Potty training a chihuahua on pee pads is not difficult, but you should go into it knowing what to expect.
It would help if you began by picking up an abundance of pee pads-get all you think you need and then one more.
You might even subscribe to an online service that sends you a regular shipment of pee pads.
Make sure you figure out what your Chihuahua loves regarding a reward. Food, praise, and toys are usually what make dogs happy.
Have a good stock of these treats on hand so you can always give a reward for a job well done.
Your chihuahua will go where you want them to; with patience, care, and understanding, your chihuahua will go where you want them to.
Training a Chihuahua on Pee Pads
Pick a designated spot where your pup will go to the bathroom each time. Do not move the pee pads around the house or apartment.
Otherwise, they will get confused and may end up going in a spot you don’t want them to. This leads to everybody getting frustrated.
Keep that area all the time with pee pads, also. That way, you can immediately change them out when they get soiled.
Also, remember that Chihuahuas pee more often than some other dogs, thanks to their small size-so, having plenty of pads around is a good thing (and sanitary, too!)
Most families use the basement, spare rooms, or the bathroom as the place where their dog will go potty.
Having a doggy door on the space they are to go in is an excellent way to build independence and help them get to the spot faster.
Let’s talk about different ways of teaching your chihuahua and chihuahua to go potty on pee pads.
Method 1: Pee Pad Room
Please choose a suitable and easy room for your Chi to get to when it’s time to go. It can be any room you deem appropriate.
We recommend putting the pee pads in a spot with a tile or linoleum, or even concrete floor. This makes cleanups for huge messes easier.
As always, ensure this room will be the ONLY room where the pee pads go.
Next, cover the whole floor with pee pads as best you can. Your dog is guaranteed to go on the pee pads while learning.
Once they get the hang of it, you can reduce it to one or two pee pads.
Make sure you feed him regularly during the day; you take him to the potty about 15 minutes after eating.
As you lead him in, say a keyword like “Potty,” “poop,” or “go potty” so your dog knows what to do. Supervise him closely. When he finally does go, offer a treat and praise.
Supervise your dog so he goes potty in the pee pad room. Don’t let him sniff around and explore-this could lead him to think it’s okay to potty anywhere.
Have him stick to the pee pads for sniffing and poking around. Keep one filthy place in the room so your Chi knows his scent. Besides that, do not keep dirty pads around, only clean ones.
Go to the room often, so he knows this is the spot to be in case he has to go to the potty. In case of an accident, redirect him to the room-do, do not punish him!
This will ensure he does not associate going potty with negative emotions. And as always, offer a treat and praise once your chihuahua goes potty.
Method 2: Potty Training a Chihuahua On Pee Pads With a Crate
Begin by buying an appropriately sized crate for your chihuahua that he can turn around and stand up in.
Anything more significant can lead to soils happening on one side and naps on the other. Crates are good things for dogs as it makes them feel secure.
Dogs are also opposed to soiling their crates, so this is a great way to train them on holding them.
Put the pee pads down in your house where you want to see your dog use the potty. Make sure you stay consistent with this space.
As always, you want to ensure that your chihuahua knows where to go for potty time.
Keep the Chihuahua inside the crate when you are busy at home or away for short periods. Make sure there are toys and perhaps a soft blanket to provide some comfort to the dog.
Depending on your dog’s age, this may not be the best method for potty training a chihuahua on pee pads because puppies, for instance, cannot hold it as long as older dogs.
Chihuahuas seem to go more often than other breeds, perhaps due to their small size.
Therefore, the point here is to leave your chihuahua alone only for short periods until you fully understand how long they can be in there without needing somebody to take them out.
After you arrive home, open the crate and take the Chihuahua to the pee pads. Allow him to sniff around for his scent and then go potty.
Be sure he does not take this time to play around on the pee pads. You know what comes following praise and a treat.
The key here is, of course, to be consistent. Always take him to the pee pads after mealtimes and after play.
Make sure he has ample time to see the place, sniff it, circle around and do his business.
Method 3: Sniffing and Circling as a Means of Training Your Chihuahua on Pee Pads
Begin by placing in a spot you want your pup to pee. The golden rule remains: You must keep this area consistent and easy to reach.
Next, bring your chihuahua to the pee pads and allow him the chance to explore and sniff around.
You might get lucky, and your pup will go right away; other times, it will be harder to potty train a chihuahua on pee pads, and you might have to redirect him back there.
As you supervise your dog, keep watch on body language. Certain mannerisms dogs do indicate they are ready for the potty. They might sniff, circle, or paw at the floors.
Once you see your dog behaving in these mannerisms, put him on the pee pad. Remember to use those keywords we discussed earlier-” go potty,” “go poop,” etc.
Use an encouraging tone of voice, so he feels comfortable. Once your dog goes potty, offer the same rewards: a treat and some praise.
If an accident should happen, soak up the urine or poo with a paper towel and place it on the pee pads where you want him to go.
This will get his scent where he is supposed to be going and make him more apt to pee in the correct spot.
An Important Note On Punishment
As human beings, we understand better than anybody that mistakes happen. Your dog wants you to have the same understanding about her potty training a chihuahua on pee pads.
If you notice your dog peeing in a spot she is not supposed to be going to, make sure you do not make mistakes like rubbing her nose, scolding her, or hitting her with a rolled-up magazine or newspaper.
This only leads to the dog feeling nervous about going around you and finding places that are not appropriate to do her business.
Indeed, this is something that can hurt more than help. Therefore, you should interrupt her immediately when you see her peeing in the wrong spot.
You can clap your hands or say, “Hey,” in a firm but gentle tone. (The goal is to startle, but not scare).
After you do this, take them to the correct spot where the pee pads are. Let them finish doing their business and give them a treat and praise once they are done.
You should immediately clean up any messes and use the damp paper towels or rags where you want your dog to go.
When your Chihuahua smells their unique smell, it will be more motivated to go to the correct spot.
Potty Training a Chihuahua: Other Helpful Advice
Be sure that when you clean up messes, you use an enzymatic cleaner such as Nature’s Miracle.
You have to use an enzyme cleaner because ammonia-based cleaners make dogs (and cats) more likely to pee in the same spot.
It is best to use an enzyme cleaner to ensure your pet will not go there again. These are specially formulated to be safe for use around pets.
Another mistake to avoid is leaving your dog alone for more than four or five hours per day during this critical training period.
You will want to have a friend, family member, or dog trainer over if you must be at work or take time off to teach them.
Alternatively, you can gate off certain rooms of the house and lay down pee pads, so your pup knows where to go.
Be sure to use rags or paper towels with their urine on them, so they always know where to go.
Food and water are critical training components to keep in mind as you help your Chihuahua train using pee pads.
You should pick up the water dish and dump it out about two hours before you go to bed so that they will be less likely to eliminate during the night hours.
The average pup can sleep for about 7 hours before going potty. If your dog wakes you up, just let them go to the pee pads and gently tell them a good job afterward.
In terms of food, keep them on a consistent schedule. Always take them to go about 15 minutes after they eat. This way, they will always go at the same time.
Wrapping It Up
To potty train a chihuahua on pee pads is not a difficult task by any means. Instead, it is simply a task that requires you to be patient and consistent.
Stick with your routine, and before you know it, your puppy will be fully trained and independently going to the potty on its own.
