I have 3 pet Chihuahuas ruining my house! Help!

i like the diaper idea. haha

i still like putting the chihuahas in diapers. then you never have to take them out!

Chihuahuas are notoriously difficult to housetrain. Are you certain you just hadn't noticed prior accidents? Before you assume one of your dogs is sick, ask yourself if there have been any unusual changes in your dog's routine, if you have been overly stressed out or if another member of your household is going through something. Dogs are able to tune in to our emotions and often react when they sense us having an intense emotional experience. Next, to find out who the culprit is, I suggest they all spend a few days in doggie diapers. You will know who 'makes' and who waits to get oustide, panty-free. If that isn't something you are comfortable with, restrain them all under your supervision to a confined area. You will be able to tell who is most anxious or see if someone has an accident. Most likely, if one of your dogs is sick, its probably just a urinary tract infection. Its a good time for your two older dogs, especially the 8 year old, to be getting more checkups with her doctor now that she is aging. If they are all acting out and urinating, its time to start re-housetraining them all! Start by making a schedule in which all three are let out to go to the bathroom every 2 hours except at night, when you can wait 4 hours. Take them out as soon as you wake up, 15 minutes after eating or drinking and right before bed. Gives plenty of praise and treats when the dog goes outside. If this reaction is due to a stressor, make sure to give the dogs extra exercise, it will burn off everyones nervous energy and leave the dogs tired and relaxed. It will hopefully do the same for you as well! After a few weeks of this schedule, you'll be able to reduce the number of times you take the pack of Chihuahuas outside. Remember, they have tiny bladders and what comes in, must go out, so do not leave a bowl of food out for them to snack on all day and limit the amount of water (except on hot days or when you are outside). At night, you can leave a few ice cubes for them to lick for moisture without filling their tiny bladders up.

why are your dogs running around without supervision? you said you found the spot one had an accident - was it in a confined space like the kitchen? maybe you were out too late from work and one had to go really badly and then thought, Why wait?

Mel, Thanks for your answer. I agree, if you aren't taking your dogs out enough, they may make their own schedule. Accidents do happen, even with perfectly trained dogs. My 14 month old dog has gone without an accident for almost six months and then yesterday, BAM! Right in front of me, he just squatted and started to pee. Since I caught him in the act, I scolded him. NEVER punish a dog for having an accident after the fact. He will NOT understand. The dog will know you are angry and shoving his nose into his pee, but won't know why you are doing this. Dogs do not relate events and items to one another like we do. Negative reinforcement does nothing to help with the problem!

Mel, Diapers should only be used for the incontinent or while a female is in heat. Diapers also must be used under supervision and be changed as soon as the dog goes. Otherwise, you are letting him rot in his pee, best case scenario, he smells badly and needs a bath, worst case, infection and hotspots can occur from the moisture and friction. I would not recommend anyone use diapers as a substitute for training and exercise. These are two of the most important tools we have to live with our dogs, conflict-free.