Advice - Potty issues, emotional toll - YorkieTalk.com Forums

samtantha · 05-08-2012, 06:34 AM

Hello all,

I am new here and know I could spend hours searching and reading on potty training, but I can't focus enough to do that. Here's our story - Bella is almost 6 months old, came from a first time accidental breeder. We are having training issues.

I take her to Puppy class and have one line of thought - she's a puppy and some pups are harder to train than others. My husband, won't attend class with us, thinks he trained one dog to go outside and I'm doing it all wrong.

He wants to "correct" her after tha fact, I don't see the point. He wants her to stay in her crate and not pee all day. I want to hire a local gramma to stop in and let them out in the middle of the day.

We've had Bella since she was 4 months old - husband wanted a yorkie. They said she was pad trained, but that's not proven true. We take her outside and we babygate her in our kitchen when we can't watch her. In the kitchen she has a pee pad, toys, bed and water. It seems she'll drink so much; then won't pee outside. Only to return to the kitchen and pee on the floor.

Now, Bella has become "my dog". My husband has said a couple times she needs a new home. I'm having a really hard time with this. However after typing this maybe he's right. I mean, if he doesn't love her like I do, then she does deserve better.

I have a vet appointment on Saturday - so they can help me collect a sterile pee sample. I want to rule out any medical related issues. Perhaps this post was just to help me, make the choice do what's best in the long term - for her and not for me.

Thanks for listening.

chachi · 05-08-2012, 09:05 AM

You are right and your Husband is incorrect. You cant correct after the fact they dont understand that. Also shes a puppy and cant hold her pee all day her bladder is undeveloped aND cant handle that. I believe in positive reinforcement giving treats and praise when you get them to go where you want them to. When you are home tether her leash to you so she wont have any accidents and take her out every hour and especially after she eats or plays. There are many homes where the yorkie is the wifes dog I dont think you have to rehome her because your husband doesnt feel the same towards her as you.

rubymoon2072 · 05-08-2012, 09:28 AM

it took me almost 6 months to train cedric and then he started marking. at almost 9 months he was neutered and he is now fully trained. i still tell him what a good boy he is when i see him coming off of his pee pad. you have to watch them....and watch them and watch them. when you see them going on the floor you pick them up and sternly say no potty on the floor potty on the pad while placing them on the pad. when they finish you give major praise. i never used treats because i felt it was necessity for him to potty in the right place. but i tell you when you make a big deal and say what a good boy for going on your potty pads well hes the proudest lil guy around! be sure your cleaning accidents with an enzyme spray as to be sure to get rid of the odor completely. which you might already be doing just wanted to be sure. it takes a lot of time, consistency, positive praise and patience and i would not make them wait all day to pee. that is just too long for a yorkie to go. i hope your husband comes to understand yorkies are very smart and with the proper reinforcement they will pick it up it just takes time. good luck i hope it works out.

samtantha · 05-08-2012, 10:24 AM

Thank you for your replies.

I do use an emphimize(sp?) spray to clean up after her, in her crate or on the kitchen floor. When I clean my kitchen floors in general, I give it once over with the stuff - just in case I missed something.

We use cheerios as rewards. When we are outside and she gets it right I give her a cherrio and then we run through the yard back to the house. When I take her out, I stand like a tree - so she knows it's not playtime. She enjoys sniffing and eatting flowers/grass - so the yard is like a buffet at times. You can easily be out there 5 mins before she does what she should.

When I am home, I do take her out every 30 mins - unless we are snuggling on the couch and she's sleeping (then once an hour). My husband and I argue because I won't yell after an accident. When they happen, I feel it's mostly my fault - because I got distracted and didn't notice how much time had passed.

I'm not one to give up or wave the white flag; but I am tired of feeling so alone in this and having no support. I almost hope there is a medical issue - because then it's treatable and perhaps my husband will have a change of heart sooner.

Even the groomer was shocked at home much she pee'ed when she was there last week. 3 times and they don't let them drink. Plus, she pee'd before we got in the car to go there.

She's pee'd on my husband, twice. Once was just last week. He won't interact with her. Tonight, I take our other dog (7 year old yorkie poo) to class, so he'll be home with Bella alone. If there a shooting stare, I'd wish he could see her though my eyes and understand what you've both said. Yorkies take time to train and puppies don't know why you yell after the fact.

I apprciate you two taking the time to respond. God knows, I need all the support and emotional strength.

jeanm1963 · 05-08-2012, 10:29 AM

Your going to have to decide to train her to pee outside or inside? I think its hard to do both! If you are gone all day Id say its not to possible to have her pee outside, My dog is trained outside but Ill be honest and say , IT WAS ALOT OF WORK. I was not working when I got her so I got up every two hours and this includes winter, rainy snowy etc nights and stayed out until she peed, then I gave her a 1 MILLION dollar treat! ( boiled chicken or a piece of a turkey hot dog) .
If you want to train her inside , Id buy a pen or baby play yard and make a smaller area for her to play with just enough room to play , bed toy and pee pads , Id place the pee pads at one end and her bed at the other, most likely she wont pee in her bed area and she will go to the pee pads, if you keep it like this for a few weeks she will get used to and know her pee area. When you let her out to play keep the gate open and a few different times bring her to her pee pad and say good girl if she pee's, reward with praise and a awesome TREAT. Keep her confined to that area when you can't watch her, but make sure you take her out to play etc.. IMO its not fair to crate a dog all day nor can she hold it that long.

ritapatt · 05-08-2012, 11:03 AM

My Ziva is a 7 lb, 3 year old yorkie that has a very small bladder. She holds about 1 to 1 1/2 Tablespoons of urine before she overflows- it was not easy to train her, she was almost 1 year old.We still have to be careful to give her plenty of opportunities to go.
Our 10 month old, almost 7 lb, Abby seems to have a much better capacity and is able to hold more altho she will still have an excitement/scared accident rather easily.
I wondered how large was the dog that your husband trained?

samtantha · 05-08-2012, 11:13 AM

Our other dog is now about 10lbs; so double the size of our 4.3 lbs yorkie, plus some. I have tried explaining and leaving print outs on the counter from vet web sites and such. But it's a wall. It's just hard for me to even consider.

I thought I replied before with some info, but I don't see it. If some things end up double, it was not intentional. In the perfect world she would go "outside" vs the pee pad. When I am home, I do watch her like a hawk. When I can't watch her, she's baby gated in the kitchen and I'll take her outside every 30 mins or so.

Even when we are snuggleing (aka: tv time), I'll take her out once an hour.

Thank you all for your responses, I truly appricate them. I am not one to quit or thrown up the white flag; so I am having a very hard time with all of this. I know it will sound bad to read, but part of me hopes there is something medical here - because then it's treatable. Maybe then he'll have a change of perspective.

05-08-2012, 06:34 AM	#1
samtantha YorkieTalk Newbie! Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Finleyville, PA, US Posts: 6	Advice - Potty issues, emotional toll Hello all, I am new here and know I could spend hours searching and reading on potty training, but I can't focus enough to do that. Here's our story - Bella is almost 6 months old, came from a first time accidental breeder. We are having training issues. I take her to Puppy class and have one line of thought - she's a puppy and some pups are harder to train than others. My husband, won't attend class with us, thinks he trained one dog to go outside and I'm doing it all wrong. He wants to "correct" her after tha fact, I don't see the point. He wants her to stay in her crate and not pee all day. I want to hire a local gramma to stop in and let them out in the middle of the day. We've had Bella since she was 4 months old - husband wanted a yorkie. They said she was pad trained, but that's not proven true. We take her outside and we babygate her in our kitchen when we can't watch her. In the kitchen she has a pee pad, toys, bed and water. It seems she'll drink so much; then won't pee outside. Only to return to the kitchen and pee on the floor. Now, Bella has become "my dog". My husband has said a couple times she needs a new home. I'm having a really hard time with this. However after typing this maybe he's right. I mean, if he doesn't love her like I do, then she does deserve better. I have a vet appointment on Saturday - so they can help me collect a sterile pee sample. I want to rule out any medical related issues. Perhaps this post was just to help me, make the choice do what's best in the long term - for her and not for me. Thanks for listening.

05-08-2012, 09:05 AM	#2
chachi I Love My Yorkies Donating Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Indianapolis, Indiana Posts: 37,147	You are right and your Husband is incorrect. You cant correct after the fact they dont understand that. Also shes a puppy and cant hold her pee all day her bladder is undeveloped aND cant handle that. I believe in positive reinforcement giving treats and praise when you get them to go where you want them to. When you are home tether her leash to you so she wont have any accidents and take her out every hour and especially after she eats or plays. There are many homes where the yorkie is the wifes dog I dont think you have to rehome her because your husband doesnt feel the same towards her as you. __________________ Chachi's & Jewels Mom Jewels http://www.dogster.com/?132431 Chachi http://www.dogster.com/?132427

05-08-2012, 09:28 AM	#3
rubymoon2072 Cedric♥Lola♥Keylo Donating Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Gilford, NH, USA Posts: 9,209	it took me almost 6 months to train cedric and then he started marking. at almost 9 months he was neutered and he is now fully trained. i still tell him what a good boy he is when i see him coming off of his pee pad. you have to watch them....and watch them and watch them. when you see them going on the floor you pick them up and sternly say no potty on the floor potty on the pad while placing them on the pad. when they finish you give major praise. i never used treats because i felt it was necessity for him to potty in the right place. but i tell you when you make a big deal and say what a good boy for going on your potty pads well hes the proudest lil guy around! be sure your cleaning accidents with an enzyme spray as to be sure to get rid of the odor completely. which you might already be doing just wanted to be sure. it takes a lot of time, consistency, positive praise and patience and i would not make them wait all day to pee. that is just too long for a yorkie to go. i hope your husband comes to understand yorkies are very smart and with the proper reinforcement they will pick it up it just takes time. good luck i hope it works out. __________________ Cedric N Lola N Keylo RIP Punkee Princess

05-08-2012, 10:29 AM	#5
jeanm1963 Donating YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Weymouth, Ma Posts: 2,584	Your going to have to decide to train her to pee outside or inside? I think its hard to do both! If you are gone all day Id say its not to possible to have her pee outside, My dog is trained outside but Ill be honest and say , IT WAS ALOT OF WORK. I was not working when I got her so I got up every two hours and this includes winter, rainy snowy etc nights and stayed out until she peed, then I gave her a 1 MILLION dollar treat! ( boiled chicken or a piece of a turkey hot dog) . If you want to train her inside , Id buy a pen or baby play yard and make a smaller area for her to play with just enough room to play , bed toy and pee pads , Id place the pee pads at one end and her bed at the other, most likely she wont pee in her bed area and she will go to the pee pads, if you keep it like this for a few weeks she will get used to and know her pee area. When you let her out to play keep the gate open and a few different times bring her to her pee pad and say good girl if she pee's, reward with praise and a awesome TREAT. Keep her confined to that area when you can't watch her, but make sure you take her out to play etc.. IMO its not fair to crate a dog all day nor can she hold it that long. __________________ I Support http://www.yorkiesinc.com/

05-08-2012, 10:24 AM	#4
samtantha YorkieTalk Newbie! Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Finleyville, PA, US Posts: 6	Thank you for your replies. I do use an emphimize(sp?) spray to clean up after her, in her crate or on the kitchen floor. When I clean my kitchen floors in general, I give it once over with the stuff - just in case I missed something. We use cheerios as rewards. When we are outside and she gets it right I give her a cherrio and then we run through the yard back to the house. When I take her out, I stand like a tree - so she knows it's not playtime. She enjoys sniffing and eatting flowers/grass - so the yard is like a buffet at times. You can easily be out there 5 mins before she does what she should. When I am home, I do take her out every 30 mins - unless we are snuggling on the couch and she's sleeping (then once an hour). My husband and I argue because I won't yell after an accident. When they happen, I feel it's mostly my fault - because I got distracted and didn't notice how much time had passed. I'm not one to give up or wave the white flag; but I am tired of feeling so alone in this and having no support. I almost hope there is a medical issue - because then it's treatable and perhaps my husband will have a change of heart sooner. Even the groomer was shocked at home much she pee'ed when she was there last week. 3 times and they don't let them drink. Plus, she pee'd before we got in the car to go there. She's pee'd on my husband, twice. Once was just last week. He won't interact with her. Tonight, I take our other dog (7 year old yorkie poo) to class, so he'll be home with Bella alone. If there a shooting stare, I'd wish he could see her though my eyes and understand what you've both said. Yorkies take time to train and puppies don't know why you yell after the fact. I apprciate you two taking the time to respond. God knows, I need all the support and emotional strength.

05-08-2012, 11:03 AM	#6
ritapatt YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Merritt Island,FL Posts: 1,400	My Ziva is a 7 lb, 3 year old yorkie that has a very small bladder. She holds about 1 to 1 1/2 Tablespoons of urine before she overflows- it was not easy to train her, she was almost 1 year old.We still have to be careful to give her plenty of opportunities to go. Our 10 month old, almost 7 lb, Abby seems to have a much better capacity and is able to hold more altho she will still have an excitement/scared accident rather easily. I wondered how large was the dog that your husband trained?

05-08-2012, 11:13 AM	#7
samtantha YorkieTalk Newbie! Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Finleyville, PA, US Posts: 6	Our other dog is now about 10lbs; so double the size of our 4.3 lbs yorkie, plus some. I have tried explaining and leaving print outs on the counter from vet web sites and such. But it's a wall. It's just hard for me to even consider. I thought I replied before with some info, but I don't see it. If some things end up double, it was not intentional. In the perfect world she would go "outside" vs the pee pad. When I am home, I do watch her like a hawk. When I can't watch her, she's baby gated in the kitchen and I'll take her outside every 30 mins or so. Even when we are snuggleing (aka: tv time), I'll take her out once an hour. Thank you all for your responses, I truly appricate them. I am not one to quit or thrown up the white flag; so I am having a very hard time with all of this. I know it will sound bad to read, but part of me hopes there is something medical here - because then it's treatable. Maybe then he'll have a change of perspective.