[hapijuliet18]

Hi Everyone,
We just got a 9 week old chihuahua and we've had her (Chloe) for 5 days now. Amazingly enough, we haven't had to tell her much since she goes to her pee pad on her own, and when she wants to pee while in her crate, she whimpers so we can take her to the bathroom. She hasn't made any accidents. When someone is able to watch, she is let out on her crate to play in the dining room/kitchen area (only tiled part of the place) and she pretty much stays there, playing with her toys, laying on her pillow, etc. She doesn't try to push her limits with the carpet, though she would try to put her paw on it from time to time and we would say "no" and she would back off and sometimes do something else.

When we're watching, we usually have her lay on us while we're on the couch, which is in the carpeted area. My question is, does it get confusing for the dog to be able to watch with us, on ourlap, in an area that has carpet? I did some stuff in the kitchen today and when I went back, I saw her sitting by the foot of the couch, staring at the couch (She sure can't jump on it yet, hehe!), while she was on the carpet! I shushed her and so she then went to her pillow.

Another question is that...if she hasn't made any accidents (she ALWAYS knows where to go), will it be ok to start giving her carpet privileges in just one part of the house and see how she does? I know we haven't even had her for a week, but this dog just seems to know what to do! What would you do from experience?

Many thanks for your input!

[Jr. Dog Expert]

Yes it is confusing for the dog that you allow it on the carpet sometimes and at other you don't. You have to stay consistant with one or the other, so decide.. I'm thinking thats why she was wandering around in the carpet in the first place.

As for the privilages. Your puppy is only 9 weeks old, most puppies don't have full bladder control till about 10+ months. So if I were you just take it easy, especially since she's your new pup, you don't want to confuse her. After you are positive that she won't have another accident, I don't see why not letting her explore around the carpet area.

[hapijuliet18]

Well, she really isnt allowed on the carpet at all. We do tell her once she decides that she can touch it or be on it. You might have confused it when I said that she is able to sit with us on the couch that's in the living area, but she just stays on our our lap/couch area and not on the floor/carpet.

I do understand your thoughts of getting her confused if she can be on one carpet area and not on the others.

Thank you

Originally Posted by Jr. Dog Expert

Yes it is confusing for the dog that you allow it on the carpet sometimes and at other you don't. You have to stay consistant with one or the other, so decide.. I'm thinking thats why she was wandering around in the carpet in the first place.

As for the privilages. Your puppy is only 9 weeks old, most puppies don't have full bladder control till about 10+ months. So if I were you just take it easy, especially since she's your new pup, you don't want to confuse her. After you are positive that she won't have another accident, I don't see why not letting her explore around the carpet area.

[Jr. Dog Expert]

No I understood you, but I think she got the idea that she can be on the couch and tried to get there but, she can't do that unless she is on the carpet. So unless you can very meticulously teach her that the living room is the ONLY exception, or just wait a little while until she has full bladder control, or you think she is house broken. Just remember that consistancy will great help you out.

Wishing ya well on your training!