Ok, Fess Up!!

[Sookie]

...those of you who have completely housebroken your Yorkies.

I see so many threads on here from those of us who are trying to train our puppies and it seems like a lot of us are finding small rewards but nothing definite. I have only had Kalina for a little while, but I wouldn't say she is really learning...it has been more a matter of me catching her at the right time. She does go outside, or on her pee pad, but she's just as likely to go anywhere she pleases. The crate has been great, because she doesn't go in the crate - plus it keeps her out of mischief - but there have been times where I have had her outside for hours and she comes inside and pees.

So, to those of you who have completely broken your Yorkies (and one I read actually rings a little bell to go out!!) please share with us what you did and how long it took, etc. I, for one, am waiting with baited breath.

[marcerella02]

well it sure wasn't easy. i was lucky that i was off of school for the summer when i got Layla and have previous expereince with my ex-bf golden retriever puppy... and we went out every hour.... i know.. sounds a bit much.. but i didn't want her to have an accident... i never used the crate for trianing but only beause i never thought of it.. Layla went out after every meal, nap, play time... and still... every hour.. i used a key word "hurry up" which is handy now because she knows the difference between outside to play and outside to do our buisness.... also treats were huge.. i brought them out with me and she got one after every pee and poop. now she gets them when she comes in but at the begining it was important to have them outside... she did have accidents and if i could catch her i would loudly say "ah ah" wchihc would make her stop and out we would go. I spent last summer away from home with Layla, so when we got back home we attached a bell to the door but you can start now with the bell!!! just ring it when you go out.... and she will eventually get the idea!

[mistyinca]

Originally Posted by Sookie

...those of you who have completely housebroken your Yorkies.

I see so many threads on here from those of us who are trying to train our puppies and it seems like a lot of us are finding small rewards but nothing definite. I have only had Kalina for a little while, but I wouldn't say she is really learning...it has been more a matter of me catching her at the right time. She does go outside, or on her pee pad, but she's just as likely to go anywhere she pleases. The crate has been great, because she doesn't go in the crate - plus it keeps her out of mischief - but there have been times where I have had her outside for hours and she comes inside and pees.

So, to those of you who have completely broken your Yorkies (and one I read actually rings a little bell to go out!!) please share with us what you did and how long it took, etc. I, for one, am waiting with baited breath.

I have actually been working on a set of posts on how I got Chloe completely housebroken at 5 months old. It is getting really long, though, LOL, and I think some might get tired of reading it . As there is not any ONE thing I did...there are several things.

[yorkieusa]

Well, yorkies are intelligent little babes and learn quickly. It is advantageous to be at home with them. I've housebroken two. Kacee learned with the bells. If you stay at home with them, they'll be housebroken before they are six months old. I love the bells, because I can hear them all over the house. She never has any accidents. Yea!

[Sookie]

Originally Posted by mistyinca

I have actually been working on a set of posts on how I got Chloe completely housebroken at 5 months old. It is getting really long, though, LOL, and I think some might get tired of reading it . As there is not any ONE thing I did...there are several things.

I promise not to get bored. PLEASE post!!

[RLC12345678]

Both of my yorkies are completely housebroken. It took my male about 2 weeks. But while we were potty training him, he was the only dog we had and one of us was home at all times so we could always catch him in the act. And my little male is so eager to please. So, I think it was a combination of his personality and our schedules that helped with potty training him. With my 2nd yorkie, Hootie, she was about a year old before she was going 100% outside. By then, both my husband and I were working fulltime so it took more time to train her. And she is NOT eager to please. She could care less if we punish her. But luckily both are going 100% of the time outside now. I can't remember the last time I found a surprise inside.

[Erin]

This is the SHORT version, believe it or not.

We got Loki at 13 weeks. Started crate training and taking him out OFTEN and giving him a treat when he went out. He got the pooping outside thing down, and we fed him on a schedule so that helped. When he started to go in the house we would grab him and RUN outside. He got that figured out pretty quick - but we also caught him in the act every time!

Otherwise, he literally peed every 5 minutes. Finally, we learned he had a bladder problem and also that he was drinking WAY too much water (4 times what he needed) and was drinking it too fast, causing him to pee every 5 minutes. Anyway, once he was on medicine training was easy because he already knew what to do. He would scratch softly at the door and have an accident on the mat by the door if no one heard him. By 10 months he would ask to go outside EVERY time and accidents were only if we did not let him out in time. We put the bells up when he was a year old. It took him about a week to learn how to ring the bells. Now, he rings them when he wants to go out, which is still every 30 mins. He is crated when we aren't home.

Sammy was almost a year old when she came to us and was not potty trained. We started sending her outside every time Loki went out - which is pretty often. She also thought nothing of just going on the floor. It took us a while to learn her routine, since it is slightly different from Loki's. I learned what times of day she needed to poop (morning first thing, afternoon around 4, and then usually before bed) and would sit outside with her until she went, waiting with a treat. She would try to come inside before she was done, and I'd take her right back out. Now, 4 months later she FINALLY knows what do to when we go outside, doesn't try to come back (often) before I'm convinced she's empty, and she scratches at the door or sits by the door or at least barks at me or *something* to let me know. No accidents from Sammy in a week or two so I can't complain!!

They are both crated when we are not home, which is usually not longer than 4 hours. Yes, my husband works from home, but that's not why she's trained. She would go whole weekends with no accidents and then have one on Monday because he would get busy and couldn't or didn't let her out. Now she is learning to yell at him to let her out!! This DID help with Loki because we crated him, and then hubby would let him out often. But he had the crate if he needed it.

So to sum up, Loki was a year old before he was 100%. He was down to about 1 accident a week by the time he was 8 months, simply because he couldn't hold it.

Sammy was nearly 1 when we got her and not trained - she knew the grass was a fun place to pee but had no idea it was the right place to pee. 4 months later she is giving us cues.

We basically spent ALL of our free time training these two, obviously at different times (Loki's 2 1/2) Loki was WAY harder than Sam because of his medical problems. She was a challenge only because she barks for attention when she is in her crate so we tethered her and watched her constantly.

Anyway, I don't know if that helps anyone, but hopefully it will encourage some of you??

[diggy4]

Okay Diggy is 4 months....he pees where ever he feels like it, oblivious to all rules and expectations. I am not too concerned YET here is why

Both Bella and Ada were also oblivious to rules also I did not correct them for going inside, instead I prasied for going outside. I dont believe they understand its a bad thing and take it like going to the bathroom itself is a bad thing, eventually they got it and Bella stomps her feet and get right in your face to go outside now.

I try and get Diggy outside every half hour or so but he is getting a sense of pride when he goes outside I get really happy and praise him lots and he now praces when he goes and bounces around like look what I did!! So thats my experiance with potty training. God luck!

[Ladylavender]

Millie is 100% housebroken and I can say that it was several things that got her that way. My husband and I work, so it is possible to housebreak (at 100%) even though you work. But it is tough, hard work and can last up to 4-5 months. Never once did I let up. It was the only priority in my life for those 4-5 months.

1. I never (not once) introduced her to a peepad. She was strictly taught to go outside.
2. We crated her while we were at work. (we were lucky, she never did go in the crate)
3. She never ever ever had free range of the house.
4. When she was out of the crate, I absolutely never took my eyes off her. Not for a second, not for a moment, not to turn around for something, not to answer the phone, to pick something up or any other number of reasons people on this forum give. Not to watch t.v. When she was out of the crate, I either was playing with her, had her in my lap or was watching her.
5. When we were home, I took her out every hour on the hour. Rain, shine, cold weather, snowing or any other kind of inclement weather. This was rough, but I did it.
6. Kept her in the crate at night to sleep and would wake up in the middle of the night to take her out when she whined, sometimes it was once a night, sometimes it was twice a night. And took her out first thing in the morning when we woke up.
7. When we got home from work, she went out for a walk. She and I did not come in until she had peed 2-3 times and pooped once.
8. Once she was clicker trained I would "click and treat" every time she squated to pee or hunched to poo. This really reinforced the connection of what our expectation was when we took her out.
9. I did not free feed her. She was fed 2 x a day. that way we were able to control her bowel movements.
10. NO water after 8pm.
11. If she squatted in the house, I would give a firm NO! Pick her up and take her outside and gave her plenty of time to pee out there. (I never really had problems with her going poo in the house)
12. I never ever relied on her to tell me she had to go. (This came much much much later in the training).
13. Once she was reliably housebroken for one room, I introduced her to another room. I never never never assumed that if she was housebroken in one room, that she would be for the rest of the house. With each room she was introduced to, we started from square one. (This included other peoples houses too. Just because she became housebroken in my house did not mean she was house broken in other's homes. So I operated on basic training when in stranger's homes).
14. At some point, when I knew I could trust her (and we did this in baby steps) I expanded her crate into an x-pen to give her more room. But I kept the crate in there, with her food and water (so she would know that it was her den) and toys and a bed. There was no floor space for her to go pee in. We would move the crate/x-pen from room to room and be there with her, so that she could get used to other rooms.

There were many times, that I thought getting a dog was not a good Idea. I had at one point (for about a week, only) considered giving her up. (Thank goodness my husband had that stick-to-it-ness when I needed it). Because now she is absolutely the light of our lives. She has free run of the house and other homes we visit. We long gave up the crate and x-pen. She goes in and out at will thru a doggie door. She has never once messed in the house once she was house broken, not even when she has been horribly ill with diareaha and pancreatitis. Pottying in the house is not even an issue that we have to deal with AT ALL. So for the short time (4 -5 months) that I was invested in the training and all the time it took, coming home and being tired and having to deal with the whole potty issue thing when I did not feel like it, my weekends consumed with it and revolving around the puppy, was so worth it! Just think: 4-5 months to deal with the potty issue or the rest of her life of dealing with potty issues? I am so glad I picked the 4-5 months.

Of course the training did not abruptly end at the end of the 4-5 months, but with each month, it lessened and lessend. With each passing month we were able to relax more and enjoy her more. As time went on, she got more and more privileges as she matured and earned them. She now sleeps with us, but she was over 1 1/2 years old before she got that privilege. She has free run of the house and goes every where with us. She is such a good girl!

[Erin]

Originally Posted by yorkieusa

Well, yorkies are intelligent little babes and learn quickly. It is advantageous to be at home with them. I've housebroken two. Kacee learned with the bells. If you stay at home with them, they'll be housebroken before they are six months old. I love the bells, because I can hear them all over the house. She never has any accidents. Yea!

That's why we love the bells too! Loki would scratch softly or just sit there. Now he whacks those bells! He touches them softly first, then smacks them if you don't come and let him out. Sammy is starting to get the hang of it. She's slow, but she's really learning so that's OK.

[RLC12345678]

Originally Posted by Ladylavender

1. I never (not once) introduced her to a peepad. She was strictly taught to go outside.
2. We crated her while we were at work. (we were lucky, she never did go in the crate)
3. She never ever ever had free range of the house.
4. When she was out of the crate, I absolutely never took my eyes off her. Not for a second, not for a moment, not to turn around for something, not to answer the phone, to pick something up or any other number of reasons people on this forum give. Not to watch t.v. When she was out of the crate, I either was playing with her, had her in my lap or was watching her.
5. When we were home, I took her out every hour on the hour. Rain, shine, cold weather, snowing or any other kind of inclement weather. This was rough, but I did it.
.
.
.
.
10. NO water after 8pm.
11. If she squatted in the house, I would give a firm NO! Pick her up and take her outside and gave her plenty of time to pee out there.
12. I never ever relied on her to tell me she had to go. (This came much much much later in the training).

I did all these same things that are listed above. I did let both of my yorkies sleep in bed with me from day 1. If they woke up in the middle of the night, I would know it and I would immediately get up and take them outside.

And, whenever I caught them going inside (which I ALWAYS caught them bc I NEVER once, even for a second, took my eyes off them) I would clap my hands loudly in addition to saying NO.

Hobbs has a very outgoing personality and he learned quickly how to tell me when he had to go outside. Hootie is 14 months old now and is a little more reserved and she is just now beginning to start telling me when she needs to go out outside. If she doesn't tell me she has to go, then I just take her when I take Hobbs out.

[ChampsMom]

I was letting my dog have free run of the house and he peed and pooped everywhere. They told me at Petsmart to confine him to one room. That was the answer for us. He has no accidents and goes to the back door and stands when he wants out.

[Gingergirlsmom]

Before I brought Ginger home, I found a great book on puppies, and followed what it told me about housetraining to the letter. People made fun of me, because it seemed pretty extreme, but she was completely housetrained very early and doesn't have accidents. The extra effort in the beginning really paid off.

Basically, here's what we did:

1. Her crate was NOT for peeing, just big enough to sleep in, turn around, etc.

2. When she was out of her crate she was under my nose. (see below - the schedule helped with this)

3. I made up a schedule (combining books recommendations, and the reality of my own life) that included time for eating, eliminating, excercising/playing, and sleeping. I even typed this schedule and taped to the outside of her crate. If you decide to try this method, and don't have access to the book I'd be happy to send you more info on their recommendations. Just send me a pm or mention it here!

4. I followed the schedule to the letter. (Sometimes the times would be a little off, but order of events never changed).

5. As she grew, I adjusted the schedule to her changing needs.

6. As she became trustworthy she gained more freedom. yaay!

6. Puppies need to eliminate can be predictable if you control their food intake, amount of time playing, etc.

7. When it was potty time (basically after sleeping, shortly after eating, etc.) we'd head outside. As soon as she'd squat I'd say "go potty"! And I'd praise her after she peed/pood.

8. We went through her entire potty training period and I only had to clean up 2 messes inside (and both were my fault, I'd screwed up the schedule).

9. Today I can go anywhere with my girl and KNOW that I can trust her not to pee inside. Additionally, when we go outside to potty I can say "go potty", and she almost immediately squats! Sometimes I think she's faking it!
That's great when its freezing cold outside!

[zoeybear]

Zoey is 17 weeks. She only has the kitchen and living room. The rest of the house is blocked by baby gates. We gave up on scolding and started rewarding with a food treat every time she went on the pad. We applaud and yell good girl and give a tiny treat. She is so proud of herself. The positive reinforcement really worked for her. The only time she has an accident is if she is alone for over two hours. She gets mad for being left alone.Then occasionally she will go in the kitchen behind the table. We call it a grudge poop. Maybe happens once every two weeks.

[Lexi Rae]

lexi is trained also, and yes she pees and poops in the house sometimes, but of course i never catch her..... she will go on her pad tooo most of the times.
and she also goes potty outside.. i deal with it.. i have to