Double Trouble Week 1...

[NewYorkieMa&Pa]

Hi everyone! Ok WE need some suggestions. I have few things that I am hoping if I explain it correctly I can get some advice. Please note these are 3 month old Yorkies and we KNOW they are not going to do well overnight. I just think maybe we could be doing things better :

1. Pee Pads:
Background info: When we got them, they were trained to go on shreeded paper. So as soon as they were done going potty, the soiled paper was picked up and new paper layed out. So the paper was a place to potty slash something to play with.
Current info: During the first four days we have had them they did really good about going on the pads, very minimal accidents. We did positive reinforcement with treats and with lots of verbal and physical praise. Well on Sunday I needed to go to the city and left them home alone. They stayed in there Crate-XPen area for about 3.5 hours (see pic attached). I came home and they had shredded their Pad. So I cleaned the pad remains up and any accident areas of pee and poop and they stayed with me the rest of the day upstairs in our living room with pads and did well going on them. So Monday morning, yesterday, I woke-up to start their new schedule of being alone during the day. I came downstairs and they had shredded their two pads!!! I mean it was every where! So I cleaned up the mess, gave them fresh pads (2) with the sticky stuff on the bottom and left for work. (In their crate/x-pen area there are chew bones, plush small toys, 2 chew ropes, and 2 cow hooves which seems plenty to play with and 9x out of 10 they want to play with whatever the other one has). I came home from work to find they had done it again. So hubby suggested I tape the pads down, so while they were upstairs with my mom, and not getting in my way, I used painting tape and taped down the pads and disinfected the area and even sprayed bitter apple spray on the pads. Well this morning when I checked in on them, they tore it up through the middle of the pad. The edges were all stuck as I left them with no signs of tampering. They just went in the middle to get it up! UGH!!!
Question:
I know it has only been 7 days, I just want to know are we doing the right thing? Is there anythign we should be doing differently???

2. Feeding Schedule
Background info: They were fed 3x a day. A mix of dry and wet.
Current info: We are on a 2x a day schedule of dry and wet mix that we cleared with the breeder. Once in the morning and once in the evening. We were told to give them a cup of food at each meal. However, since we got them, they have never once finished a cup of food together or seperate in an hour. That is how long we have been leaving the food down for. It appears they finish together, about 1/4 of a cup of food. That makes me feel like giving them 1 hour is not enough time and we are starving them. That means that that eat 1/2 cup each instead of the 1-2 cups they are supposed to eat a day!
Questions:
A. When we feed them, should we leave the food down and just give fresh food at each meal time?
B. If you say to give it to them and take up the food, how long should it stay out for them to eat it?
C. Should we leave water out all day considering how they are not doing so well with the whole pee-pad thing and only serve water during mealtimes and after play?

Thanks to any and everyone for your replies!!! We are being patient and expect no miracles overnight just want to make sure we are doing the right thing for our babes!!!

[NewYorkieMa&Pa]

With the first 4 days of Pee Pad training, please note we were with them constantly. We had those days off, so they were our sole focus and we were able to be there for every squat, tinkle and whatnot... lol

[YorkyKids]

answers in RED.....
[QUOTE=NewYorkieMa&Pa]Hi everyone! Ok WE need some suggestions. I have few things that I am hoping if I explain it correctly I can get some advice. Please note these are 3 month old Yorkies and we KNOW they are not going to do well overnight. I just think maybe we could be doing things better :

1. Pee Pads:
Background info: When we got them, they were trained to go on shreeded paper. So as soon as they were done going potty, the soiled paper was picked up and new paper layed out. So the paper was a place to potty slash something to play with......snip
Question:
I know it has only been 7 days, I just want to know are we doing the right thing? Is there anythign we should be doing differently???

Go to http://www.piddlepads.com and order CLOTH piddle pads....they are so much easier (IMO) and you can wash them. I was there the other day....and the price is going up Dec 1...so now would be the time to order. Lori is very good in responding. If you buy six (6) shipping is free. I think she has the best price on the internet for NEW pads...not the reclaimed ones. You have a very nice setup for the puppies.

2. Feeding Schedule
Background info: They were fed 3x a day. A mix of dry and wet.
Current info: We are on a 2x a day schedule of dry and wet mix that we cleared with the breeder. Once in the morning and once in the evening. We were told to give them a cup of food at each meal.......snip
Questions:
A. When we feed them, should we leave the food down and just give fresh food at each meal time?

Twice a day for wet and dry mixed is good. Yorkies are kinda fickle...they like to eat a piece at a time....they are nibblers.....leave the dry kibble down during the day.

B. If you say to give it to them and take up the food, how long should it stay out for them to eat it?

About 20 to 30 minutes....if you prefer an hour...that's okay too. I just wouldn't want the food to spoil.

C. Should we leave water out all day considering how they are not doing so well with the whole pee-pad thing and only serve water during mealtimes and after play?

Absolutely NOT...do not ever restrict the water intake...they should have fresh water available at all times.

Thanks to any and everyone for your replies!!! We are being patient and expect no miracles overnight just want to make sure we are doing the right thing for our babes!!!

[La_Man]

I hate to brag but the xpen and crate was my setup.

I did it so there won't be any doors from the xpen to crate.

[TLC]

I too have double trouble...Roxy and TJ...They are left home alone for 10-12 hrs - 5 days a week. They are kept in a spare room (their room) with a baby gate. I have had to take cardboard (3-4 ft high) wrapped in fabric and I have outlined the whole room. My two little buggers were chewing on the wood base moulding, the wood door and my wood dressers. So now then are in a 'padded room'. They have their bed, toys, food (free feed dry), water and crate. I leave the radio (jazz) on for them all day. In the corner I have 2 medium sized doggie litter boxes with wee wee pads. When they are home alone - they only use the washable piddlepads in the litter boxes. I have also had to place 3 of them under the two boxes b/c TJ sometimes like to lift his leg and pee down the middle, this way that pee is caught and won't ruin the hard wood floor. When I am home I use the throw away wee wee pads. But I can't begin tell you how many times I would come home to confetti when I only used the throw away ones. Definatly get the piddlepads. I think they become little buggers when they are left alone and get bored. I think I have finally outsmarted them though (I think). The only thing I can't seem to control is them eating their poop. Oh if only they would stop that, all would be good! Good Luck.

Please remember that I also have 'Double Trouble' - Roxy is 1 year old and TJ is 10 months old. I have had them for 6 months now, so if you ever want to talk or ask me something, please feel free to PM. I have been through it all, and I have a funny feeling there is more to come.

P.S. No Matter What - AREN'T THEY THE BEST THING THAT EVER HAPPENED TO YOUR LIVES?

[FirstYorkie]

Originally Posted by NewYorkieMa&Pa

Questions:
A. When we feed them, should we leave the food down and just give fresh food at each meal time?
B. If you say to give it to them and take up the food, how long should it stay out for them to eat it?
C. Should we leave water out all day considering how they are not doing so well with the whole pee-pad thing and only serve water during mealtimes and after play?

Wow! Aren't you the brave one! Two at once! It does sound like fun, though.

To try to answer your questions:
A & B. I only leave food down until they turn their backs on it. Then: poof, it's gone! If you try this strategy, it would be best to feed them several times a day (especially if they're really small). Two times a day may not be enough. Personally, I don't free feed, but alot of people here do. I think breeders actually recommend free-feeding for the really little ones.
C. Yes! Leave fresh water out all the time. I tried limiting Joey's water one day because someone said it would help with housebreaking. All he did was drink it ravenously when I offered it - drank at least as much as he otherwise would have.

Oh, and about the quantity of food. Joey, at 6 months, eats about a cup of food a day total.

[NewYorkieMa&Pa]

Great advice! Thank you all so much!!! It is great hearing that we are doing good things and there are improvments we can make. Makes me so happy to have a great support team here at YT!

[troubletb]

Can I ask how old is the puppy that we are talking about? Mine are 18 weeks and 23 weeks and they are in one cage like the one yours sleeps in and I don;t put wee wee pads in there anymore. Both puppies hold for about 6-7 hours during the day and hold all night from 11pm to 5am.. SO if your s is old enough you might not want the wee wee pad or give him/her that much room.
(just a thought)

[megan_kat22]

C. Should we leave water out all day considering how they are not doing so well with the whole pee-pad thing and only serve water during mealtimes and after play?

Just to let you know, don't limit their water, it can cause bladder pretty bad bladder infections and irritation etc. Good luck, you have a very nice setup and your babies are both beautiful. Wish I could help more, but it looks like everyone has lots of suggestions , so good luck!!!

[Itspuppyluv]

Originally Posted by La_Man

I hate to brag but the xpen and crate was my setup.

I did it so there won't be any doors from the xpen to crate.

Very nice!

I noticed you leave rope toys for them when you aren't there. I know someone who had a puppy - older than yours and a large breed but - it tore the toy apart and ate it. The strings got all caught up in his intestines and they couldn't save him. I don't know how common that is but wanted to pass it along. Good luck, it looks like you are ready for anything.

[Passionfruition]

Originally Posted by NewYorkieMa&Pa

Great advice! Thank you all so much!!! It is great hearing that we are doing good things and there are improvments we can make. Makes me so happy to have a great support team here at YT!

We're so happy to be here for you! This site has been PRICELESS during my first few months as a yorkie owner.......and what the heck, it's priceless for the info and the advice even now! - It's like every other day I have a random question that I find the answers to on YT! The "search" thing is awesome too.

And of course you can't beat our awesome members!