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I'm totally blind, having a hard time with house training my 5-yr-old chihuahua terrier mix. Any tips? (self.Blind)
submitted by EffortlessHunber
Hi Reddit!
So I'm the proud owner of a chihuahua terrier mix. She came from the local humane society, she's so cute even I, a totally blind person, can tell, and she's just not getting the house training thing.
* I live in an apartment, basically a studio with a wall in the middle, one reason I adopted a small dog.
* I have a fully enclosed cement patio.
* I have a removable dog-door for my sliding glass door.
* I have some Amazon Basic 22-inch potty pads.
The first day or so, she always used the pad, no problem. Lately though, it's hit or miss, pun intended. I've only had her a week and a half, but I'd like to train her to use one of the pads in the house, or to go through the dog door and use the pad out there. I really don't care which, but the carpet is not an acceptable potty pad.
Her favorite spot to leave her love notes seems to be right next to my bed, at least she's consistent, but when I've put a pad there, she'll drop her stink bomb a bit off the side. Usually, about 4 to 6 inches. I'm not sure if she just has poor paw/butt coordination, or if she's choosing to go on the carpet anyway.
All the guides I found say you have to interrupt the behaviour within, according to one, 1.6 seconds. Alternatively, offer praise and/or treats when the dog does it right. If I could see, that would be no problem. Sense I can't, I'm hoping some of you have some tips for me.
I've googled and googled, but anything with blind or visually impaired, and dog, only turns up info about caring for dogs who are blind. Maybe I should have my dog google things and take care of me :).
Thanks for reading, and TYIA for any tips/suggestions.
So I'm the proud owner of a chihuahua terrier mix. She came from the local humane society, she's so cute even I, a totally blind person, can tell, and she's just not getting the house training thing.
* I live in an apartment, basically a studio with a wall in the middle, one reason I adopted a small dog.
* I have a fully enclosed cement patio.
* I have a removable dog-door for my sliding glass door.
* I have some Amazon Basic 22-inch potty pads.
The first day or so, she always used the pad, no problem. Lately though, it's hit or miss, pun intended. I've only had her a week and a half, but I'd like to train her to use one of the pads in the house, or to go through the dog door and use the pad out there. I really don't care which, but the carpet is not an acceptable potty pad.
Her favorite spot to leave her love notes seems to be right next to my bed, at least she's consistent, but when I've put a pad there, she'll drop her stink bomb a bit off the side. Usually, about 4 to 6 inches. I'm not sure if she just has poor paw/butt coordination, or if she's choosing to go on the carpet anyway.
All the guides I found say you have to interrupt the behaviour within, according to one, 1.6 seconds. Alternatively, offer praise and/or treats when the dog does it right. If I could see, that would be no problem. Sense I can't, I'm hoping some of you have some tips for me.
I've googled and googled, but anything with blind or visually impaired, and dog, only turns up info about caring for dogs who are blind. Maybe I should have my dog google things and take care of me :).
Thanks for reading, and TYIA for any tips/suggestions.
[deleted] 10 points 2y ago
[deleted]
EffortlessHunber [OP] 2 points 2y ago
I especially appreciated your detailed response, thank you. I've discovered one of her habits, she shakes herself when done. That is a good clue it's time to check the pad. I implemented your schedule, but half an hour later. It's nice to have a schedule. I used to follow one when I had a guide dog, now I don't, so Abigail is a good motivator.
Prefect316 3 points 2y ago
Routine and consistency are so so important. Get your pup on a leash every time and walk her to the patio where you encourage her to do business. It's not going to get done in a week. It will probably take more like a year, so be ready to be very patient and, if you want it to go faster, consistent on enforcing and rewarding behavior.
Best of luck.
Best of luck.
BenandGracie 3 points 2y ago
I don't know if this will help, but I housebroke my yellow Lab in less than a week. I took her out on a schedule. Every few hours I would take her out on a leash, and after a few days, she just got it. My mom has a small dog, and I have trouble telling if he goes when I take him outside.
Having an apartment makes this harder. Maybe try puting the pad outside on the concrete. Your dog might not be able to tell the difference between the carpet and pad. If you put it out on the concrete, the pad should look different from the concrete. I would not put a pad on carpet.
I hope this helps and good luck.
Having an apartment makes this harder. Maybe try puting the pad outside on the concrete. Your dog might not be able to tell the difference between the carpet and pad. If you put it out on the concrete, the pad should look different from the concrete. I would not put a pad on carpet.
I hope this helps and good luck.
EffortlessHunber [OP] 2 points 2y ago
Update 1. Hi all, thanks for your comments and helpful suggestions! We've been working on implementing many of the tips you all gave me, including a schedule as many of you suggested. Yesterday, my pup hit a milestone, at least I'd call it that. She used the dog door to go out and leave a love note on the pad out there! Yah, I gave her the homecoming team cheer! I know that doesn't mean I'm done, just that she's starting to get the idea, but I was very proud of my merse mut. I'll keep updating as time goes. I noticed 100 up-votes, so now I know that at least 100 of you enjoy reading about my dog's pooping habits! She's famous! Seriously, thank you all.
intellectualnerd85 2 points 2y ago
I would schedule my dog outings for pottie breaks. Using treats to reinforce the behavior. Full disclosure sometimes he won’t wake me but generally he does. Before you sleep take her put
TheBlindCreative 2 points 2y ago
Hi. I haven’t had this issue, but these are some ideas that I have heard of from friends. Creating a strict feeding and watering schedule is important for predicting the general time frame that your dog relieves herself. At regular times throughout the day, put a leash on your dog and walk her to the spot where you want her to relieve herself. Over time, she should learn to only relieve herself in those specific spots. You can also buy diapers for dogs to help reduce messes on your floor while you are still training her.
EffortlessHunber [OP] 1 points 2y ago
Hi! Those are good ideas, thank you. I'll start her on a schedule in the morning.
[deleted] 1 points 2y ago
The local human society should have in house trainers or be able to advise you on how to access one. It can be pretty worth paying for in the long term especially as early training can be quick and very effective when done by a good trainer and it saves you the hassle
LearyTraveler 1 points 2y ago
I would suggest cross-posting to /r/puppy101, there is a lot of good house training advice there and it's not just for young puppies! I bet you could get some great, creative advice.
I agree with others that a schedule is a great idea. Give her tons of treats and praise when she does her business outside. Remember to never punish a dog for pooping in the wrong area, that usually just makes it worse.
Buy some house training spray if you don't have it already! You can spray it on the potty pads or outside and it will help attract her to these spots.
Another idea is to introduce a potty bell. We're training our 3 month old pup on it and it's pretty great because we can hear the bell from anywhere in the house. Sometimes she abuses it to just go outside and play but that is pretty easy to train out. I know you have a doggy door but a potty bell might help her connect the dots of "I have to poop, better go outside"
I agree with others that a schedule is a great idea. Give her tons of treats and praise when she does her business outside. Remember to never punish a dog for pooping in the wrong area, that usually just makes it worse.
Buy some house training spray if you don't have it already! You can spray it on the potty pads or outside and it will help attract her to these spots.
Another idea is to introduce a potty bell. We're training our 3 month old pup on it and it's pretty great because we can hear the bell from anywhere in the house. Sometimes she abuses it to just go outside and play but that is pretty easy to train out. I know you have a doggy door but a potty bell might help her connect the dots of "I have to poop, better go outside"
nkdeck07 1 points 2y ago
/r/dogs will also have some good advice
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