Housebreaking...I'm desperate for a solution!

[johnson12]

I am feeling hopeless!! My Ralphie is going to be 6 months old on Christmas, and he is still having accidents. Mostly pee, and it seems to be about 1-2 times a week. He knows its wrong b/c he immediately puts his ears back and looks so upset about it. We take him outside immediately and thoroughly clean up the mess...but he is still doing it. The part that I don't get is that he will hold it all day while we are at work, but in the evening, even if we are on him and take him out constantly, he will find a moment to squat and pee. Our lab was trained within weeks, so this is very hard for us to deal with. Ralph even seems to be holding for longer when we are around. So, even if I put him out every hour he will only pee every 3 hours or so.

When its time for a potty break I excitedly say, "Who has to go out??" and he knows to run to the door. I say potty and he pees outside. Once we get back inside he knows he gets a treat...Why is he still peeing in the house?? I just want him to succeed, and it feels like its taking forever! I will take any advice that I can get. Thanks so much!

p.s. potty pads are completely out of the question.

[nneessaa]

I'm not sure, you seem to be doing things right. I would give him the treat outside right after he pees, since I read some where they'll think they get a treat from coming back inside not for peeing. Other than that, all I can suggest is keep him on leash or in a crate if you do not have your complete attention on him.

Good luck.

[Nancy1999]

Six months is about average for Yorkies, and with him only making a couple of mistakes a week, I'd say it's pretty darn good. They usually have a setback when they are neutered, but over the next few months start really doing well. The main thing is don't overreact when he makes a mistake, try to ignore the bad, and praise the good. Buy some Natures Miracle and just spray the spots throughly, and blot, so he won't be tempted to go to the old spot. Remember, if any urine is left in the carpet, they can smell it and are programmed to return to that spot, they can't help it, they have to do this, that's why it's so easy to pee pad train them. In a year, you will have forgotten all about this, and be thinking about getting a puppy.

If he hasn't been nuetered, soon he will start marking, especially since you have another male dog, it how they show their dominance, it's not the same as peeing, and has nothing to do with them needing to go to the bathroom, they are marking their spot, or territory.

[MauiGirl]

Well, I'm still working on potty training issues with 2 pups, and all I can say is yours doesn't sound too bad for a Yorkie. I was told it can take up to a year to be accident proof, and some just never get it. I especially agree with getting rid of the scent from previous spots, as this is one of the biggest problems. They smell it and they pee. You are getting some good input specific to boy training, and being patient and persistent hopefully will pay off.

[chloesMama]

It sounds like your doing everything right , so I don't know. It sounds like he is getting sooo close. Don't lose hope I think you should take the treat outside with you so he knows he gets it for going potty outside and not for coming back into the house.

When we first got Chloe and she would have an accident , she knew she had did wrong ...so I would firmly say No.... then I would say no treat and shake my head as we walked past the treats and I put her in her play yard while I cleaned up the spot. I swear she understood me....Not long after that if she had an accident she would wander by the treat jar and look at it ....and then look sad, like she knew .

It just takes more time and patience than you think you even have.It sounds like your not far off , so hang in there.

[JoeyP]

We're on our first week
Still can't go outside because the boys haven't finished their shots yet
so we're tryin our best to pee wee pad train

I have to corral and watch them like hawks
Sometimes I'll think they got it
and then again

But it's always a work in progress
with dogs never take anything for granted
and always try to think how to build a better mousetrap

Peeing in the house
try to think why ... is there something going on that's more interesting
than going outside
Is he or she peeing when you guys are having dinner perhaps?
... or there are new people in the house?
and always praise him or her when she pees outside

[Kimber44]

Hi, Lily is 8 months old and I swear I have been so diligent. She is 95% trained - now goes every time we take her out and maybe once a day will whine at the door (new). STILL we catch her squatting to poop and lift her and take her out to finish (and treat her outside). I have gone through frustration cycles. My poodle had one accident in eleven years. I keep reading this site and keep praying she will get it 100 percent. Not there yet - I feel for you. I'm being persistent and diligent ...... Kimberly

[melrohner]

Trust me, I feel your pain. I've had a two year old puppy mill rescue yorkie since about mid-November, and the housetraining is making me crazy! We've made alot of progress, but we still have a long way to go. You say you take Ralphie out every hour, but he isn't going when you put him out? I'd try leaving him out longer, until he goes, or take him on a leash if you don't already. That was the hardest thing for me with my Kayla - there were many, many times I stood outside with her in the freezing cold for an HOUR waiting for her to go, tears of frustration in my eyes, cursing myself for ever taking on such a hopeless project, and then I'd finally give up, take her inside, and within two minutes she'd pee in the house. We've thankfully gotten past that, but she still has her share of s. I've been just keeping her closely confined and watching her like a hawk, but like you said, she still manages to slip in an somehow. My trainer has suggested using a potty bell as the next step, so I'm about to start that - you hang a bell from the doorknob, and teach the dog to ring the bell when they need to go outside. A couple of years ago I trained my chihuahua to the bell pretty easily, but smart that she is, she just kept ringing it because she liked to be outside. Maybe Kayla won't figure that out So anyway, I just keep telling myself to be patient and not get too discouraged, so that's the advice I'd give you, too. I hope Ralphie AND Kayla get better!

[caliyorkiemama]

I have a 9 week old yorkie & I'm trying to potty train her. Is it too early? I take her out about 15 minutes after I see that she eats or drinks anything & she does go potty. Then I make it a point to take her out every hour. But, of course I walk around the house and there's her puddles or worse. I tried the puppy pads, but she refuses to pee or poo on them. Am I missing an important step to house-breaking?

[chloeandj]

6 mohths old is when they get it but still have some accidents. You probably won't be able to 100% trust him until about 10-12 months old. Have you tried the bell on the door training? I did that with my girls and it helps sooo much! They learn how to tell you they need to go out. At 6 months old that is probably the problem he is having, just not quite sure how to tell you that he needs to go.

[MauiGirl]

Originally Posted by caliyorkiemama

I have a 9 week old yorkie & I'm trying to potty train her. Is it too early? I take her out about 15 minutes after I see that she eats or drinks anything & she does go potty. Then I make it a point to take her out every hour. But, of course I walk around the house and there's her puddles or worse. I tried the puppy pads, but she refuses to pee or poo on them. Am I missing an important step to house-breaking?

At this young age keeping your puppy confined to a small area is very important. Are you using a crate, playpen, x-pen or some other way of limiting her access to too much room? Their bladders are very small at this age, and they do have to go very often; so don't expect quick results. But it's ok to start trying. Be sure to eliminate the scent of accidents in the wrong places. In a couple months she'll be better able to hold it, and you'll probably have more success.

[no3yshhc0la]

I definitely went through this cycle. All I can say is patience! Don't lose hope! After doing research on yorkies, I found out that they're rather difficult to potty train. Sasha is 1yr & 2 months and she's about 99% potty trained. She'll go the longest time without having an accident and then suddenly out of the blue, she'll have one in the house! I can tell she knows she does wrong though because she'll cower after she does it. Like others have said, try taking the treat outside with you and give it to her outside right after she goes. Sounds like she's almost there! Good luck!

[LadyMadonna51]

Reading this made me feel so much better . We are all sharing the same problems . Wiz is 8 months now and I have to say there is a slight improvement on the housetraining issue .Everything I have read on here says give it a year .. hope we all survive !!!

[karion63]

I am sooo glad to know I am in such good company.lol Sophie will be a year 2-16-09 Jazz is already a year and both still have accidents. Sophie is pretty good at the potty pads,Jazz just goes where ever,getting really old.

I have alot to learn. Has anybody Me or the Dog?? The training book by the girl who does the training show on animal planet.I am thinking of ordering it.

[Britster]

Originally Posted by caliyorkiemama

I have a 9 week old yorkie & I'm trying to potty train her. Is it too early? I take her out about 15 minutes after I see that she eats or drinks anything & she does go potty. Then I make it a point to take her out every hour. But, of course I walk around the house and there's her puddles or worse. I tried the puppy pads, but she refuses to pee or poo on them. Am I missing an important step to house-breaking?

do you let her roam your house? because, in my opinion... that is NOT good idea at all! and no, it's definitely not too early to train at 9 weeks! they need to be confined to a small area where you have to watch them constantly. don't take your eye off of them. if you can't give your full attention, put them in the crate (if you are crate training) they need a strict schedule (which you seem to be doing that, with the every hour thing and taking her out 15 minutes after she eats/drinks)