Potty pads, crate training, or outside? - YorkieTalk.com Forums

Purplehaze · 02-13-2011, 01:44 PM

I was hoping to get some opinions on potty training methods. Crate training, going outside, or potty pads? I've never crate trained or had a puppy use potty pads. I've been taking Watson outside to potty the last 2 days. I have a doggy door that my Boxer use to use. But I don't think I trust my yorkie going outside alone later on when he's bigger. The back yard is secure (for the puppy) and very large but I'm afraid someone would try to take him

What are the benefits that you've noticed with potty pads and crate training? As well as the downfalls if any? It seems to be in the "norm" for a small breed to use potty pads so I'm very curious about them. Do they hold odor?

ArmaniMan · 02-13-2011, 03:09 PM

Whatever you want to do and works for you is the best method! ha! that was no help, right?

Personally, I like using potty pads- with dogs this small (mine are 4 and 5 pounds) they just can't hold it as long as a dog with a bigger bladder. Unfortunately, mommy still needs to work and support this expensive critters lavish lifestyle. So giving them access to the pads prevents them from having to hold it for 8 + hours if they have to be alone that long. I have used both disposable pads and washable pads and don't find an odor with either. Using the washables now, I pick up the poop as it happens and change the pads once a day and never have an issue with odor.

KazzyK810 · 02-13-2011, 03:36 PM

My pups have always used potty pads, mostly for convenience. My work schedule varies so much that I can't guarantee on being home by a certain time. It's not fair to the pup to have to wait to go potty for too long a period of time.

Also, I have always taken my pup alot of places with me (she's a purse pup) and a potty pad is a portable potty for her. Wherever I put it down, she will go on it...in a restroom at the mall, a friend's house, my kid's dorm room, the floor of my car, etc.

Suze225 · 02-13-2011, 03:46 PM

Bella always has used a potty pad from day 1. She WILL go outside if she is outside, but prefers to go inside on her potty pad. We use the disposible ones from dollar tree. Just toss it away every day or every other day, and then there is no smell at all.

Jett uses both the potty patch (fake grass, potty area indoors) and potty pads when in his x pen. He has NEVER gone potty outside!! I just find it soooo much easier to train them to a pad, and get rid of them as necessary. (I have several potty pads in strategic places in the house. There is always one within a room or two. Easier for training the little guys!!

Suze225 · 02-13-2011, 03:49 PM

I have trained Bella to go 'pee' on demand. I started this by taking her potty in the morning and telling her 'go potty Bella' in a sing songy voice that annoys the heck out of my family...LOL. Then praising her and giving her treats for going!! Within a week or two, she would go pee on a pad, ever time I tell her 'go potty Bell'. Its magic I tell ya!!!

Jett is too little to do this yet, but will start that with him as he gets completely accustomed to his pad and patch! Good luck!!! (Ohhhhhh and I NEVER did crate train at all. My babies sleep in bed with me at night, and neither of them have EVER peed or pooed in the bed. We trained by using the first morning potty after getting them out of bed, and close supervision!)

jeanm1963 · 02-13-2011, 03:54 PM

I am home all day so mine is potty trained outside, but I will tell you it was ALOT of work and I would have never have been able to do it had I been working full time.
When she was a puppy I took her out about every hour and if she peed/pooped i gave her a great treat, she caught on right away... then I streched it out to 2 hours and so on... she is 6 pds and still needs to go out every 3-4 hours..
I HATE the crate but that is my own opinion, I am way to soft hearted and I dont think a puppy belongs in a cage 8 or 9 hours a day while someone is working.. IMO.
I did you a large ex pen when she was a puppy and I did have a pee pad down for accidents.
Ex Pens are great even for pee pad training...you can still have toys , a bed , food , room to play and your puppy wont be locked up all day

Wabbit · 02-13-2011, 04:06 PM

I used ALL 3! Started out crate training....did pad training esp. for at night all the while taking my girls out side... My ultimate goal was to teach them to potty outside..but the pads were for ...just in case I wasn't on my toes and they had to go....I'd just move the pads closer and closer to the door I took them out to potty.. And I always used the SAME door every time when we went outside...so eventually I would see them go to the door...and knew it was Potty time! Good luck..yorkies can take quite a bit longer to train than a lot of other breeds.

I also used the word POTTY when they were going...so when I say Potty..they know what I'm talking about!

I don't have a doggy door...so I ALWAYS go out with my girls...but I can see why you would be worried about your little one going out alone!

KazzyK810 · 02-13-2011, 04:06 PM

My ZoE is still a very young puppy, so she doesn't yet have the run of the house & I use a playpen while I'm gone at work (northstate superyard xt) and love it!!! Half the floor is covered with potty pads, the other half has her bed & toys & water. I did buy her a very small metal crate, but I ended up just using it for travel, so she's safe in the car, but can see me through the wire mesh. I don't have the heart to lock an easily trainable pup in one. But both times I've had a yorkie, I've always had a pup that picked up on potty training VERY quickly. If I had a pup that didn't train so easily I'd prolly break down and use the crate for training.

The potty pads don't hold odor if you change them regularly. I have both the washable for home use & disposable for travel (or when I'm slacking on my laundry duties

bellababy08 · 02-17-2011, 11:51 AM

I vote...outside potty training...dogs are not prefect and they will miss the pad...and give them the ideal that its ok to potty in the house..JMO.

Jinger · 02-17-2011, 01:26 PM

I started out training Zoe to go outside. But then it got so cold and icy (and she's just 2 1/2 lbs) that I started to use potty pads. She is certainly not without accidents, but does do both.
She doesn't like to poop on the pads AT ALL...anyone experience this?

***On a side note, apparently I've traumatized my son-a sr. in HS. He said he had a nightmare the other night that he and his friends were all stuck in the bathroom (where I keep the pad) and there was poop and pee all over the pad. He kept flushing the poop and it just kept reappearing, all to his mortification.

Guess he's not a big fan of a dog who uses potty pads.

MauiGirl · 02-17-2011, 02:47 PM

My 4 each started out in an ex-pen with a pad, and as they became more reliable were given more freedom and continued to use pads. When they were a little bigger, I got them going outside on the grass (with great caution because of the pool danger), but keep pads inside the house for back-up.

Between the outside lawn and pads inside we *mostly* have it covered, however not perfect. The downside of the pad for me, is that it teaches the dog it is ok to potty in the house.... and they will. It is embarassing to have someone over, and there is one of the pups going pee or poo in front of everybody in the house (even if it is on the pad). Pads can leak, and often they go too close to the edge, so carpet & flooring is not safe.

I really would prefer to have them only go outside like my previous dogs did, but realize it isn't going to happen. They either can't or won't hold it as long, so pads are my backup plan. I also don't want a doggie door cause I don't want them outside if I'm not here.

Yorkiedaze · 02-17-2011, 03:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Purplehaze

I was hoping to get some opinions on potty training methods. Crate training, going outside, or potty pads? I've never crate trained or had a puppy use potty pads. I've been taking Watson outside to potty the last 2 days. I have a doggy door that my Boxer use to use. But I don't think I trust my yorkie going outside alone later on when he's bigger. The back yard is secure (for the puppy) and very large but I'm afraid someone would try to take him

What are the benefits that you've noticed with potty pads and crate training? As well as the downfalls if any? It seems to be in the "norm" for a small breed to use potty pads so I'm very curious about them. Do they hold odor?

Not just people stealing small dogs, but birds of prey including owls during the day, so don't let your boy go out alone. Always be with him. I have a large back yard too, but I have sectioned off just a tiny area and go out with them. I'm afraid they would run to the other side and then a bird would come swooping down after one. No thanks!
I put mine when they were babies, in the expen attached to a wire crate. I placed a blanket over the crate and of course thick soft bedding inside. I put pee pads at one end and water at the other. I put in a couple of toys and chews. I then took them outside every hour to potty and run around and for training. They are pad and outside trained which I just love. This way they have their pads on rainy days, in the coach and traveling. On the airline you can take pup and pee pad to the restroom and while your going, they can go too. Or during layovers you can do the same. We use to go into motels when traveling and the pads are perfect. We didn't have to go out at night, or in the rain, or in the morning before we had showers and cleaned up. I think having them trained to outside and the pad is the best thing in the world.

Deni_b · 02-17-2011, 06:24 PM

I'm a very spoiled Yorkmom. Not only is my little darling completely trained to grass, she barks at the door to go out. TicTac is only 1 and a half years, but has had full run of our 2 story house for about a year without a single slip. She whisper barks in my ear at nite to go out. I did start her on pads by the back door and simply moved them outside when she got the idea. Now we only use them when we travel. I have a doggie door, but won't use it with TicTac for fear of hawks, coyotes or thieves. I also think she might not have learned to bark for me to open the door. We go out together. We started potty training the day she came home and stuck to it religously. Wake up AM, go pee pee, eat, go pee pee, after nap, go pee pee, play with toys, go pee pee. Now at bed time I simply open the back door and tell her to go pee pee, off she goes! I do turn the big light on, she isnt fond of the dark. I'm home all day and even though I do have a crate, I've never used it with TicTac. The real secret to potty training I think is vigilance and persistance. Even if an accident were to happen, your little darling will look at you with those expressive warm eyes and melt your heart. Really, whats a teaspoon of pee pee gonna do to lesson the love you have for that little fluff. Best of luck to you.

luvinMYgirlz · 02-21-2011, 04:10 PM

not a pro just a mommy who luvz 2 travel... its best for u n ur dog to know how to go on pads n outside even on gravel or concrete.. y? because u never know where u will be n ur dog needs 2 be able to relieve its self where ever u r. n pads are great because u can take them every where u go so if ur ever in an area that ur dog isnt familliar wth he will go on the pad. hope this helps

ziggy925 · 02-21-2011, 04:25 PM

It's a tough decision. After all, if you use pads the dog is still going in the house. And if you take the dog over someone else's house do you need to bring a truckfull of pads with you?

I did a pretty good job of crate training Ruger, but I like to sleep late so I have some pads upstairs and he uses them. He also uses them when I leave him in the house and at night. Otherwise, he will go to the door when he wants to go. I should, but I don't use the crate anymore when I leave or at night.

I was told toy breeds are a problem because 1. Their bladders are very small, especially when puppies. 2. They are very small relative to the size of your home, so it's easy to make one part of the house a bathroom -- easy for them, but not for you.

02-13-2011, 01:44 PM	#1
Purplehaze Yorkie Talker Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Moore, Oklahoma Posts: 11	Potty pads, crate training, or outside? I was hoping to get some opinions on potty training methods. Crate training, going outside, or potty pads? I've never crate trained or had a puppy use potty pads. I've been taking Watson outside to potty the last 2 days. I have a doggy door that my Boxer use to use. But I don't think I trust my yorkie going outside alone later on when he's bigger. The back yard is secure (for the puppy) and very large but I'm afraid someone would try to take him What are the benefits that you've noticed with potty pads and crate training? As well as the downfalls if any? It seems to be in the "norm" for a small breed to use potty pads so I'm very curious about them. Do they hold odor?

02-13-2011, 03:09 PM	#2
ArmaniMan I ♥ Armani & Chloe Donating Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Upstate NY Posts: 3,895	Whatever you want to do and works for you is the best method! ha! that was no help, right? Personally, I like using potty pads- with dogs this small (mine are 4 and 5 pounds) they just can't hold it as long as a dog with a bigger bladder. Unfortunately, mommy still needs to work and support this expensive critters lavish lifestyle. So giving them access to the pads prevents them from having to hold it for 8 + hours if they have to be alone that long. I have used both disposable pads and washable pads and don't find an odor with either. Using the washables now, I pick up the poop as it happens and change the pads once a day and never have an issue with odor. __________________ Armani & Chloe

02-13-2011, 03:36 PM	#3
KazzyK810 Donating YT 2000 Club Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Michigan USA & Sheffield UK Posts: 4,119	My pups have always used potty pads, mostly for convenience. My work schedule varies so much that I can't guarantee on being home by a certain time. It's not fair to the pup to have to wait to go potty for too long a period of time. Also, I have always taken my pup alot of places with me (she's a purse pup) and a potty pad is a portable potty for her. Wherever I put it down, she will go on it...in a restroom at the mall, a friend's house, my kid's dorm room, the floor of my car, etc. __________________ Karan & ZoE (Chelsea )

02-13-2011, 03:46 PM	#4
Suze225 Donating Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: May 2010 Location: Florence, AZ Posts: 764	Bella always has used a potty pad from day 1. She WILL go outside if she is outside, but prefers to go inside on her potty pad. We use the disposible ones from dollar tree. Just toss it away every day or every other day, and then there is no smell at all. Jett uses both the potty patch (fake grass, potty area indoors) and potty pads when in his x pen. He has NEVER gone potty outside!! I just find it soooo much easier to train them to a pad, and get rid of them as necessary. (I have several potty pads in strategic places in the house. There is always one within a room or two. Easier for training the little guys!! __________________ Sue, Bella, Jett, TBell, Armani & Kahn Plus our 2 new litters , we have chocolate and parti pups!!! RIP my beautiful girl Kiah! We love you and miss you!!

02-13-2011, 03:49 PM	#5
Suze225 Donating Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: May 2010 Location: Florence, AZ Posts: 764	I have trained Bella to go 'pee' on demand. I started this by taking her potty in the morning and telling her 'go potty Bella' in a sing songy voice that annoys the heck out of my family...LOL. Then praising her and giving her treats for going!! Within a week or two, she would go pee on a pad, ever time I tell her 'go potty Bell'. Its magic I tell ya!!! Jett is too little to do this yet, but will start that with him as he gets completely accustomed to his pad and patch! Good luck!!! (Ohhhhhh and I NEVER did crate train at all. My babies sleep in bed with me at night, and neither of them have EVER peed or pooed in the bed. We trained by using the first morning potty after getting them out of bed, and close supervision!) __________________ Sue, Bella, Jett, TBell, Armani & Kahn Plus our 2 new litters , we have chocolate and parti pups!!! RIP my beautiful girl Kiah! We love you and miss you!!

02-13-2011, 03:54 PM	#6
jeanm1963 Donating YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Weymouth, Ma Posts: 2,584	I am home all day so mine is potty trained outside, but I will tell you it was ALOT of work and I would have never have been able to do it had I been working full time. When she was a puppy I took her out about every hour and if she peed/pooped i gave her a great treat, she caught on right away... then I streched it out to 2 hours and so on... she is 6 pds and still needs to go out every 3-4 hours.. I HATE the crate but that is my own opinion, I am way to soft hearted and I dont think a puppy belongs in a cage 8 or 9 hours a day while someone is working.. IMO. I did you a large ex pen when she was a puppy and I did have a pee pad down for accidents. Ex Pens are great even for pee pad training...you can still have toys , a bed , food , room to play and your puppy wont be locked up all day __________________ I Support http://www.yorkiesinc.com/

02-13-2011, 04:06 PM	#7
Wabbit Love my little flowers Donating Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: In Gorgeous Montana!!! Posts: 4,499	I used ALL 3! Started out crate training....did pad training esp. for at night all the while taking my girls out side... My ultimate goal was to teach them to potty outside..but the pads were for ...just in case I wasn't on my toes and they had to go....I'd just move the pads closer and closer to the door I took them out to potty.. And I always used the SAME door every time when we went outside...so eventually I would see them go to the door...and knew it was Potty time! Good luck..yorkies can take quite a bit longer to train than a lot of other breeds. I also used the word POTTY when they were going...so when I say Potty..they know what I'm talking about! I don't have a doggy door...so I ALWAYS go out with my girls...but I can see why you would be worried about your little one going out alone! __________________ Tam Flower babies: *Daizy Mae and Tulip Petals* RIP Honey Rose & Jasmine Last edited by Wabbit; 02-13-2011 at 04:09 PM.

02-17-2011, 11:51 AM	#9
bellababy08 YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Port St. Lucie, Florida Posts: 1,043	I vote...outside potty training...dogs are not prefect and they will miss the pad...and give them the ideal that its ok to potty in the house..JMO. __________________ Jennifer R.I.P Bailey Bella Harley Ivy Baby Milo

02-17-2011, 01:26 PM	#10
Jinger Donating YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Dallas Posts: 2,213	I started out training Zoe to go outside. But then it got so cold and icy (and she's just 2 1/2 lbs) that I started to use potty pads. She is certainly not without accidents, but does do both. She doesn't like to poop on the pads AT ALL...anyone experience this? **On a side note, apparently I've traumatized my son-a sr. in HS. He said he had a nightmare the other night that he and his friends were all stuck in the bathroom (where I keep the pad) and there was poop and pee all over the pad. He kept flushing the poop and it just kept reappearing, all to his mortification. Guess he's not a big fan of a dog who uses potty pads. __________________ Jen and Zoe* Last edited by Jinger; 02-17-2011 at 01:28 PM.

02-17-2011, 02:47 PM	#11
MauiGirl Donating YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Maui, Hawaii Posts: 7,740	My 4 each started out in an ex-pen with a pad, and as they became more reliable were given more freedom and continued to use pads. When they were a little bigger, I got them going outside on the grass (with great caution because of the pool danger), but keep pads inside the house for back-up. Between the outside lawn and pads inside we mostly have it covered, however not perfect. The downside of the pad for me, is that it teaches the dog it is ok to potty in the house.... and they will. It is embarassing to have someone over, and there is one of the pups going pee or poo in front of everybody in the house (even if it is on the pad). Pads can leak, and often they go too close to the edge, so carpet & flooring is not safe. I really would prefer to have them only go outside like my previous dogs did, but realize it isn't going to happen. They either can't or won't hold it as long, so pads are my backup plan. I also don't want a doggie door cause I don't want them outside if I'm not here. __________________ SANDY, MOM TO TIKI , KAYLA , KARLEE , R.I.P. MEIKA

02-17-2011, 06:24 PM	#13
Deni_b Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Henderson, Nevada Posts: 33	I'm a very spoiled Yorkmom. Not only is my little darling completely trained to grass, she barks at the door to go out. TicTac is only 1 and a half years, but has had full run of our 2 story house for about a year without a single slip. She whisper barks in my ear at nite to go out. I did start her on pads by the back door and simply moved them outside when she got the idea. Now we only use them when we travel. I have a doggie door, but won't use it with TicTac for fear of hawks, coyotes or thieves. I also think she might not have learned to bark for me to open the door. We go out together. We started potty training the day she came home and stuck to it religously. Wake up AM, go pee pee, eat, go pee pee, after nap, go pee pee, play with toys, go pee pee. Now at bed time I simply open the back door and tell her to go pee pee, off she goes! I do turn the big light on, she isnt fond of the dark. I'm home all day and even though I do have a crate, I've never used it with TicTac. The real secret to potty training I think is vigilance and persistance. Even if an accident were to happen, your little darling will look at you with those expressive warm eyes and melt your heart. Really, whats a teaspoon of pee pee gonna do to lesson the love you have for that little fluff. Best of luck to you. __________________ TicTac and Deni

02-21-2011, 04:10 PM	#14
luvinMYgirlz Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: rosenberg,texas Posts: 73	not a pro just a mommy who luvz 2 travel... its best for u n ur dog to know how to go on pads n outside even on gravel or concrete.. y? because u never know where u will be n ur dog needs 2 be able to relieve its self where ever u r. n pads are great because u can take them every where u go so if ur ever in an area that ur dog isnt familliar wth he will go on the pad. hope this helps __________________ Jewelry mommy to Precious,Princess,Sophie,and Tyler the man of the house...

02-21-2011, 04:25 PM	#15
ziggy925 YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Aspen, CO, US Posts: 544	It's a tough decision. After all, if you use pads the dog is still going in the house. And if you take the dog over someone else's house do you need to bring a truckfull of pads with you? I did a pretty good job of crate training Ruger, but I like to sleep late so I have some pads upstairs and he uses them. He also uses them when I leave him in the house and at night. Otherwise, he will go to the door when he wants to go. I should, but I don't use the crate anymore when I leave or at night. I was told toy breeds are a problem because 1. Their bladders are very small, especially when puppies. 2. They are very small relative to the size of your home, so it's easy to make one part of the house a bathroom -- easy for them, but not for you.