I recently adopted a 9 month old Chihuahua and I'm having a hard time training him to not use the bathroom in the house and not to growl or bark at our german shepards, among other tings. I want to teach him to be a good little friend and was wondering if anyone has any suggestions Thank you!
2006-12-29 07:38:57 · 5 answers · asked by kmt2006@verizon.net 2 in Pets ➔ Dogs
not sure I can help with the barking, but we trained ours by waiting until he looked like he need to go, or after meal times, then taking him outside. He should be able to find a spot where he wants to go. Then take him to that spot every time until he gets the idea. And don't forget to praise him or give him a treat when he does it right!
2006-12-29 07:42:47 · answer #1 · answered by Jim C 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I breed/show/judge chihuahuas and currently have 2 chi' and 1 young german shepherd. My youngest chihuahua, almost 5 years old, has finally with time gotten over trying to eat my shepherd- whose 8 months. It was a matter of time and telling her "no" firmly. That being said,
Chihuahus are very smart dogs but also very stubborn and tough. They are little dogs with a big dog attitude.
As far as teaching him not to bark/growl at the german shepherds, you can only hope that time and exposure will change that. but the reality is, his little tough guy terrier attitude wants to show those big dogs whose boss. Make sure that any contact between them is very much supervised as the shepherds can accidentally harm him. Tell him no when he barks/growls, but make sure to praise him any time he is acting appropriately around them. it will be a matter of time and exposure, but they also may never become close friends.
As far as house breaking, use a crate and an e-pen. Start with a small area and make sure to bring him out every few hours. Male chihuahuas are generally very attached to their owners and want to do anything to make them happy. Anytime he goes to the bathroom outside, praise him. Make it a big deal; make him think he did the most amazing thing in the world. As he gets better about telling you he has to go, start to expand his access to the house. Anytime he messes up, take it two steps back and give him less freedom. Never leave him loose and unattended in the house because it's an opportunity for him to go to the bathroom inside. Also, unless you catch him in the act, do not correct him for going to the bathroom in the house. If you do catch him going in the house, tell him "no" and bring him outside. Keep in mind that if it's cold right now, the process is going to be a little more difficult as chihuahuas do not like the cold.
Another option is to paper train him or litterbox train him. My chihuahuas are housebroken and paper trained so that they do not have to go outside in the bitter cold weather. It also makes it very easy to travel (fly, NYC etc) with them.
2006-12-29 08:08:12 · answer #2 · answered by Lauren P 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Every dog can learn to be quiet - even little yapping chihuahuas. They are usually very smart, but very hard headed If you're willing to take the time and be consistent there's very little you can't teach them. Dogs bark to communicate, just like human babies cry and scream until they learn to talk. You have to teach it to communicate in a different way. That means taking the time and being consistent on the discipline. "Silence" means silence, means silence, with no exceptions. Ever. However, you also need to respond to your dog's attempts at nonverbal communication. A whine or a single yap to get your attention should be followed by silent attempts to communicate with you. Often they will stare at what has their attention or is upsetting them. Acknowledge that. Get up and go see what they're interested in. Allow them to show you instead of just yapping at you. You'll be surprised how happy that dog will be to have communicated its interest to you. Praise them for these silent attempts to communicate. Scold a yap per and banish it to a crate.
I had a long list of things I use when training livestock guardians and herding dogs as well as teaching 4-H obedience, but I think it would be best if you found obedience classes in your area and started immediately. No puppy is too young to learn to walk on a leash or stay in a crate. I start mine at 6-8 weeks. Silence and come are two of the very first things they learn. By 10 weeks they heel off the leash, come, down, stay, and stop. Mostly with eye contact and hand signals. By four months, they're working stock on verbal and non-verbal commands.
Lynn
2006-12-29 08:02:40 · answer #3 · answered by SLA 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I got my chihuahua when he was 8 months old. Did you know you can litter train him like a cat?? Walk him on his leash and have the litter box outside, when he goes in it reward him BIG TIME. And then gradually move the liter box closer and closer to the house until it is inside. It works pretty well. That way even if he does go in the house it is ok. If you are interested in that at least. If not you potty train them like any other dog, scold them when they go on the floor and praise them for going outside.
ps
chihuahuas are always going to bark at stuff that is how they are
2006-12-29 07:43:53 · answer #4 · answered by msapplebottomculo 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
u have ta wait til it iz older
:-)
2006-12-29 07:44:32 · answer #5 · answered by Joker 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋