I adopted a little two-year old Chihuahua six days ago. I was told (actually it was posted on Adopt-a-pet) that she was housebroken. She has only gone potty in my yard three times since I got her. I have housebroken four other dogs in my years, and I thought I would just work with her. The odd thing is, though, she will hold it when she's outside, and the minute I get her in she pees. One morning I had her in the backyard 20 minutes immediately after she got up (she won't pee in her kennel) and she did not go. As soon as I brought her in, she peed in my kitchen. This morning she peed just a little as soon as I took her out of the kennel, I rushed her outside and she did nothing. I brought her in and she peed, I stopped her and took her outside, nothing, I brought her in and she peed. I've about had it! I am very angry that I was mislead, but I know the woman I got her from will most likely not give me my money back. I wanted this little dog and I want to love her, but this is not what I signed up for!
This doesn't sound like an UTI, right? It seems to me she has absolutely no idea about going potty outside.
Thanks for your input.
Many dogs don't like to toilet in their own gardens, so what's she like on a walk?
I know how frustrating it is to house train adult dogs - I've done it with both my current dogs (one of which is also a Chi) It's natural to see that accident (or worse - step in it 😁 ) and feel like crying out "For the Love of God - not again!!". Remember she's not doing this to spite you, she's just unsure as to where the toilet is.
Go back to basics -, take her out every hour and after sleeping, playing, training or eating. If she's more reliable out on a walk, forget the garden for now and take her round the block. If and when she does toilet outside, act like she's won you an all expenses paid trip to Vegas! She's a little superstar! A genius! Oh so clever! Treats rain from the sky, you play a game with her favourite toy, whatever is most rewarding to her, that's what she gets for toileting outside -, so what of the neighbours think you've lost your marbles - never mind about them, just concentrate on your dog. When she sees how excited and happy you are, and how well she's rewarded for going to the toilet outside, she'll be more likely to repeat the process.
Any accidents she has inside, take a deep, calming breath, let it out slowly, and then clean up the mess. Shouting at her will just lead her to think you're telling her off for going to the toilet -, not for going to toilet
in the house.
I must say, I'm a bit concerned that you've only had her 6 days and you're already thinking about the likelihood not a refund - because of
house training! If this is the only issue you have with her, you're
extremely lucky! You say you didn't sign up for this. Well, sorry, but you did. This little girl is a living being - a full package, including days of joy and days of pulling your hair out! When you handed over the asking price, you agreed to take on her problems and deal with them. God forbid you have more serious problems that are harder to put right. Like aggression, separation anxiety, or a health problem.
