How to Train a Chihuahua to Go Potty Outside

Chihuahuas are considered a more difficult breed to potty train because their small size means that they also have small bladders. While chihuahuas do typically need to be taken outside more often to go potty than larger dogs, they can indeed be house trained effectively. It is easiest to potty train a chihuahua puppy because they are still growing and learning and are impressionable. They are willing at such a young age and they don't have any prior habits.

Instructions

    • 1

      Decide where you want your chihuahua to eliminate. You should focus on training your chihuahua puppy to go potty outside in the grass. If you want your puppy to use a litter box or puppy pad, train them accordingly with the same steps in mind.

    • 2

      Be available and consistent. When first potty training your puppy, it is most effective if you are home during the day for a while to be able to monitor your puppy, recognize your chihuahua's habits and schedule. This is the most effective way to have success with potty training your chihuahua. While home, take your chihuahua outside a lot at first -- after eating, drinking, waking up from a nap and after extended playtime.

    • 3

      Choose words and actions to signal that it's time to go out. For example, ask the same phrase when you're asking if they need to go, such as "do you need to go potty?" or "need to go out?" Pick a phrase and stick with it. Same with the action of taking the dog out -- use the same door, same words and same location when taking the chihuahua out. This gives a sense of consistency and helps them get used to the process and the actions and words that precede it.

    • 4

      Praise generously when your chihuahua puppy urinates or defecates outside. Just like a little child, a chihuahua puppy enjoys exaggerated attention and praise for a job well done. Giving the dog a treat or toy after it uses the potty in the appropriate location is a great way to enforce that you acknowledge their accomplishment and appreciate and approve of their actions.

    • 5

      Supervise your chihuahua throughout the day. You will begin to see patterns as to when your chihuahua is ready to use the bathroom. As you become familiar with your chihuahua and their personal quirks, you will notice actions that they may do when they need to go -- they may lose interest in playing and start sniffing around intently. At this point, you need to take the puppy outside, and if the puppy goes, praise him and treat him.

    • 6

      Kennel your dog in a small crate at night and at times during the day. Chihuahua puppies do not like to urinate or defecate where they eat and sleep, so by keeping them in a confined spot, they will be encouraged to hold it until they are released from the crate and let outside to go.