MOOSE!

[Daisygirl]

We got a dog. I didn't want a dog, but we have one nonetheless because I am a sucker for a sob story. A friend told me about this dog that a family was going to SHOOT, yes, shoot, because they could no longer take care of him. THe owner had a heart attack, and his spouse was too flustered to deal with it.

We now we have a one year old longhaired chihuahua that I named Moose. He is cute as can be and sweet as can be. Unfortunately he is having an issue about doing his business in the great outdoors. YUCK. THe former owners swear that he never messed in their house, so why is he messing in mine? Any theories or advice welcome. He is currently crated when I am at work and I take him out regularly when I am at home. I praise him for doing his thing outside, and holler if I catch him doing it inside.

[Persimmon Lace]

He just needs a little time and more reinforcement to remember where to go! Keep up the good work. You might even try penning off a small area in the house outside his crate so he can learn some boundaries. Then broaden the area to include your home. Sometimes the combo of new/bigger place can cause things like this.

[bumplett]

it may be stress - just keep going with the crate training & he will figure it out! Adult dogs are much easier to housebreak than pups IMO (that's assuming that he really isn't housebroken like they said)

the rule of thumb on crate training is that he should be in the crate when you aren't able to watch him - so let him sleep in the crate at night also.

He will begin to think of the crate as his own special place & you shouldn't let the kids or other pets play in his crate - it's his "safe place"

Just give him a few weeks & he should figure it out -- don't get too frustrated yet --

((p.s.)) yelling at him for going in the house won't help much, just pick him up & take him outside when you take him out (every time) don't talk to him or pet him until AFTER he goes potty --

good luck!!

[bumplett]

oops - double post

[wanderlusting]

Yes, I agree-keep him in the crate whenever you are not with him. When you do let him out, take him outside immediately and if he doesn't go potty, he goes back in the crate. Then try every 15 minutes until he does go.

If he does go potty, he can then run around and be sure to play with him right after. That enforces the "go potty outside, then you get to have fun!" theory.

Remember-crating works-it just takes some time

[Daisygirl]

Thanks for the great advice. He has had a pretty good day today, only one accident, and at least it was near the door.

I will keep in mind keeping him crated when he is not in eyesight. Aside from the sleeping thing. Once the light is out, he is curled up on my foot and does not move until you pull him groaning out of bed in the morning. It is truly hilarious, he is just like my kids when I drag them out of bed.

[PrairieRose]

Sounds like you've gotten great advice on the crate training and I agree with it. We've crate trained several dogs and it works like a dream if you commit to it fully. Congrats on the little sweetie. I have a neice who has a long haired chihuahua and she's the sweetest thing I've ever seen. My poodle doesn't care for her though...

[nwmissourigal]

Probably just a new home thing. Just keep working at it and use good reinforcement. I also used treats as a reward for "good deeds"..

[Daisygirl]

Eww.... he peed in his crate !!! I took him out every fifteen and because it was rainy he refused to go. So I put him in his crate and left him when I went to bed and overnight he went in there. Does that mean I am in big trouble?

[Lori Biever-Launder]

Remember that little dogs take longer to house train because they have tiny bladders.

You may want to litter train him--many small dogs can be trained to use a box just like cats.

[Daisygirl]

I am thinking the litter training might be a better idea. Actually I am trying something similar out. The former owner sent me some of those pads they use on beds at the hospital. She said he used those on occasion at her house. So today, when I am at work for 10 hours I am putting him in the mudroom with his cozy bed, some chew toys, and a pad. Hopefully he will use the pad and not my floor to do his business. If so, then I can leave those down and he can use them in addition to going outside.

Cross your fingers!

[Lori Biever-Launder]

Many people (especially apartment dwellers) "paper train" small dogs. This is the same sort of idea you have. You can buy special puppy pads that are treated to attract the dog to use the pad.

[luna]

Those puppy pads -- what a great invention and why didn't I think of that?? Esp with the BOOM in tiny dogs these days.
Small dogs have a harder time holding it all day while the owners are at work so def use those pads. I gurantee it'll be a done deal. Let us know!

[Daisygirl]

He is doing some better. He is using the paper occasionally - sometimes he misses but is close to it, so we are getting there. He is also getting better about doing his thing outside.

Unfortunately I am now getting ready to bathe the cat. My dog peed on him. And no, I am not kidding.

Sighhhhhhhh..........