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Old 03-12-2005, 02:12 AM   #1
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Am new to the forum ... in fact, I don't own a dog yet. Am researching prior to selecting a pet. Main criteria for me is size - want VERY small which is why chihuahua was my first choice until research raised about 100 red flags re: amount of time it takes to potty train them. I stuck with it though - was convinced this was the breed for me (affectionate, portable, easy to travel with) but in the end, there were TOO MANY testimonials about it taking more than a year to housebreak and even after that length of time, many reported consistant "accidents." I'm patient, but I know I don't have a year's worth of patience for what other breeds manage to accomplish (potty training) in a month or so. So my next choice is Yorkie - very very cute - still small and easy to take places/join me when I travel. I've clicked on this forum and read a few entries, however, I don't want to read further because it seems that these forums are used to seek help in solving problems. I'm looking for GOOD NEWS!!!! I don't want to hear about problems in potty training (although certainly if it's equally as impossible to house break a yorkie as it is a chi, then I should know that!) Assuming of course that any puppy will have accidents and cannot be expected to control its bladder consistently if under 3-6 months of age ... I'd like to know if housebreaking a yorkie takes a reasonable amount of time. What's reasonable? Hmmm ... most of my friends who have "muts" say with crate training, it took about a month - some a little more - some a little less. This, I can live with, but months and months and months (a whole year!) of peeing in the house and ruining carpets is not a scenario I relish (nor that my husband would tolerate). I owned a basset once - took about a month to housebreak - was a dream after that - no more accidents. Have owned other dogs growing up as a child - don't remember the ever-present smell of pee in the house - seemed housebreaking always occurred in a reasonable amount of time. Soooo .... my question about yorkies is: Generally speaking, on the whole or average (if they're 3-6 months old) with consistent training, can they be (for the most part) potty trained within a month's time (give or take a few weeks)? I suppose my previous statement about not wanting to hear about problems was a silly statement to make - all I want is the truth! Will I spend more than 1-2 months housebreaking a yorkie? Thanks in advance for any info you can share. I live overseas so I really want a dog I can travel with! Jan
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Old 03-12-2005, 04:43 AM   #2
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Hi Jan and welcome to Yorkie Talk. If there is one thing I have learned both from my own dogs and reading other people's stories here, no two dogs are alike. Some catch on quickly, others not so much.

I think it's great that you are doing your research before purchasing. But I'm going to have to give you bad news. ANY dog can be hard to housebreak.

Best case senario, you get a dog from a breeder that has already started training before you bring your dog home. Usually that makes it a little easier. But again, these guys all have such different personalities there's really no way any one can tell you how long it will take to train a particular dog.

One reason that I read that small dogs are so hard to housebreak is, since their accidents are so "tiny" in comparison to larger breeds, people tend to overlook them more than they would in another case. But then get upset when the puppy is older and is making bigger messes.

I've had my puppy, Tia for almost a month now and she is not even close to completely potty trained. She is 4 months old and has accidents everyday. I bought a good carpet cleaner, a spray that gets rid of the scent, and clean my carpets once a week. I'm very consistant with her, she just hasn't "gotten" it yet. Compared to a Yorkie I had as a child, she is moving very slowly. THAT Yorkie "got" it right away and didn't have ANY accidents after a month. Same training method, different dog.

There's always the chance that it will take a while to potty train a puppy, but usually once it clicks for them, it's there forever. There may be the occasional accident, but usually that isn't their fault.

If potty training is a huge issue for you, you might want to consider adopting an older dog from either a rescue group or a shelter. My older dog, Sandy is a rescue and came to me completely potty trained. The only accidents she has had is when she has been sick. So, that may be another way to go.

Whew - hope this was at least a little helpful to you

Good luck!
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Old 03-12-2005, 04:52 AM   #3
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I've heard so many different things about potty training and of course it always depends on the individual dog.

Hercules is about 6 1/2 months and I think for about the last month he has really started to understand. I think that has also coincided with his bladder growing and gaining some bladder control. I think that's why it's so hard when they are young, they are just so small and don't have that control quite yet.

Honestly, going into potty training and getting a puppy, I didn't expect any miracles until 9 months to a year. Maybe I was following the worst case scenario. So now that Hercules is 6 months and doing so well, I'm extremely happy. But I'm still cautious.

Crate training is what I've used and I swear by it. I think it's great.

Another thing to think about is whether or not to use pee pads. Hercules is going outside, but when I started and was reading how well others were doing with pee pads, it seriously made me doubt my method. But I stuck with it and he's doing great.

Good luck, I hope this helps some.
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Old 03-12-2005, 06:43 AM   #4
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I would also suggest getting a grown Yorkie. To be honest with you, I think this breed is harder to potty train than some others. Of course there are exceptions, but Yorkies have a reputation for difficulty in potty training.

Try looking on www.puppyfind.com, www.yorkshireterrierrescue.com, you can probably find a nice grown up dog that needs a home.
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Old 03-12-2005, 07:11 AM   #5
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You want the truth? Well, all dogs are different, but in general I think Yorkies take a lot of patience and it sounds a Yorkie puppy may not be the best choice for you. Not only can they be hard to housebreak, but they are a bundle of energy. I've been working with my pup for 7 weeks now...and he just peed in my house. I'm here all day with him too and watch him like a hawk.

I agree with Brandy in that I didn't really expect anything from my pup for at least a year because of everything I read. Everyone gave good advice about getting one that's older and already housebroken.
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Old 03-12-2005, 09:34 AM   #6
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My husband I also watch Esme like a hawk. I swear, I don't let her out of my sight! But, it happens so fast and before you can get the word 'no' out of your mouth, there is pee on the floor!
We have had her for about a month and a half. And for the most part, she knows what to do... BUT we still have frequent accidents. Today, we have had two and it's only noon...
It's all about patience and persistence. Good luck on whatever you decide... but from what I have read about yorkies, they can be a bit difficult (but so worth it)!
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Old 03-12-2005, 09:52 AM   #7
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Ditto what everyone else has said. We all adore our Yorkies, but most of us also came into Yorkie ownership with eyes wide open. Yorkies are difficult to housebreak. I'm home with Bo almost every day, all day, (he's 4 1/2 months old) and he has accidents at least once a day. It's frustrating. If you aren't able to commit the time and patience to a hard housebreaking chore, don't get a Yorkie. But I think most would agree, to have that little bundle of joy in your life, it's worth it. Yorkies are special!
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Old 03-12-2005, 10:13 AM   #8
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Higgins will go along just fine and not pee in the house. Then he hits a period where he will pee three times a day in the house! He is now 15 months old. We are retired, experienced dog owners who give him LOTS of attention. He is good when he remembers and wants to be good. It's a good thing he's soooooo cute........

Honestly, I don't think a cute, but often stubborn, little Yorkie is for you. Takes LOTS of patience and LOTS of forgiveness to be a Yorkie mom.
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Old 03-12-2005, 03:01 PM   #9
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Higgins- I definitely agree with your post. These yorkies are stubborn little buggers and it takes patience, patience, patience. I quess my question would be are you going to have that kind of patience when a yorkie was not your first choice of dog?? From what I've read most small breeds can be more difficult to potty train not just Yorkies or Chihauhas. If you decide on a yorkie you also have to understand they are full of alot of energy since they are a terrier.
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Old 03-12-2005, 03:30 PM   #10
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Yorkies are hard to potty train. I have a 1 year old and it's constantly I have to clean up. So if hubby won't have it then, you don't need it. IMO, it sounds like maybe you just want a york, and I don't blame you but it's not a yorkshire your buying. It's a yorkshire TERRIER. They tear apart paper, pee on rugs, get into tissue, love trash. I agree with Higgin's mom. This isn't the breed for you--if you want small you have to be willing to take the good with the bad. These people on the board are not lying--you will buy what you want but DO NOT dump this dog at a shelter when you can't handle all the crazy things these babies do. >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Takes LOTS of patience and LOTS of forgiveness to be a Yorkie mom.<<<<<<<<Boy you can say that again.
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Old 03-12-2005, 03:34 PM   #11
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Jan - I've put up MANY posts about this before and even a poll asking people to rate what are their primary concerns/issues training Yorkies and sorry to say the overwheliming issue IShousebreaking. But it isn't just Yorkies or Chis, or Italian Greyhounds, it's common among all toy dogs. My friends have a Pug and as their residient dog "expert" they are constantly telling me tails of woe about pee-peed up rugs, furniture, even shoes. If you want an easily trained, housebroken dog, you are probably best to stay far away from the Toy Group. Little dogs have little bladders. They will need constant vigiliance and a lot of time and patience simply because they cannot hold it in as long as a big dog. Most of this group, too, you must understand, were not developed as working dogs (the Yorkie, actually is an exception here as they were ratters originally). These are dogs that are not what we call "bitable" like a hunting or working group dog, developed to follow commands. So training just isn't always so easy.

What's more, the choice of withholding food from them is not really an option because a small Toy puppy can easily become hypoglycemic of dehydrated that way.

I applaud you for doing your research first and, as a caveout, I agree with the people who say each dog is different. I have one Yorkie who is absolutly saintly when it comes to housebreaking and will wake me up from a dead sleep and race to the front door to beg to be let outside before ever going inside. I have another one who pooped in her crate for four months before I gave up on crate training and go an exercise pen which was big enough to keep her from stepping her poop and making a mess of herself.

I am completly devoted to Yorkies and can tell you a hundred different things about how wonderful they are but if you are someone who wants a clean house, this Toy terrier may not be the dog for you.
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Old 03-12-2005, 05:27 PM   #12
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im gonna agree with everyone here all dogs are different and it also depends on the owner too i decided to get a puppy cause i am home all day and all i have to do is take care of him brownie and kayko were both potty trained in a couple days to a week if im doing something they will let me know by barking at me or poking me or scratching at the door there are always signs if you have the time to keep on top of the puppy then get one its all about you not the puppy if you let him go in the house cause you dont wanna get up or you say i didnt see him then you werent watching the puppy then it should be in its crate it shouldnt go in there no puppy should be left alone no matter what you decide good luck
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Old 03-12-2005, 05:28 PM   #13
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Oh Have You Thought Of Mabee Getting A Poodle There Are Toy Ones That Are Very Little They Are The Smartest Breed Im Getiing One :d
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