help on training chihuahua to toilet in crate at night and how to calm him down in times of madness!?

Question

Ive posted on here b4 and got some good answers do thought id come back with some more!
ok firstly my chihuahua is 7 and a half weeks (i know she let him go bit early)
he is already going to the toilet on paper no problems but at night he wakes up and cries to let himout to go (usualluy around 2.30 and then 7.00)but then when he goes b/c hes out hes awake than so ive had to wear himout b4 we can go bk to bed!!!
Is there anyway to get him to go in the crate at night as getting up at 2.30 am every mrning is a bit extreme!!
Also the lastfew days he has been mad!!i worry he will hurt himself as he abs tears round!!!ive tried holding him,shouting but nothing seems to stophimwhen hes on one!!!
any help appreciated!
thanks

Answer 1

That's not very hygienic for the dog to do the toilet where he sleeps and as he gets older he will be able to hold it in easier, and if you try and train him to do the toilet outside and he is doing it properly then trying to get him to do the toilet in the crate will just confuse the little guy you knew that getting a puppy would be a lot of work and it is just like a baby if it cries in the night you get up in and tend to it's needs, its the same with a puppy.

Answer 2

You really don't want to train the dog to use his crate as a bathroom. Dogs instinctively don't poop or pee where they sleep or eat. The crate should be a place of safety and calm. Training him to go in the crate could very easily translate into him going wherever he feels like it in the house.

My suggestion is to try crate training. There are a lot of books and internet articles on the subject. Basically, though, the idea is that until the pup is potty trained, he stays in his crate unless you're exercising or playing with him. When you take him out of the crate, immediately take him outside to use the bathroom. If he does, praise him immediately. If he doesn't, he goes back into the crate.

As for tearing around the house, that's normal puppy behavior. You just need to wear the little guy out. A well exercised puppy is a good puppy.

Answer 3

dogs, even puppies, will not toilet inside their burrow -- or crate in your case. you'll find it almost impossible to train him to do this and if you succeed you'll never break him of the habit.

7 and 1/2 weeks isn't old enough to be properly weened from his dam so the diet his is getting likely isn't right. that means he has to go and so he does what he can -- cries to be let out.

it'll be over by the time he's 12 weeks or so old and you've trained him to toilet outside. sounds like you've started the process properly already, just keep going.

***
as for 'crazy' ... you've chosen a very tightly wound dog there, mate, and he's going to behave crazy when he hasn't enough exercise. If you're a working bloke like most of us, he'll be wound up something fierce every night as you arrive home.

Take him out to run. A good half hour or so when you get home should do the trick. [Lots cheaper than going to the pub and healthier for you, too.]


luck to you

Answer 4

Training them to potty IN their crate is totally backwards from what you want to teach him. If you teach him this now, he will always do it. He is small and has a tiny bladder, you chose to buy him and take care of him. Just as human baby's need attention in the middle of the night, so do baby dogs. You need to let him out regularly until he is old enough to hold it longer. Eventually he will.

He has a lot of energy - maybe your need to play fetch with him to wear him out.

Answer 5

You don't want him to go in the crate at all! The crate is what teaches him to be housebroken..i know its tough on you, but since he's so small, you have to let him out if you want it to be easier down the road with housetraining. this will only be for a little longer, and you'll be glad later on.
Try not to shout at him, it will onlyincrease his mad behavior.Just keep telling yourself, this will go by fast, in no time your dogs going to be housetrained.