Opinions sought please....

1163 Views 15 Replies 11 Participants Last post by KJsChihuahuas, May 29, 2005

Mr Chi

Discussion Starter · May 28, 2005

I've built Winston's pen, its portable and I can take it from room to room. I was hoping basically through the day to have him in his pen in my office through the day so he can play and I can be with him and crate him when I'm out (which isnt very often) and can't take him. In the evenings I'll play with him properly and work on his obedience training, then wind down and sleep. I'll vary it so some days we train and play outside in my garden, and in other rooms etc and at different times in the day.

I really want to get started on housebreaking him as early as possible, but I'm not sure how long to wait. He will be 10 weeks old when I get him.
Also, I am upstairs and to get outside would mean down the stairs and out the back door. Because he will be near me pretty much all the time I'm hoping I can spot him when he wants to go and carry him quickly down stairs and placing him outside on the grass at the back with the usual encouragement. Then after he gets used to a leash (how soon can I start trying to get him used to a leash?) I'd carry him down stairs (until he's big enough_) but walk him out to the back. Then when I know he wont run I can just walk out with him.

I've got a routine planned out for getting him trained, but my main problem is that I'm hesitant about taking him outside at all until he's had his jabs. I've got a private evening appointment at the vet so no other dogs will be there but I'm really terrified he'll become ill. I'll be taking him outside ten or so times aday so I dont know whether its best to keep him onm paper until he has had his jabs and they've had time to create antibodies. Should I be this paranoid or can I start a few days after he gets here and has settled in?

Sorry for the rambling, theres a big jumble of indecision swimming round my head at the moment! I'm on the right track or have I gone wrong somewhere? I hope you can offer your opinions.

Thanks, James

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luv4mygirls

· #2 · May 28, 2005

first off, i have to say youa re going to make an amazing chi dad!

second off i'm not sure of the advice i can give as to housebreaking cause i use wee wee pads for chiwi.

but you can start getting him used to a leash right away, just get a harness not a collar for walking. you ahve a right to be concerned about putting him down outside before he's fully vaccinated. chiwi didn't touch ground until after her last set of shots.

i like how you have everything all planned out, especially planning to change environment for training. since some dogs don'tlike it very much and can catch on like "oh an time to start training again" especially when it becomes a routine time and place to do it at...

most important...... have fun with your baby!!!

Seiah Bobo

· #3 · May 28, 2005

luvmypuppet said:
first off, i have to say youa re going to make an amazing chi dad!

second off i'm not sure of the advice i can give as to housebreaking cause i use wee wee pads for chiwi.

but you can start getting him used to a leash right away, just get a harness not a collar for walking. you ahve a right to be concerned about putting him down outside before he's fully vaccinated. chiwi didn't touch ground until after her last set of shots.

i like how you have everything all planned out, especially planning to change environment for training. since some dogs don'tlike it very much and can catch on like "oh an time to start training again" especially when it becomes a routine time and place to do it at...

most important...... have fun with your baby!!!

Ditto to what Mandy said. You sound just like me when I first got Seiah, but trust me it definitely is a lot easier than it looks. I also have Seiah on wee wee pads, so i don't know how to train a chi to go outside. But I also didn't allow Seiah to step foot on outside ground til all the shots were done.

It sounds like to me your going to do great, and just follow your instincts. Don't let people tell you you're are overreacting or anything i.e. friends. And you know you can always count on people on this forum to help you with any advice needed. Other than that can't wait to see pics. Oh and Chihuahua for Dummies is a great reference book.

Seren

· #4 · May 28, 2005

I was interested to know if you only use wee wee pads because you live in a flat...or is it quite common for people to use the pads instead of housebreaking outside. Plus what happens when you go out to peoples homes etc, do you take the pads with you? I shall be using them for my pup too

luv4mygirls

· #5 · May 28, 2005

Seren said:
I was interested to know if you only use wee wee pads because you live in a flat...or is it quite common for people to use the pads instead of housebreaking outside. Plus what happens when you go out to peoples homes etc, do you take the pads with you? I shall be using them for my pup too

i always have an extra wee wee pad in chiwi's doggy bag

Seiah Bobo

· #6 · May 28, 2005

Seren said:
I was interested to know if you only use wee wee pads because you live in a flat...or is it quite common for people to use the pads instead of housebreaking outside. Plus what happens when you go out to peoples homes etc, do you take the pads with you? I shall be using them for my pup too

I just felt it was easier to train him if we did just one thing rather than try to teach him to go hear and there, but not over there or there. See it gets confusing...LOL. And Seiah is always with me at work or if we go to friends houses or even the mall. I always carry one to three pads if I go out. If at a friends house then I'll lay one out for him, but thats because all my friends looove him. If we go to the mall, then I put one down on the passenger side floor and let him go before we go inside. But Seiah also has water bottles everywhere: in my car, Ash's car, work, home, and his bag. :lol: Can never be too prepared...hehe.

Auggies Mom

· #7 · May 28, 2005

My boy is only trained for outside but whether you do that or pads you just have to be consistent and patient. What I found to be real important is being aware of the times they usually go and start there. For instance Auggie always had to go when he woke up from a nap so I took him outside everytime and first thing in the morning. As soon as you start getting him to do it right and praise him he will start to get it :lol: Agree with others you sound like you will be a great chi dad

Armando...

· #8 · May 28, 2005

yeah...i use the wee wee pads too....i've read that u can start training inside ur house/apt with the pads and then take the pads outside and place the dog on them, then slowly u can start cutting down the pads until u just place him/her on the ground. I dunno if that works cus I just keep the pads inside the apt.
I take the pads everywhere too, to friends' houses, to the mall, when we go for little trips, airports, etc. they pretty much know it's their toilet and use them when they need to go.
Good luck with ur chi....and yeah...i am sure u will be a great dad.
Mando

Gadget's Mom

· #9 · May 29, 2005

I want to tell you that you are going to be a great chi dad... I like the idea of the pen.. I have one for Gadget in the bedroom(soon to be gone because of getting bigger bed). when we are done with it in the bedroom I am going to make it into a traveling pen...

I didn't crate train him because first off I am home all the time with him and for 2 I got him when he was 3 weeks old(I know it is way too young. I would not recommend it) I felt bad because he was so small.. The best thing about getting him so young was I got to teach him everything from walking to eating and everything...

I don't have him on a training schedule.. I do training with him awhile, playin layin in bed, sitting on the couch...

I started him on his harness ans leash training in the house when he was 5 weeks old... by the time he was old enough to go outside he knew how to walk on a leash and he wasn't afraid of it...

This week while I have been working on my storage unit I have started working with Gadget on being loose outside and staying with mom.. He does very well when it is just him and I but when it is MArk, Amanda and I he wants to run in between the 3 of us.. It was harder to get him to stay with me...

I am surew with all your planning(which is wonderful) you and you little one will get into a routine quickly and easily.

As far as potty training goes.. I wouldn't try to take him outside at first since he isnt going to be ground bound for a month or so after you get him.. I would try potty pads.. I have noticed with Gadget that he is really good about going on his pads but now he is telling us he has to go outside and I never really worked with him on it.. I just started taking him out for walks and after a while he started to go outside and then the other night we were sitting here and he went over to the door and sniffed it so I let him out and he went potty... if you do potty training on pads the nice thing about it is when you have to take him someplace and leave him in the car then you will not have ot worry about him going potty in the car... I put a pad on the front flor board andhe goes on it... I used to put him in his duffel bag style carrier in the car but now we just leave him free run of the car and he will go potty on his pad.. i always have water in his bowl in the car... and he has his carseat... He loves it and hhe is nice and safe in it while the car is moving.. I don't leave him hooked in the carseat when I leave him in the car... and I never leave him in the car with out the window down a little and never in hot weather... I know I wouldn't want ot be in the car in hot weather...

I hope this helped..

Good luck and God bless

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Frasier's Mommy

· #10 · May 29, 2005

I don't think his feet should touch grass until after his shots. You're not paranoid in doing this - just safe. Potty pads are great and not that expensive. If the puppy knows to use them, then when you're traveling all you have to do is put one down and sit him on it.

You can start any kind of training at 10 weeks. He's not gonna get it at first, but then suddenly his little light bulb will come on and you'll have a well-trained pup.

All your planning is terrific.

You're gonna be a great Dad. When you're working and he is in his play pen beside you, he will want you to hold him. Chihuahuas are like a second skin, they love being held. He will whimper for you to pick him up. Personally, I would not pick him up for a whimper. I'd wait until he got quiet, then pick him up. I hope you can type or do your film work one-handed.

KJsChihuahuas

· #11 · May 29, 2005

Seren said:
I was interested to know if you only use wee wee pads because you live in a flat...or is it quite common for people to use the pads instead of housebreaking outside. Plus what happens when you go out to peoples homes etc, do you take the pads with you? I shall be using them for my pup too

Pee pee pads can be used outside to transition your pup to going outside form potting inside, just slowly remove the pad over a weeks time, then they will be adjusted to going outside. And as for going to peoples house take one with you, I am sure you friends and family will appreciate it

Boogaloo

· #12 · May 29, 2005

You sound like you are on the right track! I would recommend getting your pup used to a leash right away...but I would recommend using a harness instead of a collar as their necks are so small and delicate.

Regarding potty-training - whatever you decide to do should be fine, just make sure you are consistent. You may want to consider a litterbox or piddle pads to make it easier on yourself, as others have mentioned.

I would be a bit leery of having your dog outside until it has received all its shots. Better to be safe than sorry!

Good luck!

:wave:

SunnyFLMum

· #13 · May 29, 2005

Well I don't use wee wee pads at all. I used to put gizmo in his playpen or laundry basket...lol...(yes, laundry basket) and wait until he cried out and I 'd take him out....but...Gizmo was very good about letting me know he had to pee...he hates peeing or messing up his "den"

This has changed now that he has more bladder control, however when I first got him, he was in the basket all the time unless I just took him outside, OR I could watch him CONSTANTLY!!! Since he will be with you all the time you have to learn to watch the signs, Gizmo sniffs the floor and I watch out for the "squatting" position.

I devoted all my time to him....it's a lot of work, but worth it...we just came back from a friends house and he was there all day and was in and out the yard all day...if he had to pee, he'd go outside...or, if I went out with him I;d say "outside" and he'd do his best to pee

If you have the patience and time you can train him this way...HOWEVER, if you don;t use wee wee pads...I don't work so I was able, and am able to devote all the time to Gizmo, and it has paid off because at 3 months he can go for 4 hours without peeing, I do take him out every 2 hours though now....and I say "outside" everytime he pees and give him a tiny bit of his food or a doggy biscuit. They are very smart dogs and can be trained rather quickly if you have the time....

Good Luck!!!

Oh and remember....learn to "read" your baby...trust me they will tell you what they want....

P.S, Why I didn't use wee wee pads is because Gizmo was used to peeing in the grass, his breeder had been getting him used to it by the time he was 6 weeks old...so that worked to my advantage!

Oh and let me add I have a very big yard...we don't use pesticides so my baby was in no danger!

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Mr Chi

Discussion Starter · #14 · May 29, 2005

Thanks for all you advice. I'll definately be keeping him away from the beasties until comfortably after his shots. I've just scrapped the pen that I made as it had solid sides; in favour of the Marshalls (I think) Octagon playpen? its wire sided so he can see pretty much everything.I think that will be better for both of us.
I love him to bits, but I will be firm, I'll give lots of praise and treats when he does something right and just withold praise until he stops doing something wrong like barking etc. It will be hard to not comfort him until he stops but I know I cant encourage bad behaviour. I want him to be a happy, well adjusted and sociable chi so I'll be strong willed and try and teach him the best I can.
Puppy pads seem the way to go for a few weeks at least then. Im off to Pets at Home later today to see whats out there for him.
Thanks Again,

James

Seren

· #15 · May 29, 2005

Thanx all

Great advice as usual! Im getting my lil' girl a week Tuesday 7th June. Cant wait!

KJsChihuahuas

· #16 · May 29, 2005

Seren said:
Thanx all Great advice as usual! Im getting my lil' girl a week Tuesday 7th June. Cant wait!

I am excited for you!! cant wait to see pictures!

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