A couple of questions about my new puppy - YorkieTalk.com Forums

caricloud · 03-04-2010, 12:23 PM

Okay I need some ideas to some of the different things that have come up since getting my little Knox. He does great on his pee pads during the day in 'his room', but I also want to be able for him to go potty outside. Does that confuse them by doing both?

Also I have him crated by my bed at night, but he keeps having accidents. Do you think I should keep trying or allow him to sleep in his room with the pee pads at night? I worry about him being in his room at night because I can't hear him.

Lastly, I have a harness for him that is a step-in and for a 'teacup',(I know bad word) but he is still able to get out of it and he totally hates it. Any suggestions?

Thanks for any help

jackson25 · 03-04-2010, 12:31 PM

You can teach him to go outside for potty as well has having the pee pads. Pee pads are great for learning. He will still have accidents in the house, good reason to keep pee pads down till he is trained to go outside. Is his crate for night time too big? May be the reason why he still goes in the crate. If he does good in his room, I would leave him there at night. Have you tries to adjust the harness to the smallest length?

caricloud · 03-04-2010, 12:37 PM

Yes the harness is adjusted to the smallest possible, but he hates it and wiggles until he gets caught up in it or gets completely out of it

Maybe I should have got a smaller crate, he does have what seems like alot of room in there. I thought when I was buying everything before he came home everything was small enough.(in fact it all seemed tiny, toys, bowls, clothes, etc.) Now that Knox is here everything looks giant lol

MI Yorkielover · 03-04-2010, 01:03 PM

You could try blocking off part of the crate to make it smaller. Sophie used the pads until everytime I laid a new one down she would grab a corner and run with it so I was always chasing her.

At that point we quit using pads and started going outside only. Now Sophie is 99.999% housebroken.

I bought a harness for Sophie from Chattiesmom (YT member). It's a custom made, silk, step in harness and so light weight that most of the time Sophie doesn't even know she's wearing it. You can order a matching leash, too. The set is well made and beautiful with lots of colors to choose from.

zekie's mom · 03-04-2010, 01:21 PM

My boy, who is almost 2, is both paper trained and outside trained. It did not seem to confuse him at all. They are smart little dogs so catch on easily. Zeke still does not like his harness or collar. We had a heck of a time with him when he was little. I slept with him from the time I got him at 8 weeks so always knew when he had to go potty during the night. I would take him to his papers, let him go, and then back to bed we would go. I have done that with every dog I have ever had. Of course, they then wind up sleeping with us forever, but we don't mind.

ourfirstyorkie · 03-04-2010, 01:25 PM

I think keeping Knox in his "room" at night would work well.
Don't forget the average time a puppy can " hold it" is 1 hour for each month of age.
Good luck!

loveshay · 03-04-2010, 01:40 PM

What I had done when I brought Shay home was, I had my husband cut a piece of wood that would fit across the kennel through the bars, not high, but enough so it separated it into 2 sections, and put puppy pad in back and his lil bed in the front....that way if he had to potty he could go back there.... it seems to work for me..

Was happy to hear they can do both outside and inside on pads, cause we are going on vacation and my lil munchkins are used to the potty pads but we will be out alot with them....I was worried about that.....we dont have luxury of going out here, where we live....I swear it is like africa..lol...so many animals and birds...so not safe.

adamsmom729 · 03-04-2010, 02:15 PM

Sam uses both...puppy pads at night (but now at 8 months he rarely uses them) and whenever i am home he goes outside. If i hear him cry at night i will get up and take him out because he does perfer the outdoors.

For the harness, it takes getting used to. Sam wore a collar from day one and hated it, now if you take it off for any reason he cries. Same thing with his harness, he hated it and now he brings it to me and sits for me to put it on him.

Its a learning curve for them...think of it this way as a women (sorry men) back when you were a preteen and you had to wear a bra for the first time....who didn't hate it right? but you eventually get used to it. Sam now has 3 harnesses and 4 collars...all in differnt colors :-)

Hope this helps and your little Knox is adorable!!!

Kristy and Sammy

caricloud · 03-04-2010, 06:47 PM

Thanks you all soooo much! I am glad to know that going potty both ways will work out.

I will have to check out those harnesses on YT. The idea about the wood across the crate may be a solution to the problem as well. I am such a lucky yorkie Mom to have this site

RachelandSadie · 03-04-2010, 06:52 PM

cat harnesses and collars sometimes work well for littler doggies. also, for potty training, pee pads are great to learn to use as well as outside because if you can't go outside due to cold, rain, then going inside on pads is nice as backup!!

if he's peeing in the crate, then crate training for you might be going out the window because the crate's point is to make them hold it in their crate/sleeping area, is the crate too large. it should be just enough to turn around and lie down. also, if he's learning okay in his "room" i might just try that. you can use baby monitors to hear him if you'd like.

good book for potty training is "house training for dummies"

GOOD LUCK

joeyandtanksmom · 03-04-2010, 10:41 PM

How old is little Knox? If he's a younger guy, you'll need to take him out at least once in the middle of the night, just like having to get up with a newborn baby. I would say that at least to begin with, take the little guy out at least once every 4 hours at night, but every 2 hours during the day. If the accidents in the kennel persist, block off half the area in the kennel with a box or big towel or something, so he won't have as much free space. dogs don't like having to potty in their sleeping area, so I think taking him out more would probably at least help. Good luck to you!

caricloud · 03-05-2010, 07:09 AM

Okay I tried the crate again last night. I got up after four hours to let him use the potty. At that time he had not had an accident.(yay Knox) He went pee but not the other. I guess he saved it for his crate.....

I am going to try and block it half way tonight to give him less space and see if that works.

BanditSocks2 · 03-05-2010, 07:16 AM

Try Puppia XS harness. They fit Nala when she was a puppy (didn't know about them for Bandit). It's not a step in, but they don't mind wearing it after a little bit of getting used to it.

MaxwellHouse · 03-05-2010, 07:41 AM

For the first 4 days/nights I got up a couple of times a night to let Maxwell out to pee. It seemed like 4 months, but it worked. I understand, though, that's not always feasible, but it paid off in the long run.

RachelandSadie · 03-05-2010, 09:57 AM

we were lucky that i was able to sing Sadie to sleep by laying beside her crate at night and after only a couple weeks she was going to sleep by herself in the crate. we knew if we ever heard her whine at all it was potty time, lots of sleepless nights getting up to let her out, but it was worth it because she's 99% trained FINALLY!!

We still have a rare poop accident but no more peeing in the house thank the Lord!

03-04-2010, 12:23 PM	#1
caricloud Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: TX Posts: 191	A couple of questions about my new puppy Okay I need some ideas to some of the different things that have come up since getting my little Knox. He does great on his pee pads during the day in 'his room', but I also want to be able for him to go potty outside. Does that confuse them by doing both? Also I have him crated by my bed at night, but he keeps having accidents. Do you think I should keep trying or allow him to sleep in his room with the pee pads at night? I worry about him being in his room at night because I can't hear him. Lastly, I have a harness for him that is a step-in and for a 'teacup',(I know bad word) but he is still able to get out of it and he totally hates it. Any suggestions? Thanks for any help __________________ Mommy to Knox

03-04-2010, 12:31 PM	#2
jackson25 Donating YT 2000 Club Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Quincy, IL Posts: 3,668	You can teach him to go outside for potty as well has having the pee pads. Pee pads are great for learning. He will still have accidents in the house, good reason to keep pee pads down till he is trained to go outside. Is his crate for night time too big? May be the reason why he still goes in the crate. If he does good in his room, I would leave him there at night. Have you tries to adjust the harness to the smallest length? __________________ Mary JacksonGracieTuckerRosey BentleyAbigayle

03-04-2010, 12:37 PM	#3
caricloud Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: TX Posts: 191	Yes the harness is adjusted to the smallest possible, but he hates it and wiggles until he gets caught up in it or gets completely out of it Maybe I should have got a smaller crate, he does have what seems like alot of room in there. I thought when I was buying everything before he came home everything was small enough.(in fact it all seemed tiny, toys, bowls, clothes, etc.) Now that Knox is here everything looks giant lol __________________ Mommy to Knox

03-04-2010, 01:03 PM	#4
MI Yorkielover Donating YT 3000 Club Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Michigan USA Posts: 3,317	You could try blocking off part of the crate to make it smaller. Sophie used the pads until everytime I laid a new one down she would grab a corner and run with it so I was always chasing her. At that point we quit using pads and started going outside only. Now Sophie is 99.999% housebroken. I bought a harness for Sophie from Chattiesmom (YT member). It's a custom made, silk, step in harness and so light weight that most of the time Sophie doesn't even know she's wearing it. You can order a matching leash, too. The set is well made and beautiful with lots of colors to choose from. __________________ Jackie Loves Sophie R.I.P ."Baby"* our little girl 1993-2009*

03-04-2010, 01:25 PM	#6
ourfirstyorkie ☺Farrah☺ Donating Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Long Island, NY, USA Posts: 1,430 Blog Entries: 1	I think keeping Knox in his "room" at night would work well. Don't forget the average time a puppy can " hold it" is 1 hour for each month of age. Good luck! __________________ Michele Farrah Stella and Jerry

03-04-2010, 01:21 PM	#5
zekie's mom YT Addict Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: PA & FL Posts: 403	My boy, who is almost 2, is both paper trained and outside trained. It did not seem to confuse him at all. They are smart little dogs so catch on easily. Zeke still does not like his harness or collar. We had a heck of a time with him when he was little. I slept with him from the time I got him at 8 weeks so always knew when he had to go potty during the night. I would take him to his papers, let him go, and then back to bed we would go. I have done that with every dog I have ever had. Of course, they then wind up sleeping with us forever, but we don't mind.

03-04-2010, 01:40 PM	#7
loveshay YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: TN Posts: 556	What I had done when I brought Shay home was, I had my husband cut a piece of wood that would fit across the kennel through the bars, not high, but enough so it separated it into 2 sections, and put puppy pad in back and his lil bed in the front....that way if he had to potty he could go back there.... it seems to work for me.. Was happy to hear they can do both outside and inside on pads, cause we are going on vacation and my lil munchkins are used to the potty pads but we will be out alot with them....I was worried about that.....we dont have luxury of going out here, where we live....I swear it is like africa..lol...so many animals and birds...so not safe. __________________ loving my lil SHAY

03-04-2010, 02:15 PM	#8
adamsmom729 Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: warren michigan usa Posts: 52	Sam uses both...puppy pads at night (but now at 8 months he rarely uses them) and whenever i am home he goes outside. If i hear him cry at night i will get up and take him out because he does perfer the outdoors. For the harness, it takes getting used to. Sam wore a collar from day one and hated it, now if you take it off for any reason he cries. Same thing with his harness, he hated it and now he brings it to me and sits for me to put it on him. Its a learning curve for them...think of it this way as a women (sorry men) back when you were a preteen and you had to wear a bra for the first time....who didn't hate it right? but you eventually get used to it. Sam now has 3 harnesses and 4 collars...all in differnt colors :-) Hope this helps and your little Knox is adorable!!! Kristy and Sammy

03-04-2010, 06:47 PM	#9
caricloud Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: TX Posts: 191	Thanks you all soooo much! I am glad to know that going potty both ways will work out. I will have to check out those harnesses on YT. The idea about the wood across the crate may be a solution to the problem as well. I am such a lucky yorkie Mom to have this site __________________ Mommy to Knox

03-04-2010, 06:52 PM	#10
RachelandSadie No Longer a Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Kansas City, MO Posts: 5,748	cat harnesses and collars sometimes work well for littler doggies. also, for potty training, pee pads are great to learn to use as well as outside because if you can't go outside due to cold, rain, then going inside on pads is nice as backup!! if he's peeing in the crate, then crate training for you might be going out the window because the crate's point is to make them hold it in their crate/sleeping area, is the crate too large. it should be just enough to turn around and lie down. also, if he's learning okay in his "room" i might just try that. you can use baby monitors to hear him if you'd like. good book for potty training is "house training for dummies" GOOD LUCK

03-04-2010, 10:41 PM	#11
joeyandtanksmom YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Kuna,ID,USA Posts: 557	How old is little Knox? If he's a younger guy, you'll need to take him out at least once in the middle of the night, just like having to get up with a newborn baby. I would say that at least to begin with, take the little guy out at least once every 4 hours at night, but every 2 hours during the day. If the accidents in the kennel persist, block off half the area in the kennel with a box or big towel or something, so he won't have as much free space. dogs don't like having to potty in their sleeping area, so I think taking him out more would probably at least help. Good luck to you! __________________ Sandy: Joey & Tank's Mom Jackson Ryan

03-05-2010, 07:09 AM	#12
caricloud Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: TX Posts: 191	Okay I tried the crate again last night. I got up after four hours to let him use the potty. At that time he had not had an accident.(yay Knox) He went pee but not the other. I guess he saved it for his crate..... I am going to try and block it half way tonight to give him less space and see if that works. __________________ Mommy to Knox

03-05-2010, 07:16 AM	#13
BanditSocks2 YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Crofton, MD, USA Posts: 1,522	Try Puppia XS harness. They fit Nala when she was a puppy (didn't know about them for Bandit). It's not a step in, but they don't mind wearing it after a little bit of getting used to it.

03-05-2010, 07:41 AM	#14
MaxwellHouse YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Earlysville Posts: 976	For the first 4 days/nights I got up a couple of times a night to let Maxwell out to pee. It seemed like 4 months, but it worked. I understand, though, that's not always feasible, but it paid off in the long run.

03-05-2010, 09:57 AM	#15
RachelandSadie No Longer a Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Kansas City, MO Posts: 5,748	we were lucky that i was able to sing Sadie to sleep by laying beside her crate at night and after only a couple weeks she was going to sleep by herself in the crate. we knew if we ever heard her whine at all it was potty time, lots of sleepless nights getting up to let her out, but it was worth it because she's 99% trained FINALLY!! We still have a rare poop accident but no more peeing in the house thank the Lord!