I have a 9 week old Chihuahua that I can't get to use her puppy pads, although I rub her face in it.... help?!

Question

I went and bought the puppy pads specially for chihuahuas 'cause it has pictures on the pads and whatever.. I've been trying to work with the puppy for two weeks straight and i would think she'd figure it out by now? she will go potty anywhere but the pads... sometimes almost right beside them...(which really pisses me off)..I will pick her up and rub her face in it and set her on her pads and say "BAD GIRL! U GO POTTY HERE! BAD GIRL!"... she just can't seem to figure it out.... is ther any other technique I can use?? Ive always heard to do it the way i do.. but I feel like maybe punishing her this way maybe makes her more rebellous. .. I don't want to have to get rid of her because of this problem... but I need something that works.. and works quicker than this..

Answer 1

First of all, DO NOT rub her face in it!!! Aside from that being beyond nasty, it's not teaching her anything but not to trust you. By time she has gone, she has forgotten what she has done wrong. Do you live in an apartment? Is that why you are traing her to pads? There is a spray you can use to attract her to use the pad and when she does, be sure to tell her good potty and give her a treat. Never say bad girl when she goes elsewhere, say bad potty ONLY and ONLY if you catch her in the act! You can't expect her to get within 2 weeks. It will take time for her to learn and also greatly depends on her age. They don't have great bladder control until between 4-6 months of age.

Answer 2

Chi's are hard to train. All smaller pets are. They do not have control of their bladder until at least 6 months and many for the first year! You need to reinforce the positive and never, ever scream, raise your voice or rub their nose in it! I'm sorry to say, but it doesn't sound like a chi is right for you, nor a puppy.

Puppies require time and patience,. of which you seem to have neither. If you want a dog that is easily trainable, you probably should have gotten an older dog that is already trained. No dog should be screamed at or have their nose rubbed in an accident. When you were potty training, did your parents rub your nose in it? I don't think so.

Read! Read! Read! all about puppies and chi's in particular. Maybe spend a day at Barnes and noble even or read on the Internet about Chihuahua training. If you can't handle it, find her a new home or give her back to the breeder. With the attitude that chi's have, and by you screaming and yelling and being mean, this will reinforce her to be scared, even submissive peeing, and frightened and nippy.

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Answer 3

I dont know if this is even something you are interested in doing but I litter box trained my Min Pin. It worked great and she picked it up rather quickly. I just took a box that was too high on the sides for her to jump out of, scattered cat litter in the bottom and I would put her in it every 30 mins or so when I was home. When I was going to be out I used a crate.

For a few days I set my alarm during the night so I could get up and put her back in the box for a couple of minutes. As soon as I caught her in time for her to pee in the "potty" a couple of times she just seemed to get the idea that is where she was supposed to go. I then started using a regular sized cat litter box but one that was covered because she liked to sling the litter around when she was covering up the pee/poop.

It really worked great for me especially when I was working long hours during the day.

If litter box training isn't possible for you then I would definitely STOP rubbing her face in it. I don't think that does anything other than humiliate and/or anger. There's no connection between the behavior and the consequence.

Set an alarm and take her outside every 30 minutes. I never had any luck with the pads either by the way. :)

Answer 4

Like other people have said, you should not rub her face in it. This is sort of "old school" and there are much better techniques as well. Also, it takes much longer than 2 weeks to potty train a dog. I have a Yorkie, and I had to go through the frustration too so I understand how you feel. But rest assured she will get there and you will be very relieved. My best suggestions to you are just have a little patience, it is going to take some time, crate training also works very well, and just try to keep calm when she does have an accident.

Answer 5

Your first problem is you rub her face in it. Dogs do not associate face rubbins with bathroom breaks. Is that how you learned? Try taking her out side every 15 minutes to go. If you are in the city where you cannot, place a pad in a particular area and every 15 minutes lead her to it. when she goes, praise her. Keep a keen eye on what she does and what she is doing. She isn't going to figure out anything because you are confusing her with your voice. You are the one right now not figureing it out. Do not PUNISH her for making a mistake, correct her. your actions confuses her making you think she is more rebellous, which isn't the case. Dogs just want to please. EVERY 15 minutes. It takes dedication on your part. LEAD her to the mat. If she doesn't go, ok. wait an additional 5-10 minutes. Take her back. When she does go outside or on the pad, praise her and you will see a big change. PATIENCE that is all I can Say

Answer 6

This is what i did with my MIn Pin. Keep her in her crate like you are crate training her. When you get her out to go potty, put her on her leash and take her to the puppy pad. Stay there till she goes. When she does say "good dog good dog" and give her a treat. Then take her back to the crate. Once she uses it a few times she'll start to understand. It took Eva (my dog) about two weeks. Now shes only confined to the kitchen. One thing you will realize very fast is they like to tear those puppy pads to pieces. If she starts to do so petsmart sells reusable pads. I had to switch to those cause she would tear the disposable ones up. I really like them and they will save you alot of money in the long run. She only goes on the pads now that she runs free in the kitchen. Still trying to figure out how to teach her to go there when shes in the rest of the house. I let her out the other day and the first thing she did was jump on the couch and #1 and #2 (Yikes). Hope this helps. Good Luck

Answer 7

First off who told you that rubbing her face in it works? It does not help at all . and yes it will make her more rebellious . take her and simply place her on the puppy pad do not physically punish her every time she has an accident . I simply put them back on the pad and tell them here girl ,here ,go potty here. Something to that effect okay.

Answer 8

Never rub her face in it, she has no idea why you are doing that. Try putting a little of her urine on the puppy pad. Really you just have to be very patient! It takes time for them to get it. Make sure to praise her & give her a treat EVERY time she uses the pad.

Answer 9

i have found that the pads are not the best way to house break. i always use a crate. you would put her in the crate when you are not home and while you are asleep. she will not go to the bathroom where she sleeps. then when you are home during the day you can watch for her sniffing and you can take her out a lot. when she does go outside you should give her lots of praise and you can even give her a treat. she will catch on in no time.
i have trained three dogs this way and it has worked each time.

good luck!!!

Answer 10

Hey I first I want to say I am not trying to make you look like a jerk. This is the first time this has dawned on me. I have heard people doing this. But why do people rub the dog or cats face in the stuff. We wouldn't done to us. Again I am not criticizing you.

I wish I could offer you answer other than giving her treats when she goes outside. Maybe that'll get her attention. Good luck to you.