trying to potty train my puppy!

by raye ann taylor
(bellflower, california)

we have a 13 week old chihuahua female, and we take her outside every hour or so, and have peepee pads in the house.

my husband built an enclosure outside for her so she can lay in the sun during the day, and also do her business in. i was out of the house off and on today, and she hung outside with my husband for a good 2 1/2 hours and i came home with some treats for her, and after giving her one, she went in my bedroom and crapped on my pillow that was on the floor.

and 2 days ago, my purse was on the living room floor, and i didn't notice right away til the next day, but she had also pooped in my purse. she has also pooped on my pajama bottoms i left on the bathroom floor. i am at my wits end, and don't know what to do.

i even went to petco and got an imitation grass training box, which she only sits on but doesn't use. please help





Hi Ray anne
I do understand your worries and frustration, but I think you're expecting too much from a 13 week old puppy.

Just because she has an outdoor area to sleep/play/eliminate in, doesn't mean that she WILL use it to pee or poop, or that she understands that it is for that purpose.

Puppies are babies and they have no understanding of our human desire for them not to pee/poop indoors. Only consistent training and constant supervision will help them to learn what we expect.

I would suggest that you start using a crate as it makes the whole process easier, my Crate Training A Puppy page has tons of tips and advice to help you, and explains why and how this method is so successful.

I'd also recommend reading my Potty Training A Puppy page as it will help you to understand why your pup is doing what she's doing, and how you can help her to understand what you want from her.

Potty training is an on-going process, not an overnight success. With constant, consistent and appropriate supervision, potty breaks and correction, most puppies are fairly reliable about not peeing/pooping indoors by about 6 months old. Some are quicker, some slower, but if there isn't consistent training in the right way a pup can get very confused and the whole process is more stressful than it needs to be.

Once you've checked out the pages above, if you follow the advice and suggestions and are patient and consistent you will see things improve. Best of luck with your puppy.