We all love our pet Chihuahuas for many reasons; they are smart, playful, loving, and probably the cutest dog breed in the world. However, they have a reputation for being stubborn or difficult to train to pee outside. This article will help you understand how to potty-train a Chihuahua. Many people don't understand the importance of potty-training at an early age. You should start training your Chihuahua the very first day you get them, hopefully as a puppy. This will make it more "instinctive" for your Chihuahua and help them stay potty-trained in their later years.
You will want to take your Chihuahua outside often, maybe every two hours, to potty. Be sure to take them to the same spot every time, so they will get used to going potty in that area. While you are standing outside with them, speak a command such as "go potty". This should help them associate that command with going potty. If your Chihuahua is good and goes potty, give them their favorite doggy treat. Chihuahuas respond well to positive attention, and treats and love are a great tool to help them become trained.
While you Chihuahua is inside the house, you should keep a close eye on them at all times. It's a good idea to buy a baby gate and put it up your living room so they wont wander off and possibly have accidents.
Many people think that keeping dogs locked up in a crate is a cruel form punishment, but this is far from the truth. Keeping your Chihuahua in a crate during the night time can be a great way to keep them from having accidents (most dogs don't go potty where they have to sleep), and it gives them a warm, comfortable bed to sleep in. Just don't keep them in their crates for long periods of time, and be sure to take them outside when you first get up in the morning.
You can do everything right, but chances are, your Chihuahua will probably have an accident at sometime or another. But, you should remember to never physically scold your Chihuahua for doing so. This can have an adverse affect on their potty-training. Just a simple "no", or "bad" is enough punishment for them.
Chihuahua training doesn't have to be the headache many people make it out to be. Just follow these guidelines and you will be on your way to having a well-trained Chihuahua that will pee outside! I hope this article helps.
