Potty training/house breaking chihuahua puppy?
I have a lovely little 12 week old boy and I love him to bits. The potty training is not disasterous – I just need some tips. He has his own cordoned off space in the kitchen where he stays during the day. He has a doggy door to let himself out to his own courtyard with a patch of grass where i take him daily. He wont relieve himself in the kitchen as he doest like going on hard surfaces. He goes most of the time when I take him to his patch. He does however like to go on our living room carpet when we allow him to run free. Sometimes he will be taken outside, not do anything after using the usual command word and trying several times – then run in and do it on the carpet! This is only sometimes though. He wont go potty by himself outside and will only go if I go with him. I want him to go outside by himself when he needs to. Am I expecting too much too soon? How long should I expect this to take. I of course use tons of praise and do not punish but talk firmly if he goes inside. Thx!
You are expecting too much too soon. Dogs this young want to follow, and that is not something you should discourage. So, when you expect him to go outside by himself that is more than he is able to cope with. Give him a few months and he will become more independent.
Does he relieve himself on a pretty regular schedule? If he does, it is fairly easy to deal with. Even if he doesn’t there are some things you can do. First off, he should never be allowed to run free in the house until he is reliable, unless you are meaning that you allow him out of the kitchen while you supervise. If you aren’t supervising, he must be confined. Secondly, if he doesn’t go outside don’t give him access to the other areas. Wait until he has gone, thus teaching him that good things (like access to the LR) are earned by going in an appropriate place. If he won’t go in a reasonable time, just return him to confinement and take him out again after a little while.
I think that answers your specific questions. Here’s my general potty training advice:
First off, confine him when you can’t supervise. I can’t stress enough the importance of this. For potty training, use a crate that is only big enough for her/him to comfortably stand, lie, and turn around in. He should not be able to potty in one end and lie down in the other. Make sure he’s not confined for too long — generally the age in months plus one hours (so 5 hours for a 4 month old pup). If you have to be gone longer, use an exercise pen with his open crate inside for sleeping, a potty pad for relieving himself, and some toys.
Every time you take him out of his crate take him outside. He should be on a leash. You should go through the same door every time. Take him to where you want him to potty and start repeating his potty command until he finishes. Then treat him and let him play or go for a walk.
Put food and water on a schedule. Give 20 minutes to eat and then pick food up until next scheduled meal. Give water every hour (or when he’s obviously thirsty.) By scheduling meals and water, you are able to predict when he will need to relieve himself. Put him on leash and take him out.
Watch for behaviors that tell you he needs to go out: circling, squatting, sniffing, crouching, ….
I have clients who tell me their puppies won’t go while they are outside, only to come inside and make a mess on the floor! If you find this to be a problem, give him a reasonable amount of time outside and if he doesn’t go confine him for 15 minutes when you come back inside. At the end of that time, take him back out. Repeat this process until he goes. By doing this, you are teaching him that he will earn his freedom by pottying where it’s appropriate.
Lastly, basic obedience training really can help. It clarifies leadership for your dog (and sometimes for the owners as well 
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Good luck!
Free Dog Training Video On Essential Commands To Teach Your Puppy