Question for cold climate folks with outdoor potty'ing yorkies?

[Heycher]

Hi All!

I'm hoping to get some advice here. A bit of background

My poor Violet (1.5 years) has gone through a lot of changes in the last few weeks. My daughter and I left for a 10 day vacation when Violet stayed with my parents. Violet had always been pad trained, but outside of her home, she will not use a pad. I figured by default at my parents house she would use the pad... but did not, so they started taking her outside to potty throughout the day.

In the meantime when we were on vacation, we also moved (moved into a new house the day we got back from vacation). So Violet now has a new home, where (of course) she will not use the pad. SO, I'm taking her outside to potty.

My question is.... what do I do when it gets super cold? Can she tolerate those cold temps? We live in Cleveland Ohio where we get FEET AND FEET of snow! Can I still take her outside in the snow like that? Do I need to dress her or is she ok?

I apologize for the novice status of this question. I just know you guys are so knowledgeable here and I am hoping someone can give me advice.
Thanks so much in advance,
Cheryl

[Erin]

Mine just go outside quickly We clear a large spot for them in the yard if the snow gets too high. I think they have a harder time with the transition to cold than the cold itself. At first we put tanks and sweaters on them but by January they just run out there naked. If they are just peeing for 30 seconds it's fine. Have you ever run out to get the mail in the cold without a jacket? Same thing.

I have coats for them and the coats are good for when they are going to be outside for a few minutes or more, to play in the snow or take a short walk. It's more of a hassle than it's worth to put them on for quick trips out so we try to just leave hoodies on them during the day and those are fine for potty breaks. Mine do fine in the snow, they dislike the wind and the rain. If they refuse to go out I just stand on the porch with them and they realize they aren't getting back in until they go so they hurry it up

Really, Loki will be 4 this month and Sammy is 2 and we live in Chicago. It's totally doable.

[Bellepoupee]

Hi there, I live in the Montreal, Quebec, Canada and we do have tons of snow Logan refuse to go out for potty in winter, even if a clear an area for him to go, he uses the pad. But he likes to go to the park in winter (go figure ) I put a little suit with a little winter coat - he doesn't mind at all and he runs in the snow like a little rabbit
Good luck and it is doable (I wish Logan would go outside)

[alaskayorkie]

Actually, that's a great question that a lot of Yorkie owners struggle with.

You got some great advice from our fellow cold-weather climate people. I agree with you. Violet has been through a lot lately and is just confused. She'll settle into the routine you want her to.

If you want her to go back to using a pee pad, start from scratch and teach her again. Limit her freedom if you have to. Reward successes.

But if you want her to be safe in the cold outside, you can do that too. Keep a shovel or broom handy to clear her a path to a pee area. If it gets real bad, get a cheap pair of snowshoes and tromp down a path. She shouldn't need a coat for a short pee trip. My 4-pounder goes out naked for pees, and he has a shaved butt from surgery.

Get her used to the cold gradually, too. Start with some short sweatered walks in the cold, and do it every day so it becomes no big deal. She should be OK if you keep her moving. If she starts shivering and doesn't stop, then it's time to warm her up.

Good luck!

[chachi]

One of mine wont go out but the other does

[mscat]

I was also wondering what A good temp. inside would be for a Yorkie? i do not use my heater much yet, but have felt Suzi and she is cold? Yes, I do live in CAlifornia, so I ma not dealing with extreme weather, however, when itis down to 60ish, too cold at night? I have her sleep on my bed too, but she gets out of the covers.
Bear with me, Suzi is my first Yorkie/dog ever. I turned on the heat this am and got it back to 70. What is too cold for inside?

[Erin]

Originally Posted by mscat

I was also wondering what A good temp. inside would be for a Yorkie? i do not use my heater much yet, but have felt Suzi and she is cold? Yes, I do live in CAlifornia, so I ma not dealing with extreme weather, however, when itis down to 60ish, too cold at night? I have her sleep on my bed too, but she gets out of the covers.
Bear with me, Suzi is my first Yorkie/dog ever. I turned on the heat this am and got it back to 70. What is too cold for inside?

It's probably fine. Mine snuggle in at night if it gets cold. Just keep an eye on her, you'll know if she's cold. Mine curl up tight on a blanket or bed rather than stretching out. It will be OK

[alaskayorkie]

Originally Posted by mscat

I was also wondering what A good temp. inside would be for a Yorkie? i do not use my heater much yet, but have felt Suzi and she is cold? Yes, I do live in CAlifornia, so I ma not dealing with extreme weather, however, when itis down to 60ish, too cold at night? I have her sleep on my bed too, but she gets out of the covers.
Bear with me, Suzi is my first Yorkie/dog ever. I turned on the heat this am and got it back to 70. What is too cold for inside?

Nah, except for newborns, who need to be kept in the 70-80 range, I would thing having it be a little chilly at night would be a good thing. It might even help her adjust to the changes in temperature outside. As long as she's not shivering, she's fine. Just make sure she has a blanket and is not sleeping on a cold wooden floor.

[ARCHIE]

With winter once again approaching us I too worry about keeping Buddy
warm. We walk 4times a day. If the temps drop below 45 his sweater goes
on. In snow a coat goes on top of that for his walks.
At night I keep the bedroom cool, can't stand it hot and although he will
not sleep under a blanket I have a fleece blanket on his side of the bed
for him to cuddle in. I just ordered a Nap Sac from Cindy and hopes that
will give him added warmth.
As far as the house, during the day in winter I keep the thermastat at
60 and turn it up when I get home to 70. I can't stand to be cold either.
I hope this helps you some. I tried boots in the snow but I spent more
time backtracking looking for one or two I just gave up. They don't stay
on. When his feet get cold I just carry him home.

[cslat1]

My dog will go outside in the good weather. As soon as it rains or snows or gets really cold she'll use the pads in the house. You should be able to train her to do both. When the weather gets cold she will most likely love her wee wee pad.
Good luck!

[Heycher]

THANK YOU ALL SOOOO MUCH!!!

Totally appreciate your responses!

I do have one more question... since I am new to all this, when you guys pick up poops on their walks... and tie them up in baggies, any tips on how to "store" them until garbage day?? I may have to get an outdoor container to put those in b/c my garage is stinkin' up!

Thanks again!

[AprilLove]

Originally Posted by Heycher

THANK YOU ALL SOOOO MUCH!!!

Totally appreciate your responses!

I do have one more question... since I am new to all this, when you guys pick up poops on their walks... and tie them up in baggies, any tips on how to "store" them until garbage day?? I may have to get an outdoor container to put those in b/c my garage is stinkin' up!

Thanks again!

Hi,
I have both indoor and outdoor poopers, lol. You can just bring the bag inside with you, cut it open and flush the tootsie rolls in the toilet then dispose of the bags into a garbage bag and then you won't have to worry about the stinky in the garbage

[dagibbie]

Originally Posted by Heycher

Hi All!

I'm hoping to get some advice here. A bit of background

My poor Violet (1.5 years) has gone through a lot of changes in the last few weeks. My daughter and I left for a 10 day vacation when Violet stayed with my parents. Violet had always been pad trained, but outside of her home, she will not use a pad. I figured by default at my parents house she would use the pad... but did not, so they started taking her outside to potty throughout the day.

In the meantime when we were on vacation, we also moved (moved into a new house the day we got back from vacation). So Violet now has a new home, where (of course) she will not use the pad. SO, I'm taking her outside to potty.

My question is.... what do I do when it gets super cold? Can she tolerate those cold temps? We live in Cleveland Ohio where we get FEET AND FEET of snow! Can I still take her outside in the snow like that? Do I need to dress her or is she ok?

I apologize for the novice status of this question. I just know you guys are so knowledgeable here and I am hoping someone can give me advice.
Thanks so much in advance,
Cheryl

When we got General Lee last year it was just as the snow hit in Illinois. We had days of 11 inches of snow and some pretty cold days and nights. He will pee on a pad in the house, however, he has to walk away from the sight of the town house to poop. He refuses to wear anything on him. The vet told me when General Lee was a pup that he will tell me if it is to cold. So far we have walked a mile or so in the snow. He won't go in the rain, but loves the snow. This year will be interesting as he is now 13 months old.

[dagibbie]

Originally Posted by mscat

I was also wondering what A good temp. inside would be for a Yorkie? i do not use my heater much yet, but have felt Suzi and she is cold? Yes, I do live in CAlifornia, so I ma not dealing with extreme weather, however, when itis down to 60ish, too cold at night? I have her sleep on my bed too, but she gets out of the covers.
Bear with me, Suzi is my first Yorkie/dog ever. I turned on the heat this am and got it back to 70. What is too cold for inside?

We love to keep the bedroom very cold at night. I have left the window open with it 40 or lower outside. General Lee will crawl under the covers with us and when he gets to warm he will climb out. The house is kept at a minimum of 68 as I have tropical birds and they can't be any colder. He is fine during the day and when we are gone at work he has a pillow and sheet with him in the pen that he stays in.

[Potter]

Hi, I live in Ontario, Canada and when it gets cold I just put him in sweaters and winter jackets and boots! I don't have a yard yet but he uses his pee pad in the house so that is a plus.