Housebreaking a Chorkie

Chorkies are a mix of chihuahua and Yorkshire terrier breeds.

Upon getting a new dog, one of the first thing many dog owners do is try to housebreak it. For those who own "Chorkies"---chihuahua/Yorkshire terrier mixes---this is more imperative because of the breed's small stature, and thus its propensity to serve as mostly an inside type of dog.

Instructions

1. Establish an outdoor bathroom spot. Upon bringing a new Chorkie home, take the dog out to a certain spot in the yard, or a nearby area, to establish the spot in which the dog will use the bathroom. Chorkies tend to be very small, so they don't need a large area for bathroom breaks. Do this about three or four times a day, rewarding a positive bathroom break with treats and verbal reinforcements. Consider using a baby gate or dog gate to keep the Chorkie on tile/wood floors until a proper bathroom routine is established, ensuring that the dog doesn't relieve itself on the carpet.

2. Ensure proper exercise. A hyper dog is more likely to relieve oneself in the house and is less prone to becoming housebroken. By taking a Chorkie for a walk daily, this helps tire out the dog, decreasing the chance that it will go to the bathroom inside. For a hyper Chorkie, daily walks (or time spent outside) can aid in the housebreaking process.

3. Buy a crate. This can serve as punishment should an older Chorkie (older than 8 weeks) have an accident, while a treat for holding it and going in the yard could serve as positive reinforcement. For those dogs younger than 8 weeks, it's not realistic to expect them to hold it on command. If you work during the day, consider crating the puppy during the day, or gating it off in a laundry room, kitchen or other tiled/wooded area, in which an accident is easy to keep up. Remember, keep reinforcement positive, like treats and verbal kudos. As for punishment, in the early going, keep it to crating and verbal reprimanding. In time, this can advance to lightly hitting an older Chorkie on the nose for having an accident in the house, as it helps send the message that such behavior will not be tolerated.

4. Consider obedience training. If a Chorkie simply isn't learning the rules of the the house---bathroom breaks, not chewing furniture---obedience schools and classes are numerous, particularly in more metropolitan areas. Big-box pet stores, such as Petco and PetSmart, offer these types of classes for a nominal fee, while other independent contractors offer on-site obedience training.

References

• Mixed Breed Pets
• Tiny Tracks
• Love of Breeds