[StarGirl]

I have a 4 month old female black & brindle puppy, she is the love of my life. Her name is Tia. Can someone tell me how long it takes for a chihuahua to housebreak. She was trained on a pee pee pad which in the beginning worked. I bought bells for my door and taught her to ring the bells to go outside. She rings the bells but most of the time just wants to go outside to play. I'll give her a treat and praise her when she does her business outside but sometimes she will come in from being outside for over a hour and do her business under my dinning room table. I take he out as soon as she gets up from a nap, or after she eats and drinks I will take her out. Its so frustrating to sit outside with her for a hour and have her come in and pee on the floor right in front of me. I ylled no and quick took her outside but she just doesn't seem to get it. She is a really smart dog with everything else learned the doggie door in one day, will sit, lay down and roll over on command. This is my first Chihuahua. I've heard they are really hard to train.

[lilhollysmom]

It's common for small dogs to have a hard time potty training...but don't give up! Crate training is a highly recommended way to help them learn where it is appropriate to go. Scheduled feeding makes it easier to train as well. Make sure to take her out 15-20 minutes after she eats...this is generally how long it takes for elimination to occur...then praise, praise, praise when she goes outside. It may take a lot of time and effort to train your baby, and it's important to watch her for signs that she needs to go...circling, sniffing, whining, scratching the door, etc...watch her like a hawk so you know how she's communicating to you when she needs to go. One of my sisters yorkies sits and stares at her until their eyes connect...that's her sign. In the morning my Holly will scratch her back to make her tags clink so I'll wake up and take her out. They can come up with some very imaginative ways of letting you know. Hope this helps! Good luck!