Introduction & Questions

[msmbrazil]

Good morning all! I'm Missy and I'm new to the community. I bought my pup on this past Saturday 8/4 and fell instantly in love with him. His name is Diesel ( I love the irony of his name), he is 12 weeks old today, and he is a stubborn little guy.

Okay, so the issues we're having:
1. Housetraining- I'm trying to crate training, using a schedule I found on here. The problem is first thing in the morning, he relieve himself, but he usually won't eat ( I think this is because his breeder let him eat whenever). So then I crate him again, and he sleeps for hours, and when i try to get him back out, he won't budge. So I guess he really refuses to stick to any schedule, he wants to do his own thing~~lol.

2. Days and nights are mixed up-Diesel's naps are 3-4 hours long, and there is no waking him up. So at night when its bedtime, he barks, whines, squawks, quacks, all night long!! Its really as bad as having a newborn baby, lol. So, in the morning he sleeps it away~~~*sigh*.

3. Scratching- I thought when dogs/puppies scratched it was an indication of fleas. I took Diesel to the vet and he says this is not true, that all dogs scratch. Thoughts and opinions?

Someone please help!

[msmbrazil]

Oh this is the schedule I try to use:
7 am -- Get up, take Diesel out - he'll pee and maybe poo.
7:15 -- Feed him outside his crate.
7:30 -- Out again - he will poo and pee.
7:30 to 8:30 -- He gets to run around free in the fam room
8:30 -- Walk
9:00 to 12:15 -- Into the crate for the afternoon.
12:15-12:45 -- Out for a pee. Lunch.
12:45 to 3:30 -- Into the crate.
3:30 -- Out for a pee then Diesel gets supper.
4:00 -- Outside again for a pee and a poo.
4:00 to 5:00 -- Playtime in the fam room
5:00 to 8:00am -- Into the crate.
8:00 am -- Out for a pee.
8:00am to 11:00am -- Into the crate.
11:00 am -- Out for the last pee and poo of the night.

[Lovetodream88]

Welcome to YorkieTalk! You have a cutie there. I never crate trained and only put Callie in a crate at night to keep her safe and from going potty everywhere but I'm sure some one can help you with that. I would suggest a walk and big play session before bed. The first week or so Callie would cry almost all night. I would make sure the crate is where he can see you at night. When Callie would cry in the middle of the night I would take her out to the potty and then bring her back to her bed and ignore her. I also learned nap when she naps. I would say all dogs scratch a little if they have an itch but not a lot. Allergies can also make dogs itch.

[msmbrazil]

Oh and as far the the housetraining, he will go outside, but as soon as he's back in the crate he goes again, and sometimes sleeps in it before I'm aware that he went.

[luvlee]

Hi! Diesel is cutie! I didn't crate train either. I was going to though. There's nothing wrong with it.

I ended up using an exercise pen. I put her bed in it an water and wee wee pads. Once I got Lucy on MY schedule, it was easier to train.

12 week old puppies LOVE to sleep. It's not unusual. You have to make sure he's eating some though. My breeder suggested that I mix a little Ceasar soft food in with the kibble. Really coat the dry food. That way, he'll eat something.

As soon as he adjusts to eating 2x per day, you can stop mixing the wet stuff in. If he eats only a little bit in the morning, he'll chomp down at dinner.

Yorkies are smart. They'll try to work you over all the time. You can't let Diesel make the rules.

My Lucy is 6 mos. She's restricted to my kitchen during the day. She sleeps with me at night. I keep her crate in my room. She's been having some loose stool lately, so she had to sleep secured in her crate last night. She didn't love it, but as long as she could see me, she was OK.

I'm training Lucy to go only outside. She's really getting it! Consistency is the key. Also understanding YOUR puppy's signs and signals. Lucy will go up to the baby gate that keeps her in the kitchen and circle around. She makes sure I see her. If I don't pick up the signal that she has to go, then she'll just piddle right there. That's my fault.

Also, if your puppy is laying down for a long period and you begin playing - rest assured, he'll need to go. If he starts scratching furiously at his bedding, he has to go (or may have gone already.) It takes a little time to learn what your puppy is trying to tell you.

Make a HUGE fuss when he goes outside. Be patient. Expect mistakes.

Was Diesel bathed recently? Yorkies need special shampoo that must be rinsed, rinsed and rinsed again! Anything remaining on the fur or skin can irritate. With a little boy, if he had fleas, you can see them hanging around his privates. That's one of the best places to check.

I hope I helped you with some of your questions.

Best wishes, Tracey

[MY OSCAR]

welcome and congrats.
sorry i dont have any advice on the crate as far as being used for housetraining. i used an ex pen and litter box for my oscar.

for night time oscar sleeps in a crate next to my bed.
he slept thru the night since he was 12 weeks.
i just make sure he goes potty just before bed.

good luck with you little guy

[luvlee]

Originally Posted by msmbrazil

Oh and as far the the housetraining, he will go outside, but as soon as he's back in the crate he goes again, and sometimes sleeps in it before I'm aware that he went.

Clean him up, remove and wash bedding, and try again. Use Natures Miracle. You can't scold Diesel for going in the crate. If you don't catch him in the act, he won't understand why you're upset with him. If you catch him going, then pick him up immediately, sternly and deeply (not loud) say "NO NO NO!" and take him outside to the spot where he should go.

You don't want Diesel to NOT want to be in his crate. You may have to monitor how much he's drinking and when. What goes in must come out.

He's learning. It will take some time. If you use an exercise pen with a bed, water and wee pads, then he'll probably be less likely to soil himself.

It's good to have an extra crate bed to switch to in a pinch.

Good luck! Tracey

[wisteria]

OMGosh, he is adorable!

I am new too. Bella is a quick learn so I am sure your baby is too.

I don't have words of wisdom, but wanted to say welcome!

[msmbrazil]

Thanks ladies for your suggestions and thoughts... I'm going to try walking him before bedtime/after supper and maybe move his crate to an area i can see him...i guess this will require a lot more patience.

[navillusc]

You might also try to 'smaller up' his crate space...leave him just sleeping room and potty space with a potty pad where he can go if need be....and expanding it as he grows. At 12 weeks old, he is still pretty young...you want him to be able to stay clean, have both areas (sleeping and potty) at his disposal, and not become distressed over bodily functions he may not be mature enough to control while you work on training him in the way you'd 'like him to become'...

He is definitely a cutie pie, though, and not only will he steal your heart, he will be your very devoted constant companion most likely. Just hang in there!