Chihuahuas may be a difficult dog to train, particularly when it comes to housebreaking. Some are not tamed until they are well into their adult years, resulting in annoying messes and unnecessary stress on their owners. Fortunately, it is never overdue to start potty training your adult Chihuahua.
Your Chihuahua can be potty trained if you keep a tight check on them and are persistent with bringing them out and training them.
Potty Training Ideas for an Adult Chihuahua
✔️Apply Incentive-Based Learning
Chihuahuas will attempt to repeat certain acts that will result in a reward. When they perform a normal bodily function in a specific location and receive a reward, it seeks to conserve its efforts to spend them on that location to earn a very delectable treat. Find a treat that your Chihuahua appreciates and will work hard for. If your dog has any health difficulties, please consult with your veterinarian first to ensure no medical reasons why it should not be fed a specific diet.
✔️Take the Dog for Frequent Walks
Allow the adult Chihuahua lots of opportunities to use the restroom. Even if you have a stubborn Chihuahua, you must be proactive in taking the dog out and placing them on the location. They won’t know that’s where you want it to go to the bathroom until you show them. Take an adult Chihuahua out every hour and set the alarm to remind you every hour.
✔️Take them for a Stroll After Meals
A meal in the tummy induces a response that leads the dog to urinate ten to twenty minutes after eating. Use this reaction by taking your adult Chihuahua outside after meals and waiting for it to work. If you leave the dog unattended in the bathroom, you will miss the moment and the opportunity to reward it.
✔️Teach your Chihuahua to Use the Restroom on Cue
Select a cue word, such as toilet, to be used for teaching. If everyone in the family knows and uses the same word, your Chihuahua will become confused. When your Chihuahua has completed using the restroom, reward it and congratulate it. This helps them identify going to the bathroom with that particular spot, making them want to return there.
Keep an eye on your Chihuahua while you’re at Home
Be on the lookout for indicators that your Chihuahua has to go to the bathroom and is considering toileting in the home for quick training. When you see this behavior, quickly pick up the dog and take it outside to the potty. In addition, it may be beneficial to keep the Chihuahua on a leash inside the house so that it does not wander off to a peaceful place.
When you are unable to be with the dog, place it in its crate. The objective of toilet training is to educate your dog to ask to go outdoors. As a result, you may securely take them everywhere without fear of an accident.
✔️Handle Mishaps with Grace
If, despite your best efforts, your Chihuahua potties in the house, never punish them. All of this teaches the dog that you have an illogical fear of its bodily functions. Furthermore, this may make the dog more clever and set back potty training since the dog may grow afraid of the toilet in front of you, even in the approved area. Instead, relax and wait for the Chihuahua to leave.
Then, using a cleaner, completely clean up. If your Chihuahua has already developed an inconvenient toileting location, clean it up with a cleaner and arrange its food and water bowls there. Dogs do not urinate where they eat; therefore, this will aid in breaking that behavior.
✔️Always Remember to Remain Patient
Do not be aggressive or yell at your Chihuahua. Instead, be helpful and kind. Potty training will take some time for your Chihuahua. Just keep being persistent, and don’t get frustrated if your dog doesn’t go to the potty straight away. Remember to reward the dog with goodies if it goes potty where it should. This will assist in reinforcing the desired behavior.
What to Expect from an Adult Chihuahua
It is vital to be prepared and informed of the most typical issues that elderly Chihuahuas confront at some time in their lives. These age-related changes might occur all at once or gradually over time. It is recommended that you review things every couple of months to stay one step onward and have your Chihuahua pleased.
❕Reduced Mobility
Adult dogs generally slow down; each year, a Chihuahua will take a little longer to get up, run a little slower, and tire out a little faster. The body’s capacity to convert protein into muscle deteriorates, resulting in muscular mass and strength loss. All essential organs eventually deteriorate in function.
What you can do is continue to walk your Chihuahua daily. Exercise aids in the maintenance of muscular mass in dogs. Make changes for all-day excursions. Take regular pauses for relaxation and rehydration if you’re bringing your Chihuahua out for the day.
❕Nutritional Requirements
At 10, a Chihuahua may require to be converted to an adult dog food formula, although this is not always necessary. One of the primary purposes for adult formula dog meals is to approach less calories to counteract obesity in older dogs, which is uncommon in their breed. In addition, senior formulations often have extra fiber, which can aid with a slow digestive tract.
Older Chihuahuas may have difficulty eating hard kibble. This breed is prone to tooth deterioration, which needs at-home dental care and frequent veterinarian dental inspections. As a dog’s metabolism slows, they may instinctively adjust and eat less.
❕Sleep Modifications
Adult Chihuahua dogs’ sleeping patterns frequently shift, which might be perplexing at times. In addition, while more sleep is required, a dog’s natural synthesis of melatonin declines as he matures, contributing to interrupted sleep at night. You may help your Chihuahua by making a peaceful location for it. Senior dogs value a quiet space where they may withdraw from the bustle and activity.
❕Changes in Hearing
Mature dogs may have diminished hearing in one or both ears, which can be difficult to fix because dogs rely so heavily on this sense. When you approach or wake your dog, check for signs such as not answering when called and/or appearing scared. If you need to wake your pet, place your hand on their nose first, then softly touch their back. Start incorporating hand gestures for common commands.
❕Skin Alterations
This breed is already prone to skin sensitivity, but it becomes more evident as it ages. Furthermore, as a dog ages, the epidermis thins, making the skin more vulnerable. The paws might become excessively dry, which can be painful and ultimately begin to peel or crack. Use high-quality coat products designed for sensitive skin and guarding and addressing concerns like dryness and itching.
❕The Need for Biyearly Wellness Exams
Adult chihuahuas should be visited by a vet twice a year. This is true regardless of how lively or youthful a Chihuahua appears to be. Changes occur in the body, and adult Chihuahua must be checked for diseases typically plague senior dogs. The objective is to detect problems early, allowing for the best feasible diagnosis.
❕Possibility of Gaining Weight
Being less active as you get older and burning fewer calories can contribute to a steady weight increase. Adult Chihuahuas have changes in their physical composition. Less muscular mass can make a dog’s physique appear out-of-shape, although this does not always indicate a weight problem. If there are no health difficulties that would prohibit you from doing so, gradually increase your physical activity. Provide lower-calorie meals. You may substitute low-calorie veggies for some of the kibbles.
❕Changes in Vision
The lens of the eye may be clouded. Adult Chihuahuas may have difficulty seeing because of cataracts or typical age-related diminished senses. If you observe any clouding in your Chihuahua’s eye or vision problems, you must consult with a veterinarian to discover the cause.
❕Bladder Weakening
Incontinence, or lack of bladder or bowel control, is most typically found in adult Chihuahuas. It is a normal symptom of aging in many situations; nevertheless, several health conditions might cause this. If accidents happen regularly, keep your Chihuahua in a well-defined, easy-to-clean area. Also, consider doggy diapers; for older Chihuahuas aware of their mishaps, wearing a diaper can help them maintain their self-esteem.
Taking Care of an Adult Chihuahua
When it comes to taking care of Chihuahuas, there are several factors to consider. All of these features are intended to keep these devoted friends healthy and happy. Chihuahuas are little canines with enormous personalities.
👍Provide them with High-Quality Food
You must pick an appropriate diet for your Chihuahua to keep them healthy and to look attractive all of the time. Several reliable dog food brands are available in the market, making it difficult to select the ideal one for your Chihuahua. Choose a product with low-salt content for your little Chihuahua since a high-salt diet might cause heart issues. When it comes to selecting quality meals, you may also contact your veterinarian.
👍Avoid Overfeeding them
Although Chihuahuas are lively and active, they should not be overfed, or they will become fat. Check the label for the suggested amount of food for your Chihuahua. Also, while you continue to feed them, keep an eye on their weight. Reduce the amount of food you offer them if you feel they are gaining a lot of weight. Giving your Chihuahua more food than is necessary might lead to major health problems.
👍They should be Brushed
Since Chihuahuas have varied coat kinds, grooming your Chihuahua will be dependent on the sort of coat they have. Grooming them will help them feel more at ease and calm.
👍Care for their Teeth
Chihuahuas are prone to dental issues as well. Brush your Chihuahua’s teeth regularly to avoid dental problems. When brushing your Chihuahua, use a dog-specific toothbrush and toothpaste. This will assist kids in being healthy and disease-free, even as adults.
👍Trim their Nails
Chihuahuas’ nails develop quickly. As a result, you should cut his nails whenever they grow. Allowing the nails to grow large will make him feel uneasy when walking on the floor. This will save them from injuring themselves when they scratch themselves.
👍They must be Dewormed
Deworming is necessary for all sorts of pets, even your little dog. So give your Chihuahua preventative deworming medicine regularly to keep him safe from parasites that might endanger his life.
👍Don’t forget to let them Exercise
Chihuahuas are lively, enthusiastic dogs. On the other hand, Adult Chihuahuas have greater energy and can run and play all day without tiring. So take them for short walks but not for heavy exertion.
Keep your Chihuahua Healthy
Chihuahuas often achieve full adult height and weight within eight months of birth. However, after eight months, any excessive weight increase may be related to eating too much or other wellness issues and should be addressed with your pet’s vet.
Chihuahuas are distinguished by their small size. Unlike many dog breeds, the gender of the Chihuahua is not important as their birth weight in deciding their eventual size. If you don’t know your Chihuahua’s birth weight, use their current weight and age to determine which column they belong in and their predicted mature size based on that.
Preventive treatment is critical to ensure your Chihuahua has a long and happy life. Begin by taking your Chihuahua to frequent veterinarian checkups to ensure that they are healthy and tested for any health issues.
Chihuahuas, like many purebred dog breeds, are prone to specific health issues. For example, Chihuahuas are also prone to hypoglycemia. Urinary stones are another prevalent health concern in Chihuahuas. When the worst happens, the last thing you want to worry about is not adequately caring for your beloved dog, which is why it is critical to acquire their insurance. Many pet insurance policies also provide wellness add-ons to aid with routine veterinarian care costs, which are essential to your Chihuahua’s health.
Precautionary care, along with regular exercise and a nutritious diet, is the greatest thing you can do for your dog. Please consult with your veterinarian to develop a customized plan for your puppy, and continue to bring them in for monthly tests and examinations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Why are Chihuahuas so difficult to housetrain?
A: The most challenging aspect of housebreaking Chihuahuas is their tiny stature, making it difficult to see when they scoop down to go to the potty.
Q: How do I get my adult Chihuahua to quit peeing in the house?
A: Take them outdoors and praise them. Reward them with food if they pee outside. Reduce your Chihuahua’s access around the house to prevent them from marking when you’re not looking.
Q: Is it possible to toilet train an elderly dog?
A: It might be irritating to have an older dog who isn’t housetrained, but most older dogs can be potty trained in a matter of weeks.
Q: Why is my Chihuahua peeing all over the place?
A: A urinary tract infection might be the reason for your dog suddenly urinating in the home.
Q: What effect does vinegar have on pet urine?
A: The vinegar neutralizes the ammonia in the dog pee, which helps mask the odor and remove the pet urine from the carpet.
Final Thoughts
It is still feasible to toilet train an adult Chihuahua. It will take a lot of patience along the road, but it will work. Knowing all the essential techniques to help you tame your adult chihuahua when they need to go potty is essential.
It’s not always easy to see your Chihuahua age so quickly in comparison to us people. But, while we can’t stop time, there are things we can do to make our older Chihuahuas as comfortable and healthy as possible.
Here at ILoveChihuahua, we share our personal experiences as owners of this feisty breed. We talk about recommended methods, dog supplies picks, and advice on common Chihuahua problems. Our goal is to promote responsible dog ownership, so there would be fewer Chihuahuas in shelters.
