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How to Train Your Chihuahua Dog to Use a Pee Pad
How to Train Your Chihuahua Dog to Use a Pee Pad
Medium difficulty iconMedium
Time icon4-8 Weeks
Behavior training category iconBehavior
Introduction

There are many reasons you might want your Chihuahua to learn how to use a pee pad in your house. Chihuahuas are little dogs, and they don't typically handle winter weather very well. Pee pads are perfect for little dogs to be able to use the potty in one area in your house, protecting your floors and furniture, curtains and walls from urine damage and marking. Training your Chihuahua to use a pee pad could occur because his little body is too small to handle the harsh winter cold and his little paws are too sensitive to handle cold or icy conditions. Many Chihuahua owners also train their dogs to use pee pads if they are living in apartments. High-rise buildings in the middle of concrete cities don't offer soft, comfortable grass and places for your dogs to go potty outside. For larger dogs, it might be worth walking to a dog park and getting exercise to find some grass. However, for small dogs like Chihuahuas, it makes sense if you are in an apartment in the middle of a concrete jungle to potty train your Chihuahua within your home.

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Defining Tasks

Training your Chihuahua to use a pee pad is not much different than house training your dog. You were going to take him to the same place anytime you think he needs to go potty, so he knows exactly where to eliminate. You will need to keep pee pads clean and changed frequently so he has a clean, sanitary place to go each time he needs to go. Be patient while you're training your Chihuahua to use pee pads. He may have some accidents here and there in other places. Be sure the area where you keep your pee pads is accessible to your Chihuahua, not hard to get to, and a place he can visit on his own often. It's easy to train Chihuahua puppies to use pee pads, but you can train your older dog to use pee pads as well if you are rescuing or trying to change the potty behavior of your older Chihuahua.

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Getting Started

Be prepared before you begin training your Chihuahua to use pee pads. Stock up on the pads you plan to use so you have plenty on hand while you're training your dog. Get some high-value treats for rewards to give to your Chihuahua each time he is successful using the pee pad instead of going elsewhere. Set aside space just for your dog. This space needs to be the same space each time. Do not confuse your dog by moving pee pads around your house. Before you begin training, scope out an area that you plan to use for your dog all the time. The space to be stocked with pee pads, and your dog needs to have access to it. Spaces many families use are bathrooms, utility rooms, closets, or unused rooms.

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The Padded Room Method

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1

Choose a room

Pick a room or area in your home for your Chihuahua to use for his potty space. This can be a bathroom, laundry or utility room, a closet, or even a sectioned off area of a family room or bedroom. Just be sure to pick a room you will use all the time for the same purpose so you do not confuse your dog.

2

Pee pads

Cover the floor surface of this space with pee pads for initial training. This will ensure your Chihuahua goes on the pads while he is learning. Once he is trained you may be able to limit some of these pads down to one or two.

3

Potty Command

When your Chihuahua needs to go potty, or at least on a regular basis while training, take him to his potty room and let him use the pee pads. Set him down on the pee pads to sniff around. Use the key phrase ‘go potty’ each time you bring him in the room so he will associate the words with the actions to come.

4

Explore

Do not allow your Chihuahua to spend time in the potty room playing. This will confuse your pup and let him think he can pee and play in the same spaces, which could lead him to pee elsewhere in your home. Let him explore and sniff the space.

5

Clean space

At first, once he pees on a pad, you can keep that scent in the room, so he knows what to do. Other than one area for scent recognition, be sure to keep the room clean with clean pads to use each day.

6

Treat

When your Chihuahua goes potty on the pee pad, celebrate with verbal praise and a treat.

7

Leave space

Once he is done, move him out of the room. Try not to carry your Chihuahua to and from this room or he may begin to think he can only visit if carried in.

8

Visit often

While your Chihuahua is training to use pee pads in your home, be sure to visit the room often so he has a place to go potty and is going there before accidents happen. Typically, your Chihuahua will need to go potty within ten minutes of eating and upon waking.

9

Redirect

If your Chihuahua has an accident or goes elsewhere, simply redirect him to the room again. This will take some time to get used to. Do not punish your Chihuahua for accidents. Focus rewards on positive behaviors. He will want to earn rewards and do well.

10

Remove some pads

As your Chihuahua gets used to using the pee pads in this particular room and is going in on his own, you can narrow the number of pads down to one or two. Be sure to change them on a regular basis to keep the area sanitary and clean smelling.

The Sniff and Circle Method

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1

Pee pads

Place pee pads in the area of your home you would like your Chihuahua to use to go potty.

2

Introduce

Place your Chihuahua on the pee pads and let him sniff and explore. He may have the urge to mark the pad right away or he may lose interest.

3

Body language

Watch your Chihuahua closely for body language that signifies he needs to go potty. This will include sniffing around the floor or circling in one place.

4

Pop on the pee pad

As soon as you see your Chihuahua sniffing or circling, place him on the pee pads and encourage him to go potty with a soft, encouraging tone using words you will use to ask him if he needs to go, such as ‘go potty.’

5

Reward

Once your Chihuahua goes potty on the pee pad, give him a treat. Reward him each time he is successful at making it to the pee pad.

6

Accidents

Do not discipline your Chihuahua for accidents. You can use a stern voice and tell him 'no' when he has an accident, but he will remember the positive interaction of rewarding good choices more. When he has an accident during training, try to catch him, give him one stern ‘no’ and move him to the pee pad. If he is able to eliminate on the pad, give him a treat. If not, continue to watch him and keep trying.

7

Patience

This may take some time. Be patient. If your Chihuahua is having more accidents than you’d like, take him to the pads more often.

The Crate and Pee Pads Method

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Crate

Introduce your Chihuahua to a crate if he does not use one already. Crates are great for puppies as well as older dogs. They help with separation anxiety and to help build a sense of safety and security, especially for such pups like Chihuahuas. Think of your dog’s crate as his bedroom space. He can sleep, stay in the crate while you are away from the house for small periods of time, and he can go to the crate for security.

2

Pee pads

Place pee pads in an area of your house where you’d like to see your dog go potty. Be consistent with this area so your Chihuahua is not confused with a moving and changing potty space.

3

Dog in crate

Keep your dog in the crate while you are not home or busy. Be sure to give him bedding and toys to chew on or play with while you are away. Potty training puppies can sometimes hold it one hour for each month of age. Do not leave your Chihuahua in the crate for too long.

4

Potty

Once you get home or are ready to try to go potty, take your Chihuahua out and take him directly to his pee pads. Let him sniff the pads and wait for him to go potty.

5

No play

Do not let your Chihuahua play on the pee pads. If he is playing, he’s probably not going to go potty.

6

Reward

Once he uses the potty, give him a treat.

7

Practice

Keep taking your Chihuahua to the pee pads to go potty after every meal, after play time, and upon waking from sleep. Give him some time to connect the space with the actions and begin to go on his own. Remember, if you carry him to and from the pee pads each time he needs to go, he may expect this treatment each time and not go on his own.

Written by Stephanie Plummer

Veterinary reviewed by:

Published: 12/20/2017, edited: 01/08/2021

Training Questions and Answers

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Coco
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chuihuia
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Three Months
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Question
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We have a Crete get puppy out and place on puppy pads she wanders off then starts sniffing around the table then pees how do I get her to stay on pee pad and wee or poo

Jan. 29, 2024

Coco's Owner

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Teddi
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Long hair Chihuahua
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7 Weeks
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Question
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0 found this helpful
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How to kennel train my puppy to poop on the puppy pad instead of every where else?

June 21, 2022

Teddi's Owner

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Caitlin Crittenden - Dog Trainer

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1128 Dog owners recommended

Hello Shalynda, I am a bit confused about exactly what you are trying to teach pup. Are you wanting to teach pup to use an indoor potty or an outdoor potty? If using an indoor potty, never put the pad inside the small crate space. I don't know if that's what you are asking about, but just making sure you know to avoid that. Putting a pee pad in a small crate space with pup can lead to pup loosing their natural desire to keep a confined space clean, which would result in pup going potty in small spaces long term - like when they need to travel, are injured and being crated or confined at the vet's, as well as resulting in pup not caring to keep your home as clean also - because pup holding their bladder while in the rest of your home is related to that natural desire to keep a confined space clean that pup generalizes to the rest of your home during the potty training process. Instead, for inside potty training, use something a bit bigger and more open, like an exercise pen, so pup can go potty on the pad on one end and sleep on a non-absorbent bed, like www.primopads.com or k9ballistics crate mats on the opposite end. Exercise pen method: https://wagwalking.com/training/litter-box-train-a-chihuahua-puppy If you are wanting to use a crate to teach pup to go potty on a pad not inside the crate, then follow the crate Training method from the article I have linked above, the article with the exercise pen method - you will find a section in that article for using a crate to teach an indoor potty also. If you are wanting to train pup to go potty outside and wanting to use a crate to train that, then check out the Crate Training method from the article I have linked below. https://wagwalking.com/training/train-a-german-shepherd-puppy-to-poop-outside Best of luck training, Caitlin Crittenden

June 21, 2022

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Rosie
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Chien Francais Blanc et Noir
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14 Weeks
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I have a appx 14 week old female chi. I got her 2 weeks ago. She had been in small area with a sibling puppy for a while no training. Her owner had died and other family had her. She will have no part of understanding pad training etc. Just goes where ever. She will hold it in room on Pee pads until she is let out. Then she goes wherever. I'm not sure what else to do.

March 6, 2022

Rosie's Owner

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Alisha Smith - Alisha S., Dog Trainer

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253 Dog owners recommended

Hello! Here is detailed information on potty training, as well as crate training if you decide to use a crate to help with potty training. Potty training: Know Your Pup. As you spend time with your puppy, learn your puppy’s love language. Just as some people prefer gifts, touch, or time spent together, puppies can be the same way. Some puppies love praise or pets, while others prefer treats. As you get to know your puppy, consider what reward your puppy loves the most. Create a Daily Schedule. It is best to have a routine for your puppy. A schedule helps them understand when to eat, play, and “go to the bathroom.” Your puppy should go out frequently and the routine should be the same every time. When? Start the day by taking your puppy outside, and repeating based on age and ability. They should also go out after napping, chewing, playing, and within 10 to 15 minutes of eating. Although some puppies can sleep for seven hours, it is important to set an alarm and take your pup out during the night. When you do, don’t make a fuss about it. Quietly take them outside with minimal stimulation and light. Praise them if they go to the bathroom and gently return them to their bed or crate. You don’t want them to get stimulated and ready to play in the middle of the night! As you get to know your puppy, you will become aware of their individual habits. Click here to learn more about house training schedules for puppies. Where? Take your puppy to a specific area to urinate or defecate. Be consistent. You can create an area by using urine-soaked paper or bowel movements to help create an aroma to stimulate your puppy. How? Take your puppy out on a leash so they can focus on the desired activity. This will help prevent them from wandering off to play. Once your puppy is in the selected area, use your verbal cue, such as “Hurry Up,” “Poopies,” “Go tinkle,” or any phrase your puppy responds to. What? Know the signs that your puppy has to go to the bathroom. Every animal may have a different “I gotta go” gesture, which often include restlessness, sniffing around, circling, scratching at the door, barking, and, eventually, squatting. At the first sign that your pup has to go, calmly and quickly take them outside to their bathroom spot. Deal with Accidents. Accidents are a normal part of house training a puppy. What to Do If you see your puppy in the process of urinating or defecating inappropriately, calmly and quickly interrupt them in the act. Tell them to stop (either by a jarring sound or command), and immediately take them to an appropriate location for elimination. After your puppy goes to the bathroom, lavishly praise them and offer a treat. Thoroughly clean up accidents, so your puppy is not attracted to this area again. Create a consistent feeding and watering schedule. Depending on the age of your puppy, they will eat three to four times a day. A consistent feeding routine can create a regular bathroom schedule. Take away water about 2 hours before bedtime. Learn more about ideal dog schedules here. What NOT to Do Don’t punish your puppy when they have an accident. At that point, it is too late. When a puppy has an accident in the house and they walk away, within seconds they have already forgotten about what they did. Taking them to the scene of the crime and yelling and/or rubbing their nose in it does not help and, in fact, can harm your puppy! Supervise. The best thing you can do is to prevent accidents and the best way to do this is to supervise your puppy at all times. You can tether your puppy to your waist with a five or six-foot leash and carefully observe them for signs that they need to go to the bathroom. If you can’t supervise, then crate or confine your puppy. The more accidents your puppy has in the house, the more confusing it will be for them and this can delay house training. Reward, Reward, Reward. It is important to give your puppy a reward for their good behavior. This can be for commands such as sitting and coming to you, or for appropriately eliminating outside. In a puppy, a reward can be a couple kibbles of puppy food or a treat, such as a small piece of meat. The treat should be exciting for them and only available as a result of good behavior. Crate training can take days or weeks, depending on your dog's age, temperament and past experiences. It's important to keep two things in mind while crate training: The crate should always be associated with something pleasant and training should take place in a series of small steps. Don't go too fast. Step 1: Introduce your dog to the crate Place the crate in an area of your house where the family spends a lot of time, such as the family room. Put a soft blanket or towel in the crate. Take the door off and let the dog explore the crate at their leisure. Some dogs will be naturally curious and start sleeping in the crate right away. If yours isn't one of them: Bring them over to the crate and talk to them in a happy tone of voice. Make sure the crate door is open and secured so that it won't hit your dog and frighten them. Encourage your dog to enter the crate by dropping some small food treats nearby, then just inside the door, and finally, all the way inside the crate. If they refuse to go all the way in at first, that's OK; don't force them to enter. Continue tossing treats into the crate until your dog will walk calmly all the way into the crate to get the food. If they aren’t interested in treats, try tossing a favorite toy in the crate. This step may take a few minutes or as long as several days. Step 2: Feed your dog meals in the crate After introducing your dog to the crate, begin feeding them their regular meals near the crate. This will create a pleasant association with the crate. If your dog is readily entering the crate when you begin Step 2, place the food dish all the way at the back of the crate. If they remain reluctant to enter, put the dish only as far inside as they will readily go without becoming fearful or anxious. Each time you feed them, place the dish a little further back in the crate. Once your dog is standing comfortably in the crate to eat their meal, you can close the door while they’re eating. The first time you do this, open the door as soon as they finish their meal. With each successive feeding, leave the door closed a few minutes longer, until they’re staying in the crate for 10 minutes or so after eating. If they begin to whine to be let out, you may have increased the length of time too quickly. Next time, try leaving them in the crate for a shorter time period. If they do whine or cry in the crate, don’t let them out until they stop. Otherwise, they'll learn that the way to get out of the crate is to whine, so they'll keep doing it. Step 3: Practice with longer crating periods After your dog is eating their regular meals in the crate with no sign of fear or anxiety, you can confine them there for short time periods while you're home. Call them over to the crate and give them a treat. Give them a command to enter, such as "crate." Encourage them by pointing to the inside of the crate with a treat in your hand. After your dog enters the crate, praise them, give them the treat and close the door. Sit quietly near the crate for five to 10 minutes and then go into another room for a few minutes. Return, sit quietly again for a short time and then let them out. Repeat this process several times a day, gradually increasing the length of time you leave them in the crate and the length of time you're out of sight. Once your dog will stay quietly in the crate for about 30 minutes with you mostly out of sight, you can begin leaving them crated when you're gone for short time periods and/or letting them sleep there at night. This may take several days or weeks. Step 4, Part A: Crate your dog when you leave After your dog can spend about 30 minutes in the crate without becoming anxious or afraid, you can begin leaving them crated for short periods when you leave the house. Put them in the crate using your regular command and a treat. You might also want to leave them with a few safe toys in the crate. Vary the moment during your "getting ready to leave" routine that you put your dog in the crate. Although they shouldn't be crated for a long time before you leave, you can crate them anywhere from five to 20 minutes prior to leaving. Don't make your departures emotional and prolonged—they should be matter-of-fact. Praise your dog briefly, give them a treat for entering the crate and then leave quietly. When you return home, don't reward your dog for excited behavior by responding to them in an enthusiastic way. Keep arrivals low-key to avoid increasing their anxiety over when you will return. Continue to crate your dog for short periods from time to time when you're home so they don't associate crating with being left alone. Step 4, Part B: Crate your dog at night Put your dog in the crate using your regular command and a treat. Initially, it may be a good idea to put the crate in your bedroom or nearby in a hallway, especially if you have a puppy. Puppies often need to go outside to eliminate during the night and you'll want to be able to hear your puppy when they whine to be let outside. Older dogs should also initially be kept nearby so they don't associate the crate with social isolation. Once your dog is sleeping comfortably through the night with the crate near you, you can begin to gradually move it to the location you prefer, although time spent with your dog—even sleep time—is a chance to strengthen the bond between you and your pet. Potential problems Whining: If your dog whines or cries while in the crate at night, it may be difficult to decide whether they’re whining to be let out of the crate, or whether they need to be let outside to eliminate. If you've followed the training procedures outlined above, then your dog hasn't been rewarded for whining in the past by being released from their crate. If that is the case, try to ignore the whining. If your dog is just testing you, they'll probably stop whining soon. Yelling at them or pounding on the crate will only make things worse. If the whining continues after you've ignored them for several minutes, use the phrase they associate with going outside to eliminate. If they respond and become excited, take them outside. This should be a trip with a purpose, not play time. If you're convinced that your dog doesn't need to eliminate, the best response is to ignore them until they stop whining. Don't give in; if you do, you'll teach your dog to whine loud and long to get what they want. If you've progressed gradually through the training steps and haven't done too much too fast, you'll be less likely to encounter this problem. If the problem becomes unmanageable, you may need to start the crate training process over again. Separation anxiety: Attempting to use the crate as a remedy for separation anxiety won't solve the problem. A crate may prevent your dog from being destructive, but they may get injured in an attempt to escape. Separation anxiety problems can only be resolved with counterconditioning and desensitization procedures.

March 7, 2022


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