…This doesn’t need to be said, right? We want to potty train our dogs because we don’t want to be that person with the Poo-Roomba or stepping in a late night wee on our way to the bathroom. Yet there are many people out there who say, “Oh, we just pick it up. Their poops are so small.”
In extreme cases, homes have been raided and dogs have been removed with feces and urine everywhere. You might wonder how those people got to that point. Well, maybe it started with shrugging their shoulders when the dog soiled in the house.
Though I believe it is unlikely that a person visiting the potty-training section of my website is uninterested in potty training, if you’re desperate to convince a relative or friend, here’s a few good solid reasons why efforts to potty train should be made.
Your Dog Is More Adoptable
Even if you love your dog and would never want to rehome them, sometimes it happens that a dog has to be rehomed. If you pass before your pets do, they will need a new caretaker. If you lose your home or your job, or have to move somewhere that doesn’t take pets, rehoming may be a choice you have to make.
A house-trained dog has much better odds of being adopted than a dog who poops everywhere. Potential adopters may find they want to look elsewhere if the new dog poops on their couch by way of greeting.
Your House is More Sanitary
Let’s face it—no matter how small the turd, poop isn’t very clean. Dog poop can contain bacteria such as salmonella, listeria and e. coli which can make humans sick. It can also put your other pets at risk, leading to unnecessary vet bills.
On top of this, urine and feces can damage the floors, leading to expensive repairs being needed. Left uncleaned, urine and feces can seep down into the subfloor, and even effect the foundation of the house over time.
You May Miss Medical Problems
One of the first signs we notice in our dogs of urinary tract infections and serious illness in our aging dogs is house soiling. If they soil the house all the time, how will you know if they’re going because they have a genuine problem?
A house trained dog that suddenly starts going in the house likely needs a vet visit, but a dog who soils in the house all the time may end up suffering much longer because no one knew there was a problem.
There’s No Good Reason to Not Potty Train
I get it. Chihuahuas are hard to potty train. You’re not imagining things if it feels like this is way harder than it was the last time you potty trained a dog. It’s also okay to forgive yourself if it has been weeks, months even a year and you’re still struggling.
As long as you are trying, it’s okay if there are accidents. You still have to try though, for the good of your dog and the people in your life. Potty training matters.
Similar Posts:
- Free Chihuahua Potty Training Schedule
- Ultimate Guide to Potty Training Your Chihuahua
- Introduction to Chihuahua Potty Training
- Our Top Recommended Potty Training Products
- 7 things your chihuahua wants you to know
