I have a male chihuahua, he keeps marking inside the house, especially if there are plastic bags on the floor, or suitcases or anything really, corners of sofas etc. I walk him a lot and he pees outside too, which helps but doesn't stop him from peeing inside.

He's always had this problem. I had him since he was a puppy, and he's 3 now. I used to get very angry and frustrated, and just screamed at him at times... All that after months of trying to train him. Once he peed on my pillow when I was right next to him reading a book...

He's a lovely buddy and I really need to sort this out. I'm moving into a new house and I cannot let this make my new housemates hate my dog...
Also I just got a full time job so really getting worried sick here..

Any advice? I don't know how to train him :( Please help

Training may not be the issue, but I will give you advice on how to train in a minute. My first bit of advice would be a checkup with his vet. It could be that he has a problem with incontinence (bladder control). The reason I say this is the incident with the pillow.

Rule out the medical first. If he has a medical issue most are treatable, or at least regulated with medication.

Now to training.

I'm not going to get mad at you, because you obviously didn't know better, but never ever ever yell at him. He's a dog. He doesn't understand human ways. He has to be taught them. If you yell, or show frustration, then all he learns is that you're very scary when he pees. He doesn't learn that he shouldn't pee in the house.

He's not a baby anymore, so teaching him may take a bit longer, but if you're consistent, patient, and put in the effort (and it will be an effort), then it can be done.

First, never use puppy pads. Puppy pads are the worst invention ever made, and I can tell you that the person that made them, never had a well trained dog.

You're going to train by being positive, consistent, and present.

You're going to take your dog outside, choose a word that will represent potty time. It can be "Potty, make, do your business, pee pee", whatever you want. Choose one word or phrase, and then never ever change it.

Say your potty word and then wait. It could take 3 minutes, it could take 30 minutes, you could be standing out there for an hour or more. But do not leave until he potties, and continue repeating your potty word over and over.

When he finally potties, you're going to go nuts. It's party time! Hugs, pets, "you're such a good boy, such a good good boy", give a treat, lots of attention. You want him to know that what he just did made you very very happy.

Lather rinse and repeat. This is how you train a dog to potty.

Now, how to deal with an accident indoors. If he has an accident, and he will. All dogs do when they're learning. You say "no" in a firm, not frightening way, only once. Then take him outside, use his potty word, and wait for him to potty. If you catch him in the act, a firm "no", and clap your hands to get him to stop. Then directly outside, the potty word, and huge party when he does what you want him to do.

It's all about teaching him what you expect, and positive reinforcement. Remember that he's a dog, not a human, and that will help you. He doesn't understand your frustration or your anger. If you yell, all he sees is a scary human losing her mind. He doesn't understand the words you're saying, and he doesn't understand that it's directed at him.

The reason he has accidents is because he has no idea what you want him to do. Teach him, put in the time and effort, and you'll be fine. :)

Thank you so much for such detailed reply!
I'll certainly do my best

Do you maybe know a way to stop him from barking at people coming in to the house?

I have an 11 year old neutered male Chihuahua and we spent YEARS trying to stop him from peeing on things.. all to no avail. But after crating and hundreds in vet bills to be sure he didn't have a problem we finally accepted that he is just who he is and this isn't going to change or improve. We did, however, find a solution that actually works! Belly bands! You can buy them online but they are really easy and cheap to make. You simply buy a few pieces of flannel... in our case we used an old flannel sheet.. and take a tape measure and measure the widest part of the dog's chest. Cut the flannel about 6 inches wide to the width of his chest and attach velcro to the flannel so you can wrap it around tight enough to stay on but not too tight. Most people just use the flannel and wash it several times a day but we went and bought Always panty liners and stuck them to the inside of the band. When he marks his territory he will pee into the pad. Problem solved. Now, there was a strange side effect to this that we didn't expect. Our male doesn't like peeing on himself or the feeling of being soaked in his own pee apparently, because about 4 months after we started with the bands we noticed he no longer pees in them. We are now only having to put them on him when we're not home and at night and he is fine most of the day.
The only other thing you have to watch is that you change them often.. you don't want his skin getting irritated and if you don't change them often they end up needing baths every week which can lead to other skin issues..
I know a lot of people want to tell you this is due to a million different things, including poor training, but after the lengths we have gone to with ours and knowing several others who have similar issues (including our dog's father who was eventually crated 24 hours a day because his owners couldn't be bothered) I am here to tell you it's NOT you.. it's just one of the joys of owning a male chihuahua.
I hope this helps! Please email me if you try it and let me know how it goes! >address removed< Good luck!!

Belly bands for a dog that suffers from medical incontinence that can't be treated, or for an older dog with bladder issues, are not a bad investment.

But, for a 3 year old dog, I would first get a vet check, and then train.

I have yet to meet a dog with no medical issues causing incontinence, that couldn't be trained, unless the owners were too lazy to put in the time, or too inexperienced to train the dog properly. Sadly, that's all too common.

I'm asking that your email address be removed, as it's against site rules.

I don't want to speak for the other owner but our issue is most definitely NOT incontinence. He knows exactly what he's doing.. he especially loves plastic bags.. if they drop to the ground he comes running and pees the second anyone looks away. I absolutely agree with having him checked by a vet but after he has been cleared I think even while they're being trained, belly bands are a good investment. I have literally spent hundreds on vets and trainers.. nothing has ever worked. The last trainer actually said "what do you expect, he has a brain the size of a peanut"... and his father was eventually crated 24 hours a day because his owners couldn't trust him. I figure a piece of fabric smaller than the sweater he wears in the winter is a lot better than that alternative AND we can finally travel with him again..
That said.. if you want to come prove me wrong I'm more than happy to let you try working with him! :) :) :)
THANK YOU for removing my email.. I couldn't figure out how to take it off.. didn't realize the forum would email me directly :)

Putting a belly band on a dog that's being potty trained is about as useful as using puppy pads to potty train. Which is not at all.

It sends a mixed message.

Let me put it this way. It's like putting a diaper on a child you're trying to potty train. Why go in the toilet when you're wearing a diaper? Might as well just do your thing like you always have. Put underwear on a child and potty training will be a lot quicker.

As for the person that crated his father for 24 hours a day, that just furthers my point. Poor ownership, and extreme lack of training.

Even the dumbest dog in the world, one with a brain even smaller than a peanut, can learn to potty train, because it's a natural thing.

A few questions. How old is your dog? I'm not sure if you already posted that info, if so, I apologize, this is one of many threads I'm posting on right now, and sometimes the info gets mixed. Second, when you got him, how old was he, and how did you potty train? What methods did you use? The more honest you are, the better I can help you. If you stuck his nose in his poop, or used puppy pads, that's info I need to know. I won't judge, and I won't yell at you, so be honest, and let's see if we can get your dog trained. :)

Hi again!
Thanks for another option yoshime, but Alty's advice actually worked for me (big massive thanks to you Alty!)
Your problem sounds similar to what my dog used to do. He's lived with my ex for almost a year(until I finally found a place in London where I could keep him) and that's exactly what he described. Plastic bags, suitcases, sofas, etc. I found out that he simply didn't walk him regularly.
I started walking my dog every morning before work and as soon as I come back in the evening since I got him back and we hardly had any accidents.

He has marked in my flatmates room twice, which I don't understand but for now I'm not too worried because he doesn't normally do it.

I was pleasantly surprised to come home and see my dog waiting for me to walk him. The only problem is that he won't wait too long once I'm back.

Also knowing that there's been a problem before I just don't leave anything on the floor that he might want to mark. Never a plastic bag. He peed on my bag at night once when I left it on the floor. So I try not to leave anything lying about

Katyakate, I'm so happy you came back to update us. I'm also so happy that things are working out. Keep up the great work. He'll become more and more reliable, just stay consistent, keep walking every day with him, and remember, lots and lots of praise when he does what you want him to do.

I'm so glad it worked for you, but my advice was only half of what made it work. You stuck to it, and you put in the work, and took the time, and that's why this is working. Advice only works if the person asking for it listens, and implements that advice. So this is your accomplishment, and you should be very proud. :)