How Do Owners Potty Train An Indoor Dog?

[Chica]

I HAVE HAD CHICA SINCE SHE WAS 12 WEEKS OLD, AND 2 POUNDS. CHICA IS 11 MONTHS OLD NOW AND WEIGHS 8 POUNDS. I HAVE BEEN USING WEE WEE PADS AND IT WORKS FOR INSIDE THE HOUSE. I HAVE TO LEAVE HER DURING THE DAY WHEN I GO TO WORK. WHEN I GET HOME I TAKE HER FOR A WALK AND SHE DOES HER THING. THEN WE GO IN THE HOUSE AND SHE GETS DINNER AND THEN WE PLAY. SHE SLEEPS WITH ME EVERY NIGHT UNDER MY BLANKET AND CUDDLES WITH ME. IF SHE HAS TO GO POTTY, SHE GETS UP AND GOES ON THE WEE WEE PAD AND COMES BACK TO BED.
THIS IS MY FIRST EXPERIENCE WITH MY OWN DOG, AND SHE IS WONDERFUL. BUT SOME PEOPLE TELL ME I SHOULD GET A DOGGIE DOOR FOR HER SO SHE CAN GO OUTSIDE WHEN SHE WANTS. BUT I STILL HAVE TO KEEP HER INSIDE WHEN I AM NOT HOME, SO NOBOBY WILL TAKE HER(STEEL HER), FROM MY PROPERTY. ANY CHIHUAHUAS OUT THERE, OR ANY TOY DOGS? WHAT DO YOU DO AS AN OWNER OF A TOY DOG?

THANKS, CHICA'S MOM
SHERRY:confused:

[IRescue452]

I think using the pads is fine, I would maybe upgrade to a litter box. As long as your dog isn't going anywhere else in the house I think there is no reason for you to train your dog to go outside. If my dogs were smaller I'd use a litter box, especially in the winter, because its easier to clean up and the dog has access to it at all times. I wouldn't get a dog door because I like to supervise my dogs outside at all times.

[Chica]

WILL IT BE HARD TO TRAIN HER NOW TO USE A LITTER BOX INSTEAD OF WEE WEE PADS?IRESCUE452, THANKS FOR YOUR SUGGESTION!:)

[DogLover9501]

All of ours just let us know when they want to go outside.

As adult dogs if we put them outside before we go somewhere, they're usually fine until we get home in a few hours, the same as how they're all fine all night, as long as we put them outside before bed.

There isn't much difference between the smaller and bigger dogs in that area :p

*Edit*

Another thing, when Jasper was younger he would sometimes pee on the floor in the middle of the night/early morning. We just took the water up around 6-8pm.

[Daisy and Delilah]

I have two chihuahuas. Daisy is 4 years old and Delilah is 6 years old. Most people would say I am overly protective of them but I can't help it. I use only puppy pads for them and it works out great. We have a very large screened porch on the back of the house and their pads are kept out there. It took forever and many visits from Stanley Steemer to train them but finally I am successful. I wouldn't recommend a doggie door either because I always like to closely supervise them too when they do go outside. I let them go outside only on their harnesses. I too, am so afraid someone would steal them very quickly. Daisy is so small, I'm always worried about a large bird swooping down to get her also. We have alot of owls and birds of prey around here. Chihuahuas are such great little dogs. They are so loveable and sweet. All they want is human contact and cover to sleep under with that human. Best of luck with your little Chica. She will give you so much happiness and unconditional love. Please PM me anytime you have questions.

Terry

[LuckiLab03]

I don't have little dogs, but about the comment with the litterbox. I think that might work.. start putting the wee wee pad next to the box, then eventually move it inside the box for a while, then when you think she's got it, remove the wee wee pad, orrrr maybe you could cut it up into a small piece and make it smaller every week? I don't know what they are made of, but it's worth a try if you want to do the litterbox thing.

[IRescue452]

luckilab seems to have the right idea, you don't even have to use a litter box if you don't want but perhaps people will quit bugging you this way

[Chica]

YOU SOUND SO WONDERFULL! :) I HAVE NEVER BEEN SO HAPPY WITH A PET BEFORE! YOUR EXPERIENCES WITH YOUR CHIHUAHUAS HAVE REALLY MADE ME UNDERSTAND SO MUCH MORE! I HAVE STEAM CLEANED MY CARPET TWICE. :D CHICA DOESN'T HAVE AS MANY MISTAKES AS BEFORE.:) THE WEE WEE PADS WORK GOOD. WHEN I VISIT SOMEONE I TAKE EXTRA PADS WITH ME. SHE IS REALLY GOOD AT OTHER PEOPLES HOUSES. I ALSO TAKE HER OUT BEFORE WE GO SOMEWHERE. THANK YOU FOR YOUR INSITE! ;)
CHICA'S MOM, SHERRY

[LKPike]

Originally posted by IRescue452
I think using the pads is fine, I would maybe upgrade to a litter box. As long as your dog isn't going anywhere else in the house I think there is no reason for you to train your dog to go outside. If my dogs were smaller I'd use a litter box, especially in the winter, because its easier to clean up and the dog has access to it at all times. I wouldn't get a dog door because I like to supervise my dogs outside at all times.

I 100% agree :):) Its not unusual at all to litterbox train small dogs, you can get doggy litter boxes and everything at your local PetSmart :) ((although I think the pads are just fine to continue using))

[BitsyNaceyDog]

I don't know why so many are against the pee pads, I think they are just fine. My cat Roxy has a lot of balance problems and can't always use the litter box, so we keep a pee pad down for her and she uses that just great. They are so easy to clean up too. I have one of these (http://www.lucy-the-dog.com/weeweepadho.html) to hold the pad in place, and I like it a lot.

I have 5 dogs ranging in weight from 6 to 13 pounds, one being a 10 year old chihuahua. I run my house on a strict routine, otherwise it would be complete chaos. They go outside at 7am, 1pm, 4pm, they eat at 6pm, then go outside at 6:30, again at 9:30pm, and lastly 11:30pm. There's a larger gap between 7am and 1 pm because I go to work for a few hours 4 days a week. I know most people aren't able to keep a schedule like this because they work, but a routine of some kind may be a good idea.

I'm not a fan of the doggy door as I like to supervise my dogs in the yard. They are never outside unless my husband or I am with them.

[GraciesMommy]

I am lucky because I have an enclosed patio..but I crate trained gracie first...so she went in at 8..I came home at 11 and kept her out til 12...then she went back in til I got home at 4. But with warm weather the past month she now stays in the patio room...its big, she has a blankie, toys, food n water..she has never pottied in there so I guess she thinks it is the same rule as inside..lol..only 6 more weeks and school is out and so I will be off work all summer and I am hoping by the time I go back in Aug she will be trust worthy enough to stay in the house...she will be 15 months by then..if not, back to the patio til winter...and then I am not sure..I guess on really cold days (which are very few here in my neck of the woods, I will keep her to one room in the house if she isn't ready to have full freedom..but she was so easy to housebreak, I am thinking she will be ready..just depends on if she is out of the tearing up stage..she still likes to get into mischief..she is only 10 months old now.

[micki76]

I technically have a "toy" breed, but Chester is quite large for his breed. I do have a dog door, but I don't worry about anyone stealing him. For one thing, he would be scared of them and run back inside barking, plus we have a lock on our gate and our fence is TALL.

If the pee pee pads are working for you, I wouldn't worry about changing anything. :)

[Chica]

YOU ARE LUCKY. :D THANK YOU FOR YOUR HELP!;)