Housebreaking a Chihuahua

Also called a toy breed, chihuahuas are the most popular household pets well-known for their small size and appearance. These dogs love to stay indoors and express immense love, courage and loyalty toward their owners. However, the only problem with this dog breed is that most chihuahua dogs are extremely notorious and so are difficult to housebreak. But what exactly is housebreaking, let us first understand with the information below.

Housebreaking a Chihuahua

Housebreaking is a process wherein the dog is taught to eliminate waste outside the house, on a piece of paper or a litter box. Sadly, teaching a chihuahua puppy how to housebreak can be an intimidating task for any pet owner, mainly due to the nature of the puppy. Whether it is a male or female chihuahua puppy, they are difficult to housebreak. Basically a chihuahua has a habit of marking its territory and when it does this, the owner has to ensure that the area is well-clean and all odor is removed. Hence if that area is not clean, the dog may eliminate in any inappropriate place. Moreover, like other small breed dogs, chihuahua also has a small tummy with a high metabolic rate and hence needs to defecate more frequently as compared to other large breed dogs. Also since chihuahua is a small size dog, at times it may feel vulnerable and frightened to go outside, making even more difficult to housebreak it.

How to Housebreak Chihuahua Dog?

If you are finding it difficult to housebreak your chihuahua puppy, don't worry, and follow these simple steps for housebreaking a chihuahua puppy.

• Before starting, ensure that your puppy has reached an age where he/she is capable of controlling elimination. The recommended age is 12 weeks during which you can crate or confine the dog, especially when you are not around. Since dogs don't like defecating in confined areas as it may get soiled, they will resist it.
• Next step is to set a strict schedule to feed the dog and keep a track of how often the dog eliminates. Since most dogs have a habit of defecating shortly after eating, take them for a walk, 15 - 20 minutes after each meal. Also after short naps or night sleep, take the dog out so that it doesn't eliminate at any inappropriate place.
• Now suppose your dog doesn't like defecating outside, you can use papers as a place for elimination. Once the dog gets used to eliminating on the paper, slowly move the paper outside before elimination and eventually remove the paper.
• For any unexpected mishappenings or accidents don't punish your dog as this can encourage aggression in your pet. In fact, be alert and look out for clues that show the dog wants to defecate like, sniffing the ground or walking around as if searching for something. As soon as you notice these signs pick up the dog and take to an appropriate place. Along with this, don't forget to praise or treat the dog when it relieves itself in the correct area as this will encourage the dog to repeat the behavior that pleases you.

The major problem while housebreaking the dog is that, the owner doesn't follow a strict schedule and loses patience when the dog defecates in the house. Remember it is impossible to housebreak a dog overnight, so one has to be patient, consistent and positive in their approach.