Hi

[Winnii]

Hello, I'm winnie. I'm new on here and I'm also new to having a puppy. Lillie, my pup, is a 5 month old yorkie (i've been trying to upload a photo, but have been unable to do so).

I only just got her yesterday. I was so excited to get the puppy- I drove almost 6 hours to get her. I've wanted a puppy for years. But now I'm scared and I feel like I've made a huge mistake. I cried this morning. She's cute and all. But she isn't potty trained, neither is she crate trained. I'm scared to let her run around the house and I keep a watchful eye on her. Even then, she's had 4 accidents in the house- she peed thee times and pooped once! She barely eats and barely drinks water. Doesn't like the treats I got from the pet store. I really don't know what to do!! I was so looking forward to getting the puppy. But now I feel like I made a mistake, an expensive one and I'm almost sure the breeder wont give me my money back... Is it normal to feel this way?

I thought I was going to be raising her with my bf, but he just said I was mistaken, so it seems like I'm supposed to do it on my own. I don't know if I can. I think I love Lillie (I mean I just met her yesterday) But I already love her, and I feel like she loves me. She follows me everywhere (unless she's going to be naughty i.e. potty where she shouldn't). She loves crawling in my lap and licking my face. She's so peaceful- she doesn't bark or cry (even though she doesn't like being put in her crate- which I plan on making her sleep in tonight for the first time). I just feel so lost and alone in this. Is there something wrong with me? I want to keep her, but I don't know if I can. Can anyone please advise me or like just tell me what it was like when they got their first puppy.. I don't want to feel so alone and hopeless.

[Wylie's Mom]

Hi and welcome to YT and congrats on Lillie.

Puppies are exactly like any other baby - they're born not knowing things; they have to be taught, just like any other animal. They don't potty train themselves or anything...that's all up to you and, yup, it is a lot of work, dedication, and commitment.

It sounds like you didn't really research owning a puppy or prepare for its arrival, so I'd recommend you read everything in this thread: http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/gen...ent-guide.html

Keep in mind you probably will need to tether her to you for potty training, as outlined in the training in those links. Also, you need to confine her to very, very small areas....we used an Iris pen for that, worked great. I don't really believe in crate training as all 4 of mine hate the crate so much.

[Lilbit123]

welcome! I remember feeling petrified when I was sent home from the hospital with an infant, now a young lady lol. Listen to the experienced folks on here. They have a lot of great info. Second, relax and enjoy her..sounds like she already enjoys you!

[matese]

Until she is 100% potty trained you cannot give her free roam of your home. Give her a small area, gate off rooms you don't want her in Set her pee pad in one area. When I had pups and they peed or pooped where they felt like, I would take the poop set it on the pad pick up the pup, set her on the pad with the poop on it and give the command "poo poo on the pad". If the peed some where I took the pad, absorbed the pee with the pad, took the pad back where it was, pick up the pup, place her on the pad with the pee on it, then give the command "pee-pee on the pad". All my now passed pups were 100% pad trained by 5 months old. Puppies are a lot of work and you need a LOT of patience with them, potty training is not an over night thing. If you got this puppy against your BF's wishes, or if you got this pup because it was what YOU WANTED you cannot / should not expect your BF to pitch in and help you. He will discourage you about having this puppy, I can see that by what you wrote as one of his responses. YT members advise all new owners of yorkies to get this helpful book called "yorkies for dummies" I believe it can be purchased on amazon,com. It has everything you need to know about yorkies. When I got my first yorkie there were no computers, I searched book shops and bought every book I could find on yorkies. Search our YT library, it is filled with much information on yorkie puppies. If you are talking yourself into "it is to much work" you will fail at training this baby. YOU must be positive and tell yourself "I CAN DO THIS" seems like you are giving up before even trying. Yorkies are an awesome intelligent, loving, entertaining, loyal breed, PLEASE do not give up on this baby. You have to educate yourself on this breed. Read on potty training, keep all wires, lamps, TV, stereo wire out of pups reach, they are teething and will chew on anything, furniture, carpets, they must me supervised at all times. I never crate trained any of my puppies so I cannot suggest the best crate, playpen or X-pen. Other members will be along to offer advise and suggestions. Once YOU have this baby trained you will wonder how you ever lived without her.

[Winnii]

Originally Posted by Wylie's Mom

Hi and welcome to YT and congrats on Lillie.

Puppies are exactly like any other baby - they're born not knowing things; they have to be taught, just like any other animal. They don't potty train themselves or anything...that's all up to you and, yup, it is a lot of work, dedication, and commitment.

It sounds like you didn't really research owning a puppy or prepare for its arrival, so I'd recommend you read everything in this thread: http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/gen...ent-guide.html

Keep in mind you probably will need to tether her to you for potty training, as outlined in the training in those links. Also, you need to confine her to very, very small areas....we used an Iris pen for that, worked great. I don't really believe in crate training as all 4 of mine hate the crate so much.

Hi Wylie's mum, thanks for your reply. I thought I did enough background research, I checked for months, looking for the right breeder, looking up what I needed, vets, training centers/schools, grooming etc. I thought I had it down packed until the first night. That was tough. I will read the thread you recommended. Thanks so much.

I put her in a crate last night. She was sad and I don't think she slept.. So I didn't leave her in for too long. I'm trying to gradually ease her into being kept in the crate, especially when I can't watch her every move. Right now she's sleeping in my lap which is so comforting because I feel like I'm not a total failure at this. Thanks again!!

[Winnii]

Originally Posted by Lilbit123

welcome! I remember feeling petrified when I was sent home from the hospital with an infant, now a young lady lol. Listen to the experienced folks on here. They have a lot of great info. Second, relax and enjoy her..sounds like she already enjoys you!

Thanks LilBit123, I'm glad someone can somewhat relate to how I feel. I am trying to relax and enjoy her. We have vets appointment in a little bit and then grooming. Hopefully I learn a lot from the people I meet there. Thanks!

[Winnii]

Originally Posted by matese

Until she is 100% potty trained you cannot give her free roam of your home. Give her a small area, gate off rooms you don't want her in Set her pee pad in one area. When I had pups and they peed or pooped where they felt like, I would take the poop set it on the pad pick up the pup, set her on the pad with the poop on it and give the command "poo poo on the pad". If the peed some where I took the pad, absorbed the pee with the pad, took the pad back where it was, pick up the pup, place her on the pad with the pee on it, then give the command "pee-pee on the pad". All my now passed pups were 100% pad trained by 5 months old. Puppies are a lot of work and you need a LOT of patience with them, potty training is not an over night thing. If you got this puppy against your BF's wishes, or if you got this pup because it was what YOU WANTED you cannot / should not expect your BF to pitch in and help you. He will discourage you about having this puppy, I can see that by what you wrote as one of his responses. YT members advise all new owners of yorkies to get this helpful book called "yorkies for dummies" I believe it can be purchased on amazon,com. It has everything you need to know about yorkies. When I got my first yorkie there were no computers, I searched book shops and bought every book I could find on yorkies. Search our YT library, it is filled with much information on yorkie puppies. If you are talking yourself into "it is to much work" you will fail at training this baby. YOU must be positive and tell yourself "I CAN DO THIS" seems like you are giving up before even trying. Yorkies are an awesome intelligent, loving, entertaining, loyal breed, PLEASE do not give up on this baby. You have to educate yourself on this breed. Read on potty training, keep all wires, lamps, TV, stereo wire out of pups reach, they are teething and will chew on anything, furniture, carpets, they must me supervised at all times. I never crate trained any of my puppies so I cannot suggest the best crate, playpen or X-pen. Other members will be along to offer advise and suggestions. Once YOU have this baby trained you will wonder how you ever lived without her.

Hi Matese, thanks for your response. You are totally right. Even while watching her 100% of the time, if I look away for one second something may happen. Thanks for your advice, I will try putting the poop/pee on the pad to encourage her to go there. I have a question, what do you suggest I do when she goes in her crate when I'm not there? How can I correct her?

I agree that I cannot expect him to pitch in, I guess I'm just a little (okay more than a little, more like a whole lot) hurt by the situation, I expected more. But I guess just like a baby can't fix a broken relationship, neither can a puppy. It hurts all the same, but I will get over it with time.

I will buy the book you recommended, it has been in my Amazon cart, I just didn't get round to ordering it yet. I guess I'm being so negative because I'm scared and also I'm hurt.. But I will try. Like I said in an earlier reply, we're going to the vet today and hopefully we can make it to the groomers. She's really loving and I want it to work out so much. Thank you for your advice and words of encouragement.

Oh and I got her to go outside this morning! I felt so happy!!! She went in her crate earlier though, but that's better than going on the floors. Thanks again. Maybe I can do this after all!

[Winnii]

Thanks so much for all the responses. I learned a lot and also don't feel so lost/alone.

I put her in her crate last night. She didn't like it so I didn't leave her in for too long. I put her back in this morning whilst I attended to somethings. I'm glad I did this cos she pooped in the crate which I feel is a step in the positive direction (kindly correct me if I'm wrong). She refused to eat this morning, but she did drink a lot of water. I took her outside 10 minutes after and she peed outside! I was so happy! I think she's getting it.

We go to the vet in a few hours. I hope it goes well. And if we're done in time we should be going to the groomer. I'm going to try my best and not just give up off the bat. I hope it works out. She's so sweet and I just want to make her happy. Does anyone have any suggestions/tips as to how to make her happy?

[matese]

Originally Posted by Winnii

Hello, I'm winnie. I'm new on here and I'm also new to having a puppy. Lillie, my pup, is a 5 month old yorkie (i've been trying to upload a photo, but have been unable to do so).

I only just got her yesterday. I was so excited to get the puppy- I drove almost 6 hours to get her. I've wanted a puppy for years. But now I'm scared and I feel like I've made a huge mistake. I cried this morning. She's cute and all. But she isn't potty trained, neither is she crate trained. I'm scared to let her run around the house and I keep a watchful eye on her. Even then, she's had 4 accidents in the house- she peed thee times and pooped once! She barely eats and barely drinks water. Doesn't like the treats I got from the pet store. I really don't know what to do!! I was so looking forward to getting the puppy. But now I feel like I made a mistake, an expensive one and I'm almost sure the breeder wont give me my money back... Is it normal to feel this way?

I thought I was going to be raising her with my bf, but he just said I was mistaken, so it seems like I'm supposed to do it on my own. I don't know if I can. I think I love Lillie (I mean I just met her yesterday) But I already love her, and I feel like she loves me. She follows me everywhere (unless she's going to be naughty i.e. potty where she shouldn't). She loves crawling in my lap and licking my face. She's so peaceful- she doesn't bark or cry (even though she doesn't like being put in her crate- which I plan on making her sleep in tonight for the first time). I just feel so lost and alone in this. Is there something wrong with me? I want to keep her, but I don't know if I can. Can anyone please advise me or like just tell me what it was like when they got their first puppy.. I don't want to feel so alone and hopeless.

Have you taken this baby for her vet check. When you buy a new puppy they should be taken to YOUR vet ASAP like with-in 48 hours after you get her for a check up to make sure she is healthy. Are you feeding her the same food she was eating with her prev. owner, she should be kept on the same food she was eating. If she is not eating or drinking water this is cause for concern and vet should be consulted.

[Winnii]

Originally Posted by matese

Have you taken this baby for her vet check. When you buy a new puppy they should be taken to YOUR vet ASAP like with-in 48 hours after you get her for a check up to make sure she is healthy. Are you feeding her the same food she was eating with her prev. owner, she should be kept on the same food she was eating. If she is not eating or drinking water this is cause for concern and vet should be consulted.

Hi Matese, we have out first vet's appointment in a couple of hours, got her over the weekend (Saturday night) and this was earliest appointment I could get.

Yes, I am feeding her the same food from the breeder, he gave me some to feed her until I can get some more. She's drinking water now, thankfully. But still barely eats (she eats like once a day at night). I'll let you know what the vet says. Thanks again!

[wigglewomyn]

Originally Posted by Winnii

Hi Matese, we have out first vet's appointment in a couple of hours, got her over the weekend (Saturday night) and this was earliest appointment I could get.

Yes, I am feeding her the same food from the breeder, he gave me some to feed her until I can get some more. She's drinking water now, thankfully. But still barely eats (she eats like once a day at night). I'll let you know what the vet says. Thanks again!

Congrats on your new baby! Yes, it is a bit scary and a lot of work, having a new puppy. Good luck at the vet. I hope her visit goes well and she comes away with flying colors.

Did you ask the breeder when you got your puppy how much she ate and at what times? Did your breeder crate train the puppy? Was your puppy being pad trained or outdoor trained at the breeders? I would think that a 5 month old puppy would be almost housebroken by that age, no matter what way it was being trained. If your breeder didn't crate train your puppy, it is probably going to take awhile for your puppy to get used to being in a crate given how old she is. Maybe try a pen first because that is a bigger area. If your puppy was crated at the breeders, maybe she is sad because she is away from the only home she has known her whole life. Did the breeder give you any blanket or toys that she had there? Maybe put them in the crate with her.

Also, I had a terrible time training my one puppy. She would go wherever she was, including her crate (a place most puppies won't go in). She was very hard to train. I had to start over quite a few times.

Good luck with your new puppy. You are going to love owning a yorkie. I love my 2 yorkie puppies.

[JadeD]

Welcome to Yorkie Talk!

Congrats on the new puppy. I am sorry you are feeling overwhelmed. This will pass.

Be patient with her as far as potty training. My 2 Yorkie puppies will be 5 months old in a few days and they are not completely house trained, but we have less accidents than we did 2 months ago, so it is progress. We will go days with no accidents at this point and then all of a sudden it is like they forget they are house trained and pee and poop everywhere and then the next day they are back to going outside or on the pee pad. I am finding that it is easier to try to keep them totally outdoor trained right now and then using the pee pad only in extreme circumstances. Mine hold it all night (they sleep with people).

Take the puppy outside frequently if you can, or set her on the pee pad if you can't and tell her "Go Potty." When she goes praise her like crazy. All my dogs know what go potty means and so that way even if I am in a strange place they know what I want them to do when I tell them that.

Good luck and it will get easier. When I first brought home the 2 puppies (they are brother and sister) when they were 10 weeks old I was overwhelmed a bit, but because I have more experience with puppies, or because I am a mom, I just dealt with it and knew that it was a temporary thing, and it was. It is so much easier now.

Enjoy your new baby!

[Zeus is Loved]

Hello and welcome. Yes, I know how you feel. I am 47 years old and never had a pet of any kind before December 28, 2014 (I do have one child and that was scary). We got our precious Zeus, and I am so OCD about a mess on the floor -- I thought I wouldn't make it. The key for us was confining him to a small area. We decided no to crate training (no offense to anyone who does), so we confined him to our laundry room which has tile floors (can't ruin those)! He had room for a bed, pee pad, and food, as well as room to move around a bit. We did dry the pee with toilet paper if he had an accident and placed it on the pad. Oddly, Zeus never really pooed off the pad. He trained really quickly this way. Treats were a must and ridiculous amounts of praise. Then we let him have the laundry room and kitchen (tile floors as well). Now he has full reign of the house and sleeps with us and has never had an accident off the pad. He is a little over 9 months old. You will get through it, and the greatest reward is the unconditional love you will receive. Your baby will be full of pride every time the pad is used. Zeus comes to show us still. He is so proud. I wish you the best of luck with the training. You will look back on this fear and worry and wonder what you were thinking in about a month.

[Deviruchi]

when i first got kupo, i was completely overwhelmed like you were. i read everything, looked up on grooming to how to handle certain things, but when i got him, housebreaking him was one of the major things that stressed me at least for 2 weeks. if you get patient with him and keep trying, he'll get it. kupo is 5 1/2 months now, and he's starting to get it, but he have some accidents every now and then.. if he doesn't have access to the potty pad or whatnot..

but here is a copy from one of his trainer on how to housebreak a puppy
i hope it helps.


THE POTTY WARS -- HOUSETRAINING

Housetraining a puppy is probably the lesson which gives a new puppy owner the most

trouble. This need not be the case if a few simple rules and a few instinctive traits are

1. Most puppies (approx. 90%) are instinctively clean when in their bed.

2. The puppy should be in his crate at night, when no one is home, and when

someone is home but does not have the time to strictly supervise his freedom.

Puppies need, and must have, a lot of time out of the crate and a lot of

socialization and handling. However, he must gradually earn the privilege of total

freedom in your home and this will only come with diligent supervision on your

part and confinement when no supervision is possible.

3. When taking your puppy outside to eliminate, always go with him, sometimes on

leash and sometimes off leash, using a key word such as “out”, “potty”, etc., each

time you take him to the door. Take him to the same area of the yard each time.

Have a word for the action (potty, business, etc.). A puppy tends to eliminate in

an area where he can smell that he has gone before. This same instinct will also

apply to your carpet, so don’t allow him on the carpets until he is completely

housetrained or under constant supervision.

4. Praise and reward your puppy for eliminating outside. Positive reinforcement is

what will convince him that outside is the place to go. Play and walk a bit after he

goes. Keep him on leash frequently. You will be taking your puppy on some great

adventures and he will need to know that he can potty while on leash.

5. There are certain times when a puppy must be taken outside for elimination:

upon first waking in the morning, immediately after each meal, after an active

play period, after a nap, last thing before going to bed, and any time you see him

sniffing the floor and circling around. You do NOT want to take him outside every

half hour or so – you are trying to space out his trips to the yard and teach him to

control himself in between. Establish a routine that he can count on and that

works for both of you.

6. Supervised freedom is next in importance and the step on which most people fail.

Just because, with confinement and regular trips outside, your puppy has not had

an accident in the house for several days, do NOT think it means he is ready to be

turned loose in the house!

7. Your aim, through confinement and supervised freedom, is to PREVENT the puppy

from having an accident rather than to correct him after he has one. If you find

an accident on the floor – it is YOUR fault = you weren’t watching him. Clean it up

and don’t correct the puppy. Use a mixture of white vinegar and water to

neutralize the odor after you clean up. (Test the mixture on a small spot of carpet first for color fastness.) You may also find a good commercial product with

enzymes works well.

8. If you catch you puppy in the act of eliminating in the house, do something to

interrupt him, like a distracting noise (but do not scare him). Immediately take

him to his bathroom area, praise him and give him a treat when he finishes. Do

not punish your puppy for accidents!

9. If your puppy has been in the crate for a long period of time and cries to get out,

immediately respond to his cry and take him outside. On the other hand, if he has

just been put into the crate and you know that he doesn’t have to eliminate,

ignore his cries or command him to be quiet. DON’T take him out of the crate

when he is whining for no reason. If you do, you will be rewarding him for bad

behavior.

10. If you must leave your puppy alone all day because all members of the family

work, a slightly different approach is used. A very young puppy can not be

expected to control himself all day. He must be given a place where he can

properly eliminate. Do not turn your puppy loose in a room. Pen him into a small

area that is large enough for his bed and a space that can be covered by multiple

sheets of newspaper – his bed and “bathroom.” If it is possible for a family

member or neighbor to come in once or twice a day to take the puppy outside,

then the newspaper can be eliminated and the puppy confined to just his bed or

crate. There are also commercial potty training pads now that can be used

instead of newspaper.

11. Some puppies develop their own method of alerting you when they need to go

out; others simply stand at the door “hoping” someone will see them. Your puppy

can learn to alert you of his need to go out by teaching him to find you and lead

you to the door. When you see him standing at the door, call him away from the

door, ask him if he wants to go “out” (use a key word) and then hurry to the door

with him and let him out. Each time this occurs, stand further from him when you

call him. After a day or so, go out of his sight (adjoining room) and call him, ask

him if he wants to go “out”, and hurry him to the door. In a short time, the puppy

will come LOOKING for you when he has to go out and lead you to the door.

Another method is to tie one or more small bells on a string and hang it on the

doorknob within reach of the puppy’s nose and paw (without him having to jump

up). Each time the puppy goes out, walk him close to the door, hold a treat

behind the bell; when the puppy approaches to take the treat, you ring the bell,

PRAISE him, and let him out. Soon, the puppy will be ringing the bell to go out -

continue to praise and reward him.

Housetraining is crucial. Its failure may be the most frustrating thing owners can face.

The responsibility is yours to supervise your puppy and provide him guidance. Proper

housetraining can be done, with time, attention, and consistency.

[matese]

Originally Posted by Winnii

Hi Matese, thanks for your response. You are totally right. Even while watching her 100% of the time, if I look away for one second something may happen. Thanks for your advice, I will try putting the poop/pee on the pad to encourage her to go there. I have a question, what do you suggest I do when she goes in her crate when I'm not there? How can I correct her?

I agree that I cannot expect him to pitch in, I guess I'm just a little (okay more than a little, more like a whole lot) hurt by the situation, I expected more. But I guess just like a baby can't fix a broken relationship, neither can a puppy. It hurts all the same, but I will get over it with time.

I will buy the book you recommended, it has been in my Amazon cart, I just didn't get round to ordering it yet. I guess I'm being so negative because I'm scared and also I'm hurt.. But I will try. Like I said in an earlier reply, we're going to the vet today and hopefully we can make it to the groomers. She's really loving and I want it to work out so much. Thank you for your advice and words of encouragement.

Oh and I got her to go outside this morning! I felt so happy!!! She went in her crate earlier though, but that's better than going on the floors. Thanks again. Maybe I can do this after all!

You CAN do it, educate yourself on how to potty train a puppy. You said you took her out doors and she went, maybe that is how the breeder trained her, to make outside. Call the breeder, ask if she was pad trained, as another member wrote, at 5 months she should be either pad trained or trained to go outside. The breeder had her for 5 months, they certainly didn't let her pee and poo where ever she wanted to go. It would make it easier on you and this little pup if you knew what method the breeder used. I am reading between the lines here, sounds like the relationship between you and the BF is not going well. You need to focus on this puppy right now, she will bring you happiness, laughter and lots of love. In order for you to be happy with this little girl you have to focus on the potty training, when she pees were you want her to reward with treats and crazy hand clapping happy dance praise, yes sounds silly but everyone of us here on YT has acted like a nut over a pee or poop on the pad or out doors. You asked how to make her happy.....just love her, speak gently to her, no screaming, yelling or hollering if she has accidents, correct her gently, show her where she should make, cuddle her, and play with her, that will make her happy. You also asked what to do if she makes in her crate, what can you do, she had to make, she is just a baby, puppies have small bladders they can't hold urine for long periods. I personally would not scold her, but that is me. They say dogs will not make where they sleep or eat, I have had puppys pee and poop in their small confined area where their bed and food & pee pad was, they couldn't make it in time to reach the pad so they just went, when they have to make they do. I would contact the breeder to see what potty training method was used.....I hope when you went to the vet you told the vet she was not eating.