We do something smilar with our two (JJ and Layla). We gate the area of the house we do NOT want them to be in, and there are two potty pads down for them. They have food and water, and do wonderfully until we get home. Each night they are crated, and not a whimper is heard from either of them. We've been doing the crate training with all of our dogs for years; it works well as long as (for us) it was while we were sleeping. We also have a metal gate that can be folded into a nice play area; this is great for when it's nice outside and one is there to supervise them. Right now, in MN, it is not adviseable to leave them out for long at all (as a matter of fact, on nice days we go out for a few min with sweaters on, but on colder days they don't go out at all). So far, it's been working like a charm! BTW, the potty pads we use are actually the underpads for adults who have incontinence. When my brother was ill, we had several, and now actually prefer them to the potty pads, because they are so much bigger. (gives them more room to "explore before they do their duty". We just spray on "Out", and they go.
Given time and patience, they do learn, although I've heard chihuahuas are more difficult to train. I hope you don't give up on him ! :) Linda "You cannot create your future by focusing on the past" On Tue, Oct 18, 2011 at 8:41 PM, Joan Croft <[email protected]> wrote: > ** > > > I bought one of those golden yard fences/gates and put it in a circle with > Dolly's puppy pad, food, water, a bed and a few toys. when I got Desi, I > bought one for him too. They are actually very excited when I leave and run > to their areas where I give them a little treat and tell them that I will be > back soon. As long as Rocky is enclosed, it can be a fenced area and that > would also give him some space to walk and play. If you don't have an area > that is not carpet and any accidents would not be easy to clean, then a > crate would do. I just didn't want to restrict Dolly & Desi to that level. > I know when I am gone that they can go potty, have a bed and blanket to > sleep, have food and water to eat, and some toys to play with. You may also > want to get him a treat toy where he has to work to get the kibble or treats > out of it. That will entertain him for a while. > ------------------------------ > To: [email protected] > From: [email protected] > Date: Tue, 18 Oct 2011 20:07:33 -0500 > Subject: Re: [Chihuahuas] Rocky > > > >> I agree, Raven. Crate him until you can trust him to be left out. > > This of course...is when you are not home or can not supervise him. > You can also keep him on short lease and attach the lease to > him...when you are home. > > Put him out to potty...after meals, after drinking, after playing, > after waking up, etc...etc. > > How old is he? > > Raven > Lucy & Stella & Hazel, the Girl Doggies > Huginn & Dixie Chick, the Back Behind the Barn Ponies > > I ride a pony, cuz heart is not measured in hands. > > My Blog > http://iceponytrekking.blogspot.com > > Respect ALL Earthlings. We are all animals of this planet. We are all > creatures. > > >
