Potty training...Help!

[Tricepextension]

Hi all,

My newest addition, Charlie, is now 9mos. We used paper training when we first got him (he was already trained for it) until he had all of his shots. We then transitioned to outside potty (he still has paper down in the bathroom, but NEVER uses is). He has a bell to ring to ask to go out -- and he is WELL aware that he can ring it to go outside (he likes to do this quite often). He will hold poop and pee all night (~8hrs) and do both outside when my husband let's him out.

I would say 70% of the time he rings the bell or just holds his pee until I take him out (though some days he has more accidents than others). However, he WILL NOT poop outside except in the morning after he wakes up. He always goes inside. When I catch him in the act and holler for him to go out, he will run to the door and if he hasn't gone by then will sometimes finish outside.

I have had dogs my whole life (and have 4 others currently -- they are all housebroken). Any thoughts on how to push my little boy over to not having any accidents?

(They are on a regular eating schedule, but he seems to just poop whenever he wants, no regular time. And I work from home, so he gets to go out at least once an hour).

[kalega]

I am having the same problems. My boy is also 9 months old and I started off with pad training because it was January and he was only 2#. When the weather warmed up I started with outdoor training. I also have the bell on the door. He has never asked to out. He also can hold it all night and goes where he is supposed to in the morning but the evenings are the problem. He (or me) is probably 80% trained and I am getting tired of cleaning up the accidents. I am thinking of trying a belly band. Anyone have any belly band recommendations? I knew Yorkies were tough to house break, but I didn't think it would take this long. It's a good thing he is so cute!

[kalega]

I bought the belly band for my 9 month old and it is working great. He has not peed in the belly band and he hasn't had an accident in the house either. It is as if by wearing the band he won't pee. He actually went to the door to ask to go out! He really only wears the band in the evening - the time of day he had the most accidents. The only issue is he hates the velcro sound of the band being removed. I'm very surprised that it is working this way - so far.

[maryj]

I have also used the belly band. But my boy doesn't like being wrapped up, but after having accidents I started using again. It only works when it's on- So I don't see how this will help potty train him.
I am so discouraged with him. I basically will use a pad, but I am trying to eliminate it. I can't drag it to the door because it is upstairs.
Has anyone purchased that book from a website that claims to have all the secrets to potty training a yorkie?

[Lookingforone]

Same problem here! Pees on the pad and poops a couple inches away from it. I pick up the poop and put it on the pad so he sees that is where it's meant to be. They have this spray that you can spray on the grass and helps them potty there. Dogs tend to poop around 30min. after eating, so plan a trip outside at that time.

[Piddle Place]

Originally Posted by Tricepextension

Hi all,

My newest addition, Charlie, is now 9mos. We used paper training when we first got him (he was already trained for it) until he had all of his shots. We then transitioned to outside potty (he still has paper down in the bathroom, but NEVER uses is). He has a bell to ring to ask to go out -- and he is WELL aware that he can ring it to go outside (he likes to do this quite often). He will hold poop and pee all night (~8hrs) and do both outside when my husband let's him out.

I would say 70% of the time he rings the bell or just holds his pee until I take him out (though some days he has more accidents than others). However, he WILL NOT poop outside except in the morning after he wakes up. He always goes inside. When I catch him in the act and holler for him to go out, he will run to the door and if he hasn't gone by then will sometimes finish outside.

I have had dogs my whole life (and have 4 others currently -- they are all housebroken). Any thoughts on how to push my little boy over to not having any accidents?

(They are on a regular eating schedule, but he seems to just poop whenever he wants, no regular time. And I work from home, so he gets to go out at least once an hour).

Aw Charlie, shame on you! But what a smart dog to ring a bell!!! Does he only ring it to go outside to the bathroom, or does he abuse the right when there are lizards to be chased?

I ask that you be a bit careful in hollering at him when you catch him "going" on the floor. So many dogs make the connection that you are hollering for seeing them "go" and they will hide behind the sofa and do their business instead

Assuming that Charlie does not have a bladder infection, or is sick to his little tummy, he sounds like he just needs a bit more encouragement. Its great you work from home, and can be there for him. When we train dogs, we first learn to speak a common language. Like your bell (great communication) Does he understand the term "go potty? Do you ever reward him and say "go potty" when you see him pooping outside?

I had a dog owner that also had 6 other dogs, and her dog would poop inside. What was happening is that while the one dog was in the middle of doing his "business" the other dogs would all jump around and knock him down. All he wanted was a peaceful place to "close the bathroom door" for a minute. Are your dogs all out at the same time?

[Piddle Place]

Originally Posted by Piddle Place

Aw Charlie, shame on you! But what a smart dog to ring a bell!!! Does he only ring it to go outside to the bathroom, or does he abuse the right when there are lizards to be chased?

I ask that you be a bit careful in hollering at him when you catch him "going" on the floor. So many dogs make the connection that you are hollering for seeing them "go" and they will hide behind the sofa and do their business instead

Assuming that Charlie does not have a bladder infection, or is sick to his little tummy, he sounds like he just needs a bit more encouragement. Its great you work from home, and can be there for him. When we train dogs, we first learn to speak a common language. Like your bell (great communication) Does he understand the term "go potty? Do you ever reward him and say "go potty" when you see him pooping outside?

I had a dog owner that also had 6 other dogs, and her dog would poop inside. What was happening is that while the one dog was in the middle of doing his "business" the other dogs would all jump around and knock him down. All he wanted was a peaceful place to "close the bathroom door" for a minute. Are your dogs all out at the same time?

And a quick disclaimer...... we are a company called the Piddle Place I have Yorkie, and she was not able to wait 9 hours for me to walk her, so we invented this for her. Piddle Place is a not for profit company and profits and donations go to shelters. I have learned so much about housebreaking from speaking with thousands of customers, I hope to share their success with others. What works, what doesn't. Every dog is different, and they all just want to please us. The problem is always in finding a way to communicate....if only we spoke Yorkeeeessee. I thank you all for allowing me to comment on housebreaking issues, please don't take this as pushing our product...maybe I should change our name here??? I volunteer at our shelter here, and the number one reason people bring us their dogs is housebreaking.

[Piddle Place]

Originally Posted by Lookingforone

Same problem here! Pees on the pad and poops a couple inches away from it. I pick up the poop and put it on the pad so he sees that is where it's meant to be. They have this spray that you can spray on the grass and helps them potty there. Dogs tend to poop around 30min. after eating, so plan a trip outside at that time.

This is really common! I'd say at least 10% of dogs will not pee and poop in the same place. Those sprays sort of work, most are denatured dog urine. The real thing works better! To attract a dog, we recommend heading to your local shelter or dog day care with a napkin and a ziplock bag. I promise, nothing works better. It sounds terrible, but you will only need to do it once. Place the napkin in a puddle (they're everywhere, watch your step) then place the napkin in a ziplock. When you get home, place a pinprick hole in the bag. You wont smell anything, but your dog will. They have very sensitive noses. Place the bag under the mat or in the location you want then to "go" Hope this helps improve their aim

[Tricepextension]

Thanks for the replies!

So, Charlie has gotten to about 90% with his peeing outside. He does know "go potty" as he will pee outside when I tell him to "go potty". And he always gets a treat right after (although, I'm pretty sure he likes to just get his siblings to chase him with the treat rather than actually eat it).

Holler may have been the wrong word haha. If I catch him inside I usually say, "no, potty outside" and go open the door -- and he will run outside. He always gets super bonus treats if he poops outside, but really could care less.

I guess maybe just giving him some more time to learn that poop goes outside with his pee will be the key :-)

[Brae]

I have just been through something similar. My dog always asks to go out to pee and I thought to poo also, but I found she was going poo in my daughter's closet some of the time!! I realized I do not always keep her out long enough to finish her business and she thinks it is ok to go both outside and in the closet. I kept all the doors closed and watched her more closely for a while and when I take her out to pee I walk a little more to a different spot and give her extra time and she has been going poo outside now. So, my advise is give your dog more time to go when you take him out and he will realize he needs to do both outdoors.

[dawn27]

I would suggest getting on a regular feeding schedule (no free feeding) if you do and as soon as he has eaten take him right outside for potty time. Getting him into a eating and potty routine will help tremendously. Make potty time a good thing by rewarding him for going outside and peeing & poo-ing Give tons of praise, and a tiny treat like a Cheerio when he does his business. Also get him excited about going outside for potty time . . The works "lets go outside and go potty" should get him excited about wanting to go out, potty and please You .

[Tricepextension]

Oh my gosh, Brae -- I read your reply and it seems SO simple! I had been rushing him inside for treats right after he pees. So, I started leaving him out longer, and he's pooping outside now too! Not 100% yet, but he is going out there! I can't believe I just wasn't giving him the time!

[Brae]

Oh I am so happy I could help! It does seem simple, but it took me a while to figure out, that's for sure. What a difference though when they are house trained, and you understand what they need, right?! Now, how to stop the crazy barking fits....