I need advice with potty training!

[Mizzdaisy]

Hi there!

I just bought a yorkie off a friend of a friend who did not want her yorkie anymore! She is 7 months old, and I just took her home 4 days ago now.

My issue is potty training, she doesn't let me know she has to go, doesn't give any signs or sniffs around for a spot to pee, she just does it wherever. When I catch her mid-pee, I try to get her to stop and she just keeps on going. I have moved her to another spot or taken her outside immediately, but she still isn't getting it.

Now, when I am upset at this i tell her firmly without raising my voice no, and move her, but thene she doesn't move and just balls up shaking?

She seems scared. If anyone has any ideas what I can do I would really appreciate it. I want this transition to be as good as possible withouth making her feel scared.

[CouversMom]

My advice... She's still a puppy and is adjusting to a new environment. You need to keep her contained if you cannot keep an eye on her 100%. Get an expen to contain her and keep water and potty pads available at all times. Make sure to take her out very frequently and praise her for going potty outside. Give her a small treat every time she goes where you want and she will eventually get it.

I would suggest not raising your voice... You are only going to scare her. You want to build the trust, not break it down. Good luck!

[Mizzdaisy]

Yes I definatley don't raise my voice to her, I found even the slightest tone change in my voice makes her squeemish. I do keep her contained when I am gone with pee pads, food, water, toys, and something to sleep on. And when I come home I take her out to pee right away, this is tricky too. She gets excited and pees on the floor when I arrive home. lol

I figured she was just getting used to it, but she is really scared. I like the treat idea when she goes pee outside, i'll try that!

Thank you

[chomper09]

Hey,
Congrats on the new pup. My yorkie is 2 1/2 months old and is already potty trained and knows the word potty already. First i started with everytime he wokeup from a nap i took him straight outside and said potty til he went then praised him by picking him up and scratching his stomach. After he drinks or eats i wait 5 min then straight outside again with the same procedure of saying potty. When his done we go inside. If i cant keep an eye on him i put him in the kennel then when i take him out we go straight outside. At night he sleeps with me and my other yorkie and when one of them wakes up we go straight outside. It takes time and dedication for potty training. But its all worth it. Hope this helps.

[Maximo]

Start at the beginning like you would with a new pup. I wrote a blog about potty training that has basic tips -- some things that you are already doing: Potty Training Small Dogs - Dog Life and Style

[gracielove]

Apparently the previous owner was not training this pup properly. She has been mistreated as evidenced by her fear.
Some people use a tether method with an older puppy. You get a 6' leash and attach the handle end to yourself and keep the pup with you at all times. Likely she will not pee when you are right there with her and you will be better able to spot her signals when she is about to go. An X-pen is an excellent thing to have when you cannot be right there with her. A bed and potty pads (in a locked frame preferably) will limit her ability to potty where she is not supposed to. The x-pen is just for short periods of time though. If you want her to learn more quickly then keep her under supervision at all times. Take her out frequently. Taking a dog for a walk works better than just standing outside. When they get out and smell the scents of other animals it encourages them to want to potty and the exercise also gets the body functions moving.
Try giving her a small healthy treat when she gets it right. Bring her back inside right away after she potties so she knows why she was out there in the first place. Being consistent and patient will get the job done. It may seem like it is not working at first but you have to consider that you are having to retrain out of the bad training she had during the first part of her life.

[AngelFae]

Maximo and Gracielove took my answers! LOL! I followed the method of constant supervision, taking out every 1/2 hour at first, then every hour, and so forth. He would go out after naps and after playing a lot. I always bring Blazer out the same door for potty breaks so he knows which door to go to when he needs out. I praise him when he does well and ignore him when he has accidents. (Which he hasn't had for a while!) He still sleeps in his kennel at night and I make sure that first thing in the morning he goes out to potty. He goes out before bed. I know when to let him out after eating or drinking just because I know his elimination schedule concerning his eating habits.
It'll come! Just have a lot of patience and give her lots of love. Congrats on your new baby!

[concretegurl]

Frequent potty trips to designated potty area.

Patience percistance and routine routine routine!

If ahe keeps using the smae spot in the house use white vinegar and steam clean it.

Try rewarding instead. When she goes take her to the right spot she's an infant she literally canNOT stop, sounds funny but talk in a high super excited praising voice good girl potty here yes! Pet her gently give treats.

Being stern with terriers isn't the optimal choice A. They are smart and stubborn or B. It's taken as genuine aggression and terrifies them horribly.

Have you tried potty pad training?

[LilAnnCamp]

I'm having issues now and my girl was doing good well really great. Now, after 2 months... she won't even sit for a treat. Don't get discouraged (your not alone).

[ConnieO]

Originally Posted by LilAnnCamp

I'm having issues now and my girl was doing good well really great. Now, after 2 months... she won't even sit for a treat. Don't get discouraged (your not alone).

No, you are not alone at all. I had the same problem with Khaleesi then learned she doesn't want to sit on the tile floor. She sits beautifully ANYWHERE except for the kitchen floor. She just will not sit THERE!

And just so I won't get bored, Khaleesi (who was pretty well pad trained) suddenly decides to go BESIDE the puppy pad ... every time. I move the pad and she squats beside it again. Maybe she doesn't like these pads, but I've used them for a while and this has just been in last two days. I am not sure how to handle it because I don't understand why the sudden change.

Guess I'll back up a step or two and give her a refresher course!

[gracielove]

I think most of us have gone through the time span when training seems to go out the window for a while. Just when you think your there suddenly they start some different behavior.
Gracie would regress whenever there was change in the household structure. One kid moved out and one moved back in. Although she didn't seem bothered by either event outwardly those were the times she started peeing beside the pad instead of on it and she seemed more stubborn about her obedience training. I just doubled up on training and always gave her a healthy treat when she got it right. If they regress in potty training then go back to confining to a smaller area if necessary and reward, reward, reward.
As concretegurl mentioned being stern does not work well with a Yorkie. You will end up with even more issues. Positive reinforcement and constant repetition is the key. You cannot back off on or get even a little lazy with their training.
If your dog will not sit or do basic obedience commands then start at the beginning again but don't back off just because the dog has seemed to learn the trick. Keep going over these lessons daily but make it fun for them.

[ConnieO]

Originally Posted by gracielove

Gracie would regress whenever there was change in the household structure.

Oh that explains so much! My daughter has been visiting for the last 2 months and left to go back to Washington Monday. I know Khaleesi misses her because she gave her her afternoon meal and played with her every day!

So, my plan is the same - refresh her training (which means ME being more vigilant).

[ConnieO]

Originally Posted by Mizzdaisy

Hi there!

I just bought a yorkie off a friend of a friend who did not want her yorkie anymore!

I don't have any recommendations, but I had trouble getting past this part of your message. I don't know how long she had her, but they obviously never bonded. I am so glad she's gone to someone like you who will love and care for her.

[southernbelle04]

I'm not sure if this will help, but if you are interested in having them potty pad trained, this has what has been a lifesaver for us. We got Katie Scarlett at 14 weeks and had the Potty Training Puppy Apartment from day one. That thing is awesome!!! She was 95% potty trained within the first couple weeks. Now she never has an accident, she's a little over a year. She no longer sleeps in the bed side of it, but it was our miracle. With this being our first dog I was scared of the whole potty training process, but this made it so simple. It is a bigger expense, but IMO, completely worth it. We bought the size small, but I think we could've used an XS. We buy the pads for it at Tractor Supply. We get 100 for $20. It's less expensive than ordering them from their site. And they have fabulous customer service!!! Katie Scarlett will still do her business outside on walks but having her pad trained is great for us and she does very well. Good luck to you! And Congrats on your new addition!

[DBlain]

I did not have time to read posts before me, if you want her to go outside and you can not see or hear her when she needs to go out, you need to use a ribbon with bells on the end, that she can ring, search my posts and you will see I talked alot about how this works/ you friend probably did not want her because of her accidents, I think that is the number one reason why people get rid of small dogs,