Hello Dee, I recommend using the Exercise Pen method from the article I have linked below. It mentions using a doggie litter box, but if you will cover the entire floor of the exercise pen with pee pads, then gradually remove the extra ones one at a time once pup is pooping on them well, you can follow the rest of the methods training tips. https://wagwalking.com/training/litter-box-train-a-chihuahua-puppy Best of luck training, Caitlin Crittenden

May 2, 2022

Hello Ariadna, How long since you brought pup home? Where is pup currently sleeping? It typically takes about two weeks for most pups to adjust completely to sleeping alone and not waking you for attention; however, you can help that adjustment be as smooth as possible by doing the following. 1. When pup cries but doesn't have to go potty (like after you return them to the crate when they just went potty outside or if they are sleeping in an exercise pen with pee pad access) be consistent about ignoring the crying until they go back to sleep. The more consistent you are, the quicker the overall process tends to take even if it's hard to do for the first couple weeks. Since it sounds like the goal is indoor potty training, I would set up an exercise with pee pads over 75% of the floor of the pen and a non-absorbent bed like www.primopads.com or k9ballistic taking up the remaining 25 % of the area. Once pup is going on the pads consistently, then gradually take extra pads away, one pad at a time. If you are open to it, I actually recommend using disposable real grass pads over pee pads for indoor potty training. Those tend to be more easily accepted by dogs, are consistent with pup being taken potty outside when needed, are less confusing than pee pads for the dog since pee pads are made out of fabric like carpet and rugs too, and the smell of the grass pad can encourage going potty there. www.freshpatch.com www.doggielawn.com www.porchpotty.com Also, on amazon 2. When pup does truly need to go potty if going potty outside (when it's been at least 3 hours since pup last peed), take pup to go potty outside on a leash to keep pup focused and things calmer. Don't give treats, food, play, or much attention during these trips - boring and sleepy is the goal, then right back to bed after. This helps pup learn to only wake when they truly need to go potty and be able to put themselves back to sleep - helping them start sleeping longer stretches sooner and not ask to go out unless they actually need to potty. Pup will generally need 1-2 potty trips at night if going potty outside even after trained for a couple months though due to a small bladder. If sleeping in an exercise pen with pee pad or grass pad access, pup will probably cry after waking up to go on the pad, until they learn to settle themselves back to sleep. Don't give attention when pup is safe and have what they need for pottying though, or pup will continue waking for attention. Expect pup to wake a couple of times a night and probably cry for thirty minutes after each time - as pup improves, if you are consistent about not rewarding that crying with attention, the length of time pup cries should decrease more and more until pup is waking less and not crying when going back to sleep. 3. Practice the Surprise method from the article I have linked below to help pup get used to exercise pen or crate time during the day too - so that there is less crying at night due to pup adjusting to being alone. This part is extremely important and the main difference between what you are probably already doing. The method mentions a crate but this can be done with an exercise pen too for indoor potty training. Surprise method - only give treats during daytime practice, not at night though: https://wagwalking.com/training/like-a-crate 5. Finally, don't let pup be loose at night while sleeping, due to accidents, chewing dangers, and the fact that pup will be able to constantly wake you up in a way that will require you responding - like climbing on top of you or destroying things. Use an exercise pen or crate at this age. For training pee pads, check out the exercise pen method from the article I have linked below. This can be used with most indoor potties, such as a pee pad, real grass pad, or doggie litter box. https://wagwalking.com/training/litter-box-train-a-chihuahua-puppy For the stairs, check out the Baby Steps method from the article I have linked below. https://wagwalking.com/training/train-your-puppy-to-go-up-stairs Also, check out the Slow and Steady Method found in this article for the stairs: https://wagwalking.com/training/use-stairs Because of pup's size, pup may physically not be able to navigate your stairs yet. You may have to carry pup for a bit or modifying the stairs with a ramp or mini stairs added to the full size steps until pup grows some. In the meantime, you can find lower stairs or create lower stairs yourself to practice building pup's confidence with stairs in general so pup will be willing to climb the stairs as soon as they are physically large enough. Even with my retriever puppy, stairs were hard when they were very young, and a Shih Tzu is considerably smaller than a retriever! Once pup developed some muscles, coordination, and grew, they could manage. Things that work on developing those muscles, like small climbs, help pup develop coordination for climbing, and pup growing a bit should help. Best of luck training, Caitlin Crittenden

April 8, 2022

Hello! I am going to give you some training information on how to work with your dog to use potty pads. Choose Your Spot Pick a space in your house where you want your dog to go. Obviously, you’ll want this spot to be a low-traffic area. Make sure this spot is easily accessible to your dog, and make sure the floor surface is linoleum or tile, as opposed to carpet. If your dog “misses,” it will be easier to clean up. If the only spot you can put the pee pad is a carpet, you might consider getting a small tarp to put underneath the puppy pee pad to guard against spillage. Choose a spot that is outside of your “smell zone.” An important tip to remember is to make sure not to let your dog decide the spot he likes. Not only might he pick an area you won’t like, but he’ll learn that he is in charge – not you – which can cause a host of problems down the line. Monitor Your Dog When you are potty training your dog, full-time monitoring is an absolute necessity. It’s impossible to correct bad behaviors if you don’t see them happen. Dogs have very short memories. It is important to catch your dog in the act. If your dog goes on the floor, and you try to correct him hours after the fact, he will be confused and upset, not knowing what he did wrong. This can hinder training and your relationship with your dog. Puppies, in particular, must be watched constantly. They have less control over their bowels and will go when they have to go. If you miss these moments, you lose precious training opportunities. Of course, it’s nearly impossible to be with your dog 24 hours a day, but try to spend more time at home during the weeks you are potty training – it will pay off in the long run. Learn Your Dog’s Schedule Dogs, for the most part, are predictable. They will go to the bathroom at predictable times. You should be able to learn when your dog has to go based on timing as much as on his signals. Take some time to study your dog’s bathroom habits. You’ll learn the amount of time after he eats or drinks that he has to go, and you’ll get in rhythm with his daily bathroom schedule. This will help you reduce accidents and speed up the potty training process. Studying your dog’s habits can also help you identify his bathroom “triggers” – like having to go after a certain amount of playtime. Once you learn your dog’s schedule, use it to your advantage in potty training. Bring him to the pee pad a few minutes before he normally goes, and encourage him. This will help him get used to going in the right spot, and help you establish repetition in your training. Choose a Command Word Dogs have keen senses – they respond to sight, smell, and sound. When you begin pee pad training, choose a command word and use it every time you take your dog to the pad. Just about any word will work. The tone of your voice is more important than the actual word. Try phrases like “go on” or “go potty” in a slightly elevated, encouraging tone. Make sure to repeat this same command, in the same tone, every time you take your dog to the pee pad. Avoid Punishment When your dog has an accident, it’s just that – an accident. When you punish your dog during potty training, he will become confused and scared. He doesn’t know what he’s done wrong, and can’t understand why the person he loves most is mad at him. Most importantly, it will not help his potty training. Positive Reinforcement Both human and dog behavior is largely based on incentives. Dogs’ incentives are very simple – they want to eat when they are hungry, play when they are excited, and sleep when they are tired. But the most important thing your dog wants in life is to please you. Use this to your advantage. Whenever your dog goes on his potty training pad, shower him with lots of praise. If he sees that he gets praise for doing his business on the pad, he will be incentivized to keep going on the pad – and he’ll be excited to do it! Potty training – whether it’s a pee pad or going outside – will take time, but if you do it right, can take less time. Many dogs are potty trained in less than two weeks. Just remember that you and your dog are partners. Do everything you can to help him learn the proper etiquette, and you will enjoy a long, quality relationship together. Please let me know if you have any additional questions. Thank you for writing in.

Feb. 14, 2022