Potty Trained Puppy

[Maddies_Mom16]

Molly, Chihuahua mix, is almost 6 months old... She has a doggy door she knows how to use, and pads in the bathroom that she's also use from time to time but she mostly goes outdoors. Twice now in the past 7 or so weeks, she's looked right at me and squatted on the carpeting in the living room. She had not been playing or exerting herself in any means, prior. Is this normal? I've had her almost 3 months now since I rescued her from my shelter. Is this normal in the training process, and if so, until about how old?

[Maddies_Mom16]

"submissive"..... Good question. She does excited AND submissive urination when people come to visit, yet her demeanor and gait upon and to the point of greet is very proud. AT the point of greet the ears go down and back and she squats.

She'd LIKE to be the alpha leader, and at times jockey's for that position, and other times she runs to me for protection when some silly little thing startles her.

She's unlike any other puppy I've had, and trust me when I say there have been a few. :D She is however the first I've gotten from a shelter and have no history on.

[tonyb286]

Hi. I have a theory ... but can I ask first, is your little dog submissive? Does she crouch down when you enter the room or get in from being away for a short time? If so, then she is what's commonly referred to as a submissive eliminator. And although not excited (as you say), she may be nervous or anxious, because you are the big dominant alpha leader. She's also still very young and still developing and finding her place in the household. This really isn't that unusual. She is certainly not completely housetrained yet, and this can often take up to a year to complete.

I would suggest you a) do not scold her (this will just make her even more nervous); b) make sure you get her outside within seconds of seeing her urinate inside the house, then use whatever command you like for her to go and pee - and then praise her and make a fuss of her once she does pee outside; c) ensure the area(s) that she has urinated inside are scrubbed spotlessly and use a pet odor eliminator cleaner, otherwise she will smell the spot and think it's okay to do it there again.

Three months from the shelter is no time at all. Remember that at the shelter she would have been used to going to the toilet inside her pen - which isn't a million miles from being the same as inside your house. So, it will take some extra time yet before you get her completely housetrained. The important thing is to be consistent. When you're home, you should let her out at least once an hour and ask her to urinate with your command word. Obviously, it is also vital she is let out first thing in the morning, last thing at night, and after each and every meal or treat. Eventually, she will get what you're asking her to do.

Tony