How to go about Chihuahua potty training
Small dogs are probably the most difficult to housebreak, and Chihuahua potty training can be very difficult, especially for those who have already trained a larger breed dog and had no problems. However, the basic technique for Chihuahua potty training is the same as it is for any other breed of dog. Owners of small dogs just need to be a bit more vigilant when it comes to housebreaking them.
Setting up a potty schedule
It’s very important that you establish a potty schedule very early on whenever you’re trying to housebreak a dog. Small puppies will need to use the bathroom about once every two hours, so keep this in mind when you’re setting up your potty training schedule. You will be able to gradually increase the amount of time between potty breaks, but you should first establish a routine of taking the dog out to potty every two hours. If it seems like two hours is too long between potty breaks, then you may have to shorten the time even more because some of the smallest dogs will certainly have to go potty more often.
Crate training
Crate training is always the easiest way to housebreak a dog, no matter what breed it is. The idea behind crate training is very simple. The dog must be in the crate whenever you are not able to watch it. Dogs will always avoid soiling their bed, so if the dog’s bed is inside the crate, then the animal won’t want to soil it.
Showing the dog where to use the potty is also an important part of crate training. The dog will never know where it’s acceptable to go to the bathroom if you don’t show it. The best way to express where it’s ok to go to the bathroom is by taking the dog to the area when you know it’s very likely it will have to go. The best times are right after every meal, which should be three times a day for puppies. Also take the dog to its bathroom spot right after any naps or when it first wakes up in the morning. You should also take the dog there right after it comes out of its crate and whenever the dog looks like it is looking for a place to go to the bathroom.
Limit feeding times
Another way to help with Chihuahua potty training is to limit the times you feed it. Make sure that you feed the dog at the same time each day, and put the food up when feeding time is over. Dogs that have constant access to food all day long are more likely to use the bathroom in the house because they will have to potty more often. This same theory goes with water, but you may be able to stop restricting water as much when the dog gets to be just a few months old and shows signs of successfully potty training.