Help with a little monster! - YorkieTalk.com Forums

winstongodzilla · 09-16-2008, 02:25 PM

Hi there! We are having trouble with our little boy and we really could use any help anyone can provide. We have a little yorkie boy named Winston that is just over ten months old. He is the most energetic puppy we have ever encountered and we have a blast playing with him! Though we love our Winston very much we are still having some problems that we cannot rectify.

Recently, Winston has been having trouble staying asleep in his crate all night. We decided to crate train him from the beginning and until recently everything was going quite well. Now he is waking at all times of the night and barks his little head off! We are so frustrated considering he has been so good until now. He still has a very strict and regular routine that was devised during our puppy training classes, but things seem to be going in an opposite direction. On top of the not being able to sleep all night he has started having accidents in his crate. We haven’t changed his sleeping spot, nor changed anything about his crate, or anything unusual that would throw him off. We thought the barking was in correlation to when he needed to go out and potty, but the accidents are happening even when he isn’t waking us up. We tried taking out the bedding in his crate as a form of punishment (recommended by a trainer), but he doesn’t seen to care. The most concerning aspect of this puzzle are the accidents in his crate. Puppies usually do not like to use the bathroom in the same area as they sleep, but it does not seem to bother Winston. When we have to leave him during the day we have no accidents and he is well on his way to being 100% trained (at least while we are awake and watching him). We just do not understand how he can be improving by leaps and bounds during the day but having 3-4 accidents in his crate during the week as well as waking us up some often now.

Thanks for any help!

Erin · 09-16-2008, 02:36 PM

2 things come to mind:
1st - is he tired? Can you take him for an extra walk to make sure to wear him out so he sleeps through the night? Also, can you feed him later in the day so that he is not waking up hungry? Mine eat twice a day and the earlier I feed them their dinner the earlier they are up wanting breakfast, sometimes 2 hours before we normally get up.

2nd - how much water is he drinking and when? I wonder if he is drinking too much or drinking too much close to bedtime.

The bottom line is that he shouldn't be having accidents unless he is kept in there too long and he really does have to go, so it might just take some adjusting of his schedule. Like when his dinner is, when you take up water, when you last take him outside... I find that one extra trip outside before bed gives me an extra 30-60 minutes in the morning

The good news is that at 10 months you are almost there!!!

Erin · 09-16-2008, 02:40 PM

Sorry I just noticed that you are new, so HI!!!

One more thing - is he in the crate during the day? I find that if I let my guys sleep all day they don't sleep as well at night. Well, actually, that's not really true anymore but they are 2 & 4. When they were Winston's age we had a rule that there was no napping in the evening after I got home from work because they wouldn't sleep at night. Now they can sleep 18+ hours a day and it's not really a problem any more

It's hard keeping them active though. They hate days when I clean and do laundry all day because they feel like they have to follow me around when they really want to nap. They are like groggy kids who missed their nap.

Kacey_Andreanne · 09-18-2008, 08:32 PM

Do you walk your little guy before you put him in his crate for the night? If yes how long? If not that may be your problem. Your little guy may have a ton of energy that he needs to release and you're not releasing it for him. Try going on a vigorous walk approx 45 minutes. Dogs instinctually need walks, they need it to meet their mental needs and physically needs. Your little guy may have so much energy in him that he's taking it out by acting out. A walk will also tire him out so he will be less likely to act out. My little girl Kacey used to pee herself and hurt herself when we left for work or went out, when we put her in her crate. Since we've been walking her before we leave her alone she's not peed herself or hurt her poor little head.

Hope this helps.

Mom to Hot Rod · 09-18-2008, 09:06 PM

As the other suggested, are they tuckered out from exercise? Be it from walking or playing? Sounds like it could be he is a little anxious from not being able to "be with you" at night too. You say that he is fine when you are watching him but seems to be having this issue at night when you are asleep. Can you try putting his crate in your room? Or maybe try giving him one of your shirts with your scent on it? Good luck.

Ksheffield78 · 09-23-2008, 08:30 AM

I am having a similar problem. My puppy is almost 12 weeks. I have had him for only a week, but has done remarkably well using his potty pads (we use lots of praise and treats when done right). He does very well during the day (my husband works at home in the afternoons, so he is only along in his crate about 4 hours everyday). However, the last few nights he has stopped waking us up in the night to go potty. If I happen to wake up i try to take him out and he will just lay down or play with the pad. We also tried to take out his bedding and last night he peed and pooped in his crate! When I got him up this morning he would not go on the pad. The one thing we are trying to do that many friends/family have told us is that if he don't go right when you get him out of his crate, put him back for five minutes then try again. This worked well for a day or so, but this morning I tried that and about the third time i put him back in his crate he peed and pooped! I know know I have a long way to go since I have only had him a week and he is still faily young, but are there any suggestions.

Erin · 09-23-2008, 08:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ksheffield78

I am having a similar problem. My puppy is almost 12 weeks. I have had him for only a week, but has done remarkably well using his potty pads (we use lots of praise and treats when done right). He does very well during the day (my husband works at home in the afternoons, so he is only along in his crate about 4 hours everyday). However, the last few nights he has stopped waking us up in the night to go potty. If I happen to wake up i try to take him out and he will just lay down or play with the pad. We also tried to take out his bedding and last night he peed and pooped in his crate! When I got him up this morning he would not go on the pad. The one thing we are trying to do that many friends/family have told us is that if he don't go right when you get him out of his crate, put him back for five minutes then try again. This worked well for a day or so, but this morning I tried that and about the third time i put him back in his crate he peed and pooped! I know know I have a long way to go since I have only had him a week and he is still faily young, but are there any suggestions.

Sometimes puppies get so busy sniffing and exploring and playing that they "forget" to go. Then once they are quiet again, when you put them in their crate, they feel the urge to go.

Are you going to do pad training or outside training? If you are outside training I can help you - PM me. We didn't do pads so maybe someone else can help with that.

kymichigander · 09-25-2008, 06:01 AM

Hello!! As for the barking and crying in the cage, we had that problem with Mia, our terrier mix, when she was a baby. We started putting in a cozier bed and that solved the problem the first night. The fact that he is now pottying in his crate will complicate that better bed solution, so I don't know now! I, too, would limit water and walk or play heartily before bed...those tricks work for us. Good luck!!

Wabbit · 09-25-2008, 09:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Erin

Sometimes puppies get so busy sniffing and exploring and playing that they "forget" to go. Then once they are quiet again, when you put them in their crate, they feel the urge to go.

Are you going to do pad training or outside training? If you are outside training I can help you - PM me. We didn't do pads so maybe someone else can help with that.

If you use pads...for potty training...just slowly move the pad towards the door you plan on taking them outside.....and eventually they will go to the door....if you see them near the door take them outside...and eventually you can discard the pads....

09-16-2008, 02:25 PM	#1
winstongodzilla YorkieTalk Newbie! Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Atlanta Posts: 6	Help with a little monster! Hi there! We are having trouble with our little boy and we really could use any help anyone can provide. We have a little yorkie boy named Winston that is just over ten months old. He is the most energetic puppy we have ever encountered and we have a blast playing with him! Though we love our Winston very much we are still having some problems that we cannot rectify. Recently, Winston has been having trouble staying asleep in his crate all night. We decided to crate train him from the beginning and until recently everything was going quite well. Now he is waking at all times of the night and barks his little head off! We are so frustrated considering he has been so good until now. He still has a very strict and regular routine that was devised during our puppy training classes, but things seem to be going in an opposite direction. On top of the not being able to sleep all night he has started having accidents in his crate. We haven’t changed his sleeping spot, nor changed anything about his crate, or anything unusual that would throw him off. We thought the barking was in correlation to when he needed to go out and potty, but the accidents are happening even when he isn’t waking us up. We tried taking out the bedding in his crate as a form of punishment (recommended by a trainer), but he doesn’t seen to care. The most concerning aspect of this puzzle are the accidents in his crate. Puppies usually do not like to use the bathroom in the same area as they sleep, but it does not seem to bother Winston. When we have to leave him during the day we have no accidents and he is well on his way to being 100% trained (at least while we are awake and watching him). We just do not understand how he can be improving by leaps and bounds during the day but having 3-4 accidents in his crate during the week as well as waking us up some often now. Thanks for any help!

09-16-2008, 02:36 PM	#2
Erin Donating YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Chicago Suburbs Posts: 3,306	2 things come to mind: 1st - is he tired? Can you take him for an extra walk to make sure to wear him out so he sleeps through the night? Also, can you feed him later in the day so that he is not waking up hungry? Mine eat twice a day and the earlier I feed them their dinner the earlier they are up wanting breakfast, sometimes 2 hours before we normally get up. 2nd - how much water is he drinking and when? I wonder if he is drinking too much or drinking too much close to bedtime. The bottom line is that he shouldn't be having accidents unless he is kept in there too long and he really does have to go, so it might just take some adjusting of his schedule. Like when his dinner is, when you take up water, when you last take him outside... I find that one extra trip outside before bed gives me an extra 30-60 minutes in the morning The good news is that at 10 months you are almost there!!! __________________ Erin, Sammy & Loki Sewing patterns and tutorials @ www.dogundermydesk.com

09-16-2008, 02:40 PM	#3
Erin Donating YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Chicago Suburbs Posts: 3,306	Sorry I just noticed that you are new, so HI!!! One more thing - is he in the crate during the day? I find that if I let my guys sleep all day they don't sleep as well at night. Well, actually, that's not really true anymore but they are 2 & 4. When they were Winston's age we had a rule that there was no napping in the evening after I got home from work because they wouldn't sleep at night. Now they can sleep 18+ hours a day and it's not really a problem any more It's hard keeping them active though. They hate days when I clean and do laundry all day because they feel like they have to follow me around when they really want to nap. They are like groggy kids who missed their nap. __________________ Erin, Sammy & Loki Sewing patterns and tutorials @ www.dogundermydesk.com

09-18-2008, 09:06 PM	#5
Mom to Hot Rod Donating YT 5000 Club Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: MD Posts: 10,908	As the other suggested, are they tuckered out from exercise? Be it from walking or playing? Sounds like it could be he is a little anxious from not being able to "be with you" at night too. You say that he is fine when you are watching him but seems to be having this issue at night when you are asleep. Can you try putting his crate in your room? Or maybe try giving him one of your shirts with your scent on it? Good luck. __________________ www.kissecollar.com Soft Cone Collars for Post-surgery and much more! 10% (non-food) - Discount code YT10

09-18-2008, 08:32 PM	#4
Kacey_Andreanne YorkieTalk Newbie! Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada Posts: 5	Do you walk your little guy before you put him in his crate for the night? If yes how long? If not that may be your problem. Your little guy may have a ton of energy that he needs to release and you're not releasing it for him. Try going on a vigorous walk approx 45 minutes. Dogs instinctually need walks, they need it to meet their mental needs and physically needs. Your little guy may have so much energy in him that he's taking it out by acting out. A walk will also tire him out so he will be less likely to act out. My little girl Kacey used to pee herself and hurt herself when we left for work or went out, when we put her in her crate. Since we've been walking her before we leave her alone she's not peed herself or hurt her poor little head. Hope this helps.

09-23-2008, 08:30 AM	#6
Ksheffield78 Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: macon, Georgia Posts: 25	I am having a similar problem. My puppy is almost 12 weeks. I have had him for only a week, but has done remarkably well using his potty pads (we use lots of praise and treats when done right). He does very well during the day (my husband works at home in the afternoons, so he is only along in his crate about 4 hours everyday). However, the last few nights he has stopped waking us up in the night to go potty. If I happen to wake up i try to take him out and he will just lay down or play with the pad. We also tried to take out his bedding and last night he peed and pooped in his crate! When I got him up this morning he would not go on the pad. The one thing we are trying to do that many friends/family have told us is that if he don't go right when you get him out of his crate, put him back for five minutes then try again. This worked well for a day or so, but this morning I tried that and about the third time i put him back in his crate he peed and pooped! I know know I have a long way to go since I have only had him a week and he is still faily young, but are there any suggestions.

09-25-2008, 06:01 AM	#8
kymichigander Yorkie Talker Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Central KY Posts: 24	Hello!! As for the barking and crying in the cage, we had that problem with Mia, our terrier mix, when she was a baby. We started putting in a cozier bed and that solved the problem the first night. The fact that he is now pottying in his crate will complicate that better bed solution, so I don't know now! I, too, would limit water and walk or play heartily before bed...those tricks work for us. Good luck!!