My CHI IDOLS Blog
FUNNY!
by Annette on 08/29/12
Let's have a funny story now. It also touches on the serious, but let's enjoy the funny part first!
A family bought a puppy here about a year ago named "Cupcake". She proved a little hard to train, so off to Obedience School she went with her family. I just heard from them, and I about cracked up. She said, " Cupcake just graduated from Obedience! She lacked focus on some things -- but at least now she will lead on a leash and seems to enjoy going for walks!" It was just so funny. Now that's a Chi for you!
Then she sent another picture, the one below. She wrote: "Wish I could have gotten one with her alone wearing her cap and certificate. But she wouldn't sit still and all she wanted to do is get the cap off and play with it"! Yep -- that's a Chi for you!
Or is it? I have another client who accomplished something with their Chi that blew me away! She said that in just a few days, she taught her new puppy to go to the door and ring a bell when he needed to go out. I couldn't believe my ears! But, they also had an enormous dog too, I think a Great Dane, who knew how to ring the bell. So, it was then easy to train the little Chi, because he had another dog to learn from. Still, this couple obviously had skills rivaling Cesar Milan's when it came to toilet-training Chihuahuas!
So that's a Chi for you, too!
We don't all have these kind of training skills. I know I don't, though I have developed some important ones in the seven almost 8 years I have been breeding. As you know, all puppies are raised in the house with me, so I've had a chance to try many things over the years.
Potty Training: I'm asked all the time, but the only answer is this: Everybody's schedule, environment, habits, and physical layout of your facilities is different. So there is not one path we can all follow. Everyone's situation is different, so read all you can, then devise a plan that suits YOUR lifestyle.
I myself use a"cedar box", a convieniently located, larger and longer, but not much higher, than a cat-litter box. It's plastic, and filled with either cedar chips or wood pellets. They are attracted to it and learn to use it regularly. Interestingly, I don't use either negative or positive reinforcement any more. I let them learn on their own, as if it's no big thing. I put them in the box when I see them about to go and if they jump out, fine. In a week or so MOST of them learn it. Pee pads or restaurant style dishcloths (Sam's) work great too. You can wash the cloths. I do this as well because males really like to pee on cloths.
While MOST Chihuahuas, who are 'in love with' their owners, will learn fast in order to please them, a small minority, of just-as-dedicated little ones, are harder to train to leashes, etc. Just love them, as the Fox family (below) does.
If you don't love your Chihuahua, for whatever reason, nothing will ever go well. In that case, please call me or find them a new home.
If ya love 'em, laugh. Now that's a Chihuahua parent for you!
