housetraining my chi female chi pup

Question
How can i get my 14 week old who keeps having poop accidents in the house, to go out to poop all the time, instead of pooping in the house part of the time, and outside the rest of the time?

Answer
Hi Sharon!  Potty training Chihuahuas can be one of the largest challenges you face with this breed.  The good news is that your little one is still just a baby and has a short concentration span, so it's not a problem where he/she just doesn't want to do his business where he should. I think when one trains a puppy like this you have to be prepared to be VERY consistent and take the puppy out after each meal (and your puppy should be having multiple meals per day at this age), when he/she wakes up and also after playing really hard.  For that matter, anytime that you see him sniffing around like he has to "go", take him outside.  When I was potty training each one of my Chis, we actually celebrated when they went where they were suppose to by praising them over & over and offering them small treats.  Dogs really want to please you and this is a sure way to let them know that they are!

I think a common mistake people make is to let a puppy have the run of the house when they're in the process of being potty trained.  Putting your pup in a room with a baby gate blocking the exit is a good idea so that you can monitor what they're doing and make sure that they only eliminate where they should. The puppy is better able to concentrate on what it should be doing - or what you want it to do.  This eliminates all of those distractions that make them forget where they're suppose to do their business and it also eliminates them having "accidents" in areas of your house that they may go back to later.  I used a playpen for my youngest Chi and trained her to use a litter box.

Don't be afraid to use wee wee pads in the area where you confine your little one for those occasions where you forget to take him/her out in time or for when you're not home.  You shouldn't have a problem at all with your pup still learning to "go" outside.  Additionally, if you live where the weather is really cold, those wee wee pads can be the answer to your prayers!

Good luck, Sharon!