Totally Discouraged! - YorkieTalk.com Forums

doggieluv2 · 08-13-2006, 02:11 PM

I am desperate for some help. I do not know what to do anymore. My yorkie is 9 months old. She can not hold her pee or poop for ANY length of time. I have a feeling that she doesn't have a clue that she is even supposed to hold it. I put her in the kennel when I'm gone or at night and EVERY time she is in there she poops and pees. It doesn't matter what time I feed her. I feed her twice a day. She doesn't have food in her kennel. Her kennel is NEVER clean in the morning--she cannot hold it all night. I have had her in a small to medium sized kennel recently because she goes in it all the time and I felt bad to make her lay in it but I just went back to the small kennel out of desperation. I have never had this hard of a time training any dog I've ever had. Now that she is back in the small kennel it will be back to daily baths because she stinks so bad from the pee and poop. I am really seriously considering just finding her a new home with someone that has more time and patience then me because obviously I am completely failing at potty training a yorkie. I'm sorry guys, I don't think that I would ever buy another yorkie again. She is adorable but I just can't tolerate coming home and my house just reeks of poop and pee even if I'm only gone for 3-4 hours. This is so totally frustrating.

Yorkie3 · 08-13-2006, 02:43 PM

I know it can be so frustrating, but please take a deep breath and tell yourself you'll give it one more good try. Make sure the crate is only big enough for her to lay and turn around. Depending on how much she weighs I would not let her have food after 7:00 PM unless it was a dab of nutri-cal. Let her have water, but then take her out or to the pad, whatever it is you use. Take her out again right before you go to bed. If you could leave a radio on or something for her would be good. She could be afraid by herself and urinates. First thing in the morning take her to do her business, eat, play for a few minutes then take her to do her business again. Then put her in the crate. Just be very, very persistant and give it one more try. If you don't have an x-pen I would really recommend getting one. I'm hoping things can work out for you, but if not, you have to do what you feel is right. Situations can be very similiar, but only you know what you can handle. Best of luck!!!

doggieluv2 · 08-13-2006, 02:49 PM

I have tried an exercise pen also. I really don't want her peeing and pooping in the house but I have tried pee pads out of desperation. She will go on them but she will also tear them into shreads and pee beside them on the floor. She would still have pee all over the floor and poop smeared all over stepping in it when she was in the exercise pen. After trying this for a couple months-I gave up and went back to the kennel without any pads.

YorkieGuru · 08-13-2006, 05:09 PM

I had it easy with all the dogs I have had in the past, but Elle has been a challenge. Maybe cause my other dogs were males and she has been my only female... I have no idea. But anyways, I was getting aggitated. Then I started using treats and TONS of praise EVERYTIME she went potty. She started to learn that "wow I get something yummy for doing something simple" Well she is 4 months old now and doing very well. She has had a few accidents but not very many. She hasnt went in her crate in about 3 weeks. I don't give her water after 8 pm. And she is on a schedule with her food. She does her other business in the morning (her 1st time going out of the morning) and at supper time.
I know it's hard to be consistent. Just try your best and I'm sure you'll do just fine.

jodiodeeo · 08-13-2006, 06:37 PM

I feel your pain! We just got a 9mo yorkie/papillon rescue. He pees when he's excited - or scared - or out of submission. I am still in the thick of it - so the only advice I can offer is princess panties! I use a bellyband with our boy - just for peace of mind. He's wears it less each day - but it is always on when we go somewhere.

Also, there are some other threads about wizdog and another thing at Target that you can put a peepad in and it has a grate that goes over it - so that your girl can't shred the pad.

HTH
Jodi

BLowry · 08-13-2006, 06:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by doggieluv2

I have tried an exercise pen also. I really don't want her peeing and pooping in the house but I have tried pee pads out of desperation. She will go on them but she will also tear them into shreads and pee beside them on the floor. She would still have pee all over the floor and poop smeared all over stepping in it when she was in the exercise pen. After trying this for a couple months-I gave up and went back to the kennel without any pads.

I use the cloth pads that they use on the hospital beds. This way even after they are washed the dog can still smell their urine on the pad ( you won't be able to) and they will use it .

Hope this works for you...Yorkies are not known to be the easiest breed to housebreak...Sadie is 2 1/2 yrs old and STILL isn't fully trained..I agree...it can be discouraging but I love her and am being patient.

JeanieK · 08-13-2006, 07:03 PM

I can sympathize with you. I was going to suggest the x pen, but i see you have already tried that. I believe that she is in the habit of going in a kennel now so trying to break that habit is going to be tough.

I would suggest taking her back out olf the kennel, putting her in the xpen. Someone else mentioned putting a cat litter grate over the pee pads to keep the dog from tearing it up. I would try that, and make sure the rest of the area has toy boxes, beds, anything at all so the only place left to potty is the grate.

Where in Wisconsi do you live. I am from Wisconsin, and still have family scattered throughout the state. Beaver Dam, Appleton, Janesville, Browntown, Monroe, SunPrarie.

DianaB · 08-14-2006, 06:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yorkie3

I know it can be so frustrating, but please take a deep breath and tell yourself you'll give it one more good try. Make sure the crate is only big enough for her to lay and turn around.

No matter what crate you decide to put her in you need to make just enough space in it that she can lay down comfortably. You'll need to add books, boxes, or some other objects, to the back of the crate to make it small enough. She will not use the bathroom where she has to lay down and sleep. It sounds like you're being mean, but this WILL work.

When I got Reuger I had the same problem and, sure enough, when I made the kennel smaller it made all the difference. When I bought him a larger kennel I had to slowly enlarge his space but now he has the use of the whole kennel and I haven't had any problems for months. Hope this helps. Good luck!

newmommy · 08-14-2006, 06:53 AM

just out of curiousity have you taken her to the vet to just be sure nothing is wrong and keeping her from holding it??

MyTrixie143 · 08-14-2006, 10:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DianaB

No matter what crate you decide to put her in you need to make just enough space in it that she can lay down comfortably. You'll need to add books, boxes, or some other objects, to the back of the crate to make it small enough. She will not use the bathroom where she has to lay down and sleep. It sounds like you're being mean, but this WILL work.

When I got Reuger I had the same problem and, sure enough, when I made the kennel smaller it made all the difference. When I bought him a larger kennel I had to slowly enlarge his space but now he has the use of the whole kennel and I haven't had any problems for months. Hope this helps. Good luck!

I totally agree with this!! With all of mine, I had to make the crate smaller. I thought the crate was small already, but apparently I was wrong. Once I made the crate smaller, they stopped going to the bathroom in it and learned to hold it. If they can pee in one part of the crate and lay in another part of the crate, then the crate is too big. Also, don't keep any blankets or towels in the crate, this can actually encourage them to go in their crate because they know they can go on the blanket and it will absorb everything and then all they have to do is push the blanket out of the way.

Reward and praise everytime you take her out and she goes. When she does go when and where she is suppose to, then praise and reward and let her have some play time as an extra reward. If she does not go, put her back in the crate and try again in 5 to 10 minutes. And remember to tell her "go potty" or something similiar everytime you take her outside or on the pad to go.

Hang in there, it may seem difficult at first, but it can be done and it will be worth it!!

Lucy Lu · 08-14-2006, 07:46 PM

When I first got my second yorkie female home about 6 weeks ago she did alot of what you are describing. She came from a kennel that breeds yorkies for show. She was sold to me at 9 months old because her coat was not growing up to par for showing, so the breeder let her go for a pet. I was frustrated and it is understandable to be when they mess everywhere. I talked to the breeder and she had some valuable advice. She said it sounded to her like she was having separation anxiety and messing all over and not really aware she is doing it because most dogs do not want to lie in their own mess. Fortunately mine has stopped doing it.
My only suggestion would be to try to minimize the clean up for you now by maybe trying diapers when you cannot be with her, or perhaps try the opposite and make the area for her large enough that if she messes she has so much room she does not walk all over it and become used to lying in it. Good luck.

newmommy · 08-14-2006, 08:03 PM

it takes very very consistant time.

dont give up or give in and it will work !!

08-13-2006, 02:11 PM	#1
doggieluv2 Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 50	Totally Discouraged! I am desperate for some help. I do not know what to do anymore. My yorkie is 9 months old. She can not hold her pee or poop for ANY length of time. I have a feeling that she doesn't have a clue that she is even supposed to hold it. I put her in the kennel when I'm gone or at night and EVERY time she is in there she poops and pees. It doesn't matter what time I feed her. I feed her twice a day. She doesn't have food in her kennel. Her kennel is NEVER clean in the morning--she cannot hold it all night. I have had her in a small to medium sized kennel recently because she goes in it all the time and I felt bad to make her lay in it but I just went back to the small kennel out of desperation. I have never had this hard of a time training any dog I've ever had. Now that she is back in the small kennel it will be back to daily baths because she stinks so bad from the pee and poop. I am really seriously considering just finding her a new home with someone that has more time and patience then me because obviously I am completely failing at potty training a yorkie. I'm sorry guys, I don't think that I would ever buy another yorkie again. She is adorable but I just can't tolerate coming home and my house just reeks of poop and pee even if I'm only gone for 3-4 hours. This is so totally frustrating.

08-13-2006, 02:43 PM	#2
Yorkie3 Donating YT 3000 Club Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Indiana Posts: 4,685	I know it can be so frustrating, but please take a deep breath and tell yourself you'll give it one more good try. Make sure the crate is only big enough for her to lay and turn around. Depending on how much she weighs I would not let her have food after 7:00 PM unless it was a dab of nutri-cal. Let her have water, but then take her out or to the pad, whatever it is you use. Take her out again right before you go to bed. If you could leave a radio on or something for her would be good. She could be afraid by herself and urinates. First thing in the morning take her to do her business, eat, play for a few minutes then take her to do her business again. Then put her in the crate. Just be very, very persistant and give it one more try. If you don't have an x-pen I would really recommend getting one. I'm hoping things can work out for you, but if not, you have to do what you feel is right. Situations can be very similiar, but only you know what you can handle. Best of luck!!! __________________ Janet

08-13-2006, 05:09 PM	#4
YorkieGuru Donating YT 500 Club Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Illinois Posts: 725	I had it easy with all the dogs I have had in the past, but Elle has been a challenge. Maybe cause my other dogs were males and she has been my only female... I have no idea. But anyways, I was getting aggitated. Then I started using treats and TONS of praise EVERYTIME she went potty. She started to learn that "wow I get something yummy for doing something simple" Well she is 4 months old now and doing very well. She has had a few accidents but not very many. She hasnt went in her crate in about 3 weeks. I don't give her water after 8 pm. And she is on a schedule with her food. She does her other business in the morning (her 1st time going out of the morning) and at supper time. I know it's hard to be consistent. Just try your best and I'm sure you'll do just fine. __________________ KIM Proud mom of ELLE and ABBIE and BELLE

08-14-2006, 06:53 AM	#9
newmommy Keep Me Away From eBay Donating Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Arizona Posts: 2,109	just out of curiousity have you taken her to the vet to just be sure nothing is wrong and keeping her from holding it?? __________________ There is no psychiatrist in the world like a puppy licking your face!!

08-14-2006, 08:03 PM	#12
newmommy Keep Me Away From eBay Donating Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Arizona Posts: 2,109	it takes very very consistant time. dont give up or give in and it will work !! __________________ There is no psychiatrist in the world like a puppy licking your face!!

08-13-2006, 02:49 PM	#3
doggieluv2 Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 50	I have tried an exercise pen also. I really don't want her peeing and pooping in the house but I have tried pee pads out of desperation. She will go on them but she will also tear them into shreads and pee beside them on the floor. She would still have pee all over the floor and poop smeared all over stepping in it when she was in the exercise pen. After trying this for a couple months-I gave up and went back to the kennel without any pads.

08-13-2006, 06:37 PM	#5
jodiodeeo Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Colorado Posts: 64	I feel your pain! We just got a 9mo yorkie/papillon rescue. He pees when he's excited - or scared - or out of submission. I am still in the thick of it - so the only advice I can offer is princess panties! I use a bellyband with our boy - just for peace of mind. He's wears it less each day - but it is always on when we go somewhere. Also, there are some other threads about wizdog and another thing at Target that you can put a peepad in and it has a grate that goes over it - so that your girl can't shred the pad. HTH Jodi

08-13-2006, 07:03 PM	#7
JeanieK Donating YT 12K Club Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Council Bluffs Iowa Posts: 12,552	I can sympathize with you. I was going to suggest the x pen, but i see you have already tried that. I believe that she is in the habit of going in a kennel now so trying to break that habit is going to be tough. I would suggest taking her back out olf the kennel, putting her in the xpen. Someone else mentioned putting a cat litter grate over the pee pads to keep the dog from tearing it up. I would try that, and make sure the rest of the area has toy boxes, beds, anything at all so the only place left to potty is the grate. Where in Wisconsi do you live. I am from Wisconsin, and still have family scattered throughout the state. Beaver Dam, Appleton, Janesville, Browntown, Monroe, SunPrarie.

08-14-2006, 07:46 PM	#11
Lucy Lu Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Montana Posts: 102	When I first got my second yorkie female home about 6 weeks ago she did alot of what you are describing. She came from a kennel that breeds yorkies for show. She was sold to me at 9 months old because her coat was not growing up to par for showing, so the breeder let her go for a pet. I was frustrated and it is understandable to be when they mess everywhere. I talked to the breeder and she had some valuable advice. She said it sounded to her like she was having separation anxiety and messing all over and not really aware she is doing it because most dogs do not want to lie in their own mess. Fortunately mine has stopped doing it. My only suggestion would be to try to minimize the clean up for you now by maybe trying diapers when you cannot be with her, or perhaps try the opposite and make the area for her large enough that if she messes she has so much room she does not walk all over it and become used to lying in it. Good luck.