any training, you have to be consistent and committed to the task at hand. Be patient, be dedicated, and you'll see a successful result. Just be sure to follow basic training guideline.
So how soon should you start. Some feel that this process should begin as early as 7 weeks. That is probably too young for you to have great success quickly. After all they just can't hold it that long and may have trouble understanding the meaning of your commands. However, that doesn't mean you shouldn't start that soon. You'll actually be laying the groundwork for faster success as he gets older. Just expect more accidents at this early age. It's not that your Chihuahua is being disobedient, he's just not capable of holding it until you want him to go. He'll still be learning, and a young pups mind can grasp things very quickly.
We generally prefer to begin this process by using a crate. Not too big so as to give him the freedom to go in one end then hide out in the other, but big enough to allow him to move. This will create his own personal space and dogs typically won't like to mess up their space. It's his instinct not to go in there. In that way, he'll learn control. Just be sure that when you take him out of the crate you immediately take him to the spot where you would like him to go. And of course, do it frequently.
Set this up on a schedule as much as you can. This makes the training go so much faster. If you're starting at a very young age, you'll actually have to wake up in the night to take him out, much like you would have to wake up to feed a crying baby. Take him out first thing in the morning, in the evening before bedtime, and after every meal. If you have a heavy play session, take him out after that as well. These are the times when he'll most likely feel the urge to go.
In addition to taking him out at scheduled times, communicate with him. Let him know what you expect. If he has an accident, tell him no and immediately take him to the spot where he should have gone. Don't wait or the opportunity to teach him from the mistake will be lost. Do not physically punish him. When you get to his spot, give him verbal commands like "go potty", "go pee", or whatever command you want to give. Then really praise him for a job well done. Don't hold back the praise no matter how silly you think you'll sound to your neighbors. Let him know how excited you are that he did the right thing.
Just remember that accidents will happen. Don't shout at him, just be firm and friendly in letting him know he made a mistake. He will soon understand that when he goes in the right spot he gets praise, and when he goes somewhere else no praise is coming. Chihuahua potty training isn't that difficult, you just need to be patient, firm and consistent. Soon he'll understand and accidents will be a thing of the past.
For more information on training your dog the right way we highly recommend you check out Daniel Stevens' SitStayFetch program. Or if learning by watching videos is your thing, then Dove Cresswell's Dog Training Online is another great program. Both will have you on the right path to a perfect relationship with your pet in no time. And both are fully guaranteed so you have no reason not to check them out. What are you waiting for?
Saturday, March 1, 2008
Self Potty Training Your Dog
Owning a dog should be a wonderful experience. It should not mean extra frustration for the pet owner. Yet that's exactly what happens when a dog is not potty trained properly. Cleaning up waste is not something anyone enjoys. And it can be hard to enjoy your pet when you're frequently mad at him for making a mess. Sure you've potty trained your children, but a dog is a whole different animal so to speak. He will learn at a slower pace, and that's why the whole process can seem unnerving at times.
So it boils to you you having two options. You can either hire someone to do it for you, but professionals can be expensive. Or you can do it yourself. The second option is a much better choice, and not just because of the money you'll save. By self-training your dog you'll actually be bonding with your pet, and your relationship with him will only get better. This is not to say it will be easy. In fact some dogs can be very difficult. But the results will be more than worth it.
The first thing you need to do is determine how you will communicate with your pet. Again you have two options, you can either use words or you can use hand signals. Actually, you can use both to further get your message across, but eventually you'll be narrowing it down to just one. In most cases this means voice commands. Yes your dog will recognize words. But he'll also pick up on your tone. You need to be both friendly but firm.
Now pick your dog's place to go. This is his place where you want him to go every time. You'll need to guide him there whenever you pick up on the signals that he needs to go. Once he goes there once and gets appropriate praise from you, he'll want to return there. First he'll recognize the smell, and of course he'll want your praise as well. Direct him there a few times and he'll soon realize this is where he needs to do his business. If you catch him going somewhere else, firmly tell him no (do not punish physically) and guide him to where he should go. Then stay with him until he finishes and praise him for a job well done.
The best way to do this while avoiding accidents is to set up a schedule. Dog's love schedules and it will help him understand just what you expect from him. Take him for walks or to his place at the same time every day. Do this in the morning, immediately after meals, and before going to bed. Try to keep to this schedule as best you can. If he knows when he will be going out then he'll be more likely to hold it until the appropriate time. If he doesn't know when he's due to go out, he may just go when the urge strikes simply because he's not sure if he'll get the chance to go outside any time soon.
One other thing, do not immediately bring your dog inside as soon as he's done. He'll then associate going potty with an end to his fun. Let him play or continue the walk for a while. That way he won't just hold it so he can stay outside.
Just remember that physical punishment is the wrong way to tell a dog he's made a mistake. And make sure he gets plenty of praise for a job well done. Your patience and ability to be consistent will go a long way in determining how successful you will be. Make up your mind to spend the time to do it right, and your dog potty training efforts will pay off faster than you expect.
So it boils to you you having two options. You can either hire someone to do it for you, but professionals can be expensive. Or you can do it yourself. The second option is a much better choice, and not just because of the money you'll save. By self-training your dog you'll actually be bonding with your pet, and your relationship with him will only get better. This is not to say it will be easy. In fact some dogs can be very difficult. But the results will be more than worth it.
The first thing you need to do is determine how you will communicate with your pet. Again you have two options, you can either use words or you can use hand signals. Actually, you can use both to further get your message across, but eventually you'll be narrowing it down to just one. In most cases this means voice commands. Yes your dog will recognize words. But he'll also pick up on your tone. You need to be both friendly but firm.
Now pick your dog's place to go. This is his place where you want him to go every time. You'll need to guide him there whenever you pick up on the signals that he needs to go. Once he goes there once and gets appropriate praise from you, he'll want to return there. First he'll recognize the smell, and of course he'll want your praise as well. Direct him there a few times and he'll soon realize this is where he needs to do his business. If you catch him going somewhere else, firmly tell him no (do not punish physically) and guide him to where he should go. Then stay with him until he finishes and praise him for a job well done.
The best way to do this while avoiding accidents is to set up a schedule. Dog's love schedules and it will help him understand just what you expect from him. Take him for walks or to his place at the same time every day. Do this in the morning, immediately after meals, and before going to bed. Try to keep to this schedule as best you can. If he knows when he will be going out then he'll be more likely to hold it until the appropriate time. If he doesn't know when he's due to go out, he may just go when the urge strikes simply because he's not sure if he'll get the chance to go outside any time soon.
One other thing, do not immediately bring your dog inside as soon as he's done. He'll then associate going potty with an end to his fun. Let him play or continue the walk for a while. That way he won't just hold it so he can stay outside.
Just remember that physical punishment is the wrong way to tell a dog he's made a mistake. And make sure he gets plenty of praise for a job well done. Your patience and ability to be consistent will go a long way in determining how successful you will be. Make up your mind to spend the time to do it right, and your dog potty training efforts will pay off faster than you expect.
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