Ok, my chihuahua is 11 months old. I had potty-trained her fairly quickly to use little pads, she was going to be my apartment-dog.
We moved to a house where the roomies’ dogs were neglected, and they shat and peed on the floor. My dog regressed. Moved again, started trying to re-train her to use pads and go outside with us every few hours. The pads didn’t seem to work anymore, seems like she "forgot" the difference between pad and floor. So I thought maybe it was time for her to start only going outside.

Right now, I make a habit to ask her "OUTSIDE?" and see if she perks her ears. If she does, we go right away. Also, if she messes on the floor (daily), I put her nose to it, pop her with a rolled-up paper, and say "NO! BAD!!" carry her to the door, and say "OUTSIDE!"

She seems to think "OUTSIDE" is where we go to smoke, not to pee and poo. We’ve been doing this for a month and she still seems confused. Is there any chance of teaching her? HOW?
Moonfairy mentioned some things… First, I have HAD to move twice (and will HAVE to soon) in the last 8 months. Both places had dogs.
Now, everyone I have ever known has had different ideas about the "right" way to train dogs, about how they should be rewarded/fed/punished/played with, everything. I have had little to no privacy or personal space, and my dog has had to adapt to the "house rules" of wherever I’m staying.
For ex., I trained my dog to use pads because I worked full time. I wanted her to feel comfortable going inside, so she would not have to hold her bowels for 10-14 hours a day while I was working. I moved to the roomate’s house, their dogs were not trained. My dog seemed to pick up habits from them while I was at work, like NOT using the pad anymore (She DID use it reliably for about 4 months).
Now, I’m in a house with people who don’t like my dog to go inside cause they think theirs will to. I have to abide by their rules, and I am trying to do what I can…
Moonfairy mentioned some things… First, I have HAD to move twice (and will HAVE to soon) in the last 8 months. Both places had dogs.
Now, everyone I have ever known has had different ideas about the "right" way to train dogs, about how they should be rewarded/fed/punished/played with, everything. I have had little to no privacy or personal space, and my dog has had to adapt to the "house rules" of wherever I’m staying.
For ex., I trained my dog to use pads because I worked full time. I wanted her to feel comfortable going inside, so she would not have to hold her bowels for 10-14 hours a day while I was working. I moved to the roomate’s house, their dogs were not trained. My dog seemed to pick up habits from them while I was at work, like NOT using the pad anymore (She DID use it reliably for about 4 months).
Now, I’m in a house with people who don’t like my dog to go inside cause they think theirs will to. I have to abide by their rules, and I am trying to do what I can…
to keep my dog from going all over the place in SOMEONE ELSE’S Home. I do not abuse my dog. I said I POP, (single, swift, light pat, swat, or tap) her with a ROLLED UP PIECE OF PAPER. It CANNOT possibly hurt her, I tested it on myself, and I’ve seen many people THOUROUGHLY TRAIN their dogs using this method. (It hurts FAR less than a shock collar, which some people recommend for digging, or even the palm of my hand!) I tell her BAD! and NO! once each, firmly. I put her nose TO or BY her potty so she KNOWS what I’m referring to, but NOT IN IT. (besides, how nasty can her own waste be to her – SHE EATS IT SOMETIMES!) I am not angry with my dog, and she is not even a little afraid of me. I know she’s confused, and I am very sorry to have to do this to her. I am trying to be good to her while still respecting the wishes of the people that are letting me stay in their homes. And I do reward her with praise and attention EVERY time she goes outside.

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Filed under: Chihuahua Dog

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