Disciplining Chihuahuas. (for all you Chihuahua owners out there)

My niece had a chi.  Belle went to training just like any dog would.  She also had a litter box and I don't believe that little dog EVER pottied outside.  Belle went to school with Jen and was the classroom mascot in her first grade classroom.  She made me nervous being so small, but she was a great little dog for their family.

A properly bred Chi should be bold and gregarious, not a nervous shaking wreck. You have to be careful of their size when you handle them, but they can be taught just like any other dog. There's a level 1 obedience class that meets right after our agility class so I always see all the dogs coming in. There's a TINY little chi in that class--I though it was a puppy but apparently it's a 2 year old "teacup" (eyeroll). And first the dog's owner was just terrified of doing anything productive with this little dog--it didn't even know how to walk on a leash because she carried it everywhere, she said she was scared to put it down! Anyway, after a couple weeks of our trainer putting her foot down and insisting that all dogs walk on leash in to the building, regardless of size, this little chi is like a new dog.  

We had a chi (standard size) living out at our temple for about a year and this dog schooled the resident aussie, as well as any other dog who came to visit (Conrad was quite taken aback!). Very tough little character, very self-assured and bold. You never needed to worry about him. 

 Chi's and other tiny dogs learn just the same way that large dogs learn.  The trick is to teach their humans that the little tyke can actually walk on the ground, not jump on people, and learn his commands without melting LOL.  Many training facilities now offer "petite pals" or some other aptly named classes for small dogs only, so that they won't be hurt during play.  Of course, it pays to socialize even the wee ones to larger, safe (emphasis on the safe) dogs, so that they won't become snarling little bundles of anxiety.  Houndlove is correct that appropriately bred Chi's (and other small breed dogs) should be of stable temperament.  Caveat: if you expect a sane, healthy, tiny dog, do NOT buy it from a pet store, an Internet breeder (who only asks for your visa card, and doesn't give a lifetime guarantee that they will take the dog back if you can't care for it), and don't buy a minisomethingdoodle or a teacupsomethingpoo.  Get a dog from a reputable source.  Not to say that you can't find a nice dog in a nefarious place, but no sense contributing to the vast majority of sob stories - huge vet bills for physically and behaviorally unhealthy dogs.  As to "discipline", I believe that is not necessary to apply physical discipline to train most dogs, so the question, as far as breed is concerned, is pretty irrelevant.

 I treat Kujo just like I treat my big dogs. I dont hit any of my dogs. When I was potty training her and I would catch her using the bathroom in the house I would tell her no and put her outside. She has had a little slip ups once in a while but for the past month she has been doing good. I have socialized her and she is a good chihuahua.She isnt one of them yappy little dogs everyone hates.

Just because she is small I dont treat her different. But I do a little different things with her because of her breed like the early socialization. 

And with the litter box training I guess it works just like you would using those puppy pads. 

 I'm glad you are trying to have your dog be a great companion (and not a "yappy little dog everyone hates" LOL).  I wish more people would train their small dogs in ways that make them not only great companions, but able to live in the real world outside the home as well.  Good for you!

 My grandma adopted a Pomeranian when she was 3 years old. Baby, the pom, lived right by a school with a privacy fenced in yard. She heard all the noise from the school but could never see it. She was really yappy. I couldnt stand it. But I noticed when my grandmother wasnt home Baby was a nice mellow dog. I had to hold Baby when she went to her vet visits or out in public because she wouldnt make a noise. If my grandma was holding her it was time to go running for ear plugs. I never did anything to Baby to make her afraid of me but I think she knew I wasnt going to put up with the barking and being nasty to others.

My friend had a chihuahua that never left the house from the day she got her. That poor dog was so frightened of people it wasnt funny. She wouldnt let anyone strange touch her and would yap yap yap. 

From then on I always said if I got a little dog or any dog for that matter I would socialize them as soon as possible. 

Maybe I should print out this thread and bring it to my neighbors! They have two Chihuahuas that never shut up. I swear they never leave the apartment and they are the meanest things everrrrrrrrrrrr.

Litter Box training in my opinion is horrible. Hello welcome to my home here's my dogs pee/poo box.... my DOGS... ya no... Dogs need to go the bathroom outside; yes little dogs pee a LOT more than big dogs (omg you have no idea its like every 3hrs sometimes) so you just have to be strict with their water and take them out more often; if you can't do this my vote is don't get a dog get a cat.

As for disciplining I enjoy my technique simply because it worked and has worked. I still use the old method. If Kayla had an accident in the house I would freak out to the point she was so scared and I would point at the puddle saying "what is this..." and she's slowly crawl over to me like oh-dear-god... I'd never hit her or harm my baby but I'm sorry the old nose in pee method works, period. Worked for my sheltie, worked for Kayla. If she went the bathroom outside I'd praise praise praise and give her treats. I didn't use the "nose in pee" method until I noticed wow my dog really isn't potty trained... the whole "punishment is bad" junk needs to stop. I had a trainer that freaked out when I asked them if I should use the "nose in pee" method. So I didn't... read some books, talked to the trainer more; ya okay she'd go outside the second I'd take her out BUT she wouldn't "HOLD IT" know what I mean? If she had to go and I didn't take her outside yet she'd still pee right there in front of me like "what? no big deal mom I have to go" THE ONLY WAY it stopped was with punishment.

So I would say in summary I TRAIN little dogs the same way you train bigger dogs. As for lifestyle, thats different.

Bkimura28

Okay so I met a pair of little Chihuahuas at Petsmart the other day and absoloutley fell in love with them! They were so sweet, lovable and cute. But my question for all you already owners out there, how did you or how are you disciplining this little thing when he's bad? Like potty training for example: When Mason my Lab was a puppy and he'd pee on the floor, we would clap real loud, say no and carry him outside. Chihuahuas are so little and delicate I would be afraid I'd frighten them for life.

Also, I've read that people litter box train there Chihuahuas. How does that work? Is it for when your not home to take them out or are they pretty much like a cat because I don't think I like the idea of a dog going to the bathroom in my house all the time?

Thank you!

First of all, I think any dog that shakes and cowers at a clap has some fear issues that need to be dealt with.  Secondly, I guess it depends on the dog and the people.  I've never disciplined my dogs for their accidents in the house because they have all been my fault (I failed to see the dog telling me he needed out, the dog was sick and didn't have control, etc). If you do not give a punishment or reward within TWO seconds of the behavior, the dog will not make the connection.  Usually punishing a dog for accidents in the house just results in the dog being too afraid of you to have an accident, not that the dog actually learns that the accident is what is bad.  Dogs don't really care either way about pee or poop, heck, lots of dogs like to lick pee and eat poop!  So the rubbing the dogs face in it does nothing but make the dog fearful of the owner.  Not a way I want to "train" a dog, whether it's a German Shepherd or a Chihuahua.

I don't think Chis are like cats.  For domestic cats, using a litter box is basically inherent.  I've taken in a cat that was abandoned and it just used a littler box, didn't even have to train it (cat was 5 weeks old).  I don't really see the point of training a dog to do it.  Most dogs like to eat poops and cat litter so that could be dangerous.  A dog is a dog...I'd just potty train like any other dog. 

I agree with that dogs no matter the size needs to potty outside!! If I wanted a litter box in my home I would let one of my cats stay inside.

I have got Kujo where she will use a puppy pad when we are gone and she just has no way outside to potty. But that is only when we are not here. And that took 6 months to get her to use one.

I've got nothing against pads/papers, but an actual litter box just sounds nasty and dangerous.  My dogs would eat all the litter.  I've yet to meet a dog that won't eat himself sick on soiled cat litter. 

Ottoluv-

you  are absolutely right.  if you want to litterbox train your dogs, and clean up after them, well, that's your biz.  I know there are a few people in Alaska with basenjis.  Always wondered what they did.    I know someone with a chi who uses peepads.  The dog has some physical problems and this is a good solution for the owner and dog. 

As far as training, I don't know why it would be any different from any other dog if you're using positive methods.  Reward for what you want.  I don't think I've ever rubbed my dog's nose in any thing.  That seems like it would use more force than I want in my relationship with my dogs.  In the past 4 or 5 years, I've brought 1 malinois, 1 basenji puppy, and 2 rescue/foster basenjis into my home and haven't resorted to such.  One of the foster b's was from a puppy mill situation and definately wasn't house trained.  I can only imagine how much something like that could have set her back in trusting humans. 

Pomeranian <3

Maybe I should print out this thread and bring it to my neighbors! They have two Chihuahuas that never shut up. I swear they never leave the apartment and they are the meanest things everrrrrrrrrrrr.

Litter Box training in my opinion is horrible. Hello welcome to my home here's my dogs pee/poo box.... my DOGS... ya no... Dogs need to go the bathroom outside; yes little dogs pee a LOT more than big dogs (omg you have no idea its like every 3hrs sometimes) so you just have to be strict with their water and take them out more often; if you can't do this my vote is don't get a dog get a cat.

As for disciplining I enjoy my technique simply because it worked and has worked. I still use the old method. If Kayla had an accident in the house I would freak out to the point she was so scared and I would point at the puddle saying "what is this..." and she's slowly crawl over to me like oh-dear-god... I'd never hit her or harm my baby but I'm sorry the old nose in pee method works, period. Worked for my sheltie, worked for Kayla. If she went the bathroom outside I'd praise praise praise and give her treats. I didn't use the "nose in pee" method until I noticed wow my dog really isn't potty trained... the whole "punishment is bad" junk needs to stop. I had a trainer that freaked out when I asked them if I should use the "nose in pee" method. So I didn't... read some books, talked to the trainer more; ya okay she'd go outside the second I'd take her out BUT she wouldn't "HOLD IT" know what I mean? If she had to go and I didn't take her outside yet she'd still pee right there in front of me like "what? no big deal mom I have to go" THE ONLY WAY it stopped was with punishment.

So I would say in summary I TRAIN little dogs the same way you train bigger dogs. As for lifestyle, thats different.

I know I wouldnt shove my daughter's nose in her underwear if she has an accident so I think it's wrong to do that to a dog. Yes I know humans and dogs are different. But like someone mentioned above. Dogs smell and lick each other so I see no effect of sticking noses in pee.