Puppy Frustration...Chihuahua

• 08-21-2007 8:10 PM

  Enzo Joined on 08-10-2007 Raliegh, NC Posts 21 Points 0

  Puppy Frustration...Chihuahua Reply Contact Hey ya'll, I've been reading all the posts for weeks (before and after the arrival of our new addition), I think there is good advice on this forum. We have a 2 month old male Chihuahua named Enzo.  He can be good as gold, or rotten as a day old egg !!!  I guess that goes with the puppy phase. Our biggest problem is he loves to chew on us, inspite of all HIS chew toys.  I've tried just about everything, most of it probably wrong.   He has gone to time-out (in the bathtub), he has been put in the floor (when he chews and has been in my lap), we have used the loud "tone sounds" Shhh, Ohhh, Uhhh, nothing is working.  He is in a puppy socialization class, the trainer recommended the time-out.  Also, the potty training............Yikes !!!   Same as above, one day goes great, the next is a great commercial for paper towels !   We have not given him any negative for going inside, only special treats and lots of praise for going outside......he doesn't get it !!   Since he is only 2lbs.,we are not crate training (I know some live by that), we have choosen not to.  I am a stay at home Mom so we go out after play-time, rest-time, meals and all the "30 minutes" in between   I will give him credit where credit is due, he gives me kisses during the night to wake me up and we go out, usually about every 3 or 4 hours.  I don't really think he is asking to go out, it's more..I'm up, here I am, give me some love but we go out and it's always success !! This has been a vent for me and any advice is much appreciated.   I truly admire all of you who are raising "Big breed puppies", like I said, he is only 2lbs, I couldn't imagine having one 10 times his size.

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• 08-21-2007 8:47 PM

  In reply to Enzo

  glenmar Joined on 09-10-2007 Northwestern Michigan Posts 11,385 Points 405

  RE: Puppy Frustration...Chihuahua Reply Contact Actually, large breeds might even be easier than the small ones simply because the bladders are larger.  When I foster litters it's a lot of pups, but never seems to be a huge problem with potty training...just a lot of consistency.   The biting, well, he's trying to play with you.  When I have pups I am never without bulging pockets and a fanny pack filled with stuff that is OK to chew on.  Just a gentle "unh uh, no bite" (correct) present them with an appropriate chew thing and say "THIS is what you can bite" (redirect) and then praise like crazy for chewing on it and not on me.  Again, consistency.  If it's not ok to chew on you sometimes, it is never ok.   You'll get there.....it just takes time and patience! A house without fur is not a home. Glenda

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• 08-21-2007 9:40 PM

  In reply to Enzo

  spiritdogs Joined on 09-10-2007 Posts 9,945 Points 715

  RE: Puppy Frustration...Chihuahua Reply Contact Try this book - lots of good advice for the owners of small dogs: http://www.amazon.com/Little-Dogs-Training-Pint-Sized-Companion/dp/0793805376 Regional Director for Massachusetts, International Positive Dog Training Association Director, SeniorCare Pawsitive Connections Program AKC CGC Evaluator #3669 Therapy Dogs, Inc. Tester/Observer Sioux, CGC, TDInc. Maska, CGC, TDInc. Sequoyah, CGC Fergie, Retired Lap Dog, Age 19 Dancer, CGC, TDInc. (1989-2006) #1 Heart Dog "If you talk to the animals they will talk with you and you will know each other. If you do not talk to them you will not know them and what you do not know, you will fear. What one fears, one destroys." - Chief Dan George "The fidelity of a dog is a precious gift demanding no less binding moral responsibilities than the friendship of a human being. The bond with a true dog is as lasting as the ties of this earth can ever be." ~ Konrad Lorenz

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• 08-22-2007 1:37 AM

  In reply to Enzo

  janet_rose Joined on 09-10-2007 DFW area, Texas Posts 3,612 Points 330	RE: Puppy Frustration...Chihuahua Reply Contact Enzo: Our biggest problem is he loves to chew on us, inspite of all HIS chew toys.  Try yelping like a hurt puppy.  Then completely ignoring the pup for a minute or two.  "Ignoring" preferably means not looking at or touching the pup.  Stepping over a baby gate works well.
  	Filed under: bite inhibition Post Points: 0

• 08-22-2007 6:33 AM

  In reply to Enzo

  JoAnnDe Joined on 01-16-2007 Clearwater, FL Posts 1,201 Points 0

  RE: Puppy Frustration...Chihuahua Reply Contact I second the hurt puppy yelp - worked like a charm for Prancer.   She never really chewed / bit hard while playing with me but it was harder then I'd want her to exhibit with folks who don't know her .... she now wrestles with a super soft mouth.    Just one loud YELP and then turn your back - think "ow you HURT me and I'm not gonna play with you EVER again !!!" during the ignore to keep you in character.     Don't be tricked into laughing when he does something silly to try and get your attention (and he will !). As for the potty training - I think you're doing the right thing, just be consistent and try to keep him close to you at all times so that he doesn't have the opportunity to make a mistake;  tether him to you with a leash if you have to.  At some point you really might want to consider crate training.   Its a good tool to have if you should ever have to leave him somewhere where he can get himself into trouble.    People ask me if I think dogs go to heaven. I respond: Of course they do ! Heaven could only BE heaven if dogs are there Prancer: June(ish) 2006 - 13# poodle mix - rescue Michelle: 1994 - 2007. English Cocker Spaniel - shelter. RIP sweetheart - I'll see you again someday

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• 08-22-2007 11:25 AM

  In reply to Enzo

  janet_rose Joined on 09-10-2007 DFW area, Texas Posts 3,612 Points 330

  RE: Puppy Frustration...Chihuahua Reply Contact Enzo: Also, the potty training............Yikes !!!   Same as above, one day goes great, the next is a great commercial for paper towels !   We have not given him any negative for going inside, only special treats and lots of praise for going outside......he doesn't get it !! He is still a baby with a short concentration span!  At only 8 weeks he doesn't have complete bladder control.  If his mind is occupied elsewhere, he may suddenly realize "I have to go NOW!"   The key to quick house training is not giving the pet the opportunity to soil in the house.  Using a crate for this is to take advantage of the pup's natural instinct not to soil his bed.  Not using a crate means that the pup must be constantly supervised and the only practical way to do that is to leash the pup to a person.    Take the pup out at least once an hour.  Carry a towel and scoop up the pup every time you see him sniffing around for a pee spot.   Dogs get used to using a particular substrate and will try to locate that substrate to pee.  Pups house trained when there is snow on the ground will even desperately look for patches of snow when spring comes.  They adapt quickly, but are really confused at first.     I am concerned about the amount of freedom that your pup has.  It is so easy for a pup to chew on inappropriate things or to swallow non-food items!  Please carefully puppy-proof any area where the pup is left alone - especially electrical cords.  Actually get down on the floor at puppy height (may be hard in this case ] to see what the puppy could get to (include crawling).  Look under and behind furniture.   Instead of a crate would you consider an exercise pen (ex-pen) for when the pup is left alone?  You could put it in the kitchen on newspapers or puppy pads.    NOTE:  Be sure to completely clean all pee spots with an enzymatic cleaner or the pup will be attracted back to those spots.

  Filed under: new puppy info, house training Post Points: 0

• 08-29-2007 3:07 AM

  In reply to Enzo

  TorontoJenn Joined on 07-21-2007 Toronto, Canada Posts 82 Points 0

  RE: Puppy Frustration...Chihuahua Reply Contact Hey! I'm very very much in your situation actually. I'm taking time off work (for my puppy, I am not a permanent stay-at-home-mom) and my chihuahua puppy will be arriving in a few weeks, at age 10 weeks! Weird coincidence, haha. []   Due to my schedule (maybe like yours) I decided that I am going to crate train at night only, and while I am away from the house. Because I am home so often I've decided to use the umbilical method - getting a long (6 foot) lead, tying it around my waist, and keeping the puppy constantly next to me. It'll give her freedom to play and jump around, but it won't allow her to pee on my carpets or chew dangerous items. Maybe it's worth a try for you.   Out of curiosity, how do you keep your puppy safe while you're not at home or sleeping if he's not crate trained?

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• 08-29-2007 9:25 AM

  In reply to Enzo

  Enzo Joined on 08-10-2007 Raliegh, NC Posts 21 Points 0	RE: Puppy Frustration...Chihuahua Reply Contact Well, after about a week and all the advice on this forum, we got a crate !  The first few days were terrible but now it's going great !! Good luck with your new pup
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