What are some good house-training tips for puppies?
Posted on Sep 03, 2010 under training puppies | 4 CommentsI have a 3 month old chihuahua pup. She usually urinates when I take her outside, but rarely ever poops outdoors. Every time I find one of her accidents, I place her in front of the door, then take her outside and put her in the grass. This seems to have had no effect on her, for she has yet to ever stand in front of the door when she has to go. I know this particular breed has a reputation of being difficult to potty train, but if anyone has any helpful tips please let me know.
My chi is just about the age of yours and I got him about 4-5 days ago, completely untrained. The first day was hellesque, no elimination went on outside. I got really fed up and started talking to friends, and one suggested that you take the rags that you clean up their messes with and place it in the grass where they are supposed to go. Praise during and tell the pup to "go potty" or whatever phrase you use to tell the dog to use the bathroom. Praise LOTS afterwards and give a treat while the thought of the potty is still in their mind (usually, this is seconds, have treats on hand). For chi’s, they love praise, so I’ve been simply going with the praise and no treats. My little baby has had about 1-2 accidents a day, which is very good after only 4-5 days of training.
Also, look for hints that they need to use the bathroom. They’ll sniff around frantically and if they have to poo, their little butt will stick out.
In particular, my chi always goes potty after a nap, so I am sure to take him immediately to the grass because when he is groggy, he won’t tell me that he has to go. So also pay attention to their personal potty schedule. To further control their schedule, try not to free feed your pup. Let her have the food and water bowls at certain times of the day and take the water away a couple of hours before you plan on going to bed.
Also, when they are so little, it may be hard to learn many steps at once. Instead of focusing on putting her by the door and then to the grass, just focus on getting her to have no accidents, and eventually she will tell you when she has to go, because she will know that she has to go outside.
My roommate was also talking about a "peeing post" that you can buy at pet stores. He swears by them, but I personally haven’t tried it out.
Also, don’t rub their nose in it or spank them during elimination, it will associate bad feelings with eliminating in front of you and then potty training will become that much harder. Tell them no, and that potty goes outside.
September 3rd, 2010 at 8:45 am
Lots and lots of praise goes a long way…try taking her out right after eating…when she would usually go poop and let her walk around longer than usual until she poops and then give her a treat on the spot when she is finished and praise her. This worked really well with my dog, eventually…you can cut back on the praise treats and she will start going outside to poop. Just make sure to watch her and notice when she has to go poop and take her out at that time and give her a chance to walk around a little bit…they don’t just instantly squat and poop upon going outside…my puppy had to walk around a little bit first.
References :
September 3rd, 2010 at 9:35 am
My chi is just about the age of yours and I got him about 4-5 days ago, completely untrained. The first day was hellesque, no elimination went on outside. I got really fed up and started talking to friends, and one suggested that you take the rags that you clean up their messes with and place it in the grass where they are supposed to go. Praise during and tell the pup to "go potty" or whatever phrase you use to tell the dog to use the bathroom. Praise LOTS afterwards and give a treat while the thought of the potty is still in their mind (usually, this is seconds, have treats on hand). For chi’s, they love praise, so I’ve been simply going with the praise and no treats. My little baby has had about 1-2 accidents a day, which is very good after only 4-5 days of training.
Also, look for hints that they need to use the bathroom. They’ll sniff around frantically and if they have to poo, their little butt will stick out.
In particular, my chi always goes potty after a nap, so I am sure to take him immediately to the grass because when he is groggy, he won’t tell me that he has to go. So also pay attention to their personal potty schedule. To further control their schedule, try not to free feed your pup. Let her have the food and water bowls at certain times of the day and take the water away a couple of hours before you plan on going to bed.
Also, when they are so little, it may be hard to learn many steps at once. Instead of focusing on putting her by the door and then to the grass, just focus on getting her to have no accidents, and eventually she will tell you when she has to go, because she will know that she has to go outside.
My roommate was also talking about a "peeing post" that you can buy at pet stores. He swears by them, but I personally haven’t tried it out.
Also, don’t rub their nose in it or spank them during elimination, it will associate bad feelings with eliminating in front of you and then potty training will become that much harder. Tell them no, and that potty goes outside.
References :
September 3rd, 2010 at 9:55 am
the first thing to remember about house training a puppy is there ability to hold themselves is limited. a rule of thumb is they can hold "it" usually 1 hour for each month of age. 2 months old = 2 hours, 3 months old = 3 hours, etc. when your puppy wakes up (morning, nap, whatever) the pup has to go, right then! take the pup out. when the pup eats or drinks, it has to go, take the pup out. after exercise (play), take the pup out. when the pup does it’s thing outside praise it. a lot. tell the pup how good, how smart it is. you have to pay attention to the pups "looking for it’s spot" behavior. when you see that behavior indoors, whisk the pup out. if you catch the pup in the act, simply tell it "NO!" and whisk it outside. if you find a puddle or pile after the fact, clean it up with an enzyme cleaner (pet food store) get a newspaper and hit…. yourself in the head and say "i should have been paying more attention" daytime training they get pretty fast. night time training is easier if you crate train the pup. also remember the one hour/one month rule. you will have to get up through the night to take the pup out. Good Luck! I Hope everything works out!
References :
September 3rd, 2010 at 10:18 am
My chihuahua ( 2 years old) is just now starting to go to the door! After all that time. lol. When you take them outside and all they do is pee then bring them in and they poop (thats what mine does) just let them stay outside for alonger period of time. They will eventually do their business. Just give him some time.
References :