Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!!! - YorkieTalk.com Forums

AmberJ · 11-09-2011, 11:37 PM

Ok, I need some help!!! Poppy is over 5 months old, and every morning, there is poo or wee or both in her crate! I have had puppies before, and had no major probs, but I just don't know what to do with her! I am so tired, as I stay up until midnight so I can let her out as late as possible, but still every morning she has been in her crate. I get up early as well just to let her out, but she just can't seem to hold it. Also, I let her out and put her in her toilet area, and most times she just stands there and doesn't move! It's so frustrating! If the weather's ok and light, she'll just go to the toilet, but if it's rainy, windy or dark, she won't go! I am an easy going person, but waking up to poo everyday really isn't good, and I have 3 children who want to eat their breakfast without the smell of poo! At the moment, I'm reading how to housebreak your dog in 7 days, but I seem to be doing a lot of what she suggests already! I want her to go totally outside. Also, if we eat our dinner, she often runs into the living room and poos, why??? I take her outside every hour still during the day, coz she's so ureliable! HEEEEEEEEEEEEELLLLLLLLLLLLLP!

xx

Britster · 11-10-2011, 09:01 AM

Where did Poppy come from? Often, dogs from pet stores or puppy mills will learn to go in their crates, because they have no other option. In most cases, a dog won't go in their 'den' or where they sleep. But some just do.

How big is the crate space? If too big, she can go curl up in another corner away from the mess. Needs to be a really small space.

Also, how is she pottywise during the day, when not in the crate? I ask because I know the moment I let Jackson start sleeping in my bed overnight and not in the crate, he no longer was waking up to potty in the middle of the night. I wonder if it's an issue with her crate, or if it's that she truly needs to go? At 5 months old, she is still very young, but I would expect at least 6 hours. When is she being let out in the AM?

Medically, has everything been ruled out...?? UTI, etc??

I know it's frustrating... but when you let her out, you need to make SURE she goes. If she doesn't, I would honestly hold her or leash her up to you so she cannot get out of your sight. Five minutes later, try again. Ten minutes later, try again. When she finally does it, treat and reward like crazy! If she is outside and does not go potty, she does not get to come in the house and have free roam. She won't learn that way. It needs to be honest constant 24/7 supervision for the time being.

Roccosmommy · 11-10-2011, 10:09 AM

I'm so sorry you are going through this, and yes, dogs don't usually soil their "den" area, so that is an instant hurdle for you. Also, I agree with Britster that any medical causes need to be ruled out.

Your comment of "And if we eat our dinner, she often runs into the living room and poos" made me think that she is doing it when she has the opportunity to be away from you and no one can see. Have you been negatively disciplining her when she does mess in the house? If so, that will only encourage her to do it when no one is looking (aka all at the dinner table) and she can't be seen making a 'naughty' poo. As difficult as it is, negative reinforcement should never be used with potty training. When she does go in the house, just clean it up nonchalantly and don't say a word... don't even look in her direction. IF you happen to catch her in the act, simply pick her up mid-pee or poo, do not say a word, and place her where you DO want her to go (outside). Then praise her to no end, even if she already finished before you took her out. This connects the action with the place and the resulting positive praise.

Also, how much time is she spending in the crate? Maybe she is a pet store puppy and the crate stresses her out? Perhaps you can try to make a small enclosed area her "space" if the crate seems to be the problem?

I know you are tired and it seems like this will never end, but trust me - with patience and positive reinforcement, this too shall pass. Hang in there, and remember - at 5 months, she is just a baby.

linda44 · 11-10-2011, 11:09 AM

patience! and lots of praise!

AmberJ · 11-10-2011, 11:16 AM

Thank you for your replies. I got her at 13 weeks, and she came from a private breeder from a household with lots of other dogs and cats. I really have been very consistent with her, and I spend so long standing outside with her! I always stay with her when she goes out, so I can see what she does, and praise her. She has a gravel toilet area that she goes on outside, and I take her out every hour in the day, and she's usually good, and I do praise her like mad when she goes, and she gets all excited! When she does go indoors, I just totally ignore her, and clean it up, I have never shouted at her, as I know that only makes problems worse, and she'd be scared to go at all bless her. I don't shout at my pets. I've only recently started using the crate, and she doesn't seem to go quite as much as she did when she was shut in the kitchen, but she still does overnight. Her crate is about 30 inches by 20 inches, and I put vet bed at one end, and it has a plastic base. She usually has had a poo on the plastic bit when I get up to let her out, but this morning, she had weed and pood on her vet bed, and was laying on it!

I wash vet bed once or twice a day, at 60 degrees, it's always hanging up drying! She is only in her crate overnight, and when I take/collect my daughter from school, I rarely go out, and I'm with her most of the time. She has had a vet check and the vet said she is very well, apart from conjunctivitus, which is now clearing up nicely on antibiotic eye drops. I am going to bed at midnight, so I can let her out as late as possible, but she hates late night let outs, and sometimes won't go, even if I stand there with her for half an hour, she'll just stand there and not move! I try and encourage her in a cheerful positive way. I set my alarm for 6.00am every morning, and it's still dark, but she's almost always already been in her crate. I've started feeding her at 6.00pm instead of 7.00pm, but that doesn't seem to have made a difference either! (I also feed her at 8.00am.) Sorry this is long, I was trying to answer all the questions you'd asked! I appreciate your help! I have considered taking her to bed with me, but we have always had a no pets upstairs rule, and I don't want her to get so attached to me that I can't ever leave her!

Roccosmommy · 11-10-2011, 01:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AmberJ

Thank you for your replies. I got her at 13 weeks, and she came from a private breeder from a household with lots of other dogs and cats. I really have been very consistent with her, and I spend so long standing outside with her! I always stay with her when she goes out, so I can see what she does, and praise her. She has a gravel toilet area that she goes on outside, and I take her out every hour in the day, and she's usually good, and I do praise her like mad when she goes, and she gets all excited! When she does go indoors, I just totally ignore her, and clean it up, I have never shouted at her, as I know that only makes problems worse, and she'd be scared to go at all bless her. I don't shout at my pets. I've only recently started using the crate, and she doesn't seem to go quite as much as she did when she was shut in the kitchen, but she still does overnight. Her crate is about 30 inches by 20 inches, and I put vet bed at one end, and it has a plastic base. She usually has had a poo on the plastic bit when I get up to let her out, but this morning, she had weed and pood on her vet bed, and was laying on it!

I wash vet bed once or twice a day, at 60 degrees, it's always hanging up drying! She is only in her crate overnight, and when I take/collect my daughter from school, I rarely go out, and I'm with her most of the time. She has had a vet check and the vet said she is very well, apart from conjunctivitus, which is now clearing up nicely on antibiotic eye drops. I am going to bed at midnight, so I can let her out as late as possible, but she hates late night let outs, and sometimes won't go, even if I stand there with her for half an hour, she'll just stand there and not move! I try and encourage her in a cheerful positive way. I set my alarm for 6.00am every morning, and it's still dark, but she's almost always already been in her crate. I've started feeding her at 6.00pm instead of 7.00pm, but that doesn't seem to have made a difference either! (I also feed her at 8.00am.) Sorry this is long, I was trying to answer all the questions you'd asked! I appreciate your help! I have considered taking her to bed with me, but we have always had a no pets upstairs rule, and I don't want her to get so attached to me that I can't ever leave her!

Wow - sounds like you have it all covered and indeed seem to be doing everything possible. Ok, I have one more suggestion, if you can stand one more

... What about instead of keeping yourself up so late at night, you go to bed reasonably on time, and set the alarm to wake up and taker her out (say, 2 or 3am). Yes, I flinch at even the suggestion too, but I'm thinking that if you can take her out BEFORE the accident happens in the crate, then you can break the cycle. And when she's older and can hold it longer you won't need to do this. I really wish you the best in potty training her ... it sounds like you are a wonderful mommy to Poppy!

etelle · 11-10-2011, 08:36 PM

Hi, AmberJ. I am a brand new Yorkie mommy, so I am no expert. I do have an 11 y/o Jack Russell that is crate trained. I am currently crate training my Yorkie, Lola. She is 14 weeks old and so far she is doing great. No accidents for the past 2 weeks.
Sounds like you are doing everything right... Only suggestion is...
The crate you are using may too big for your little one. My Lola has an 12x18 and came with a divider that I used... So I only allow her to have 12x9 space. There is only enough room for to lie down on her folded blanket and turn her body. As she improves, I will give her a few more inches of space and eventually the whole crate. My Jack Russell was trained that way. He now has his crate that he sleeps in, but the door's open and he sits at the door when he wants to go out.

Lola does not have any accidents in her crate because there is no room for her to. If your little one holds it while she's in the crate, when you let her out... She will go immediately. I think this the key to crate training.

AmberJ · 11-10-2011, 10:58 PM

Good morning! Well, I got up and she'd had a poo in her crate, but I wasn't at all surprised, as she wouldn't go before bed! Seriously, how can I make her have a poo when she won't sniff and walk around in her toilet area when I take her out, and just stands there looking really wussy, and looking at me like I'm the most horrible person in the world for taking her out in the cold! She won't even come when I call her at night, I have to go and pick her up and take her out! But then there are times that I have let her out, and she's had a poo, but still has a poo in her crate before the morning! I could buy a smaller crate, but as she's weed and pood on her vet bed before, I don't think it would stop her! Hmmmm, setting my alarm at 2-3am?! At the moment, I feel like I would try anything!!! Thankyou for your help.

gidget529 · 11-11-2011, 04:46 AM

Yorkies can be picky about their toilet area. Perhaps she does not like the gravel? I could not get my first yorkie to go on grass. She would go on pavement, on the road, on a pee pad - not on grass. I would try another area other than the gravel area and see if it helps. She might not like the feeling of the gravel.

Lovetodream88 · 11-11-2011, 05:10 AM

Maybe you could try taking her for a walk at night and maybe that will help her work up a poo. Is she crying in her crate at night?

CruiserCody · 11-11-2011, 05:30 AM

Cody is almost 2 now but when he was real little I'd get up at 3 am or so to let him out. Eventually it got later and later in the morning so that we didn't have to take him out in the middle of the night.

Cailee is 5 months old now and very tiny. When we first got her at 3 months, I was getting up once or twice at night. Now she can hold it a little longer but I'm still getting up with her about 5 a.m., then she goes back to sleep.

It's a pain but I think it take time to train and time for their little bladders to mature and grow to be able to handle longer times in the crate.

I also recommend a smaller crate. Good luck and hang in there!!

AmberJ · 11-11-2011, 06:02 AM

Thank you for your replies, I am sure she doesn't mind the gravel area, she runs around on it during the day, and knows that's her toilet area, she wees on it fine during the day.

I have yet to see her do a wee or poo whilst out on a walk, and I am a single mum of 3 daughters, so I can't go out for a late night walk and leave my girls.

No she doesn't cry at night in her crate.

Lovetodream88 · 11-11-2011, 06:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AmberJ

Thank you for your replies, I am sure she doesn't mind the gravel area, she runs around on it during the day, and knows that's her toilet area, she wees on it fine during the day.

I have yet to see her do a wee or poo whilst out on a walk, and I am a single mum of 3 daughters, so I can't go out for a late night walk and leave my girls.

No she doesn't cry at night in her crate.

Do you have outside lights around her potty area? I think setting the alarm in the middle of the night might be a good idea or at least something to try.

SweetLifetime · 11-11-2011, 06:41 AM

Could the problem here be the size of her crate? If the crate is big enough for her to sleep at one end and potty at the other, she will do it. Most wire crates come with a separator for this reason. When in the crate, your pup should have enough room to stand up, turn around, and lay down. Any more room than that and it reduces the effectiveness of crate training.

From your description, it sounds like Poppy has a roomy crate with a bed on one end and room to go on the other. I'm guessing that cutting that down along with keeping her potty times consistent (like you've been doing!

) will help the issue.

AmberJ · 11-11-2011, 06:48 AM

Hi, we have a porch light, but I could also turn the outside lights attached to our house on, maybe that would help. Thanks fot that idea.

Maybe rather than buying another smaller crate, I could block off one end somehow and see if that helps.

For the time being, I think I am going to have to set my alarm for about 2.00am and take her out.

11-09-2011, 11:37 PM	#1
AmberJ Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: UK Posts: 162	Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!!! Ok, I need some help!!! Poppy is over 5 months old, and every morning, there is poo or wee or both in her crate! I have had puppies before, and had no major probs, but I just don't know what to do with her! I am so tired, as I stay up until midnight so I can let her out as late as possible, but still every morning she has been in her crate. I get up early as well just to let her out, but she just can't seem to hold it. Also, I let her out and put her in her toilet area, and most times she just stands there and doesn't move! It's so frustrating! If the weather's ok and light, she'll just go to the toilet, but if it's rainy, windy or dark, she won't go! I am an easy going person, but waking up to poo everyday really isn't good, and I have 3 children who want to eat their breakfast without the smell of poo! At the moment, I'm reading how to housebreak your dog in 7 days, but I seem to be doing a lot of what she suggests already! I want her to go totally outside. Also, if we eat our dinner, she often runs into the living room and poos, why??? I take her outside every hour still during the day, coz she's so ureliable! HEEEEEEEEEEEEELLLLLLLLLLLLLP! xx

11-10-2011, 09:01 AM	#2
Britster Action Jackson ♥ Donating Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Maryland Posts: 17,814	Where did Poppy come from? Often, dogs from pet stores or puppy mills will learn to go in their crates, because they have no other option. In most cases, a dog won't go in their 'den' or where they sleep. But some just do. How big is the crate space? If too big, she can go curl up in another corner away from the mess. Needs to be a really small space. Also, how is she pottywise during the day, when not in the crate? I ask because I know the moment I let Jackson start sleeping in my bed overnight and not in the crate, he no longer was waking up to potty in the middle of the night. I wonder if it's an issue with her crate, or if it's that she truly needs to go? At 5 months old, she is still very young, but I would expect at least 6 hours. When is she being let out in the AM? Medically, has everything been ruled out...?? UTI, etc?? I know it's frustrating... but when you let her out, you need to make SURE she goes. If she doesn't, I would honestly hold her or leash her up to you so she cannot get out of your sight. Five minutes later, try again. Ten minutes later, try again. When she finally does it, treat and reward like crazy! If she is outside and does not go potty, she does not get to come in the house and have free roam. She won't learn that way. It needs to be honest constant 24/7 supervision for the time being. __________________ ~ Brit & Lights! Camera! Jackson! CGC ETD TKP ~ Follow Jackson on Instagram: https://instagram.com/jacksontheterrier Last edited by Britster; 11-10-2011 at 09:04 AM.

11-10-2011, 10:09 AM	#3
Roccosmommy Donating YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 1,293	I'm so sorry you are going through this, and yes, dogs don't usually soil their "den" area, so that is an instant hurdle for you. Also, I agree with Britster that any medical causes need to be ruled out. Your comment of "And if we eat our dinner, she often runs into the living room and poos" made me think that she is doing it when she has the opportunity to be away from you and no one can see. Have you been negatively disciplining her when she does mess in the house? If so, that will only encourage her to do it when no one is looking (aka all at the dinner table) and she can't be seen making a 'naughty' poo. As difficult as it is, negative reinforcement should never be used with potty training. When she does go in the house, just clean it up nonchalantly and don't say a word... don't even look in her direction. IF you happen to catch her in the act, simply pick her up mid-pee or poo, do not say a word, and place her where you DO want her to go (outside). Then praise her to no end, even if she already finished before you took her out. This connects the action with the place and the resulting positive praise. Also, how much time is she spending in the crate? Maybe she is a pet store puppy and the crate stresses her out? Perhaps you can try to make a small enclosed area her "space" if the crate seems to be the problem? I know you are tired and it seems like this will never end, but trust me - with patience and positive reinforcement, this too shall pass. Hang in there, and remember - at 5 months, she is just a baby. __________________ "The little furry buggers are just deep, deep wells you throw all your emotions into." ~ Bruce Schimmel Last edited by Roccosmommy; 11-10-2011 at 10:11 AM.

11-10-2011, 11:09 AM	#4
linda44 Luv my 7 Furkids Donating Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: napa Posts: 9,655 Blog Entries: 4	patience! and lots of praise! __________________ Linda, & furbutts http://www.sketchesbybarney.com

11-10-2011, 11:16 AM	#5
AmberJ Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: UK Posts: 162	Thank you for your replies. I got her at 13 weeks, and she came from a private breeder from a household with lots of other dogs and cats. I really have been very consistent with her, and I spend so long standing outside with her! I always stay with her when she goes out, so I can see what she does, and praise her. She has a gravel toilet area that she goes on outside, and I take her out every hour in the day, and she's usually good, and I do praise her like mad when she goes, and she gets all excited! When she does go indoors, I just totally ignore her, and clean it up, I have never shouted at her, as I know that only makes problems worse, and she'd be scared to go at all bless her. I don't shout at my pets. I've only recently started using the crate, and she doesn't seem to go quite as much as she did when she was shut in the kitchen, but she still does overnight. Her crate is about 30 inches by 20 inches, and I put vet bed at one end, and it has a plastic base. She usually has had a poo on the plastic bit when I get up to let her out, but this morning, she had weed and pood on her vet bed, and was laying on it! I wash vet bed once or twice a day, at 60 degrees, it's always hanging up drying! She is only in her crate overnight, and when I take/collect my daughter from school, I rarely go out, and I'm with her most of the time. She has had a vet check and the vet said she is very well, apart from conjunctivitus, which is now clearing up nicely on antibiotic eye drops. I am going to bed at midnight, so I can let her out as late as possible, but she hates late night let outs, and sometimes won't go, even if I stand there with her for half an hour, she'll just stand there and not move! I try and encourage her in a cheerful positive way. I set my alarm for 6.00am every morning, and it's still dark, but she's almost always already been in her crate. I've started feeding her at 6.00pm instead of 7.00pm, but that doesn't seem to have made a difference either! (I also feed her at 8.00am.) Sorry this is long, I was trying to answer all the questions you'd asked! I appreciate your help! I have considered taking her to bed with me, but we have always had a no pets upstairs rule, and I don't want her to get so attached to me that I can't ever leave her! Last edited by AmberJ; 11-10-2011 at 11:21 AM.

11-10-2011, 08:36 PM	#7
etelle YorkieTalk Newbie! Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Texas Posts: 6	Hi, AmberJ. I am a brand new Yorkie mommy, so I am no expert. I do have an 11 y/o Jack Russell that is crate trained. I am currently crate training my Yorkie, Lola. She is 14 weeks old and so far she is doing great. No accidents for the past 2 weeks. Sounds like you are doing everything right... Only suggestion is... The crate you are using may too big for your little one. My Lola has an 12x18 and came with a divider that I used... So I only allow her to have 12x9 space. There is only enough room for to lie down on her folded blanket and turn her body. As she improves, I will give her a few more inches of space and eventually the whole crate. My Jack Russell was trained that way. He now has his crate that he sleeps in, but the door's open and he sits at the door when he wants to go out. Lola does not have any accidents in her crate because there is no room for her to. If your little one holds it while she's in the crate, when you let her out... She will go immediately. I think this the key to crate training.

11-10-2011, 10:58 PM	#8
AmberJ Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: UK Posts: 162	Good morning! Well, I got up and she'd had a poo in her crate, but I wasn't at all surprised, as she wouldn't go before bed! Seriously, how can I make her have a poo when she won't sniff and walk around in her toilet area when I take her out, and just stands there looking really wussy, and looking at me like I'm the most horrible person in the world for taking her out in the cold! She won't even come when I call her at night, I have to go and pick her up and take her out! But then there are times that I have let her out, and she's had a poo, but still has a poo in her crate before the morning! I could buy a smaller crate, but as she's weed and pood on her vet bed before, I don't think it would stop her! Hmmmm, setting my alarm at 2-3am?! At the moment, I feel like I would try anything!!! Thankyou for your help.

11-11-2011, 04:46 AM	#9
gidget529 Gidget & Sidney's Mom Donating Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: PA Posts: 3,462	Yorkies can be picky about their toilet area. Perhaps she does not like the gravel? I could not get my first yorkie to go on grass. She would go on pavement, on the road, on a pee pad - not on grass. I would try another area other than the gravel area and see if it helps. She might not like the feeling of the gravel. __________________ Mommy to Gidget, Sidney & Cricket(RIP)

11-11-2011, 05:10 AM	#10
Lovetodream88 Yorkie mom of 4 Donating YT Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: LaPlata, Md Posts: 23,247	Maybe you could try taking her for a walk at night and maybe that will help her work up a poo. Is she crying in her crate at night? __________________ Taylor My babies Joey, Penny ,Ollie & Dixie Callie Mae, you will forever be in my heart!

11-11-2011, 05:30 AM	#11
CruiserCody Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Florida Posts: 163	Cody is almost 2 now but when he was real little I'd get up at 3 am or so to let him out. Eventually it got later and later in the morning so that we didn't have to take him out in the middle of the night. Cailee is 5 months old now and very tiny. When we first got her at 3 months, I was getting up once or twice at night. Now she can hold it a little longer but I'm still getting up with her about 5 a.m., then she goes back to sleep. It's a pain but I think it take time to train and time for their little bladders to mature and grow to be able to handle longer times in the crate. I also recommend a smaller crate. Good luck and hang in there!! __________________ Cody my sweet boy and Cailee my little princess

11-11-2011, 06:02 AM	#12
AmberJ Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: UK Posts: 162	Thank you for your replies, I am sure she doesn't mind the gravel area, she runs around on it during the day, and knows that's her toilet area, she wees on it fine during the day. I have yet to see her do a wee or poo whilst out on a walk, and I am a single mum of 3 daughters, so I can't go out for a late night walk and leave my girls. No she doesn't cry at night in her crate.

11-11-2011, 06:41 AM	#14
SweetLifetime Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Baltimore, MD Posts: 99	Could the problem here be the size of her crate? If the crate is big enough for her to sleep at one end and potty at the other, she will do it. Most wire crates come with a separator for this reason. When in the crate, your pup should have enough room to stand up, turn around, and lay down. Any more room than that and it reduces the effectiveness of crate training. From your description, it sounds like Poppy has a roomy crate with a bed on one end and room to go on the other. I'm guessing that cutting that down along with keeping her potty times consistent (like you've been doing! ) will help the issue.

11-11-2011, 06:48 AM	#15
AmberJ Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: UK Posts: 162	Hi, we have a porch light, but I could also turn the outside lights attached to our house on, maybe that would help. Thanks fot that idea. Maybe rather than buying another smaller crate, I could block off one end somehow and see if that helps. For the time being, I think I am going to have to set my alarm for about 2.00am and take her out.