I have 2 male Chihuahua's 4&5 years old, we moved into a house in January and they are peeing all over the place and lifting their legs on the couch, I have cleaned the carpets numerous times but they still do it... I will let them outside and they will come in and pee.. I crate them when we go out and at night and their bed is clean when I let them out but I can't crate them all day... one of my dogs is rescued from a mill and we got him 2 years ago and he was trained in the other house.. any suggestions?. I don't like to be too hard on them especially the mill dog as he is pretty timid and scared.

Well, they are both male dogs and it's a relatively new place for them.
Did the last owner have any dog(s)? If yes, your dog's are probably marking their territory, since they still smell the previous owner's dog's.
It can also relate to, if, they have had any bad experience in your new house.

Sources: I got a dog myself (drever, a deer hunting dog) and when I moved to my currently house, he started peeing all over the place since the prev owner had 2 dogs himself.
And my grandpa was the best Norwegian dog trainer many years in a row.

Either way, you got to be strict with them whether you like it or not. I suggest the old fashion way where you prove yourself that you are the boss and they should do as you say.
Or you could get 2 of those electric shock collars. (that's what I used on mine, it worked)

Good luck with your dogs mate!

Sounds like they're reacting to the new home, the move, the sudden change.

Most dogs don't like change, and react badly to it, especially a puppy mill dog.

You'll have to start from scratch and retrain for potty. It won't be that hard, and shouldn't take you that long, as they're already potty trained, they just need a refresher.

Positive reinforcement, lots of praise when they go outside. If they potty inside a firm no, and take them straight outside. Make sure they're walked at least twice a day, 30 minutes each time, 1 hour if possible. That should do the trick. :)

Either way, you got to be strict with them whether you like it or not. I suggest the old fashion way where you prove yourself that you are the boss and they should do as you say.
Or you could get 2 of those electric shock collars. (that's what I used on mine, it worked)

Shock collars? Seriously! So you're lazy and resort to torturing your dogs instead of training them?

I'm curious, what do you consider "the old fashioned way"? It's old fashioned for a reason, because it was deemed inappropriate, and doesn't work. Should I guess, since you didn't post your "old fashioned way"? More torture, in the guise of sticking their nose in it?

So mad. Did you even read the posters question? One of these dogs is a puppymill dog and you tell her to resort to corporal punishment, which I would never even suggest for a dog with no issues!

You should be ashamed of yourself! :(

Yeah, a shock collar. It's the most effective way, if you don't believe that look it up. Only thing you have to do is to watch all the time and once you see your dog is about to pee somewhere you can give them a little shock. Then they'll learn after a while. The dog will be thinking "Uhm, I gotta pee now.. Theres a fine looking carpet. Oh, wait, last time I did that I got shocked, so I'll let my owner know i wanna go outside and pee because that shock I got last time wasn't any good."

And the old fashion way I mean like, if you walk into your living room and you see your dog peeing on the carpet. You raise your voice so the dog understands what it have done that's wrong. You take your dog outside and let it finnish peeing while outside. And while you say "the old fashioned way" doesn't work. What galaxy have you been hiding in? My grandpa was the best norwegian dog trainer (mainly german sheppards, or whatever the name is on english) with that method. Until the shock collars got popular and got the best way in training your dog to not pee in the house etc.


So you're lazy and resort to torturing your dogs instead of training them?
So, basically you are saying that when you use a shock collar, you don't train your dogs? And that the little shock the dog will get (which will feel like someone tickling you if you try it yourself) is torture?
Just that you wrote that made me think that you probably are a person living in a town with some purse dog, am I right? If you even got a dog, but just care extremely about dogs when you got no idea of how it is to have one?

Also;
which I would never even suggest for a dog with no issues!
Why would a dog with no issues need training?


EDIT: I think you guys don't know what a dog's training shock collar even are. You just read "shock" and think oh that must be bad, it must hurt the dog in someway and you think it's a collar used by germans during ww2 in torture. Well, if you haven't noticed yet, the world got very advanced since the 1940s.

Yeah, a shock collar. It's the most effective way, if you don't believe that look it up

I have. Do you honestly think I haven't researched it? I'm the pet expert on this site. A shock collar is only to be used to condition a dog for extreme behavior that could cause injury to either the dog or the humans it lives with. It's not a tool to be used to potty train. I guess you didn't read up on it as much as I did. Try again.


And the old fashion way I mean like, if you walk into your living room and you see your dog peeing on the carpet. You raise your voice so the dog understands what it have done that's wrong. You take your dog outside and let it finnish peeing while outside. And while you say "the old fashioned way" doesn't work. What galaxy have you been hiding in?


You did not stipulate what you meant when you posted "the old fashioned way". You only wrote that. If you read my post, raising your voice, a firm no, and than taking the dog outside, is what I suggested. But I wrote my suggestion. You didn't. You simply said "old fashioned way". The old fashioned way was to stick your dogs nose in it. That method is outdated and as moronic as shock collars.


So, basically you are saying that when you use a shock collar, you don't train your dogs?

I never said that. Yes, you're training them. They will learn, because you're inflicting pain, and they don't like it. It's like a child. If a child pees in its diaper and you slap it, it will learn to not pee in its diaper. You do train it, but is it humane? No. Not in the least. There are humane ways to train a dog and a child. Would you put a shock collar on a child to potty train, or would you praise the child and use positive reinforcement? There's really only one right answer to this question, and it goes for both kids and dogs.


Just that you wrote that made me think that you probably are a person living in a town with some purse dog, am I right? If you even got a dog, but just care extremely about dogs when you got no idea of how it is to have one?


LMAO! At this time I have a beagle and a border collie. I recently lost my black lab, and my border collie cross. I've never had a purse dog, I've never had a dog with issues, I've had many dogs, all trained and very well behaved. I've never ever had to use a shock collar, because I actually take the time to train my dogs. I'm not lazy, or cruel.


Why would a dog with no issues need training?

Think about that quote and answer it yourself. If you have half a brain you'll figure it out. :)

I have. Do you honestly think I haven't researched it? I'm the pet expert on this site. A shock collar is only to be used to condition a dog for extreme behavior that could cause injury to either the dog or the humans it lives with. It's not a tool to be used to potty train. I guess you didn't read up on it as much as I did. Try again.
Well, the thing is that a shock collar do not inflict pain/injury on the dog. It's extremely effective and the dog will feel it like your gently petting it.


You did not stipulate what you meant when you posted "the old fashioned way". You only wrote that. If you read my post, raising your voice, a firm no, and than taking the dog outside, is what I suggested.
Exactly what I meant as well.


I never said that. Yes, you're training them. They will learn, because you're inflicting pain
You're not inflicting pain on the dog as I mentioned above.

It's like a child. If a child pees in its diaper and you slap it, it will learn to not pee in its diaper.
That one made me giggle. You actually compare to slap a baby to give a gentle shock to the dog? (which the dog barely even notices)


LMAO! At this time I have a beagle and a border collie. I recently lost my black lab, and my border collie cross. I've never had a purse dog, I've never had a dog with issues, I've had many dogs, all trained and very well behaved. I've never ever had to use a shock collar, because I actually take the time to train my dogs. I'm not lazy, or cruel.
Well, then you and I apperently got different views on what lazy and cruel.


One of these dogs is a puppymill dog and you tell her to resort to corporal punishment, which I would never even suggest for a dog with no issues!
Those are you're words.
Little closer.

which I would never even suggest for a dog with no issues!
Again, you're words. So ill say what you said.
Think about that quote and answer it yourself. If you have half a brain you'll figure it out. :)

Well, the thing is that a shock collar do not inflict pain/injury on the dog. It's extremely effective and the dog will feel it like your gently petting it.

http://www.google.ca/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&ved=0CB8QFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fshibashake.com%2Fdog%2Fdog-shock-collar-good-bad&ei=_2yUULG0I9HoiQLc0YCwAQ&usg=AFQjCNG31N_w7cQAHq8hQ3MSVdXrXfDygA


In shock mode, the electronic collar will deliver an electric current to the dog through two contact points at the dog's neck.

This electric shock will cause pain and physical discomfort to the dog, otherwise it would not be effective in conditioning the dog.

In other words, Try again.


Exactly what I meant as well.

We can't guess what you meant, we can only read what you write, and you wrote "the old fashioned way". That covered a lot of ground, which you didn't stipulate.


You're not inflicting pain on the dog as I mentioned above.


Of course it hurts, of course it's painful, that's why the dog is conditioned to avoid the behavior that he's being shocked for.

Here's a thought, put the collar on yourself and shock yourself. Tell me it doesn't hurt. Before you say you've done that and felt no pain, well, I've done it too, because I have a beagle that digs and runs into the street after digging under our fenced in yard. I considered a shock collar to condition him to stop, in order to keep him safe. I bought one, but wouldn't put it on my dog before I tried it out on myself. At the lowest setting I felt pain. More pain than I'd ever inflict on anyone else.

It does hurt. That's why it works. But no legitimate trainer would ever recommend a shock collar to potty train. No decent human being would either.


That one made me giggle. You actually compare to slap a baby to give a gentle shock to the dog? (which the dog barely even notices)


Okay than, let's put your theory to the test. Do you have kids? If you do, and they're potty training, than put the shock collar on them, and train them by shocking them into submission. If it's not painful than surely a 2 year old child can take it. Right?


Well, then you and I apperently got different views on what lazy and cruel.

We certainly do. I agree with all of the pet experts I've ever met, including Cesar Millan, and many other renowned dog trainers. You think causing pain is a way to train, instead of spending the time to do it right. I definitely don't agree with you. Sadly, no one that actually trains dogs, and rehabilitates dogs, agrees with you. You should research that fact.

As for your last two quotes, they make no sense. I quoted what you wrote. I don't have to think about anything. All dogs need training, from puppies to rescues, re-homed to dogs with issues. No dog should be potty trained with a shock collar, ever! The only people that resort to this are people that are not informed, have no clue, and don't know the trauma they're causing.

Here's a thought, put the collar on yourself and shock yourself. Tell me it doesn't hurt
Well, it doesn't hurt at all. I feel it shakes a little bit and tickles. That's it.


through two contact points
There are no contact points on my collar.

And no, I do not have kids.


no one that actually trains dogs, and rehabilitates dogs, agrees with you. You should research that fact.
As I have mentioned at least 3 times now, my collar do not cause any pain at all.


As for your last two quotes, they make no sense. I quoted what you wrote. I don't have to think about anything.
Well let me check it up, again..
This is what you wrote:

So mad. Did you even read the posters question? One of these dogs is a puppymill dog and you tell her to resort to corporal punishment, which I would never even suggest for a dog with no issues!
Then I wrote:

Why would a dog with no issues need training?
Then you again:

Think about that quote and answer it yourself. If you have half a brain you'll figure it out. :)

Then I'll ask once more.

Why would a dog with no issues need training?

I'll break it down for you, since you obviously can't understand. I'll go slowly, so try to follow along.

I wrote;


So mad. Did you even read the posters question? One of these dogs is a puppymill dog and you tell her to resort to corporal punishment, which I would never even suggest for a dog with no issues!

Her dog is a puppymill dog. Do you know what a puppymill is? It's a horrible place. Most of these dogs have major trust issues, and haven't ever had proper training. To put a shock collar on a puppymill dog, it's unconscionable, it's not okay. They've been through enough.

The second part of that post means that even if this dog wasn't a puppymill rescue, I would never ever suggest using corporal punishment (pain punishment) on any dog in order to potty train.

With me so far? Do you need me to explain anything?

You posted;


Why would a dog with no issues need training?

I told you to think about that, and tell me. You couldn't. Have you thought about it at all?

Every dog needs training. No dog will walk into a home and automatically know what their human expects. Dogs aren't human, they don't know that peeing on the floor or carpet is bad. They need to be taught, humanely, to not pee on the carpet. All dogs need training, it's not only dogs with issues that need training. That's really a "duh" statement on my part. The fact that I have to explain that all dogs need training, and not only those with issues, shows your expertise, or lack thereof, on this subject.

which I would never even suggest for a dog with no issues!
If a dog got no issues, then why would you even train it? There is no need to train a dog that's already behaving good. Also, by training a dog that does not need the training, it could make the dog misunderstand the whole situation.

If a dog got no issues, then why would you even train it? There is no need to train a dog that's already behaving good. Also, by training a dog that does not need the training, it could make the dog misunderstand the whole situation.

So you're saying that you don't need to train a puppy? It will just figure things out by itself? After all, a puppy doesn't have "issues", it's a puppy, a new being, a clean slate. So you don't train it, it already behaves the way you want it to?

Think about it. Really think about it. You're showing your intelligence right now, and it's not looking good.

All dogs need training throughout their lives. Yes, you could make a dog misunderstand the whole situation. For instance, if you use a shock collar to potty train, your dog will be very confused. I completely agree with that.

Having said that, I have no wish to continue arguing with you. If you had a point worth considering I'd continue, but you don't. Right now it's up to the OP (original poster) to come back, read what's been written, and decide what she wants to do. Until she posts with more questions, I will not post just to fight with someone that's not worth fighting.

You haven't shown that your way is right. If anything, you've proven how very wrong you are.

Good luck and good bye.

Sounds like they're reacting to the new home, the move, the sudden change.

Most dogs don't like change, and react badly to it, especially a puppy mill dog

You'll have to start from scratch and retrain for potty. It won't be that hard, and shouldn't take you that long, as they're already potty trained, they just need a refresher.

Positive reinforcement, lots of praise when they go outside. If they potty inside a firm no, and take them straight outside. Make sure they're walked at least twice a day, 30 minutes each time, 1 hour if possible. That should do the trick. :)
Thanks for the advice... I try to walk them but we live in Manitoba Canada and our winters are so cold -30 and thanks for understanding exactly what having a mill dog involves.. I couldn't imagine shocking any dog especially a mill dog!

Thanks for the advice, I would prefer to take a more compassionate route with my guys.. we have always had dogs big , medium and now small and have never run into this problem before

Thanks for the advice.....I try to walk them but we live in Manitoba Canada and our winters are so cold -30 and thanks for understanding exactly what having a mill dog involves..I couldn't imagine shocking any dog especially a mill dog!

I'm in Canada too, so I do understand. Every year when the first snow falls I wonder why the hell I live here! ;)

I do get that going for an hour walk, in the Canadian winter, is not feasible. Do the dogs get regular potty breaks? Do you go out to praise when they do go outside to potty? That's the way to go about this. It will suck, because it's cold, but like I said, this will be a refresher, they're already trained, they just need you to reiterate what they already know, and let them know that pottying in the new house isn't okay, just like it wasn't okay to potty in the old house. You need to be there to praise instantly, right after they go outside.

Lots of praise when they go outside, immediately after they potty, and a firm no, and directly outside, when they have an accident. I have a feeling that they'll catch on in a week or two, maybe even less. :)

Now's the point where I shamelessly beg for pictures. :)

Thanks Alty, I do take them outside quite regularly throughout the day and I do praise them when they do come in, I think the problem is that rarely do I catch them in the act, I usually find the stain and don't know who did it.. when I do catch them in the act I will say a firm NO and them him outside.. I guess I just need to be more vigilant (as you are when you have a puppy) when they are in the house and pay more attention to their whereabouts to catch them in the act!
I'm new in this site and have no idea to how to post pictures.. they are really cute :)

Wow. Alty you are so right in EVERYTHING you have posted thus far. Original poster please ignore what the abusive pet owner suggested and follow Alty. Her methods will make sure your dog is trained and healthy emotionally and physically. Thank you for rescuing a puppy mill dog and giving it a furever home.
The abusive pet owner please don't comment again with your abusive advice. No good trainer would advocate what you have suggested for potty training issues ever. Why don't you hang out and read some threads and maybe you can learn how to train pets the caring and proper way.

Here's a link explaining how to post a picture. :)

https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/dogs/how-post-picture-678901.html

Keep up the good work with your dogs. It may take a while, but positive reinforcement, lots of praise when they do what you expect, and they'll get back on track.

Change is hard for all dogs, but especially a puppymill rescue. Give them time, patience, love, correction when you catch them in the act, but above all, tons of praise when they do what they're supposed to do. Fact is, dogs live to please their people. They're not doing this on purpose, they're just confused, and they need you to establish what you expect from them in this new home.

You'll get it in no time. Now I'll sit here and wait for pictures. :)

Here's my guys.. the white one is Stitch he is the Mill dog and the other is Harold... Stitch is afraid of the noise the camera makes so its hard to get his picture.. Harold loves the camera.. lol41708

41709

41710

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Here's a link explaining how to post a picture. :)

https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/dogs/how-post-picture-678901.html

Keep up the good work with your dogs. It may take a while, but positive reinforcement, lots of praise when they do what you expect, and they'll get back on track.

Change is hard for all dogs, but especially a puppymill rescue. Give them time, patience, love, correction when you catch them in the act, but above all, tons of praise when they do what they're supposed to do. Fact is, dogs live to please their people. They're not doing this on purpose, they're just confused, and they need you to establish what you expect from them in this new home.

You'll get it in no time. Now I'll sit here and wait for pictures. :)

Thanks.. I think I got the pics up!

Boy, I got here late.
Really? Shock collars on chihuahuas? For potty training? As has already been noted, terrible advice.
Yackie, stick to the positive reinforcement, it will pay off soon.
And I would also like to thank you for giving a mill puppy a second chance.
They are really a cute pair.

Adorable pups. Thanks for sharing their pictures. :)

Awww an overload of cuteness :) psst in my books you are a hero for rescuing the dogs and giving them their furever home. Thank you so much! Also thank you for realizing what advice to listen to and what one to ignore.

Thanks everyone... just an update... Started today off like I had new puppies, kept on top of them, took them out every 2 hours or right after they ate or drank a lot, praised them when they went outside and I am happy to say not 1 accident today!!

Thanks everyone...just an update...Started today off like I had new puppies, kept on top of them, took them out every 2 hours or right after they ate or drank a lot, praised them when they went outside and I am happy to say not 1 accident today!!!

That's great! Keep up the good work, they'll be back on track in no time at all. :)

If a dog got no issues, then why would you even train it? There is no need to train a dog that's already behaving good. Also, by training a dog that does not need the training, it could make the dog misunderstand the whole situation.

You don't understand what he means by saying that, Alty? And you are saying he's dumb. Haha. Think about it, I think since you and he argued you don't want to understand him :P
He means that Yackie's dog's are adults- By that, an adult dog that's behaving good it don't need any training. He's not talking about puppies, which you brought into the conversation.
I understand what he means at least :)

But on topic, how are the potty training working for you Yackie?

Its been going OK twdmet but the mill dog is now trying to sneak to the basement rec room... but I'm trying to keep a good eye on him and catch him before he goes!

You don't understand what he means by saying that, Alty? And you are saying he's dumb. Haha. Think about it, i think since you and he argued you don't wanna understand him :P
He means that Yackie's dog's are adults- By that, an adult dog that's behaving good it dont need any training. He's not talking about puppies, which you brought into the conversation.
I understand what he means atleast :)

But on topic, how are the potty training working for you Yackie?

I do understand what he's saying, and even if the dogs aren't puppies, he's wrong. Training is a daily thing, from puppyhood until adulthood. You never stop training your dogs. If a dog suddenly starts peeing in the house, when he didn't before, then you retrain. You never use punishment to train, especially not a puppymill rescue. Ever!

I had no problem understanding what he wrote. He recommended a shock collar to retrain a dog with potty issues, and the OP (original poster) stated in her post that the dog is a puppymill rescue. Even for a regular dog, a shock collar to potty train is atrocious. For a puppymill dog it's animal abuse, it's the worst of the worst. I can't even put into words how very wrong his advice was, and is.

I hope that now you can understand my position better.

Its been going ok twdmet but the mill dog is now trying to sneak to the basement rec room...but I'm trying to keep a good eye on him and catch him before he goes!!

Yackie, I'm not longer sure if I asked, or if you already posted this info. Are the dogs crate trained?

If not, I can understand. As a puppymill dog he would have spent every minute of every hour of every day in a cage, putting him back into one could cause more issues than it would fix. But I do have to ask, because this could help solve your issue if the puppymill rescue feels safe in a crate.

He does go in his crate when we go out and is comfortable in there, but would I put him in there when I am home?