Really ?????? - YorkieTalk.com Forums

Jan Stanton · 03-16-2005, 03:29 AM

Have been flipping around on this forum, reading this and that ... just read an entry from a member who was trying to find more info about a chocolate colored yorkie she had, which she termed "rare." Lots of discussion ensued about the rarity of her dog .... and one entry in particular caught my eye ... "The only thing "rare" about a yorkie is if they're unspoiled and 100% potty trained!" My question is REALLY? You mean it's rare for a yorkie to EVER be 100% potty trained? I'm in the process of selecting the type of dog I want to buy this summer, and so far Yorkie is at the top of my list, but this comment about it being rare to be 100% potty trained scares me a little. I'm sure I would love the dog, but who would knowingly take an animal into their house if they knew it would always and forever pee and poop all over their carpet and furniture and never be 100% potty trained?!!! I have to admit I'm a little discouraged. I was sold on getting a chihuahua until I read too many testimonials from people talking about their chi's being a year or older and still not potty trained. Then I began researching yorkies - gosh, who wouldn't love them just by looking at them! But I'm starting to get the "heebie-jeebies" again about the length of time it takes to potty train them. Really - is a couple of months not a reasonable amount of time to expect a dog to get the hang of potty training? I know all dogs are different and some get it right away and some take longer ..... I guess I just have the pre-purchase jitters and am afraid I'll end up with a dog that takes bloody FOREVER to potty train! Has anyone out there had GOOD success with potty training or does EVERYONE struggle with this for months and months and months and years? Thanks for the info ....!!! Jan

bld2751 · 03-16-2005, 04:42 AM

In my opinion, potty training is definitely the number one issue with yorkies. My little boy is only 6 1/2 months, so I can really only give you a partial picture with my experience.

First off, I entered my relationship with him not expecting him to make great strides in this area until around 1. I just did not want to get frustrated with him at any time over potty training, so I set what I thought was a reasonable time table.

Potty training takes constant attention and being able to anticipate the dog's needs. That was key for me. Also, it's gotten better with time because his bladder has been growing and he's starting to get bladder control.

At 5 months I noticed that he was really getting the hang of it, and understood that he was supposed to go outside - he would go and jump up at the door. However, he still does have accidents. He can go a week without one, but still he has them.

Good luck, I'm sure you'll get some better responses too..

monyka415 · 03-16-2005, 05:28 AM

Tommy is 5 months on the 20th. I have had him for almost 2 months he uses the potty pads he gets it most of the time already. But if he forgets I spray (spray and wash on the floor I have no oders of a dog in my house.) If he pops it like the size of a quarter so it no big deal i just try to keep a eye on him, to catch him..lol he is doing really good so far

My son off the subject to for ever to potty train.lol

he was alittle over 3 but how could you not love them.I just treat my Tommy like my son sounds alittle crazy but he is my son. My husband and myself do not want any more children so I had gotten a DOG if that what you want to call him..lol I think they just are rotten sometimes and do what they want..lol Once you see one you fall so it love with it, you won't care how long it takes. Yorkies are the best and they don't shead. They are the sweetest kindest little boys and girls you will ever meet. Just my opion. Good luck. I am still new to being a yorkie mom also.

Carters Mom · 03-16-2005, 05:29 AM

When Carter came to live with us from his breeder, he was 24 weeks old. He was already trained to use a doggie door. I don't have a fenced yard and therefore couldn't use that method. Within a week, he could make it through the night without needing to potty.

He is 36 weeks old now and is 99.99% potty trained. When its raining (which is often where we live), he uses the potty pad near the door we exit to go outside for his business. Otherwise, we go outside periodically during the day and he eliminates on command.

I am home almost 24/7 with him so I can see to his needs. When I do have to leave him home alone, he doesn't stray from his training.

debi_s · 03-16-2005, 05:45 AM

I think you will find that that majority of the folks on this board tend to have young puppies....thus ths issue of pottie training becomes the primary problem when not discussing symptoms of illness.
Most people search out the board while preparing to buy a new puppy or have gotten a puppy which has developed some kind of illness.

If this question goes out to only folks with older dogs I think you will find most are 99% potty trained with the other 1% being 'accidents' related to unexpected situations.
My former yorkie died at age 13 and in his later life developed some pee-ing issues with I later learned were his early sx of diabetes. Otherwise he was totally trained and actually would worry me to go in and out so much.

I also have a chihuahua....(my "de-fault" yorkie) which will be 1 year old in late April. She was the most incredibly easy puppy to paper train I have ever had in my life!!!!!!! I had heard the same thing about chihuahuas.

Any puppy will need some type/method of potty training and I don't think yorkies are any worse or any better than other breeds. I will admit the adorable nature, personality and great looks tend to make me overlook most accidents or issues with potty training. Lil Bit is still young..4 1/2 months, but she is making progress everyday.......and most mistakes are her attempts at using the paper....like getting 2 feet on and back feet off.....or that "walking poop" thing most dogs do.

Good luck in your search for answers to this question.....I'm sure many folks will have other thoughts for you.

But I still vote for yorkie anyday.......but I do LOVE my chi, too!!!!!

Trevor's Mom · 03-16-2005, 08:24 AM

My Trevor will be 5 months next week, and I would say he is 99.99% housebroken. But we live where he can go outside, year round, and comes and goes when he wants to. I don't have a doggy door yet, but the weather has been nice, so I can leave my back door half opened during the day while I am at work. He has access to the whole house and never bothers anything or goes anywhere in the house. In the evening when we get home and close the door, he goes and sits by the door and if we don't notice him right away (which we usually do) he will whimper to go out.

Now that all said and it sounds wonderful.... I did have a helper training him. He follows my 2 yo rat terrier everywhere, so he learned very quickly about the in and out thing. If he was an only dog and had to stay locked up in a gated room during the day while I work, I don't know how fast the training would have been.

Good luck in your decision.... yorkies are WONDERFUL!

Cyndie
Trevor's Mom

browniesmom622 · 03-16-2005, 09:03 AM

dont take this as being mean but there are like 5 threads on this if you look threw them evey dog is different brownie was trained from day one some people dogs are 5 and still arent trained look threw the past ones

yorkieagility · 03-16-2005, 09:05 AM

The issue isn't just a yorkie problem but a small dog problem. It seem like small dog are harder to potty train than larger dogs. But it isn't impossible and there are even yorkies out there that are 99% potty trained after being told a few times. The other 1% is definitely being left to 'accidents' related to unexpected situations.

And in my option, a couple of months is not a reasonable amount of time to expect a puppy to get the hang of potty training (not for any breed of puppy!). The #1 mistake for people when potty training their puppies is when their puppy is doing it correct for 1 or 2 months. It's the time when the owner start to give the puppy for freedom because they think they are pretty much potty trained. And "Yes", in some case are but there are a lot of cases that the freedom will cause the puppy to revert back to peeing or pooing the house.

Carters Mom · 03-16-2005, 09:09 AM

Before I got Carter, I read in many places online that yorkies are in the top 5 on the most hard to potty train dogs. It scared me a bit but I'm glad that the fear didn't prevent me from getting the dog that I wanted. There is so much good that a yorkie can bring to a home - it would be a shame to miss out on it!

spydergurl · 03-16-2005, 09:56 AM

My gurls were not hard to train. They are 6 years old, and never have accidents. They just wait till we let them out. They were easy and quick to catch on. If you take some time with them, it won't be a problem.

schatzie · 03-16-2005, 10:39 AM

I seriously think most of that comment was in fun humor, but yes Yorkie's can be difficult as other small dogs. However...I am a true believer that Yorkie's do get the hang of it.

Schatzie will be a year old in May and is pretty much potty trained, as an earlier post stated, 99.9% is where Schatzie is at. Dogs I don't think are ever perfect with this, accidents will take place with any breed.

However all the other great things about Yorkie's is what captures the heart. The devotion is unlimited to them in my opinion and those who own a Yorkie are very very blessed.

I hope you find the perfect pet for you!!

PinkMartini · 03-16-2005, 10:46 AM

We have a year old male french mastiff that was 100% potty trained within the first 2 months that we had him. And I mean 100% to. He has not had 1 accident since.

I had a 6lb chihuahua that died early last year that was never fully potty trained. She was 6 years old when she passed away and still had accidents often. And we did the whole crate training method.

So I'm hoping that Bailey turns out a little 'smarter' that my chi did. My fiance (whom I've lived with for almost 3 years now) got so sick of finding urine/feces around the house sometimes. I don't know if he'd be able to tolerate years of it. I'm being realisitic about Bailey's potty training (although so far - so good) but more than a year is a little much imo.

03-16-2005, 04:42 AM	#2
bld2751 YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Maryland Posts: 861	In my opinion, potty training is definitely the number one issue with yorkies. My little boy is only 6 1/2 months, so I can really only give you a partial picture with my experience. First off, I entered my relationship with him not expecting him to make great strides in this area until around 1. I just did not want to get frustrated with him at any time over potty training, so I set what I thought was a reasonable time table. Potty training takes constant attention and being able to anticipate the dog's needs. That was key for me. Also, it's gotten better with time because his bladder has been growing and he's starting to get bladder control. At 5 months I noticed that he was really getting the hang of it, and understood that he was supposed to go outside - he would go and jump up at the door. However, he still does have accidents. He can go a week without one, but still he has them. Good luck, I'm sure you'll get some better responses too.. __________________ Brandi, Hercules, & Athena

03-16-2005, 05:28 AM	#3
monyka415 YT Addict Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Indiana Posts: 260	Tommy is 5 months on the 20th. I have had him for almost 2 months he uses the potty pads he gets it most of the time already. But if he forgets I spray (spray and wash on the floor I have no oders of a dog in my house.) If he pops it like the size of a quarter so it no big deal i just try to keep a eye on him, to catch him..lol he is doing really good so far My son off the subject to for ever to potty train.lol he was alittle over 3 but how could you not love them.I just treat my Tommy like my son sounds alittle crazy but he is my son. My husband and myself do not want any more children so I had gotten a DOG if that what you want to call him..lol I think they just are rotten sometimes and do what they want..lol Once you see one you fall so it love with it, you won't care how long it takes. Yorkies are the best and they don't shead. They are the sweetest kindest little boys and girls you will ever meet. Just my opion. Good luck. I am still new to being a yorkie mom also. __________________ *Monica Tommy, Maddy and Angel*

03-16-2005, 05:29 AM	#4
Carters Mom YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: LA Posts: 1,568	When Carter came to live with us from his breeder, he was 24 weeks old. He was already trained to use a doggie door. I don't have a fenced yard and therefore couldn't use that method. Within a week, he could make it through the night without needing to potty. He is 36 weeks old now and is 99.99% potty trained. When its raining (which is often where we live), he uses the potty pad near the door we exit to go outside for his business. Otherwise, we go outside periodically during the day and he eliminates on command. I am home almost 24/7 with him so I can see to his needs. When I do have to leave him home alone, he doesn't stray from his training. __________________ Lisa Proud Marine Mom Carter, Cooper & Crissy's Mom and Sebastian's Nana Never underestimate the warmth of a cold nose!

03-16-2005, 09:03 AM	#7
browniesmom622 Donating YT 3000 Club Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: ny Posts: 11,253 Blog Entries: 5	dont take this as being mean but there are like 5 threads on this if you look threw them evey dog is different brownie was trained from day one some people dogs are 5 and still arent trained look threw the past ones __________________ We Love our Yt Angel! My Website< > FB page

03-16-2005, 09:09 AM	#9
Carters Mom YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: LA Posts: 1,568	Before I got Carter, I read in many places online that yorkies are in the top 5 on the most hard to potty train dogs. It scared me a bit but I'm glad that the fear didn't prevent me from getting the dog that I wanted. There is so much good that a yorkie can bring to a home - it would be a shame to miss out on it! __________________ Lisa Proud Marine Mom Carter, Cooper & Crissy's Mom and Sebastian's Nana Never underestimate the warmth of a cold nose!

03-16-2005, 03:29 AM	#1
Jan Stanton YorkieTalk Newbie! Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 2	Really ?????? Have been flipping around on this forum, reading this and that ... just read an entry from a member who was trying to find more info about a chocolate colored yorkie she had, which she termed "rare." Lots of discussion ensued about the rarity of her dog .... and one entry in particular caught my eye ... "The only thing "rare" about a yorkie is if they're unspoiled and 100% potty trained!" My question is REALLY? You mean it's rare for a yorkie to EVER be 100% potty trained? I'm in the process of selecting the type of dog I want to buy this summer, and so far Yorkie is at the top of my list, but this comment about it being rare to be 100% potty trained scares me a little. I'm sure I would love the dog, but who would knowingly take an animal into their house if they knew it would always and forever pee and poop all over their carpet and furniture and never be 100% potty trained?!!! I have to admit I'm a little discouraged. I was sold on getting a chihuahua until I read too many testimonials from people talking about their chi's being a year or older and still not potty trained. Then I began researching yorkies - gosh, who wouldn't love them just by looking at them! But I'm starting to get the "heebie-jeebies" again about the length of time it takes to potty train them. Really - is a couple of months not a reasonable amount of time to expect a dog to get the hang of potty training? I know all dogs are different and some get it right away and some take longer ..... I guess I just have the pre-purchase jitters and am afraid I'll end up with a dog that takes bloody FOREVER to potty train! Has anyone out there had GOOD success with potty training or does EVERYONE struggle with this for months and months and months and years? Thanks for the info ....!!! Jan

03-16-2005, 05:45 AM	#5
debi_s YT Addict Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Upstate S.C. Posts: 309	I think you will find that that majority of the folks on this board tend to have young puppies....thus ths issue of pottie training becomes the primary problem when not discussing symptoms of illness. Most people search out the board while preparing to buy a new puppy or have gotten a puppy which has developed some kind of illness. If this question goes out to only folks with older dogs I think you will find most are 99% potty trained with the other 1% being 'accidents' related to unexpected situations. My former yorkie died at age 13 and in his later life developed some pee-ing issues with I later learned were his early sx of diabetes. Otherwise he was totally trained and actually would worry me to go in and out so much. I also have a chihuahua....(my "de-fault" yorkie) which will be 1 year old in late April. She was the most incredibly easy puppy to paper train I have ever had in my life!!!!!!! I had heard the same thing about chihuahuas. Any puppy will need some type/method of potty training and I don't think yorkies are any worse or any better than other breeds. I will admit the adorable nature, personality and great looks tend to make me overlook most accidents or issues with potty training. Lil Bit is still young..4 1/2 months, but she is making progress everyday.......and most mistakes are her attempts at using the paper....like getting 2 feet on and back feet off.....or that "walking poop" thing most dogs do. Good luck in your search for answers to this question.....I'm sure many folks will have other thoughts for you. But I still vote for yorkie anyday.......but I do LOVE my chi, too!!!!!

03-16-2005, 08:24 AM	#6
Trevor's Mom Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Texas Gulf Coast Posts: 96	My Trevor will be 5 months next week, and I would say he is 99.99% housebroken. But we live where he can go outside, year round, and comes and goes when he wants to. I don't have a doggy door yet, but the weather has been nice, so I can leave my back door half opened during the day while I am at work. He has access to the whole house and never bothers anything or goes anywhere in the house. In the evening when we get home and close the door, he goes and sits by the door and if we don't notice him right away (which we usually do) he will whimper to go out. Now that all said and it sounds wonderful.... I did have a helper training him. He follows my 2 yo rat terrier everywhere, so he learned very quickly about the in and out thing. If he was an only dog and had to stay locked up in a gated room during the day while I work, I don't know how fast the training would have been. Good luck in your decision.... yorkies are WONDERFUL! Cyndie Trevor's Mom

03-16-2005, 09:05 AM	#8
yorkieagility YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: House Of York Posts: 1,079	The issue isn't just a yorkie problem but a small dog problem. It seem like small dog are harder to potty train than larger dogs. But it isn't impossible and there are even yorkies out there that are 99% potty trained after being told a few times. The other 1% is definitely being left to 'accidents' related to unexpected situations. And in my option, a couple of months is not a reasonable amount of time to expect a puppy to get the hang of potty training (not for any breed of puppy!). The #1 mistake for people when potty training their puppies is when their puppy is doing it correct for 1 or 2 months. It's the time when the owner start to give the puppy for freedom because they think they are pretty much potty trained. And "Yes", in some case are but there are a lot of cases that the freedom will cause the puppy to revert back to peeing or pooing the house.

03-16-2005, 09:56 AM	#10
spydergurl YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: California Posts: 516	My gurls were not hard to train. They are 6 years old, and never have accidents. They just wait till we let them out. They were easy and quick to catch on. If you take some time with them, it won't be a problem.

03-16-2005, 10:39 AM	#11
schatzie *Moderator Emeritus* Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Tontitown Arkansas Posts: 4,909	I seriously think most of that comment was in fun humor, but yes Yorkie's can be difficult as other small dogs. However...I am a true believer that Yorkie's do get the hang of it. Schatzie will be a year old in May and is pretty much potty trained, as an earlier post stated, 99.9% is where Schatzie is at. Dogs I don't think are ever perfect with this, accidents will take place with any breed. However all the other great things about Yorkie's is what captures the heart. The devotion is unlimited to them in my opinion and those who own a Yorkie are very very blessed. I hope you find the perfect pet for you!! __________________ ~~~~ Schatzie and Ransom ~~~~

03-16-2005, 10:46 AM	#12
PinkMartini BANNED! Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: California Posts: 1,043	We have a year old male french mastiff that was 100% potty trained within the first 2 months that we had him. And I mean 100% to. He has not had 1 accident since. I had a 6lb chihuahua that died early last year that was never fully potty trained. She was 6 years old when she passed away and still had accidents often. And we did the whole crate training method. So I'm hoping that Bailey turns out a little 'smarter' that my chi did. My fiance (whom I've lived with for almost 3 years now) got so sick of finding urine/feces around the house sometimes. I don't know if he'd be able to tolerate years of it. I'm being realisitic about Bailey's potty training (although so far - so good) but more than a year is a little much imo.