Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have had my 12 week old chihuahua puppy, Tux, for 2 weeks. We have been working on potty training and he's doing well...but he's still having accidents. No matter how often I take him outside, he'll manage to come right back in and often potty right where I sit him down. Although I am a woman, I have a very powerful, masculine voice and I have had great success with other dogs by using my most powerful voice to exert "NO!" and a normal voice in normal everyday life. With Tux, however, he sees me as his sleeping toy...and the voice of God. When he tinkles on the floor, I have resorted to picking him up and moving him outside immediately (so as to not scare him with the "voice of God" discipline). He often rolls over and just squeals like the dickens as I attempt to take him outside. Mind you, I am not hurting the little guy...I'm simply picking him up! GENTLY! No manner of punishment I am using (that's being very sweet and saying "bad boy, Tux, no pottying in the house" to using the "voice of God" and giving him the guilt trip where the world has ended because he just tinkled on the floor) seems to be working. He's viewing me as God and just goes into mush at the slightest sight of me. He's with me almost 24-7. I work at a veterinary clinic that allows me to bring Tux with me to work...and he is great around other people (even those that tell him "no" but with me, he'll just come untied with squealing fits. He's had about 10 accidents to date, so they're not terribly numerous and I praise him highly when he goes potty outside (I know it's good when the tail comes out from between his legs and he starts wagging it). I do not punish him if he has accidents away from me (or those I did not witness). But the oddest thing for me is, when it's bedtime...we're friends! He wants to sleep right under my chin with my hands curled around him! AND WE GET ALONG GREAT! NO POTTYING IN BED!!! *sigh* I've trained many dogs in my life...but he's stumping me! Any ideas?! I'm almost bald from pulling my hair out!! AH!!

Sam

I don't know a whole lot about potty training, but I do know that he should never be disciplined in any way for pottying, no matter where he does it. If you discipline him (with a dog this submissive, even "no" can be discipline) when you see him have an accident he'll think you're saying no to pottying, not to doing it in the house. So he'll just learn to hide from you when he needs to go.. Instead, you might try just pick him up (squealing or not) and put him outside without saying anything. And always praise and praise his unparalleled genius when he goes outside, even if it's just after an accident in the house..

The tiny breeds are notoriously difficult to housetrain (I grew up with shih tzus, so I know stubborn) and will need to go outside at least once every 3 hours their whole lives.. A 12 week old chi should be outside probably every half hour to 45 minutes. He's just tiny, he can't hold anything very long. And of course, always right after playing, napping, eating, or drinking..

As for maintaining a friendly relationship, I'd say don't discipline him at all (unless it's for play biting or something like that.. But never for potty issues). Praise him for good things, and ignore the bad. If you really feel it's necessary you might give him a quiet but firm "No." It sounds like that's all this little guy can take.. And as soon as he's got all his shots start taking him everywhere with you. Chis can get downright nasty if they're not VERY well socialized, particularly those that start off nervous and timid.. Getting him into an obedience class is always a great idea too, even if you feel you can handle the training yourself. The puprose of a puppy class is more about socialization, not so much training..

it seems that you know alot about dogs & training, its just this lil fella's freaking out - maybe someone really frightened him by grabbing him as a very young pup?

I know he's tiny, but what about using a leash & harness & slowly 'teaching' him to 'come' or 'chase' you or a squeeky toy, or even sit down & entice him to get in your lap without reaching for him at all.

since it seems to be primarily the reaching hands, reaching down - then he could just follow you out or maybe once he was in your lap you could just slowly stroke him for a few times/days, until he seems ok with that & then try to just lift him.

he sounds like a real sweetie the way he curls up with you in bed - so I'm betting he'll come around, with just a bit of a change in your method.

Thank you to those who have replied so far.

In response to Hounds,
He truly is a sweetheart. He loves being around people and is warm with me...as long as he has not used the facilities in the house. If he's nibbled on someone, taken off with a shoe, etc. he does not freak when I pick him up. I think he's coming out of his shell because he has improved over the last few days. He hasn't stopped the whole whining thing...but he does not go into fits anymore. He'll squeal when he's hurt and that's about it. I think I will continue to be the "voice of God" when he has done un-repairable naughtiness and be his pillow when he's been good. While I was thinking it wouldn't work before...he's doing very well. Of course, he's not getting in trouble for any pottying he does while I'm not watching...he's getting a conscience for what he has done wrong. I would like to see his potty training going faster as getting up at 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 AM is getting quite old, but I can't complain too much. Apparently he's made the connection that I'm only gruff when he's done very, very bad things and has done less of those and therefore, it has improved our relationship. He still prefers sitting on my fiancee when we're at home...but I'm his cuddle buddy at night (who gripes at my fiancee because he's not keeping us warm enough--hehe). I take it time will improve all things for him...at least he's finding out that I'm only mean when I have to be...and I'm nice all other times.

On a side note, maybe with a little luck I'll be able to get him to wear the cute little sweaters I've been making him to keep him nice and toasty, lol! Here's a picture to show you how pouty he gets when I put him in one...add a friend into the picture and he forgets all about the sweater being on. Doesn't complain too much when he goes outside in the cold while wearing one either. hehe.

I don't have the answer to your question, but it may in the way that you asked your quesion.

Your role is not to be a disciplinarian, but a teacher. That's what this little guy needs.