Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I just got my first chi. He is pure bred, full AKC reg, champion sired, and champion bloodlines. The idea of showing him in AKC dog shows for confirmation interests me, but my breeder says that you can't keep an intact dog in the house or he will start peeing all over the house. She says that she keeps her stud dogs in the house wearing a doggie diaper. Is it true that there is no way to have an intact dog in the house without it marking? Thanks.

>>I just got my first chi. He is pure bred, full AKC reg, champion sired, and champion bloodlines. The idea of showing him in AKC dog shows for confirmation interests me, but my breeder says that you can't keep an intact dog in the house or he will start peeing all over the house. She says that she keeps her stud dogs in the house wearing a doggie diaper. Is it true that there is no way to have an intact dog in the house without it marking? Thanks.

>>>>>>>>>>>

Your breeder is correct. Additionally, if you delay neutering until the urine-marking has already started and become a habit, your chances of solving the problem with neutering are reduced. Having the dog wear a diaper all the time is not a perfect solution, either, because that part of the body needs some air circulation. Otherwise the dog can get infections.
-----
Kathy Diamond Davis, author, "Therapy Dogs: Training Your Dog to Reach Others," 2nd edition, and the free Canine Behavior Series articles at http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=SRC&S=1&SourceID=47

>>Is it true that there is no way to have an intact dog in the house without it marking?
>>

With these guys it's very difficult to 100% house train them. It's not impossible to do it, but it is improbable. The amount of dedication to training is beyond what anyone I know is capable of.

Even my parents neutered male marks every now and then, and he was neutered at about 6 months of age. My grandmother's boy is worse, and her boy she lost two years ago (who was intact) was the worst of all of them.

So, unless you are 100% committed to showing then I too advise to have him neutered.

There are many great activities available for those with fixed AKC dogs. Rally is a great option with these guys, they love having the interaction. Many are also very good at agility, again, they love the interaction. These are happy and high spirited dogs, finding something that you can do with them that is also "play" really brings out the joy of partnership with them.

.
-----
tabitha
Kayo, Kahla, and Dante'

I guess I'm the minority here.
I have an intact dog and he has NEVER marked anything inside my home. He stopped having accidents at 4 months and has only pottied in the house 3 times since then and he is almost 3 yrs old.
My pup is trained as my Service dog as well as a Delta certified Therapy dog.
Chihuahua's are just as trainalbe as any other breed. It can be more time consuming but still very possible.

If you want to truely show your pup in confirmation then he has to be intact. Obedience is another story. You can fix him and still be fine.

I suggest if you dont show him then of course get him fixed as its best for him. But if you are going to do confirmation and he has to stay intact then just work very hard and be consistant with him.

my 3 dogs