Can Chis be housebroken. My female is 2 years old and still...

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Answer by chimama
Submitted on 7/14/2003
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Have you tried training her to use a litter tray? I'm serious. I live in Minnesota where it isn't safe to put them out 7 months of the year. I started them with litter trays, and they took to it fairly well, once they were past 6 months, they only had an accident on purpose (mommy, we're annoyed with you about something). After 2 years, it may be asking a lot, but get a cat litter tray and clumping litter. Put the tray on one of the favorite pee pee places. Just as you would with a puppy, put her in there at regular times and praise her to the skies when she does her duty. Name, Good Girl use litter tray. Don't make a fuss when she goes in the wrong place. If you catch her in the act, Name, No. Then pick her up and place her in the litter tray. Dogs don't get it, if you show them an accident after the fact and scold them, they know they're in trouble but not why. Just calmly clean it up. You may have to clean the tray frequently, my little one will not go if there are more than two pee pee clumps, she'll stand right next to it and look up at me "You want me to go in there? it's dirty!" So I get the scooper and remove the offensive material, smooth it down, and she happily hops in. Once she has the idea, then slowly move the tray to its final destination. Dogs want to make you happy. You probably also need to get the carpets cleaned and deodorized, because where they've done it before is where they'll do it again.

Answer by texmexgirl
Submitted on 10/1/2003
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chimama is on the right track. It's best to catch the dog in the act, or better, when they are about to make a mess (when they are sniffing or circling), and move them to where you want them to go. NEVER EVER put their nose in their mess. They will find it both confusing and distressing, and you will end up with a pooch with excrement on their face. They learn nothing from that kind of treatment. Other than that, it takes time and lots of attention. Especially pay attention 10 - 15 minutes after your dog has eaten, or had a drink, or after she wakes up. Another thing that works is to keep your dog confined when you are not home - don't give her free roam around the house. If you keep her confined, her instinct will be to not mess up her area. You can either keep her in a crate (ask your vet about these), or keep her in a playpen. If you choose the latter, you can put the litter tray (or newspaper or puppy pads) in one corner of the pen, away from where she sleeps or eats.

Answer by Monica
Submitted on 9/22/2005
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Well, What do you think is going on with my chi... she uses the puppy potty pads but when we leave our bedroom door open she runs under our beds to go potty ALWAYS #2! She really doesn't like doing her mess on the pads loves doing it under the bed. Now, the door is about 99% of the time closed and so she'll go on the pad or inches from it. What can I do? She's 6 months old. Since I was told to spank her when she does this and rub her nose in it when I go to pick her up she's scared of me or when I go to pet her she shrinks down. I hate seeing this from her (i'vespanked her a total of 3 times and not hard at all) can she ever trust me again? We don't spank her anymore. What can I do? Someone HELP!

Answer by DOG TRIANER
Submitted on 7/16/2007
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OF COURSE SHE CAN BE HOUSEBROKEN IT'S ACTUALLY FAIRLY SIMPLE IN THIS CASE CRATE TRAINING WOULD BE THE BEST WAY BECAUSE DOGS DON'T LIKE TO SOIL OR SLEEP IN A DIRTY DEN A CRATE IS LIKE THE DOGS DEN SO THEREFORE THE DOG WON'T ELIMINATE INSIDE OF IT THE DOG WILL HAVE TO SLEEP IN THE CRATE AT NIGHT WITH THE CRATE DOOR LOCKED SO HE CAN'T GET OUT. A 2 YEAR OLD DOG HAS FULL CONTROL OVER THEIR BOWEL AND THEIR BLADDER SO UNLESS SHE HAS A MEDICAL PROBLEM SHE WON'T ELIMINATE IN HER CRATE BY BEING CONFINED IN THE CRATE WHICH IS LIKE HER DEN SHE WILL LEARN TO HOLD THE NEED TO ELIMINATE LEAVE HER IN THE CRATE ALSO DURING THE DAY ONLY TAKING HER OUT TO DO HER NECESSITIES SUCH AS EXERCISE, PLAYING, ELIMINATING. AFTER A WEEK OF THIS START TO GIVE HER MORE TIME OUTSIDE THE CRATE A LITTLE TIME TO WALK AROUND THE HOUSE BUT YOU MUST KEEP YOU EYES ON HER AT ALL TIME THE SECOND SHE ELIMINATES PUT HER NOSE CLOSE TO THE MESS AND LET HER SMELL IT AND SCOLD HER BUT NEVER HIT HER HITTING A DOG FOR ELIMINATING INSIDE WILL ONLY SLOW THE PROCESS AND INSTEAD OF DOING IT OUTSIDE SHE'LL DO IT INSIDE WHEN YOU NOT AROUND. GRADUALLY GIVE HER MORE AND MORE FREEDOM AND TRYING TO TRAIN A DOG TO USE A LITTER BOX IS ABSOLUTELY NOT WHAT YOU WANT TO TRY THATS GOING AGAINST THE DOGS NATURAL INSTINCTS THE SECRET TO TRAIN A DOG IS TO GO ALONG WITH ITS INSTINCTS NOT AGAINST THEM THAT WILL NEVER WORK A LITTER BOX IS STRICTLY FOR CATS BECAUSE IT'S A CATS INSTINCT TO BARRY THEIR WASTE IT ALL COMES DOWN TO INSTINCT. NOW REMEMBER IT'LL TAKE APPROXIMATELY 3,4 MONTHS TO HOUSEBREAK A DOG SO HAVE PATIENCE AND GOOD LUCK.

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Question by PJ
Submitted on 7/12/2003
Related FAQ: rec.pets.dogs: Chihuahuas Breed-FAQ
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Can Chis be housebroken. My female is 2 years old and still doesn't get the idea that dogs do their call of nature out side not on carpets etc.

Answer by Christy
Submitted on 8/5/2003
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I agree with chimama on the tray for them. My chi has her "I'm mad at you messes!" As soon as I find it, only if it's fresh, I put her nose in it and say Meha potty outside. She instantly knows she was wrong and willingly goes into her bed. I try not to yell nor spank so that she won't be afraid of me. A firm voice and some effert should work, as long as you put their nose in what they did so that they know.

Answer by christine
Submitted on 2/29/2004
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I'm trying to litter train my Chi right now ans was wondering whats better, putting peed pads in her box, or putting clumping cat litter. and is it better to get a cat litter box or a dog litter box?? I have a cat who uses a litter box and I'unsure about getting my dog a cat litter box in case she confuses her box with the cats, cause if she does the cat will urinate everywhere. Whats the best way to go?

Answer by animallover
Submitted on 3/20/2004
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My dog does that too.If you tried training her but she still doesn't do her business outside then set newspapers or old clothes on the floor.Be sure to spread them by your dog's favorite places.Somewhat dogs love doing their business on stuff.So he will see the newspapers and do her business on it.

Answer by new proud owner
Submitted on 6/28/2004
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Hi PJ, You say your dog is 2 and still doesn't get the idea? That doesn't sound too good. It could be 1 out of 2 problems. Either your chi has not been properly trained or it has a dominance issue. You may not be stricked enough. He/she may think I'll do what I want... The methods that Chimama has expressed are right on. There is not reason for a 2 year old chi to still not be potty trained. You may want to consult a professional trainer.

Answer by chimama
Submitted on 3/18/2004
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I just talked to someone with cats as well as a chi. Get your chi a dog litter box and put pee pads in it. That should keep the cat out of it while giving you all the advantages of litter training. Do remove the poops and change the pads frequently, since chi's can be very fastidious and might refuse to get in the tray if their paws have to touch the pad where they've already peed.

Answer by student
Submitted on 4/19/2005
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there is a reason for a two year old chihuahua to not be potty trained. My reason is the dogs were just purchased from poor owners. I am working on training my two year old male to go potty outside. So far he has the idea to go outside when it is sunny and warm but has more difficult when it is rainy and cold He never lets me see him go potty but choses my carpet runners. Thank you for some of your ideas about putting his potty outside with him, maybe that will work. Hopefully If not I might get a litter box

Answer by theresa
Submitted on 3/10/2007
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it works great i had cats before i got my Lhasa kiki she watched our cats go to the bathroom and went in there ever since.

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