Some people admit that Chihuahuas (dog breeds) are difficult to train. However, this is not true because these animals are actually smart and can be trained. The biggest difficulty in training a Chihuahua is that it is so small that it is difficult to see when curled up to go to the bathroom. By watching your pet like an eagle, being consistent about removing and training your dog, your Chihuahua can be trained not to open defecation.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Practicing the Basics of Urinating Exercise
Step 1. Do a reward-based exercise
Dogs try to repeat positive behavior in order to get rewarded. Therefore, if you ask your Chihuahua to "sit down" and then reward him for his obedience, the dog will learn that a reward can be obtained if your commands are obeyed. The same goes for bowel exercises. When dogs urinate or defecate in a certain place and get rewarded, the pet will learn to defecate in that place for a delicious treat.
- Reward-based training requires that you be on the spot when your dog needs to go to the bathroom. This means that you should be at home as often as possible to take your dog to the toilet regularly.
- Find treats that your Chihuahua likes and enjoys so that your pet will work hard to earn rewards. Try a variety of commercial foods such as chicken, cheese cubes, sausage, or hot dogs. If your dog has health problems, always check with your vet first to make sure certain foods are not causing health problems.
Step 2. Start training your Chihuahua at a young age
You can, and should, start training your dog at 8 weeks of age. This exercise takes a lot of time so start slowly and be patient. Remember, the older your Chihuahua gets, the more difficult it becomes to train him. So you will benefit greatly if you start early.
Step 3. Decide on a point where your dog will urinate from the first time you bring your pet home
Determine the location of the toilet for the dog. When bringing a Chihuahua home, the first place to visit, even before entering the house, is the toilet point. Ignore the Chihuahua's requests to play so the dog can immediately sniff around him.
If your dog is pooping, give him lots of compliments and treats
Method 2 of 3: Taking the Dog Out of the House
Step 1. Take the dog out as often as possible
Give Chihuahuas (both children and adults) as many opportunities as possible to visit their toilets. Even if you have a dog flap (a small door specifically for dogs to enter and exit the house), you need to be proactive by bringing and placing your dog to the point where he goes to the toilet. Your dog won't immediately know where to go to his bowels if you don't point it out.
- For puppies, take them outside every 20 minutes while they are awake. If your dog is pooping, be enthusiastic and offer treats. If the dog doesn't poop, bring it back into the house, but keep a close eye on it. You should catch him when the dog wants to go to the bathroom and take him to the toilet point.
- Dog kennels (crate) is great for training pets to defecate because it will serve as a nest. According to instinct, the dog will not contaminate the place that is the cage. However, don't use the cage for hours at a time. Remember, the cage should be a safe area for your Chihuahua, not a prison. So alternate use of the cage with play and harness.
- For adult Chihuahuas, take them outside every hour. Set an alarm to remind you every hour.
Step 2. Take the dog outside as soon as possible after getting up and after eating
Food in the stomach will trigger a reflex that causes the dog to urinate about 15-30 minutes after eating. Take advantage of this by taking the dog outside after eating and waiting for the Chihuahua to finish his business.
Don't leave your dog unsupervised at the toilet spot so you don't miss an opportunity to reward
Step 3. Teach the dog to go to the toilet on command
Decide on a command word like “toilet” or “pup” to use during practice. Make sure all family members use the same word so that your Chihuahua doesn't get confused. After your dog has finished pooping, make sure you compliment him and give him a treat. This helps him associate his bowels with the toilet point and makes him want to go back there.
- Make a clicker sound when your Chihuahua pees. This tool produces the clicking sound that dogs associate with rewards. By making a clicking sound while your dog is pooping, you are signaling a behavior that will be rewarded. Include the use of a clicker with a verbal “toilet” command.
- Every time your dog goes to the toilet, make a clicker and say “toilet”. Over time the dog will associate the word "toilet" with urinating or defecating and trying to behave properly.
- The final step of this exercise is to take the dog to the toilet point and simply say “toilet”. The dog now knows that you want him to pee and will try to do so for a reward. If your dog doesn't try, you're standing too far away. In that case, you'll need to go back to waiting for the dog to go back to the bathroom, click the clicker, and say verbal commands. Try this advanced stage a few days later.
- This is especially useful during rainy or very cold weather.
Step 4. Let the puppy out of the house overnight
Puppies can't hold their bladder overnight and have to urinate every 4 hours at night. However, don't be too enthusiastic about removing the puppy from the crate and keep things calm so that the puppy doesn't get a lot of attention in return and isn't compelled to get up and play at night.
Just pick up the Chihuahua and drop it to the toilet point without saying a word. The dog's bladder will be full so he has to urinate. When it's done, take it straight into the house, put it in its cage or bed, and go back to sleep. Do it all without interacting so that the dog knows this is a special time to pee and not play
Method 3 of 3: Preventing Frustration and Indiscriminate Urination
Step 1. Monitor your Chihuahua at home
In order for dogs to learn quickly, be aware and pay attention to the signs that your Chihuahua will defecate in the house. Watch for behaviors such as dragging your body up onto furniture, sniffing carpets, and positioning yourself as if you were going to squat. If you see one, grab the dog and lead him outside to the toilet point.
- It helps if you put a leash on the dog in the house so that the Chihuahua can't wander into a quiet corner of the house and pee there.
- When you can't be with your dog, put him in his crate. However, you should monitor your puppy's pee time every 20 minutes and 1 hour for adult dogs.
Step 2. Handle open defecation elegantly
You shouldn't scold your dog, even if your pet stays at home despite all the efforts you've made. If you get scolded, your dog will learn that you don't like his bowel behavior. This will cause the dog to behave in an unhealthy manner (hiding to go to the bathroom) and delay training progress because the dog is now afraid to go to the bathroom in front of you, even where it should.
- You'd better be patient and wait for the Chihuahua to leave. Then, clean the dirt thoroughly using an enzyme cleaner. The enzymatic cleaner will remove all traces of urine and faeces so that there is no sign of odor and the dog does not return to the area to defecate. Do not use household cleaners that contain bleach or ammonia, as these two components can increase odors and draw the dog back to that point.
- If your Chihuahua has determined where it shouldn't be, clean it with an enzymatic cleaner and place its food and drink bowls there. Dogs don't defecate where they eat, so the bowl can help break the habit.
Step 3. Try not to forget to be patient
Don't be rude and yell at pets. Instead, show your affection and support. Stay consistent and don't get angry if your dog doesn't obey your commands right away.
- If your dog pees in the right place, don't forget to give him a treat in return. This will help encourage the desired behavior.
- Don't change the toilet every week so your dog doesn't get confused.
- If your dog is pooping in the wrong place, be gentle. Don't scold your dog for misbehaving.
Step 4. Call a dog trainer
If potty training doesn't work even after a long time, try contacting a dog trainer to find an exercise program that will work for both your dog and you. Professional services are your best option in this situation.
Warning
- Puppies should not be potty trained before 8 weeks of age. At that age, puppies are still weaned. If the Chihuahua is not weaned, training can begin.
- Puppies training pads are very useful in rainy weather and at night, but have serious drawbacks. If you use this tool, your puppy probably won't go to the bathroom without it. You will also need to replace these bearings frequently. Dogs do not like to be in areas filled with feces or urine.
