My Dog is Driving Me INSANE!!! - YorkieTalk.com Forums

Winston'sMom · 08-02-2005, 04:49 AM

My new yorkie is driving me NUTS!!! I havent had a full nights sleep in 2 weeks, I have to wake up every 2 hours to take him out. But he never ever pees outside at night because he always pees in his crate (sometimes poops too). His crate is just big enough for him to turn around in and I dont understand why he religiously uses his crate for a toilet. My beagle never did this.

He is SOOO stubborn, if he travels too far in the yard, I will clap my hands or make a startling noise to make him stop...but does he stop?!? NO! He doesnt even look at me. We have been working on 'COME' but still he only comes if he chooses even with a treat. And no, he isnt deaf.

When I brush him, even before I touch his fur, he yelps like a big baby and throws a gigantic fit which usually results in not getting him completely brushed.

Please tell me my dog is not just an idiot and please give me lots of advice. My boyfriend says I should throw him like a baseball off a bridge but hes just too dang CUTE!

jennifermcb · 08-02-2005, 05:01 AM

You may want to limit his food and water after 7 p.m. at night. Spend lots of time playing with him before bedtime to ensure that he is sleepy, and to stimulate any pooping/peeing. Take him out to poop and pee several times before bedtime.

Hang in there, he will learn and be sleeping better soon.

red98vett · 08-02-2005, 05:21 AM

I'm REALLY REALLY hoping your boyfriend and you are just joking about throwing him off a bridge - PLEASE say you didn't mean that !!

I won't jump to conclusions on your post - but I'd like to offer this advise. Look at this like when you bring home a new baby - they need SPECIAL attention and will learn as you go - Yorkies are VERY smart - I feel so bad you think he's an idiot - he's just a baby now...The sleep will come but he's still getting used to his new home - AND they have tiny bladders - they DO need to pee alot. Have you thought of a BIGGER crate for him ? Maybe an X-PEN so he has some room ?

Most yorkies are trainable if you work really hard - but they are NOT beagles...If you have experience with one breed - that's great - but all breeds are different - Clapping and just expecting him to know what you want doesn't work for them....There are lots of Training tips in that Section -

I wish I could offer more help to you - but mine come when I call maybe 7 out of 10 times - they're not the best trained yorkies around...

They need LOTS on consistency and patience - LOTS. It takes time - don't give up on him - Yorkies are a handful but they give you the best love......Good luck with him !

Luvmypupster · 08-02-2005, 05:26 AM

How old is he? New puppies are very much like having a brand new baby. You end up with sleepless night..something with that teeny a bladder can't hold it for long periods of time. Heck, sometimes I have to get up in the middle of the night to go :-). He will at some point sleep thru the night but it could take a while. In the meantime you may to get up and take him to potty. I let mine sleep with me at night so when they needed to go they would whimper and I got up and took them outside..rain , sleet or snow..no matter the time of night. It's ruff and you long for a good nights slepp but he will outgrow it. As far as the brushing..just keep grooming..he will get use to it. What type of brush are you using..maybe you need to try something else. Don't give up..but if you reach that point..I'll take him LOL. Good luck!

Winston'sMom · 08-02-2005, 05:27 AM

Of course we wouldnt throw him off a bridge, that was certainly a joke

Thanks for the advice and if I sound cranky its because I never seem to get any sleep. Also, i guess I dont think he is an idiot, he is just very independent I suppose. I wish that I knew how to make him stop peeing in his crate, that would really help, I guess I will try to get him to play more before bed but the thing is that when he is sleepy, you cant make him do anything other than sleep.

*Winston is about 14 weeks old*

Luvmypupster · 08-02-2005, 05:34 AM

Oh my..he is still a very young baby. Don't expect miracles out of a 14 week old. Maybe you should try a larger rate with enough room for a pee pad? Thats not the idea of how crate training works but sometimes we have to figure out what works for each dog. Don't feed him or allow water right before bedtime. Are you opposed to him sleeping with you? When I got Bentley he freaked at night in the crate, cried all night. Couldn't take it so I caved in and put him in bed with me and he did fine, woke up in the middle of the night to go potty but I least I got some sleep and didn't have to listebn to crying. People differ on opinions on allowing a dog in the bed..it doesn't bother me. I love having both of mine to cuddle with.

red98vett · 08-02-2005, 05:36 AM

OH GOOD !! It's hard sometimes to tell when someone is joking

I agreed with limiting his water after 7 pm...That could really help - and I actually think something bigger for him to sleep in would work better for you - If he can't do anything but turn around in his little crate - he may not have a place to 'go' when he needs to - They usually take some time to 'potty' train ....They have really affordable X-Pens where you can set it up with food and an area on one end - he sleeps on the other side.

when they're so young and still learning - I used to feed Cheri - PUT her on her pad within 5 minutes after eating - you have to do this ALL the time - and if you are training him to go outside ...same thing - the first few months I took her outside every hour or 2 till she could hold it longer....I also have a cocker spaniel - They just LEARN how to go by themselves - yorkies need coaching ! Plus the fact that they really do have tiny bladders is the reason he goes so much.

Yorkies are FUN little dogs but they are a bit more work than your average Lab or Beagle...It's like having a full time job the first few months - your whole world revolves around training and teaching....but it's worth every minute !!

Do you have any pictures of your new puppy ? I'd love to see him.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Winston'sMom

Of course we wouldnt throw him off a bridge, that was certainly a joke

Thanks for the advice and if I sound cranky its because I never seem to get any sleep. Also, i guess I dont think he is an idiot, he is just very independent I suppose. I wish that I knew how to make him stop peeing in his crate, that would really help, I guess I will try to get him to play more before bed but the thing is that when he is sleepy, you cant make him do anything other than sleep.

Luvmypupster · 08-02-2005, 05:53 AM

The crate may be too small as Villette pointed out. We hear that the crate should be big enough for them to stand and turn around but I feel that it's too small. I put mine in medium size crates that are for dogs about the size of a sheltie or cocker. When they got older I started putting a standard size bed pillow in them for a bed. Works great because I can put a fresh clean pillow case on it and keep everything nice for them. My dogs have free roam of the house now but I still use a crate when we have lots of company or travel. Crates are great but they can be abused as well. Just don't leave a dog in them for extended periods of time..
here's a link to a wonderful pen, I have seen them at dog shows, they are very nice..something like this might work better
http://www.roverpet.com/enclosures.htm

Ladylavender · 08-02-2005, 05:57 AM

Ok, it would help to know a little about his background. At 14 wks, he should be able to hold it for longer than 2 hours, at night. Now if he was in a cage/crate before you got him, he learned it was ok to go in his sleeping area. So you may not be able to crate train him. In that case you would use an x-pen with newspaper and peepads (eliminating papers over a period of time, when he starts favoring a specific area he likes to go and teaching pee behavior that way). Or if crate training is still an option, you will need to clean out every aspect of his kennel. You will need to neutralize the urine and feces odor with a spray like Nature's Miracle or Simple Solution (you can gety either one at PetsMart). After everything is clean and neutralized, spread food (like a paste) on the sides of the wall of your crate (if you are using a kennel) and also scatter morsels of puppy food on the floor of the crate (on his pillow or blanket, whatever you have laying in there) for him to eat. Leave the crate door open and let him go in there on his own, during the day. or whenever you are home, but before his bedtime. Make it a happy place and make it a place where he eats. Dogs don't soil where they eat and live (unless he was in a crate or cage before you got him). He may be soiling his area, because he is stressed out. Making it a safe and happy place will de-stress him and he will be ok being in there at night and hopefully "hold it" until you come get him. (leaving him with a greenie or dog chew is ok too when placing him in there at bed time or with a cuddle toy) but you may still need to get up with him every 2 hours, but at least the area will stay clean and dry and he will learn to hold it. Eventually, in a matter of weeks, you should only have to get up once a night or he may even sleep thru the night.

I agree that you should not let him eat after 7pm and you should pick up his water at 8pm. and play to stimulate bowel movement at 9pm or 9:30pm and bed by 10pm.

Also, never take him out to pee or poo without him being on a leash. This will eliminate the need to chase after him and you can bring him in as soon as he goes potty so he associates going outside with potty and not play! Yorkies are stubborn and only want to do what they want to do, so you need to establish yourself as the Alpha (early on) so that he will listen to you in the future.

If he has leash problems, you need to work with him on that with treats and praise in small increments, until he gets the hang of it.

Unfortunately, having a puppy is like have a newborn. They have to learn everything and be under constant supervision. No rest for the weary!

red98vett · 08-02-2005, 06:01 AM

Wow...Ladylavender - where were YOU when I brought Cheri home !! lol - great advise ...!

chewysmom · 08-02-2005, 06:06 AM

OMG!!! He's just a little baby. You have gotten some great advice on this thread. Limiting food after a certain hour is a great idea. My pup is 5 1/2 months and holds it all night, so you have hope! My husband is always yelling at me to train Chewy and I've only perfected SIT. COME and Drop It, well, kind of a joke. From what I have read on other posts, the owners here do a lot of chasing

Don't beat yourself or puppy up. It takes time and he's still so young. If you are consistent, you will be amazed at him in about a month or so.

yorkieusa · 08-02-2005, 06:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Winston'sMom

Please tell me my dog is not just an idiot and please give me lots of advice. My boyfriend says I should throw him like a baseball off a bridge but hes just too dang CUTE!

He's NOT an idiot. OK? What many new yorkie owners don't understand is how intelligent they are. Some people think they're crazy; some people think they're dumb. Those people are sadly mistaken. If mishandled in their training, a more stubborn yorkie is bound to appear before your eyes. We have an old saying at our house that our yorkie is smarter than we are. The sooner an owner realizes that they are not dealing with a dumb dog, the sooner the intelligence of the breed will be apparent. Patience is the key. You cannot train a pup overnight. It takes many, many months of continued consistence and attention for that new baby to show you just how smart it really is. They are sweet, innocent babies that require a great amount of attention and spoiling.

I recommend buying some good yorkie books at your pet store.

typerk · 08-02-2005, 06:33 AM

Owning a dog should be enjoyable and if you don't see it ever getting to that point then I say you get rid of it. (not by throwing it off a bridge though

) If you are consistenly training your dog it will eventually come around. People are always talking about how smart yorkies are but in the next breath say they are some of the hardest to train. I'm sorry but they shouldn't be harder to train than any other breed especially if they have superior intelligence. It took me a week to get my yorkie trained how I want her. I still won't let her run wild all day because she is too young but she is potty trained enough for us right now.

Just keep at it and hopefully it will turn out good.

chewysmom · 08-02-2005, 07:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by typerk

Owning a dog should be enjoyable and if you don't see it ever getting to that point then I say you get rid of it. (not by throwing it off a bridge though

) If you are consistenly training your dog it will eventually come around. People are always talking about how smart yorkies are but in the next breath say they are some of the hardest to train. I'm sorry but they shouldn't be harder to train than any other breed especially if they have superior intelligence. It took me a week to get my yorkie trained how I want her. I still won't let her run wild all day because she is too young but she is potty trained enough for us right now.

Just keep at it and hopefully it will turn out good.

#1. Encouraging a member to get rid of their dog just because they are going through a rough patch is irresponsible.

#2. Maybe yorkies should be easy to train, it would be nice, won't always happen.

#3. I just don't believe that you FULLY trained your puppy in a week, whether with commands or pottying.

Ponyup · 08-02-2005, 07:29 AM

He's just a puppy he will get better, but it sounds like he might be training you. You have to be the dominate in the house. Make this crystal clear or you will always have problems. Never reward him for behaviors you find unfavorable. to these dogs attention is a reward whether negative or not. As far as how these dogs can be super smart & hard to train. They learn very quickly how to train there owners. They are absolutely adorable and they know it. They figure out quickly how to get exactly what they want. I think they can be very easy to train. Our little guy is a super quick learner, sometimes it's bad. It took about a week for him to figure out how to get out of his playpen which of course creates problems for us. And they are just like an intelligent child they get into mischief because they get bored. Consistency is the most important thing to training and never laugh at a behavior you don't want them to have later, they learn very quickly the sound their owner makes when they're happy, they want to make us happy so they'll continue to do that behavior, so just remember that the next time your puppy runs off with your shoe and you think it's so funny.

08-02-2005, 05:26 AM	#4
Luvmypupster YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: tx Posts: 624	How old is he? New puppies are very much like having a brand new baby. You end up with sleepless night..something with that teeny a bladder can't hold it for long periods of time. Heck, sometimes I have to get up in the middle of the night to go :-). He will at some point sleep thru the night but it could take a while. In the meantime you may to get up and take him to potty. I let mine sleep with me at night so when they needed to go they would whimper and I got up and took them outside..rain , sleet or snow..no matter the time of night. It's ruff and you long for a good nights slepp but he will outgrow it. As far as the brushing..just keep grooming..he will get use to it. What type of brush are you using..maybe you need to try something else. Don't give up..but if you reach that point..I'll take him LOL. Good luck! __________________ Emme & Faith R.I.P. Mia & Bentley

08-02-2005, 05:27 AM	#5
Winston'sMom Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Fort Worth Posts: 76	Of course we wouldnt throw him off a bridge, that was certainly a joke Thanks for the advice and if I sound cranky its because I never seem to get any sleep. Also, i guess I dont think he is an idiot, he is just very independent I suppose. I wish that I knew how to make him stop peeing in his crate, that would really help, I guess I will try to get him to play more before bed but the thing is that when he is sleepy, you cant make him do anything other than sleep. Winston is about 14 weeks old Last edited by Winston'sMom; 08-02-2005 at 05:29 AM.

08-02-2005, 05:34 AM	#6
Luvmypupster YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: tx Posts: 624	Oh my..he is still a very young baby. Don't expect miracles out of a 14 week old. Maybe you should try a larger rate with enough room for a pee pad? Thats not the idea of how crate training works but sometimes we have to figure out what works for each dog. Don't feed him or allow water right before bedtime. Are you opposed to him sleeping with you? When I got Bentley he freaked at night in the crate, cried all night. Couldn't take it so I caved in and put him in bed with me and he did fine, woke up in the middle of the night to go potty but I least I got some sleep and didn't have to listebn to crying. People differ on opinions on allowing a dog in the bed..it doesn't bother me. I love having both of mine to cuddle with. __________________ Emme & Faith R.I.P. Mia & Bentley

08-02-2005, 05:53 AM	#8
Luvmypupster YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: tx Posts: 624	The crate may be too small as Villette pointed out. We hear that the crate should be big enough for them to stand and turn around but I feel that it's too small. I put mine in medium size crates that are for dogs about the size of a sheltie or cocker. When they got older I started putting a standard size bed pillow in them for a bed. Works great because I can put a fresh clean pillow case on it and keep everything nice for them. My dogs have free roam of the house now but I still use a crate when we have lots of company or travel. Crates are great but they can be abused as well. Just don't leave a dog in them for extended periods of time.. here's a link to a wonderful pen, I have seen them at dog shows, they are very nice..something like this might work better http://www.roverpet.com/enclosures.htm __________________ Emme & Faith R.I.P. Mia & Bentley

08-02-2005, 06:01 AM	#10
red98vett Yorkie Kisses are the Best! Donating Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Houston TX Posts: 33,590 Blog Entries: 1	Wow...Ladylavender - where were YOU when I brought Cheri home !! lol - great advise ...! __________________ Villette, Chanel & Cheri www.DesignsByVillette.net Custom Address Labels and Note Cards using YOUR Photos! Just Click HERE!

08-02-2005, 04:49 AM	#1
Winston'sMom Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Fort Worth Posts: 76	My Dog is Driving Me INSANE!!! My new yorkie is driving me NUTS!!! I havent had a full nights sleep in 2 weeks, I have to wake up every 2 hours to take him out. But he never ever pees outside at night because he always pees in his crate (sometimes poops too). His crate is just big enough for him to turn around in and I dont understand why he religiously uses his crate for a toilet. My beagle never did this. He is SOOO stubborn, if he travels too far in the yard, I will clap my hands or make a startling noise to make him stop...but does he stop?!? NO! He doesnt even look at me. We have been working on 'COME' but still he only comes if he chooses even with a treat. And no, he isnt deaf. When I brush him, even before I touch his fur, he yelps like a big baby and throws a gigantic fit which usually results in not getting him completely brushed. Please tell me my dog is not just an idiot and please give me lots of advice. My boyfriend says I should throw him like a baseball off a bridge but hes just too dang CUTE!

08-02-2005, 05:01 AM	#2
jennifermcb Charmed by Sophie & Daisy Donating Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: North Alabama Posts: 593	You may want to limit his food and water after 7 p.m. at night. Spend lots of time playing with him before bedtime to ensure that he is sleepy, and to stimulate any pooping/peeing. Take him out to poop and pee several times before bedtime. Hang in there, he will learn and be sleeping better soon.

08-02-2005, 05:21 AM	#3
red98vett Yorkie Kisses are the Best! Donating Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Houston TX Posts: 33,590 Blog Entries: 1	I'm REALLY REALLY hoping your boyfriend and you are just joking about throwing him off a bridge - PLEASE say you didn't mean that !! I won't jump to conclusions on your post - but I'd like to offer this advise. Look at this like when you bring home a new baby - they need SPECIAL attention and will learn as you go - Yorkies are VERY smart - I feel so bad you think he's an idiot - he's just a baby now...The sleep will come but he's still getting used to his new home - AND they have tiny bladders - they DO need to pee alot. Have you thought of a BIGGER crate for him ? Maybe an X-PEN so he has some room ? Most yorkies are trainable if you work really hard - but they are NOT beagles...If you have experience with one breed - that's great - but all breeds are different - Clapping and just expecting him to know what you want doesn't work for them....There are lots of Training tips in that Section - I wish I could offer more help to you - but mine come when I call maybe 7 out of 10 times - they're not the best trained yorkies around... They need LOTS on consistency and patience - LOTS. It takes time - don't give up on him - Yorkies are a handful but they give you the best love......Good luck with him ! __________________ Villette, Chanel & Cheri www.DesignsByVillette.net Custom Address Labels and Note Cards using YOUR Photos! Just Click HERE!

08-02-2005, 05:57 AM	#9
Ladylavender YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Soddy Daisy, TN Posts: 733	Ok, it would help to know a little about his background. At 14 wks, he should be able to hold it for longer than 2 hours, at night. Now if he was in a cage/crate before you got him, he learned it was ok to go in his sleeping area. So you may not be able to crate train him. In that case you would use an x-pen with newspaper and peepads (eliminating papers over a period of time, when he starts favoring a specific area he likes to go and teaching pee behavior that way). Or if crate training is still an option, you will need to clean out every aspect of his kennel. You will need to neutralize the urine and feces odor with a spray like Nature's Miracle or Simple Solution (you can gety either one at PetsMart). After everything is clean and neutralized, spread food (like a paste) on the sides of the wall of your crate (if you are using a kennel) and also scatter morsels of puppy food on the floor of the crate (on his pillow or blanket, whatever you have laying in there) for him to eat. Leave the crate door open and let him go in there on his own, during the day. or whenever you are home, but before his bedtime. Make it a happy place and make it a place where he eats. Dogs don't soil where they eat and live (unless he was in a crate or cage before you got him). He may be soiling his area, because he is stressed out. Making it a safe and happy place will de-stress him and he will be ok being in there at night and hopefully "hold it" until you come get him. (leaving him with a greenie or dog chew is ok too when placing him in there at bed time or with a cuddle toy) but you may still need to get up with him every 2 hours, but at least the area will stay clean and dry and he will learn to hold it. Eventually, in a matter of weeks, you should only have to get up once a night or he may even sleep thru the night. I agree that you should not let him eat after 7pm and you should pick up his water at 8pm. and play to stimulate bowel movement at 9pm or 9:30pm and bed by 10pm. Also, never take him out to pee or poo without him being on a leash. This will eliminate the need to chase after him and you can bring him in as soon as he goes potty so he associates going outside with potty and not play! Yorkies are stubborn and only want to do what they want to do, so you need to establish yourself as the Alpha (early on) so that he will listen to you in the future. If he has leash problems, you need to work with him on that with treats and praise in small increments, until he gets the hang of it. Unfortunately, having a puppy is like have a newborn. They have to learn everything and be under constant supervision. No rest for the weary!

08-02-2005, 06:06 AM	#11
chewysmom My Precious Pup Donating Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: New York City Posts: 2,092	OMG!!! He's just a little baby. You have gotten some great advice on this thread. Limiting food after a certain hour is a great idea. My pup is 5 1/2 months and holds it all night, so you have hope! My husband is always yelling at me to train Chewy and I've only perfected SIT. COME and Drop It, well, kind of a joke. From what I have read on other posts, the owners here do a lot of chasing Don't beat yourself or puppy up. It takes time and he's still so young. If you are consistent, you will be amazed at him in about a month or so.

08-02-2005, 06:33 AM	#13
typerk YT Addict Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Irving, TX Posts: 252	Owning a dog should be enjoyable and if you don't see it ever getting to that point then I say you get rid of it. (not by throwing it off a bridge though ) If you are consistenly training your dog it will eventually come around. People are always talking about how smart yorkies are but in the next breath say they are some of the hardest to train. I'm sorry but they shouldn't be harder to train than any other breed especially if they have superior intelligence. It took me a week to get my yorkie trained how I want her. I still won't let her run wild all day because she is too young but she is potty trained enough for us right now. Just keep at it and hopefully it will turn out good. __________________ http://www.dogster.com/?156534.

08-02-2005, 07:29 AM	#15
Ponyup YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Northern Indiana Posts: 1,252	He's just a puppy he will get better, but it sounds like he might be training you. You have to be the dominate in the house. Make this crystal clear or you will always have problems. Never reward him for behaviors you find unfavorable. to these dogs attention is a reward whether negative or not. As far as how these dogs can be super smart & hard to train. They learn very quickly how to train there owners. They are absolutely adorable and they know it. They figure out quickly how to get exactly what they want. I think they can be very easy to train. Our little guy is a super quick learner, sometimes it's bad. It took about a week for him to figure out how to get out of his playpen which of course creates problems for us. And they are just like an intelligent child they get into mischief because they get bored. Consistency is the most important thing to training and never laugh at a behavior you don't want them to have later, they learn very quickly the sound their owner makes when they're happy, they want to make us happy so they'll continue to do that behavior, so just remember that the next time your puppy runs off with your shoe and you think it's so funny. __________________ Ponyup Mom to LOGAN