CARDWELL'S CKC & AKC CHIHUAHUA'S

 Email me at cardwellb@sbcglobal.net 

 At 6 & 7 weeks your puppy is too young to have good control of its bowels, and will most likely have several accidents, but you can start training this early and maybe your pup will be well trained in a few months. Really though, your puppy should be expected to have accidents for a few more months. He/she isn't mature enough to be able to completely control these functions yet. When the pups are old enough to start walking out of the whelping box, I myself have already introduced them to the potty pads, so when your puppy goes home with you hopefully they will already have a good start on the pads.

Puppies are born with an instinct to keep their beds clean, and a crate builds on that instinct. When the puppy is confined to the crate for the night, he can gradually develop better bowel and bladder control. Of course, that means that you must get the puppy out of the crate and outside or on a potty pad as soon, and as often, as he needs to go.

One of the most common mistakes dog owners make is giving their dog too much freedom too soon. Most dogs don't want to take the time to go outside to relieve themselves, especially if the family is inside.

• If you have a new puppy, try the puppy pads with the scent built in to attract the puppy to the pad. I would place it by the door if I want them to go outside. Some people prefer the pup to be inside trained only, the pads are great for training only for inside as well.
• Every time your puppy wakes up from a nap immediately take him/her outside to go. Just like us they have to go after a long sleep. This works wonders to save on accidents.
• When your pup eats his digestive system stimulates him/her to have a bowel movement within 5-20 minutes. Take the pup out starting at 5 minutes and stay out with him until he has a movement. This will help you determine when he/she will need to go after feeding time. Repatition with the puppy is the key. If training to a pad, and your puppy defficates else where, I suggest picking of the fecal matter and placing it on the puppy pad, this will show the puppy where u want it to go.
• If training to go outside, ask the puppy want to go outside, the puppy will learn this phrase and associate it as the outside command, as you stand around waiting for your pup to eliminate keep repeating a phrase. This will work later on as a "bathroom" command. A command like  "hurry up" or "are u done".
• Find your pup's signal. Each one of my chis has his/her own signal that he/she uses to let us know when they have to go out. When you find your chi's signal, and this will take a lot of observation, you will have achieved the most important step.
• Use touch, sounds and affection as the "reward" for a job well done. Otherwise your pet will be asking to go outdoors just to get a food treat.
• NEVER rub your chi's nose in his/her feces or urine. This is an old and outdated cruel method. Do not HIT your puppy. This may cause him to become rebellious and you will have a chi that will mess in the house.

Getting to know your Chi can be fun and full of laughs, so take your time, watch for their signals and most of all give them lots of love.