We have finally brought a little baby Chihuahua into our apartment and so far things are going very well for all of us.
There is just one small problem which I hope somebody on this forum.
Sometime she misses the newspaper laid out for her Pee-pee and gets it on the wooden floor. If I don't clean it up immediately the floor gets stained. I've tried rigorously mopping the floor to no avail Can anybody recommend a polish / chemical that I can use to remove the stain?
Many thanks for your help
Where is the newspapers, put some garbage bags (open) under and make sure it goes way out of the newspaper's limit. Use a gentle scotch tape to keep it on place. Just to make sure that the pee won't pass through the newspapers.
Congrats to the addition of a family member!
I would then rub the stains with a fine wire wool until the wood is clean. Then carefully paint the area with a standard wood floor varnish.
Better still ask a painter to do it.
Urine is very corrosive, and if you don't clean it immediately it will attack the varnich protection of wooden floors I don't want to panick you, but I never manged to remove the stains done by my ferrets...
Here's a tried-and-true way to house train a puppy:
http://drsophiayin.com/docs/articles...earns2Earn.pdf
Yes, this method requires you to put in a lot of time at first - you need to be with the pup round the clock. But it quickly pays off - the pup learns the ultimate goal without having to learn and then discard the intermediate steps.
For accidents, I am a big fan of Greenfields:
http://www.greenfieldscare.com/produ...ing-a-training
Available at Fressnapf. - Check for color-fastness first. This is primarily an odor remover - very important if you want to prevent repeat marking. If stains persist, ask your landlord what product is recommended for your floors - different flooring types may require different products.
When dealing with senior incontinence, I simply use human bed pads, available at any Apotheke or at the grocery store. They are larger (so you can cut them up and get more for your money) and a whole lot less expensive than those made for puppies.
But I would encourage you to consider Dr Yin's methods (for basic training as well as housetraining - her website is a great resource for dog owners, especially if you are a first time owner). This method really does work, and establishes a bond that will serve you well as you continue training.
Best of luck to you both.
ETA: Melusine is correct - you have to clean urine stains immediately. (Well, after you have rushed the dog outside - that takes precedence of course. You will find that you need to keep a cleaning rag and bottle of Greenfields permanently to hand for some time - one of the many joys of puppy ownership.
If you can't find Greenfields, Fressnapf can order it for you. I found it works far better than the other brand avialable. (Beaphor, I think)
Out of curiosity - what housetraining methods did the SKN course recommend?
ETA 2:
I would have to caution you not to reduce water allowance - a puppy, especially one so tiny as a Chi - can quickly dehydrate. Puppies - and all dogs - need fresh water avaialable at all times. Rather, the owner needs to increase vigilance.
I use the pads that were also mentioned above. They are sold at the migros. They are much cheaper than the ones marketed for puppies. Also they absorb better so they aren't stepping in the pee making little wet prints around.
Both my Chis will go inside (on the pad) or outside. They don't mind either way. Well, they don't complain to me.
Anyway, I'd move the little one's place to a tiled floor.
"I would never deprive any living organism of water and necessary nutrients even if I had to spend 24hours on the clock cleaning the urine"
- if you can catch it soon, I clean the area with soapy water and then apply wood floor oil or wax and let the oil or wax soak into the floor by rubbing it gently (sometimes reapplying a couple times is helpful)
- if its a bad stain, using steel wool or a wire brush like someone else suggested works or also a very light sandpaper to sand the area slight and then apply the wax or oil to bring back the natural wood color (again, I had to repeat with the wax a few times to make it look totally normal again).
I've been very hesitant to use a wood stain or special stain products because our wood is so sensitive, but if you came up with any good products, please post back with an update.
When puppy misses the paper (or even when she hits it), are you doing anything to teach puppy where the correct place is to go toilet (e.g. outside)? The papers (ideally) won't be around forever!
If you are living wth a chihuahua you could easily litterbox train. they make special doggy litterboxes with fake astroturf, too. I hear they're kinda nasty to clean though.