Chihuahua potty training is something that every owner seems to fear if they have not gone through this process before. While it seems that there isn't a lot that a little Chihuahua can mess up with the little amount that they can hold, many people fear the fact that they cannot hold their bladders for very long because of their size and that Chihuahua training will be very difficult. But while some of that may be true, there is no reason why this training period has to be a stressful time.
It is best to start the training by understanding where exactly it is that you will want to allow your little friend to relieve himself. If you are thinking about always having your Chihuahua go outside, you may want to consider the weather conditions where you live. While it will not hurt a Chihuahua to go outside in the snow for a brief moment, they cannot be left out there for too long.
Before beginning your Chihuahua potty training, you may want to look into getting a crate to use for your training purposes. Many professionals and dog training books also suggest the use of crate training for many reasons. The biggest reason is that your dog will not eliminate in the crate as it is it's home, or the place where it sleeps. To understand what size of crate your Chihuahua needs, know that you are looking for something long enough for him to lay down in with comfort yet not so big that they can make one end their bathroom and the other end their living area.
If using a crate that has a hard plastic bottom, it is suggested to place a pad down for your dog's comfort and to protect them from the cold of the plastic. Inspect the crate to make sure there is nowhere for the dog to trap its head or paws and that there are no sharp points which can poke or puncture the dog. Keep in mind that this is where your puppy will be a lot of the time so it should be something that they can enjoy.
Now that you know what tool you want to use during your Chihuahua potty training, it is important that you understand how to implement it. This crate should be the place where your Chihuahua is at during the night, during periods when you are away from home, and for when you are not able to keep a close eye on him or her.
They will be spending a lot of time in there in the beginning but as long as it is made comfortable, they will feel at ease.
Limit their meal times to be the only time where food and water is available. Dogs who have access to food and water all day long have more accidents and take a lot longer to train. After a meal, take your dog to their potty location to relieve themselves, as this is all the time it takes for the food and water to make its way through.
You will soon see that they instinctively hold their bladder so they can go outside their crate and before you know it, your pup will be completely potty trained.
