House soiling dog frustration

First in a series

Question:
I have a 3-year-old Chihuahua named Kiki who I seem to be unable to potty train. I have repeatedly tried the most commonly suggested technique of sticking the dog’s nose in it, scolding her and putting her outside. Yet she still does not understand and has daily accidents in the house. At her age is it a lost cause?

Dr. Nichol:
It’s frustrating living with a dog who defiles your home. This gross habit can make you mad as @#%&! But the methods you’ve tried so far could never succeed. Repeated reprimands have caused Kiki’s anxiety to spike, making it harder for her to learn. She’s likely to catch on if we apply modern learning theory to help her find the restroom.

Kiki’s natural inclination, like all creatures of her ilk, is not to soil her living area. This has been hard for her because, like most pets, she’s stuck inside a building – your house. Unless you have a dog door, she has to hold her urine until you remember to put her out. Your timing may be way off. Little Kiki hasn’t a clue.

Dogs are our best friends. They belong in our homes but they’d be better suited to sharing a cave with us, off the grid, on 100 acres of National Forest. Like their free-living cousins, they’d have the natural choices that are wired into their canine brains. Kiki could slip out to “see a man about a horse” whenever necessary and then happily rejoin you in your pristine earthen hovel. Sounds idyllic, doesn’t it?

Part of Kiki’s dilemma is that she’s developed the habit of returning to the same indoor spot when nature calls. She doesn’t know what else to do. Punishment wouldn’t help even if you busted her in the act every single time because, well, urinating is normal. The poor dog has no idea of what you want from her.

Set the kid up for success by giving her a schedule. Just as soon as you bounce out of bed and use your bathroom, jump into your clothes and trot your fine pupster outside, on-leash, to the designated dog latrine in your yard.

Next week: What does a leash-walk have to do with housetraining?

For help with behavior problems, you can sign-up for a Zoom Group Conference on my website, drjeffnichol.com.

Dr. Jeff Nichol is a residency-trained veterinary behaviorist in Albuquerque. He provides consultations by Zoom group and individually/in-person. Sign up for his weekly blog or post questions (drjeffnichol.com) or by US Post to 4000 Montgomery Blvd. NE, Albuq, NM 87109.