We're bringing home our chihuahua puppy in a few weeks, and since its been a while since Ive housebroken a puppy(a good 10 years or more), Im starting to look into the options available these days.

Let me say, Im pretty impressed with all the new options. Back then you had pee pads, newspaper, or just taking them outside. I do wonder if the new ideas work as well as they look on paper. Our ultimate goal will be for the puppy to eventually always go outside, but I know in the past, the first few months we always had accidents, simply because their bladder is so small. Where we used to live we had a dog door and a fenced in yard, which made housebreaking pets easier.

Ive seen the pet pottys with fake grass, the litter pans with pellets, all different kinds of pee pads, stakes you put in your yard that smell like pee, etc.

I must say, im leaning towards the grassy pet pottys, in theory, it seems like it would help teach the puppy to potty on "grass" helping in the long run for it to always go outside. I also like the idea of not throwing away a ton of pee pads. What Im worried about is how well the pottys hold up, do you end up splashing them all around on you when you clean them, are they hard to clean, do they constantly stink? Im sure not all brands are made equal, whats the best you have used? What size is best for a single chihuahua? They are pretty pricey, so wanted to look into them before investing.

Next on my list is the dog litter box with pellets. Do the dogs really use these? Are they hard to train them to use? Do you have issues with dogs eating the pellets? do they stink? are they hard to clean? Did you have a hard time switching from the litter box to outside?

Now we have pee pads. It seems like there are a hundred different kinds, and sizes, along with fancy holders to keep them from slipping around.
What brand is most absorbent, and stinks the least? Whats the best value for the price? Do your dogs consistently use them? Is it worth it to get the holder? I do worry that if we use pee pads, the dog will think its ok to pee on anything cloth on the floor (throw rugs, my sons blankey, etc) Have you had that issue?

Then of course, is the good old taking them out everytime you think they have to potty, after eating/drinking, and after naps. Ultimately this has worked for me, but seems to take forever in small breed dogs. Would like an indoor solution to use in conjunction with this until the the is capable of being able to only go outside.

Good question. I did it the old fashioned way, ran in and out until I was dizzy! Im sure others will have an acceptable interim...good luck

Be warned that if you let him go inside, you're going to have a BEAST of a time getting him to go only outside in the future. Chi's are notoriously difficult ro housebreak, especially males, so the more you can stack the deck in your favour, the better your odds are. The theory of "in conjunction" is not so good in practice.

Your best bet is run him outside until you're dizzy, like Melanie suggests. However, if you still decide an indoor potty solutions is best for your situation, have you looked into UGODOG?

I will admit, it is less appealing because it is simple. BUT it works better in practice than the grass potties. Yes, the grass potties do stink. Few people are happy with them after purchase, and those that are probably use them as a balcony potty and have neighbours on the other side of the divider that aren't happy with their purchase. The grass potties (any brand) are absolutely NOT my suggestion for you.

The UGODOG is just a plastic grate over a tray. It isn't pretty and lush and green. It doesn't have a plastic fire hydrant stuck to it. It isn't scented. Just a neutral grate over a neutral tray. But, it's the indoor potty you want. It is easy to clean. There's nothing to break, no parts to order. It even travels well - who wants stinky rolled up grass in the trunk on a road trip?! But thoroughly wash a UGODOG, and it is like new and ready for the road.

You want a simple, hygenic, inexpensive and environmentally friendly solution with no pads to throw out or grass to replace... For my money, UGODOG all the way.