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Out in Extreme Weather

Taking a Chihuahua Out in Extreme Weather

Potty Training and Daily Walks

Overview

Taking a dog out to go to the bathroom or for a daily walk is a lot simpler when the weather is nice. It involves little else than placing your Chihuahua’s harness and leash on, grabbing a few reward treats (if you're doing training), opening the door, and heading outside.

But what about when the weather is horrendous? This article will cover the obstacles owners encounter when trying to potty train or even just bring a Chihuahua outside for bathroom needs or a walk when there is heavy rain, whipping snow, or extreme temperatures.

This will involve choosing a good designated bathroom area, properly preparing your Chi to better withstand the elements, helping your Chi become accustomed to unfavorable weather, and having an alternative housebreaking method when conditions are dangerous or intolerable for this toy breed dog.

Step 1: Do not assume your Chihuahua has an intolerance to moderate weather conditions.

If you hate going out in the rain or dread trekking out into the snow, you may assume that your Chihuahua, who is far smaller than you, is going to feel that same way. However, some dogs are rather oblivious to the rain or snow, particularly if there is only light to moderate precipitation.

If you do realize that it is actually your feelings about the weather is the main issue, be sure to dress in weather-appropriate gear which may include rain or snow boots and coats, along with seasonal clothing or accessories like an umbrella, snow gloves, etc.

Step 2: Reassess the bathroom area.

Dogs do best when they have one specific outdoor spot for bathroom needs. The problem is that you may have chosen one when the weather was nice. Now that it’s cold and snowy or chilly and rainy, it may not seem so ideal.

There is nothing wrong with changing the designated bathroom area; most Chihuahuas will get used to the new spot within a week. You may wish to relocate it to a more sheltered area, one that blocks more wind or offers some sort of overhang or roof to shield any downpours or snow.

You may wish to consider setting up an outdoor patio umbrella, privacy fencing or other outdoor accessories to help make the area more impervious to nasty weather.

Step 3: Prep your Chihuahua to better tolerate bad weather.

A Chihuahua without any protection will be much more likely to have an aversion to the rain, snow, or cold and will be more susceptible to issues related to hot temperatures.

Here are some helpful things to make it easier your Chihuahua to be potty trained or taken out for bathroom needs in all sorts of weather conditions.

All year round:

Paw wax. It cannot be overstated how beneficial the right paw wax can be. It offers a layer of protection from hot walking surfaces and frozen surfaces, helps prevent snowballing (when snow melts between the toes or paw pads, refreezes into ice, and then stretches the sensitive skin there), offers better traction, keeps paws healthy and moisturized, and repels dirt, lawncare chemicals, road salt, ice melt products, and allergens.

One of the very best paw waxes is Mushers Secret Pet Paw Protection Wax; this does all of the above while allowing the paw to ‘breathe’ and absorbs quickly (about 10 seconds).

In the summer:

Sunscreen. If you’re wondering if dogs need sunscreen, the answer is yes, many do. Breeds with short coats (like smooth coat Chihuahuas), fine coats (like many long haired Chihuahuas), and more so for those with light colored coats, can receive sun burns if outside for extended time. In addition, long term exposure to UV rays increases the likelihood of squamous cell carcinoma, a dangerous skin cancer seen in dogs.

Dogs are also prone to receiving sunburns on the tips of their ears and their nose.

To help protect your Chi, you may wish to opt for a leave-in coat spray like Ice on Ice Leave-in Conditioner with Sunscreen; the coat should be spritzed while brushing.

Or, for Chi that are outside a lot in the summer or have very light coats, use Epi-Pet Sun Protector Spray for Pets which is the only FDA approved sunscreen for dogs. This should be applied 20 minutes before heading outside on hot sunny days.

To protect the nose, use a nose butter like Natural Dog Company Snout Soother Nose Balm.

Bring along water. Heat stress is a top concern on days with soaring temperatures. So, bring along plenty of water. Stop every 20 minutes, preferably in the shade, to take a rest and have your Chi rehydrate.

In the rain:

A raincoat. It’s common for a Chihuahua to dislike being rained on, so placing a waterproof coat on your little guy or gal can be a great help. One like the Rainy Days Slicker Raincoat starts at size extra-extra-small (for tiny dogs like the Chi that are a mere 6 to 8 inches from the back of the neck to the base of the tail) and has a self-adjusting belly strap.

A gigantic umbrella. Have you ever struggled to hold an umbrella over both you and your Chihuahua but you both got wet? If so, you’ll find that a really big one, like the Third Floor Umbrellas Extra Large Windproof Umbrella will make that problem disappear. This is a whopping 62 inches in diameter and easily protects 3 people from the rain, so it is ideal if you are taking your Chihuahua out in stormy weather.

In the winter:

Aside from the previously mentioned paw wax which is a great help, there are two other items that can help keep a Chihuahua warm and comfortable when being taken outside for potty training during the extreme weather that can occur in the wintertime.

A warm winter vest. If a dog’s core body is kept warm and dry, they will better tolerate being taken outside in bad weather. There are some great choices for Chi of every size:

1. The Gooby Fashion Check Quilted Bomber Dog Vest.

Unlike some winter coats for dogs that have a small slit for the leash to attach to the collar (collars are a big no-no for Chihuahuas; this breed should have a harness instead as to avoid pressure on the neck), this has built-in leash attachment rings sewn into the vest, between the shoulder blades. So, problem solved in regards to that.

In addition, this has a ‘fur guard’ zipper that prevents hairs from getting snagged. It is quilted for extra warmth and has a stretchable belly to offer a custom fit. And, to top it all off, this starts at size extra-small which fits tiny dogs with a neck measurement as small as 7.5 inches and a chest measurement as small as 8 inches. Note: Do measure your Chihuahua, many are larger than this and require a small or even a medium.

2. The Kuoser Cozy Waterproof British Style Winter Vest.

This is a terrific water-proof coat for Chihuahuas to help them withstand freezing temperatures and snow with a super-soft warm inner fleece lining and a water-resistant outer layer. It has adjustable Velcro on the chest for a nice fit, and starts at size extra-small which fits most dogs in the 4 to 6-pound range.

Doggie shoes. Not all dogs will agree to wearing shoes or booties and a quality paw wax as previously mentioned under 'All year round' may be all that is needed to encourage your Chihuahua to head outside in bad weather with you for bathroom needs or to take walks. But, if you believe your Chi could really use a pair of shoes to help with rainy or snowy surfaces, it’s worth a try. For dogs that tolerate this accessory, it can make a big difference.

Though it is hard to find quality booties small enough for tiny Chihuahuas, one that may work are the My Busy Dog Water Resistant Dog Shoes. These work well on wet or icy surfaces and are durable with high-grip soles. They are also adjustable and stay on well due to Velcro around the ankles. These start at size 1 which is a paw width measurement of 1.5 inches and, if your Chi is a bit smaller than that, placing dog socks on the paws first can help make these have a snugger fit.

Step 4: Help your Chihuahua become accustomed to the weather.

While you will want to avoid taking your Chihuahua outside for bathroom needs or walks during dangerous, extreme weather (see step 5), it is best if your little guy or gal learns to tolerate light to moderate rain or snow and cold yet above-freezing temperatures.

Dogs are often afraid of what they are not used to; so, if your Chihuahua hates going out in the rain or resists being taken out when there is snow on the ground, it can help to do a ‘reset’ and offer a more gradual introduction to these elements.

With all of the previous tips in place, getting a Chihuahua more accustomed to inclement weather involves 3 parts:

1) Offer motivation. Whenever you are trying to teach a puppy or dog something, you will see faster, better results when training treats are given as a reward. This is the most surefire way of immediately letting a dog know that they are doing a good job (or have at least given it a good try) and offering motivation for them to do so again the next time.

The training treat should be small (as to not interfere with appetite), moist (these are seen as more high-value to dogs than dry treats), and something that is not given out at other times (should be reserved only for reward).

Of course, you will want the treats to have the same qualities that you’d expect from any food that you give to your Chi, meaning no chemical preservatives, artificial flavoring, by-products, fillers, or genetic meats or oils, and made in the USA.

Keeping that in mind, a terrific choice for puppies and very small adults under 5 pounds is Wellness Soft Puppy Bites Training Treats; if your Chi is very young, you can tear these into halves. These are available in a few yummy flavors including lamb & salmon, beef & turkey, and chicken & lamb.

And, for adult Chihuahuas 5 pounds and up, a fantastic choice is Zuke's Mini Naturals Training Treats; these come in several tempting flavors including chicken, duck, peanut butter & oats, pork, rabbit, and salmon

2) Maintain control. During inclement weather, a Chihuahua may lunge to the side, jump up, or otherwise attempt to free themselves from the leash or force you to head back towards the house. Others may circle their owners until the leash is wrapped around their ankles. And still others may plant themselves down and refuse to move.

During any of these maneuvers, the last thing you want is to have your Chihuahua on a leash and collar which can result in irreversible neck damage, including collapsed trachea.

So, the use of a short or retractable leash and a safe harness is an important step. A harness does not put pressure on the neck; rather, it displaces tension across the shoulders, back and chest. The harness will allow you to confidently keep your Chi walking beside you, even if your little guy or gal has other ideas.

If you are looking for a great harness for your Chi, the Puppia Soft B Harness Vest is ideal. This fits Chi of all sizes, is made of a comfortable air mesh, is adjustable, and is super easy to place on.

3) Acclimation. Once you have your Chihuahua prepped (step 3), you have training treats at the ready, and your Chi has a harness on, whenever it rains or snows (baring severe, dangerous weather - see step 5, next), venture out with your Chi for short 5 minutes sessions.

It is vital that you have the right attitude yourself; canines are amazing at picking up on both verbal and non-verbal cues. Walk with calm confidence, ignoring any whining.

Keep your Chi in a heeling position, which is to your left side, no further ahead than the extension of your foot. Speak in a matter-of-fact manner, not in a soothing voice.

At the end of the session, no matter how your Chihuahua did, offer a reward treat while still outside the door (you do not want your Chi to think that the reward was for coming back inside).

After a few 5-minute sessions, work up in 5-minute intervals to a maximum of 20 minutes which is usually long enough for any bathroom needs or a daily walk.

Step 5: Know when weather is severe enough that it warrants staying inside.

While there are lots of reasons to want to take your Chihuahua outside despite bad weather, such as important daily walks and to use the designated outdoor bathroom area, this will just not be possible for many of you, at least on some days of the year. Depending on where you live, your area may experience weather that makes it unsafe to bring a dog outside.

This includes tropical storms, hurricanes, thunder and lightening storms, blinding snowstorms, heat waves, and frigid temperatures that are well below freezing.

You may be asking yourself how you are supposed to house train your Chihuahua or take them out for potty duty during those times. Fortunately, creating an alternative plan is up ahead in Step 6.

Step 6: Have an alternative housebreaking method.

Whether a Chihuahua is being potty trained to use an outdoor area or is already well-trained in this regard, one of the biggest hurdles will be making adjustments when the weather is so severe that heading outside is simply not tolerable or is dangerous.

Fortunately, there is an effective way to deal with this, without totally disrupting current training or inadvertently causing a dog to forget his training.

1. Choose an indoor area that is away from your Chihuahua’s regular living area. If your Chi were being trained to use pee pads indoors at all times, the advice would be to have those pads be close by. However, when a Chi is being trained to go outside, it is best to have the ‘bad weather’ area be further away.

This will allow you to maintain the normal steps of training (see ahead, point #3).

Depending on the layout of your home, this alternative area may be best located in the garage, all-season enclosed porch, near the rear exit door, or other location.

2. Choose the containment method that works best for you. There are several options for where your Chihuahua deposits their pee and poo. Pee pads are one of the most popular methods since these are easy to place down and, being disposable, are easy to clean up.

Though, there are other options such as a grass mat that can work very well for dogs that normally go to the bathroom outside. If this is only going to be used randomly during extreme weather, you may wish to opt for an artificial turf mat like the MTBRO Realistic Artificial Turf Mat for Dogs since real grass mats have to be replaced every week or two and are meant for dogs that go potty indoors on a regular basis.

3. Follow all regular house training rules. As to not cause a disruption in training, maintain all of the things that you normally do. This includes close supervision, placing your Chihuahua in a playpen when you cannot supervise, taking your Chi to the bathroom area on a schedule, taking them there any time you see an attempt to pee or poo, being patient while your Chi relaxes their bladder or bowel muscles, offering praise and a training treat once the deed is done, and cleaning any accidents with an enzyme cleanser like Rocco & Roxie Professional Strength Enzyme-Powered Cleaner to avoid repeats.