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05-19-2006, 07:13 AM | #1 |
Donating Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Minnesota
Posts: 58
| Help! 50 hrs x 2 per week of supervision Greetings Yorkie Lovers, Please forgive me if I sound like I am complaining and or whining as I am in a pretty depressed state. Our wonderful Yorkies, Annie and Susie are 5-1/2 months old now and have been spayed. They are so precious! They love the outdoors, we do a few walks a day and rides in the car, etc. The problem is because they are not totally house trained - they have to be watched continually while they are out of their pen. This turns out to be 50 hours a week for me and 50 hours for my husband (who also works part-time). The girls get to play in the big recreation room downstairs which is carpeted and leads to the door that will allow them to go outside - as they let us know or we think they have to go out. Well in about a month there are now 20 cleaned-up pee spots on the carpet of which we will have to have professionally cleaned and when they are outside they eat everything, including still...their feces. So we have to watch so we can pick-up the feces right away. The girls love to play outside. So when they give us a look like they want to go out - we let them out...but this turns out to be like 50 times a day because they just like to be outside. Thus, we aren't always catching the signals (or they are not well developed yet) that tell us that they need to go out to eliminate. We both (my husband and I) are shot! We haven't let them roam free in the whole house yet because they are not totally trained. We don't kennel them but instead have a pen in the kitchen that has an open kennel in there. In order for me to get some of my work done, I have to put them in the pen about every few hours and then I will do an hour of work and then go back and be with the girls - letting them out of the penned area so they can go outside or play in the rec room. As I have mentioned, we are both spent...tired. They get us up between 4:30 and 5:00 a.m. and we go to bed at 9:00 pm. Fortunately they are starting to sleep until 5:15 - 5:30 am. So...we feel very trapped. We can't do anything because we are watching the girls. I have the day shift and my husband watches them in the evening. My husband and I haven't been out on a date for some time and now we are both so exhausted that we don't feel like going out and hiring a dog sitter so we can have a night out. I feel like all I can do is talk puppy because I don't really have much outside contact except for my work which is mostly computer based. We made a commitment to these girls. We love them very much. Our feelings are not their fault what so ever! But what can we do to "not have to watch them constantly?" Thank you for reading all the way through this. Blessings and Yorkie love to you all!
__________________ Yorkie Love x 2, Terra |
Welcome Guest! | |
05-19-2006, 07:23 AM | #2 |
Donating YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: TX
Posts: 2,799
| First of all, congrats on the two babies! Are they being crate trained? If not, that would be a big help in giving you some breathing room and time to relax or go out. I'd have to leave it up to others on here to give advise on whether to crate them together or separate since I just have the one inside dog (Tatum-yorkie). Think about that....
__________________ ~ Angie |
05-19-2006, 08:17 AM | #3 |
YT 6000 Club Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Seattle, WA
Posts: 6,238
| Don't worry, it DOES get better! The first year is the most difficult. We were like that too the first year of Yoda's life, didn't do anything but take care of him. Do you give the girls rewards and make a big deal when they do go potty outside (or in the right places)? We found that method worked really well for us, we say "Good boy" many many times when Yoda went in the right place and also gave a treat as well. Have you tried leaving a pee pad in the pen? So they can go on that when they are in the pen and need to go? Over time, they should learn to play with each other, though they will always want your attention and love of course! There are also foods and treats that can keep them occupied for a bit, such as frozen chicken necks or Flossies. My boys love to chew and gnaw and something like that can keep them busy for a good half hour. Taking great care of Yorkie babies is hard work, it's great to see you and your husband put in so much dedication and time. Yoda was fully trained at about 8 or 10 months (was a while ago), so your girls may be there soon! Once they are fully trained, it'll get lots easier and a lot more fun for everyone! |
05-19-2006, 08:26 AM | #4 |
YT Addict Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Irving, TX
Posts: 252
| If you are open to it you simply have to crate train. It won't get better otherwise. I have realized that a lot of people on this board simply won't crate their dogs but I will suggest it always. They are much too young to be running free around the house anyway. They should be in their crates most of the time whether you guys are home or not. I would ask you to do a search on other posts by me and the advice is sound and it works. Only if you want though. good luck
__________________ http://www.dogster.com/?156534. |
05-19-2006, 08:37 AM | #5 |
YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Soddy Daisy, TN
Posts: 733
| I agree, it is extremely exhausting in the beginning with these yorkies, but it does get better. You will notice a big difference around 7 mos old. In the meantime, I would start crate training them. You can put them in a crate for longer periods of time, than an hour like you are doing now in the kennel, but you do have to work your way up to it. As soon as they are out of the crate take them outside to go potty. You should designate a time(s) during the day that is free play or walk outside time. All other times should be strictly for potty. I would use an x-pen outside to designate the potty area. You put them in the x-pen and they don't get out until they potty. Once they go potty they get to go back in the house or get their free play. (This should eliminate some of the time you go out, because they will come to understand that going out is for pottying and not necessarily playing. They will come to realize soon that if they want to play and get out of the x-pen they will have to potty first. Once they get the idea that they have to go potty as soon as they go outside, you can eliminate the x-pen. The other way to go is use a leash and keep to a specific area only. Don't walk them until they have gone potty. Now if they won't go potty when you take them out, then back in the crate and out again in 10-15min, until they finally go. Once they have gone, you should be ok for about an hour before they have to go again, after play. But at this age, they really have to go a lot. Almost every hour on the hour. That's why the crate is so good. You can train them to hold it longer. Hope that helps. Just a few suggestions. |
05-19-2006, 08:39 AM | #6 | |
YT 6000 Club Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: CA
Posts: 6,588
| Quote:
__________________ Mommy to Coco and Rocco | |
05-19-2006, 09:20 AM | #7 |
Donating Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Minnesota
Posts: 58
| To all who suggested crate train... We have a pen in which they learned to eliminate on pee pads. This worked fine. They still - if in the pen too long will use the pee pads. The pen is a large space with their kennel. I put them in there when I need to get some work done or it is their time to eat, etc. As they got used to the pee pads - then we started to also teach them to go outside. Thus, they have learned 2 methods of housetraining. At this point I don't know that I will now teach the crate aspect. It would seem to be more confusion, etc. I know that lots of people recommend the crate training and when we had our pomeranian's, we did exactly that. But...there is still the time they need to be moving around in the house. Time they need to let us know when they have to go outside, etc. The time that they are out of the pen is a time they can play, etc. I am just wondering when they will be able to make it so that we will be able to let them roam around the house without constant supervision. It sounds like we have to wait a bit longer by some of the replies shown here. Thank you all for your kinds words and wisdom and most of all...your support and understanding. Hugs!
__________________ Yorkie Love x 2, Terra |
05-19-2006, 01:31 PM | #8 |
Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Conroe, Texas
Posts: 50
| Hi, I have a 17wk old Yorkie and a 14wk old Brussels. Both boys, (plus a Cairn and Westie females, grown). I have the boys each in a fold away open crate with a pee pad, sleep pad, food, water and of course toys. They are right in the living room where all the action is. When I take them out of the crate they go right outside. I keep them in the crate when I am cleaning house, or tending to the fids but when I can sit and watch them they are out. I think the girls have helped the process as the boys just follow them outside. The boys sleep in their own carriers in the bedroom at nite. I thought about crating them together, but I don't think its fair for one to step in the others pee or poop so their crates are side by side. So far, so good but it takes patience and being consistent. Good luck and don't give up.
__________________ Chris and Critters |
05-19-2006, 01:57 PM | #9 |
YT 2000 Club Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: scotland
Posts: 2,224
| Terra well done for all the atention you have given your babies,it may be time to try crate training I did not crate my 1st Alfie but did with my 2nd Lottie. The other alternative that I have not used , I may add. Is attatching a lead to you and the dog when you are there and it enables you to read their signals and when they signal they need to potty , take them out right away , I think this method takes time but the literature says it works. There was also a post about spraying vanilla on the area you dont want them to go, do a search on house training.Hope you find an answer.
__________________ From Julie Alfie & Lottie Last edited by Juliealfies mum; 05-19-2006 at 02:01 PM. |
05-19-2006, 02:12 PM | #10 |
Donating Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Minnesota
Posts: 58
| About Crate Training again... Please, I mean no disrespect, but this isn't a new option we wish to participate in right now (crate training) since they already will use pee pads in their pen and go outside. My concerns is hoping that they can tell us in some way (signal) that they need to go out when we are not right in their presence. I put them in the pen when needed and they get the rec room and outside a lot of the day and night. Please, I know about Crate Training. At this point after 5 months of training with pee pads and outdoors we don't wish to include another new method. I could be wrong mind you, but at this point this is not what I am really looking for. I was hoping for some relief in supervising them. Having to watch them so closely when they are out of their pen and kennel (open crate). All of our time (their free time outside the pen) is supervised and here is where we are just pooped! I was hoping for some advise as to maybe being able to put them in the pen more or try leaving the house when they are in the pen (which I haven't tried yet), etc. I was looking for suggestions that will help us observe the signals of when they have to go outside when we have them in the rec room. Once this happens we can have them graduate to more rooms in the house. We are just tired but love our little girls. They are wonderful. I just got done playing ball with them outside. They love it. They get lots of rewards in the way of treats and affection for their great behavior! Thanks again and please don't be offended if I ask that Crate Training not be the issue here. Thank you. Blessings,
__________________ Yorkie Love x 2, Terra |
05-19-2006, 02:24 PM | #11 |
YT 2000 Club Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: scotland
Posts: 2,224
| I am not in least offended by your reply, but your pups are quite young ,so just stick to your method but it does get exhausting some times but it will work out in time.Alfie used to have mistakes but now never does and as I have said in another post, you should see the looks he gives Lottie when she has a mistake, good luck, Julie
__________________ From Julie Alfie & Lottie |
05-19-2006, 02:29 PM | #12 |
Donating Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: North Carolina
Posts: 106
| You can try giving your pups Deter to keep them from eating their own poo.
__________________ http://www.dogster.com/?328155 Petey http://www.dogster.com/?328593 Wally Momma to two sweet 's Petey & Wally |
05-19-2006, 02:40 PM | #13 |
I love TBCG! Donating Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: MD
Posts: 7,227
| Hi I have never used a crate or pee pads for Georgie. He still has an occasional accidents (very few and mostly My fault not hearing him scratch on the door). When he first started realizing that he needed to go outside he would just stand by the door and think that someone knew he was there. Now since he has gotten older he whines, barks and scratches on the door. I used to stand by the door with him and repeat outside and then he started to catch on and scratch, whine or bark. I think in time they will get it just continue you doing what you are doing. Good luck
__________________ Morgan Mommy toGeorgie boy & Isaiah RIP sweet Coco 10/12/99-8/1/12 Read About Georgie's Experience with Atlantoaxial Instability (AAI) Here! |
05-19-2006, 02:44 PM | #14 |
YT 6000 Club Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Seattle, WA
Posts: 6,238
| Is there a door from the rec room that leads to outside? If so, I was thinking maybe you can have a small bell which the girls can ring themselves (paw at to make jingle) when they need to go. I've heard some Yorkie parents train their Yorkies this way with good success. |
05-19-2006, 05:05 PM | #15 |
YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Al, Heart of Dixie
Posts: 581
| this is what Kizzy does. just goes to the door and stands and only for a minute , if I dont notice her go towards the door, its usually too late time I get to her. But I stand there and make her speak before I take her out. Hoping she will soon learn to speak on her own or whine or something. The bells arent working as she dont like them. But Ive got them there in case she ever does hit them, hoping she will learn to hit them and at least give me a sign she is there, but I will still make her speak before she goes out. that way maybe she will learn to speak without bells so if I take her to someone elses house that dont have bells she will know to speak to go out. hoping it works out. she is better during the day, but seems to have to pee more in late evening and early nights. strange, she will come to me at night lots of times and whine to let me know out. but not during the day and not all the time at night. gl to everyone with whatever your doing to train yours, i just hope it all gets better soon. Kizzy will be 4 months old June 2.
__________________ :Please Pray for our troops and support the USA. Linda |
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