Why Is My 6-Year-Old Chihuahua Having Accidents? (Vet Answered)

Hey Callum, Thanks for writing in. As a fellow Chihuahua parent, I completely understand the frustration of keeping these tiny creatures clean indoors. I know from personal experience that many of the tried and true toilet training tips do not always work for Chihuahuas, but that doesn’t mean you have to accept carpet poops as a way of life. One of the issues, which you have correctly identified, is to do with anxiety. Living in a world where virtually everything and everyone is bigger than they are, Chihuahuas often resort to alternative methods of protecting themselves, whether it be presenting an overly aggressive front, or using odours to their advantage. Sigyn may be using the scent of her poop as a passive-aggressive way of asserting herself, letting other dogs know that this is her home. Another issue can be that for small dogs, the outside world can be a bit frightening, and dogs tend to have very long memories when it comes to things that are scary. One of the most vulnerable positions for a dog, second only to sleeping, is when they are pooping; they are completely exposed. This is why you will often find that dogs like to make eye contact with their people as they poop! They’re just checking that you’ve got their back. If Sigyn has had a negative experience when pooping outside, she will be more reluctant to do it. This brings us to the other challenge of house-training Chihuahuas: their size. If a Labrador or Great Dane was to poop in the corner of the lounge room, you’re going to notice. When a 5 pound pup does it, you might not see it until you spot the offending nuggets later on, meaning you miss the opportunity to interrupt and redirect. So essentially, they may have a neutral or negative experience when toileting outdoors, or a positive one if you are there to give them praise. But inside, the experience is typically neutral – ie. there is no consequence to deter or reinforce their indoor latrine habits. A multi-factor problem needs a multi-factor approach, so here’s what we’re going to do: As much as possible, exclude her from the areas where she usually poops inside, and use a good enzymatic cleaner designed specifically for removing pet odours. Improve her sense of calm and wellbeing using supplements and calming pheromones. Create a safe latrine area outside where she can poop without fear of being attacked or interrupted. While some dogs are happy to poop on a walk, others feel more secure doing it in the comfort of home, so use some fencing, hedges, or screens to make a corner where she feels protected. Encourage her to use this area by going back to basics of puppy toilet training, taking her out 30 minutes after meals, and waiting patiently until she does her business, going overboard with praise and even a few treats when she uses her new toilet area. If you see her going to the toilet indoors, interrupt with a single, sharp “no!” and take her out to the toilet. Don’t yell or get angry if you find the evidence later – this will only add to her anxiety. Be calm and consistent with these steps, and hopefully, Sigyn will soon change her ways. If you’re still having trouble getting on top of this issue, please head to PangoVet.com where you can book an online consultation to discuss it in more detail with one of the vets. I have attached some links to more information about toilet training and managing anxiety. I hope this helps! Dr Karyn https://www.dogster.com/dog-training/how-to-potty-train-a-puppy-or-dog https://www.dogster.com/dog-health-care/anxiety-in-dogs