Pug/chihuahua housetraining issues

Hi there,

Thank you for your post. Firstly we need to look at a general house training strategy. I would ask you to review our bonus book ‘Secrets to House Training’ for further ideas.

In order to help maximize the training of your dog, it is important to understand when a dog is most likely to urinate (pee) or defecate (poop). Typically, this can be divided into four categories:

1. A dog usually eliminates (urinates or defecates) soon after it wakes up, since during sleep urine production continues to fill the bladder. It is important to remember that dogs sleep several times a day and so have several waking periods.

2. After eating a meal a dog is likely to defecate within ten to twenty minutes. This is due to a physiological function called the gastro-colic response which is, in more simple terms, a bodily response produced after eating that causes a dog’s bowels to move leading to defecation. Since smaller dogs are generally fed two or three times daily, they will also need to be taken outside, or to paper (depending on your training method) after being fed.

3. If a dog has been highly active at one time, it is likely to eliminate soon after.

4. In general dogs usually also eliminate before sleeping each night.

As you can see, there are many times throughout a single day that a dog may eliminate. It is important to remember that, as well as these general categories, a dog may eliminate at any time and thus you need to be aware that accidents will happen.

Please use the following progression:

1. After mealtimes, waking up and exercise your dog should be gently picked up and taken outside or preferably lead via a collar and lead outside to your chosen toileting area.

2. While waiting patiently for your dog to eliminate, use an encouraging, high pitched tone of voice to say the word or phrase you wish to use. Repeat this while you wait. eg. “Toilet!”

3. Continue repeating the word you have chosen until the dog has finished urinating and defecating before giving plenty of praise and attention. “GOOD BOY!!, WELL DONE, YOU’RE SO CLEVER!!” – using an excited and happy high pitched voice. This praise needs to occur directly after the dog has finished in order to be effective. You may then both return inside. Do not play with the dog until it has eliminated. It may be a good idea to briefly play with him after he toilets outside since it may encourage him to poop before he goes back indoors.

You may feel as though you have been trying to potty train your dog for a long time now, but obviously he does not quite understand what is expected of him. Therefore you need to treat him as though he knows nothing of house training – start from the very beginning again!

All the best with your training!