How to Potty Train a Puppy Chihuahua
Chihuahua puppies are intelligent little dogs that are eager to please their owners. But because of their size, they may have some difficulty mastering potty training. Your new dog needs you to teach him the right place and time for his bathroom needs. Starting his training early and showing an attitude of patience will help to ensure success in the potty training of your Chihuahua puppy.
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Instructions
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Buy a small dog crate. Crates are good dog training aids, because dogs do not like to go to the bathroom in the area where they sleep. Your Chihuahua puppy requires only a small crate, but make sure it is large enough for him to turn around and lie down.
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Allow your Chihuahua puppy to go to his crate when you are sleeping or away from home. Teach him to view his crate as a retreat.
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Select a dog food with quality ingredients, designed for small breed puppies. Meat should ideally be listed within the first three ingredients. Choose a brand that either excludes or limits grains and corn in the ingredients. Both corn and grains contribute to the the food passing quicker through the intestines, causing frequent bowel movements.
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Adhere to a schedule for your puppy's feedings. This makes his bathroom needs more predictable. Puppies require food about every two to four hours during the day, depending on age.
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Take your Chihuahua puppy outside immediately upon rising in the morning and before bedtime. He will also need to go out within 15 minutes after eating and every two hours throughout the day.
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Designate a part of your yard as a bathroom for your Chihuahua and go to that same spot every time. The scent from previous outings helps to remind the puppy why he is there.
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Decide on a word command to use for your puppy's potty break. Common commands are "go pee pee," "go potty" and "outside." Use the same phrase each time he goes out.
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Praise and reward with treats each time the Chihuahua puppy is successful in going to the potty in the right place.
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Limit the amount of water your puppy drinks during the evening hours. Take water away several hours before bedtime. Chihuahua puppies, with their smaller bladders, have an easier time making it through the night if not allowed to drink before bed.
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Keep your puppy in one room or an area of the room. Limiting his access to roam freely helps you to notice quickly if he needs to go out.
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Be alert to your puppy's signals. Puppies often exhibit signs that they need to go outside to the potty. Signals your Chihuahua may exhibit are whining, moving in circles and sniffing.
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Mop and deodorize any area where your puppy has an accident in the house. Smells of previous accidents attract your puppy to the same area to repeat the incident.
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Tips & Warnings
Be consistent. Like children, puppies learn by following a consistent routine.
Buy a crate with dividers that you can remove as your Chihuahua puppy grows.
Keep the crate in an area that is relatively private but not sequestered away from his family.
Never punish you Chihuahua puppy when he has an accident.
Do not use the puppy's crate as a punishment for misbehaving.
Do not leave your puppy crated for long periods.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit chihuahua image by agoxa from Fotolia.com
