Housetraining Small dogs vs. large dogs

11 years ago

Growing up I had a spaniel mix and a Shepherd mix that both lived healthy lives into their teens. The Shepherd mix we got when I was in my teens and I enjoyed raising her from an 8-week old pup (with my family) and she was a great dog that trained easily. Now I am "midlife" he he. We have a wonderful cat that is almost 14 and as healthy as can be. My wife is not a big cat person and after the cat passes we may get a dog. She would want a small, non-shedding type "toy" dog (or mix). That is fine but I have concerns about housetraining.....I hear that small dogs are or can be more difficult to housebreak. I understand the methods, crate training and not giving free run. I understand them having small bladders and having to go out more often. However, to those of you who have had both small and large dogs can these little dogs be housetraines as easily (or at least fully and effectively if not as easily). It seems like really small breeds (Chihuauas, Yorkies etc. seem to have more of a "reputation". I like the looks of "Shichon" type mixes or Shipoo type mixes (not necessarily a "designer dog"....but a mix of those type breeds. Seems like poodles may be more easily housetrained than bichons....and Shih-tzus have a bad rap for housetraining although they seem to be great dogs. Anyway these may be even several years before we get a dog depending but wanted to know people's opinions of small vs. big(or medium) dogs.

Featured Answer

murraysmom Zone 6a OH

11 years ago

Woodnative, I highly recommend the breed. Not inexpensive, but worth every penny. Sweet, funny, non-shedding and mostly non-barking. Oh....and very, very cute.

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Comments (9)

ermachef
11 years ago
Whatever breed you decide to get, be sure to go to a good breeder because that makes a huge difference. We've had all different breeds of dogs and the breeding does matter. Also look for underbites in small dogs. It doesn't affect their personality but it definitely is not something a good breeder should sell. Temperament should be the first thing to check and a good breeder can tell from ages 6-7 weeks which puppies in the litter are more laid back as compared to which are more hyper. I would do a lot of research before I would buy any puppy and you get what you pay for.
eandhl
11 years ago
Yes you can completely house break a small breed, Chi, but it takes more effort. I bought a package of piddle pads, put one near the door & when she went near it I took her right out. Made a big deal when she went and gave her a treat. The pad was for me to pay attention not for her to use.
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murraysmom Zone 6a OH
11 years ago
I have a small breed dog as well (Havanese). She is the first puppy I have ever had. I put carpet protectors on the floor and used a puppy play pen to keep her in when I couldn't be with her. I just took her out lots and lots and she learned very quickly to go potty outside.

Getting a new dog will be fun to look forward to. Good luck.
User
11 years ago
I have trained several dogs small and med, no lge.
I take the dog out at first every half hour and tell them to pee pee.
After about 4/5 times I take him out once an hour saying pee pee.
At the end of the day it's every 2/3 hours. Never had any problem
Except when I forgot and said pee pee before we got outside.
Seems like a lot of work, but in the long run...
agmss15
11 years ago
This is Joe. He is a shih tzu mix. I asked the woman who gave him to me if he could stay with the mom a bit longer. I got him between 8-9 weeks. I don't know if that is why but he was really easy to housetrain. After a couple of days of getting up every several times a night I realized it wasn't neccesary. He does leak when excited but never ever does his business inside. I did not realize how lucky I was until later.
woodnative
Original Author
11 years ago
Thank you for all the input. Seems it can be doable! Certainly would like to hear from more folks too. Joe looks like a cute pup. murraysmom a Havanese looks like a nice breed too and I read also they can be a little difficult to housetrain so it is good to see you have a positive experience.
agmss15
11 years ago
What a sweetie!
ilovepoco
11 years ago
This thread reminds me of when I was training my Chihuahua-mix rescue. I happened to be walking the dogs in the woods one day and I was chirping "Pee-pee OUTSIDE!", "Pee-pee OUTSIDE!" to her, when a woman walked by. She stopped and laughed and said "You gotta do what you gotta do - been there!" and walked on.

In my experience, my largest dog (Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever) was the biggest dumb-dumb about house training. He Just Did Not Get It. We were heading off to a reunion at his breeder when he was about 4 months old, and I turned around in the bedroom to see him standing on the bed staring at me peeing gallons... I went on a rant for the hour drive while he sat in his crate in the back of the car. Only half-joking I told my husband that I was just about ready to tie him to a fence post and drive away. He must have been listening, because he was perfectly house-trained from that moment on.

I really think it depends on the individual dog.

Good luck!