Help please! Problems with 3 year old yorkie - YorkieTalk.com Forums

mom2mak · 03-19-2015, 06:57 AM

We have had our yorkie since she was 12 weeks old and we started crate training her at that time since we work all day. After a year she was good and would only have accidents every now and then. We have always let her out at lunch and continue to do that now. This past christmas we were home for about 3 weeks on vacation and lilly was out of her crate. When we went back to work something happened and she started peeing in her crate all day. She goes in her crate at 740 and I come let her out around 12 but she has already peed. Same thing happens in the afternoon...I clean everything up and put her back in her crate from 1230-5 when my husband gets home she has peed again. We took her to the vet and they said there is nothing wrong with her. They told us to try Benadryl for anxiety but it hasn't worked. I've also tried Xanax which didn't work either. I have tried putting her food in her crate, putting her bed in her crate, taking everything out of her crate only to come home to her standing in a puddle of pee. I've also tried leaving a radio on for her but nothing works!!!! We also tried leaving her in the bathroom but she peed and pooped in there and ran through it. We are a busy family so we are gone a lot she is getting 1 to 2 baths a day! We don't know what to do anymore...we are starting to think maybe she needs to be with someone who is home all day. My daughter is extremely upset and doesn't want to rehome her. I am very upset as well and it is making me sick thinking we may have to give her away. I just don't know what else to do...any advice is greatly appreciated! Thanks in advance!

MissSunni · 03-19-2015, 01:47 PM

I know it will sound like the last thing you need or want, but have you considered another puppy or kitten? The adjustment takes a little while, but once they bond there is a friend there all the time. I know for me, thats always been the case. If I ever have to leave one home alone, for the vet etc..the other one is miserable. I really noticed in January when I had to let my dog go. His brother who is well house trained, started to go in the house. He was so anxious and depressed. I have been told not to assign human emotions to my pets, but I know what I see is the doggy version. When I got the new puppy, Harry was not happy at all, lol. BUT, he's occupied with her and its giving him something else to focus on. No more accidents (on purposes) lol. In fact, I think he's been the most helpful in getting the puppy on board with potty training. Just a thought. I have always had multiple pets at the same time. I'm also the mother of human triplets, lol. For me one of anything isn't enough it seems

Dayswalters · 03-19-2015, 01:49 PM

I would ask vet to check for a urinary tract infection to be safe.

mom2mak · 03-19-2015, 06:26 PM

We want to have another baby soon so we can't afford another pet...we have thought about it but decided it would not be a good idea

. But I think your right I think it would help her a lot.

Vet already checked her for UTI and it was negative. She does have stomach issues and is on special canned wet food which has a lot of water in it. I do notice she pees more but I still think she should be able to hold it for 4 hours.

ironmike86 · 03-19-2015, 07:52 PM

You said it your busy. Never home These dogs need alot of attention. But A room with a pee pad is better then a crate. Get a webcam for you phone and you can see what sees doing in the day. they are ~$90. She maybe sleeping all day anyways. Just some can't hold it .

KazzyK810 · 03-19-2015, 08:18 PM

Do you hold it the entire time you are gone from home? No matter what you've ate or drank? No matter if you have an upset stomach or not?

Personally, i have a huge issue with this.

Hamsters, rabbits, or any other caged pet gets to go potty. Cats get litter boxes. Horses go in their stalls. But people cage up "man's best friend" and expect more of them, than they even expect themselves to do. To me, it's not humane. The same people that prohibit their dog from relieving itself when necessary, are most likely the same ones that would be up at the schools complaining if teachers confined their children to a classroom all day with no bathroom privileges. I just don't get it. It's not a dog can't be forced to hold it, the question is, should a dog have to? Treat your dog as you would any other member of your family. If you aren't home, provide him/her with a bathroom...potty pads.

mygirllacey · 03-20-2015, 04:26 AM

I work all day, also. Lacey was crated for the first six months and did very well. After six months, she was no longer crated as I trusted her completely to go on a puppy pad if she needed to.

Now Pepper Jack, totally different. He will pee in his crate. It didn't take me long to realize that it wasn't right to keep him in a crate for hours and expect him to hold it. He's just too young. He is kept in a playpen with a puppy pad while I'm at work. He has room to play, room to sleep, and room to potty. He will pee at least once on the pad while I'm away. He won't poop until I get home. He does whine a little, but that's more because Lacey is moving around free and he wants out too. I cannot wait until I can trust his potty habits and when he stops chewing on everything, so he can be out with Lacey.

shelbysmom · 03-20-2015, 07:38 AM

Agree with others, crating all day is just not fair to an active little Yorkie. I would suggest a long morning walk when weather allows. (major indoor play period when not) I hope she is pad trained because a tall expen, potty pad and safe toys are a better way to leave her alone.

Yorkies really hate to be left alone which is why a lot of breeders won't sell dogs to busy families. If you have to rehome please go through a reputable rescue.

best of luck

Yogi yorkie · 03-20-2015, 08:55 AM

I would gate her in the kitchen and train her to go on wee wee pads. It will be an easy clean up, and no one gets upset. She is probably miserable standing in pee for hours! Also long walks and they seem to empty their bladders! Good luck!

Lilah Charm · 03-20-2015, 10:09 AM

It sounded like she was crates for four hours at a time max- is that the case? Typically, four hours wouldn't be too long but everybody's body is different. When lilah was a pup we put a tall ex pen around her dog house and had a potty pad for her to use and tha worked very well for us. It does sound like she is in the crate pretty often. I understand how hard life is to juggle but it sounds like you already feel like you aren't able to fulfill your little Lilly's needs and maybe just need affirmation that the most appropriate decision would be to rehome her. Kids sure keep you busy! I have a few myself

and with more on the way and a tight financial space (I sure understand that one too!) maybe a life with Lilly just isn't what was meant to be. Even if you put up a pen or a baby gate with a potty pad it sounds like she still might be home alone more than what is best for her. If you decide to commit fulfilling her needs in your home, I'm in full support but if rehoming her is what is in her best interest- I really want to support you there too. Whatever you choose please make sure Lilly's quality of life is what you base your decision on and remember that even if it is hard for your daughter that as parents we are teaching them what is right through our actions each day and if what is right for Lilly is another home that you will be teaching your daughter to act in the best interest of our loved ones even when it's hard

please let is know what you decide.

mom2mak · 03-20-2015, 03:03 PM

Yes I only leave her in the crate for 4 hours at a time...I would never leave her all day. I come home everyday on lunch and let her out and play with her before she goes back in. The webcam idea is a great idea! I really want to know if she is barking and peeing because she's anxious or if she's just peeing right before I get home. We are going to try a few more things but I've already explained to my daughter that lilly may be happier somewhere else. It's difficult for her but I am trying to make her understand that we may have to put Lilly's best interests ahead of our want to keep her in our family. It's just strange that she went from being crate trained to not being trained at all

Lilah Charm · 03-20-2015, 03:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mom2mak

Yes I only leave her in the crate for 4 hours at a time...I would never leave her all day. I come home everyday on lunch and let her out and play with her before she goes back in. The webcam idea is a great idea! I really want to know if she is barking and peeing because she's anxious or if she's just peeing right before I get home. We are going to try a few more things but I've already explained to my daughter that lilly may be happier somewhere else. It's difficult for her but I am trying to make her understand that we may have to put Lilly's best interests ahead of our want to keep her in our family. It's just strange that she went from being crate trained to not being trained at all

I think the webcam is a great idea too. It is hard when it seems like it is going so well and then you realize it is not

maybe with a few tweaks in the routine and some more effort to integrate Lilly into family activities -I don't know how old your daughter is but I think if she is vested she can schedule some specific play times and training sessions to ensure that Lilly is getting good interaction and stimulation. I'm really glad thy you responsibly got her to the vet right away to ensure she didn't have a urinary tract infection- I wonder what other medical issues they might consider or other health history that might be influencing? I hope that a few changes in routine make a big difference

good luck!

mom2mak · 03-21-2015, 09:48 AM

Question...how many times a day do you guys feed your yorkies? We feed lilly twice a day but I was thinking about only feeding her at night...since the food has so much water in it maybe she wouldn't have to pee as much if she only ate at night? I know people with big dogs only feed them once a day but not sure with the little ones...would she be ok? Or do you think she needs it at least twice a day? I can ask my vet too...we used to feed her 3 times a day but my vet told us we were crazy. I thought she should eat breakfast lunch and dinner like us lol

JadeD · 04-21-2015, 09:11 AM

Have you tried an exercise pen with her? You can get one fairly cheap on Amazon. Set that up for her on a floor she won't ruin, like vinyl and put a pee pad in there, so if she does go it isn't a big deal. Give her toys, food and water before you leave her. I would try that for a few weeks. I would put her crate right in the pen but leave it open with a dog bed in it or a comfy blanket.

If you have to rehome her I hope you find a good home where someone will be home with her more. I just got a 9 year old Yorkie a few months ago from a family that was never home and boy is this guy happy! He is now with a stay at home mommy who adores him and is almost always home. He goes most places with me if I am running around picking up kids/dropping them off. I have teenagers though so they are much older and less needy than younger kids are.

Personally though I would try to keep her and just try keeping her in a different type of scenario like with the exercise pen, or baby gating her into the kitchen and see if she is happier. People do have to work and these dogs are adaptable. I felt bad for my little guy because even in the evenings there was never anyone home at his old house, they were just always gone. Being home in the evenings with her and on weekends should be good.

She got used to you being home and her being out of the crate because you were home so much and is just letting you know she is not happy about you going back to work.

Good luck! I hope everything works out with her.

ironmike86 · 04-21-2015, 03:39 PM

Little dogs need to eat more not less. At least mornings and night. All dogs are different but they can't go without like big dogs. Still big dogs I've had I feed twice a day still. Some say once aday is better because there body works less processing food. Dunno. But just sound like having a Yorkie not much time for it. And to little space. It will never work like that for this breed. Pretty much they were breed from Ratters to lap dogs...They were bred to be a fuffu companions . So they need lots of attention. Only thing that will work ime

03-19-2015, 06:57 AM	#1
mom2mak YorkieTalk Newbie! Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Jacksonville Posts: 5	Help please! Problems with 3 year old yorkie We have had our yorkie since she was 12 weeks old and we started crate training her at that time since we work all day. After a year she was good and would only have accidents every now and then. We have always let her out at lunch and continue to do that now. This past christmas we were home for about 3 weeks on vacation and lilly was out of her crate. When we went back to work something happened and she started peeing in her crate all day. She goes in her crate at 740 and I come let her out around 12 but she has already peed. Same thing happens in the afternoon...I clean everything up and put her back in her crate from 1230-5 when my husband gets home she has peed again. We took her to the vet and they said there is nothing wrong with her. They told us to try Benadryl for anxiety but it hasn't worked. I've also tried Xanax which didn't work either. I have tried putting her food in her crate, putting her bed in her crate, taking everything out of her crate only to come home to her standing in a puddle of pee. I've also tried leaving a radio on for her but nothing works!!!! We also tried leaving her in the bathroom but she peed and pooped in there and ran through it. We are a busy family so we are gone a lot she is getting 1 to 2 baths a day! We don't know what to do anymore...we are starting to think maybe she needs to be with someone who is home all day. My daughter is extremely upset and doesn't want to rehome her. I am very upset as well and it is making me sick thinking we may have to give her away. I just don't know what else to do...any advice is greatly appreciated! Thanks in advance!

03-19-2015, 08:18 PM	#6
KazzyK810 Donating YT 2000 Club Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Michigan USA & Sheffield UK Posts: 4,119	Do you hold it the entire time you are gone from home? No matter what you've ate or drank? No matter if you have an upset stomach or not? Personally, i have a huge issue with this. Hamsters, rabbits, or any other caged pet gets to go potty. Cats get litter boxes. Horses go in their stalls. But people cage up "man's best friend" and expect more of them, than they even expect themselves to do. To me, it's not humane. The same people that prohibit their dog from relieving itself when necessary, are most likely the same ones that would be up at the schools complaining if teachers confined their children to a classroom all day with no bathroom privileges. I just don't get it. It's not a dog can't be forced to hold it, the question is, should a dog have to? Treat your dog as you would any other member of your family. If you aren't home, provide him/her with a bathroom...potty pads. __________________ Karan & ZoE (Chelsea ) Last edited by KazzyK810; 03-19-2015 at 08:20 PM.

03-20-2015, 04:26 AM	#7
mygirllacey Donating Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Nashville, TN Posts: 195	I work all day, also. Lacey was crated for the first six months and did very well. After six months, she was no longer crated as I trusted her completely to go on a puppy pad if she needed to. Now Pepper Jack, totally different. He will pee in his crate. It didn't take me long to realize that it wasn't right to keep him in a crate for hours and expect him to hold it. He's just too young. He is kept in a playpen with a puppy pad while I'm at work. He has room to play, room to sleep, and room to potty. He will pee at least once on the pad while I'm away. He won't poop until I get home. He does whine a little, but that's more because Lacey is moving around free and he wants out too. I cannot wait until I can trust his potty habits and when he stops chewing on everything, so he can be out with Lacey. __________________ Lacey Rose Pepper Jack Silkie Rusty A dog is the only creature on earth that loves you more than he loves himself. -j.billings

03-20-2015, 10:09 AM	#10
Lilah Charm Donating YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Oregon Posts: 2,721	It sounded like she was crates for four hours at a time max- is that the case? Typically, four hours wouldn't be too long but everybody's body is different. When lilah was a pup we put a tall ex pen around her dog house and had a potty pad for her to use and tha worked very well for us. It does sound like she is in the crate pretty often. I understand how hard life is to juggle but it sounds like you already feel like you aren't able to fulfill your little Lilly's needs and maybe just need affirmation that the most appropriate decision would be to rehome her. Kids sure keep you busy! I have a few myself and with more on the way and a tight financial space (I sure understand that one too!) maybe a life with Lilly just isn't what was meant to be. Even if you put up a pen or a baby gate with a potty pad it sounds like she still might be home alone more than what is best for her. If you decide to commit fulfilling her needs in your home, I'm in full support but if rehoming her is what is in her best interest- I really want to support you there too. Whatever you choose please make sure Lilly's quality of life is what you base your decision on and remember that even if it is hard for your daughter that as parents we are teaching them what is right through our actions each day and if what is right for Lilly is another home that you will be teaching your daughter to act in the best interest of our loved ones even when it's hard please let is know what you decide. __________________ Alyssa and Lilah

04-21-2015, 09:11 AM	#14
JadeD YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: NC Posts: 1,201 Blog Entries: 1	Have you tried an exercise pen with her? You can get one fairly cheap on Amazon. Set that up for her on a floor she won't ruin, like vinyl and put a pee pad in there, so if she does go it isn't a big deal. Give her toys, food and water before you leave her. I would try that for a few weeks. I would put her crate right in the pen but leave it open with a dog bed in it or a comfy blanket. If you have to rehome her I hope you find a good home where someone will be home with her more. I just got a 9 year old Yorkie a few months ago from a family that was never home and boy is this guy happy! He is now with a stay at home mommy who adores him and is almost always home. He goes most places with me if I am running around picking up kids/dropping them off. I have teenagers though so they are much older and less needy than younger kids are. Personally though I would try to keep her and just try keeping her in a different type of scenario like with the exercise pen, or baby gating her into the kitchen and see if she is happier. People do have to work and these dogs are adaptable. I felt bad for my little guy because even in the evenings there was never anyone home at his old house, they were just always gone. Being home in the evenings with her and on weekends should be good. She got used to you being home and her being out of the crate because you were home so much and is just letting you know she is not happy about you going back to work. Good luck! I hope everything works out with her. __________________ It's raining Yorkies here! LOL Teek ,Rowan , Raksha (Grand Puppy) , Raelyn

03-19-2015, 01:47 PM	#2
MissSunni YT Addict Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: NJ USA Posts: 492	I know it will sound like the last thing you need or want, but have you considered another puppy or kitten? The adjustment takes a little while, but once they bond there is a friend there all the time. I know for me, thats always been the case. If I ever have to leave one home alone, for the vet etc..the other one is miserable. I really noticed in January when I had to let my dog go. His brother who is well house trained, started to go in the house. He was so anxious and depressed. I have been told not to assign human emotions to my pets, but I know what I see is the doggy version. When I got the new puppy, Harry was not happy at all, lol. BUT, he's occupied with her and its giving him something else to focus on. No more accidents (on purposes) lol. In fact, I think he's been the most helpful in getting the puppy on board with potty training. Just a thought. I have always had multiple pets at the same time. I'm also the mother of human triplets, lol. For me one of anything isn't enough it seems

03-19-2015, 01:49 PM	#3
Dayswalters Donating Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: California Posts: 842 Blog Entries: 1	I would ask vet to check for a urinary tract infection to be safe.

03-19-2015, 06:26 PM	#4
mom2mak YorkieTalk Newbie! Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Jacksonville Posts: 5	We want to have another baby soon so we can't afford another pet...we have thought about it but decided it would not be a good idea . But I think your right I think it would help her a lot. Vet already checked her for UTI and it was negative. She does have stomach issues and is on special canned wet food which has a lot of water in it. I do notice she pees more but I still think she should be able to hold it for 4 hours.

03-19-2015, 07:52 PM	#5
ironmike86 Donating YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: USA Posts: 1,628	You said it your busy. Never home These dogs need alot of attention. But A room with a pee pad is better then a crate. Get a webcam for you phone and you can see what sees doing in the day. they are ~$90. She maybe sleeping all day anyways. Just some can't hold it .

03-20-2015, 07:38 AM	#8
shelbysmom YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 1,394	Agree with others, crating all day is just not fair to an active little Yorkie. I would suggest a long morning walk when weather allows. (major indoor play period when not) I hope she is pad trained because a tall expen, potty pad and safe toys are a better way to leave her alone. Yorkies really hate to be left alone which is why a lot of breeders won't sell dogs to busy families. If you have to rehome please go through a reputable rescue. best of luck

03-20-2015, 08:55 AM	#9
Yogi yorkie Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: New City NY USA Posts: 96	I would gate her in the kitchen and train her to go on wee wee pads. It will be an easy clean up, and no one gets upset. She is probably miserable standing in pee for hours! Also long walks and they seem to empty their bladders! Good luck!

03-20-2015, 03:03 PM	#11
mom2mak YorkieTalk Newbie! Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Jacksonville Posts: 5	Yes I only leave her in the crate for 4 hours at a time...I would never leave her all day. I come home everyday on lunch and let her out and play with her before she goes back in. The webcam idea is a great idea! I really want to know if she is barking and peeing because she's anxious or if she's just peeing right before I get home. We are going to try a few more things but I've already explained to my daughter that lilly may be happier somewhere else. It's difficult for her but I am trying to make her understand that we may have to put Lilly's best interests ahead of our want to keep her in our family. It's just strange that she went from being crate trained to not being trained at all

03-21-2015, 09:48 AM	#13
mom2mak YorkieTalk Newbie! Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Jacksonville Posts: 5	Question...how many times a day do you guys feed your yorkies? We feed lilly twice a day but I was thinking about only feeding her at night...since the food has so much water in it maybe she wouldn't have to pee as much if she only ate at night? I know people with big dogs only feed them once a day but not sure with the little ones...would she be ok? Or do you think she needs it at least twice a day? I can ask my vet too...we used to feed her 3 times a day but my vet told us we were crazy. I thought she should eat breakfast lunch and dinner like us lol

04-21-2015, 03:39 PM	#15
ironmike86 Donating YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: USA Posts: 1,628	Little dogs need to eat more not less. At least mornings and night. All dogs are different but they can't go without like big dogs. Still big dogs I've had I feed twice a day still. Some say once aday is better because there body works less processing food. Dunno. But just sound like having a Yorkie not much time for it. And to little space. It will never work like that for this breed. Pretty much they were breed from Ratters to lap dogs...They were bred to be a fuffu companions . So they need lots of attention. Only thing that will work ime