going potty in the cold

[nchemi]

Need some feedback on the use of pee-pee pads. I should say, I did use them for many, many years with my 2 Maltese, and did regret it. My boys would run in from outside in order to use the pads. They also thought that any newspaper, magazine, or blanket draped over the couch, but hanging on the floor was a pee pee pad. Couldn't really blame them - it was kind of hard for them to distinguish which was OK.

My boys are no longer with me, but in July, Missy came into my life. She is without a doubt the cutest, sweetest Yorkie on the face of this earth - although I'm sure many of you also have the cutest, sweetest Yorkies on the face of this earth! Missy has always done well with her training, until the last few days. Here in New Jersey, the cold weather has set in, and she absolutely does not like it. Of course she has many sweaters and coats, but they don't seem to be enough for her. From the minute I start to dress her to go out, she starts to shake and tremble - something she only does when cold. I take her out, stay with her, give her the command, and all she does is tremble and look at me like I'm torturing her. She does seem to get the poop & pee out first trip out in the morning, but after that, throughout the day, no matter how many times I take her out, she rarely goes. Last night, long before her last trip out, she did pee on the rug. Wouldn't go again before bedtime, but woke me up at 4:30 this morning to go out - she did pee & poop - I guess because she had been holding it for so long.

So - the question is - do I break down and get some pee pee pads, which if I do, she'll probably use from now till April because I won't have the heart to make her go outside. Should I use them only on snowy, rainy, frigid days? Today is just not that bad out - it's going to get a lot worse! Part of my reluctance is the sight of the things. Missy can't go up or downstairs (she's about 3 lbs. now), so I have no other choice but to put one by the door, which opens directly into the kitchen - something I'm not thrilled with.

Would truly welcome some advise from those of you that might have experienced this. Thanks so much in advance -

[JenniferLeigh]

What about litter box training her instead of a pee pad? If you are a handy person you could install a doggie door in an old dresser and hide the pee pads (or litterbox) in there.

[nchemi]

Hi Jennifer,
That is such a cute idea about the dresser, and if I had the room, I would do that - even with the pads. Problem is, the house is small, and as it is, my cat's litter box is in the downstairs stall shower to keep it out of sight. Obviously, that shower never gets used. Missy can't do any steps, and BabyGirl (the cat) has chosen to live life downstairs most of the time, rather than crossing paths with her sister. That's a whole other story - my 10 lbs. cat is deathly afraid of this little puff ball, and she's been with us since July!

Do you use pee pee pads?

[JenniferLeigh]

I've never used peepads, with 3 other dogs in the house it was never really an option.

[SusieQ_61397]

This will be my baby's first winter and I'm worried about him being cold. He's one of the largest yorkie's we've ever seen...(15 lbs & only 8 mths old). People don't believe me when I tell them he is a pure breed yorkie. I thought he was the largest until I started reading other people's posts. Since he is large, his hair is hard to maintain, but I'm afraid of getting it trimmed due to it being almost winter. Let me know if I should by him an outfit to keep him warm in the winter?

[kalina82]

i live in north jersey too. my yorkie is 2 1/2 and 4.5lbs. I make her go outside no matter what the weather. she has hoodies or coats on in the cold weather. it may sound cruel to some but i had to stand out there in the cold, snow, rain, sleet, etc.. for however long it took her to go. she learned that the faster she goes the faster she goes inside. now she goes outside and pees right away. she'll sometimes want to stay out there longer because shes so used to it.

[IlovePepper]

I live in North Jersey too, and it has been really cold the last few days. I did both pads and outside with my yorkie and it worked fine for me. She hated to go out in the rain, but loved the snow and cold so that was never a problem.

I found having access to the pads was convenient if I was ever late getting home and she needed to use them. It also prevented those middle of the night outings.

Good luck!

[jackidevaney]

My puppies have never liked going potty in the rain either. And I finally figured out it is mainly because they don't like the water falling on their backs. I bought them raincoats (even without hoods) and they like it fine in the rain now. They don't seem to mind the rain on their heads. They just don't seem to like the rain falling on their backs for some reason or other.

[jackidevaney]

Is a doggie door to the outside an option? I find it much easier with the doggie door. They just go out when they have to go. Just a thought.

[xxmxaxrxyxx]

Originally Posted by kalina82

i live in north jersey too. my yorkie is 2 1/2 and 4.5lbs. I make her go outside no matter what the weather. she has hoodies or coats on in the cold weather. it may sound cruel to some but i had to stand out there in the cold, snow, rain, sleet, etc.. for however long it took her to go. she learned that the faster she goes the faster she goes inside. now she goes outside and pees right away. she'll sometimes want to stay out there longer because shes so used to it.

same here...no matter what the weather is we are outside...

[nchemi]

Originally Posted by jackidevaney

Is a doggie door to the outside an option? I find it much easier with the doggie door. They just go out when they have to go. Just a thought.

Unfortunately, the doggie door is not an option because my back door (back yard is fenced in) opens on to my deck, and Missy can't go down the 2 steps on to the grass. I do have every coat, raincoat, hooded, un-hooded -nothing does the trick. I even "created" a lawn next to my back door, using an under the bed storage box and filling it with sod from my lawn. I was quite a site the other day, kneeling with a golf umbrella over both of us, her in the box, and still, all I got was the pitiful look. I think I need to get a little tougher, and push her to stay outside until she goes. Guess I should get myself some new coats, since I'll be standing out there with her! Thanks to all of you for your feedback. It's much appreciated.

[BellaAmore]

am from Northwest NJ. Going to the bathroom outside has been a problem these last few days. We have had rain, snow, wind and cold. Actually we just went outside before I come on this site. The wind blew in Bellas face and she ran for the back door before doing anything. She would not leave the door when I called her. I just gave up and came in.

[chinadoll]

I use the pee pads, and take him outside. He seems to like to go outside, but he doesn't really let me know. He stands by the door, and doesn't make a sound. He only uses the pee pads when he is in his pen for the night, or If I leave for a couple of hours during the day.

[keylargolady100]

Hi we used pee pads for about a month when we got Baxter last January. But our bet told us he had a 3 lb dog and made her go out side and she did it, so not to get started on pee pads as we would regret it. Soooo we started taking 2.5 lb Baxter out into the 3 foot snow to do his business. And he did. He followed his big brother up the snow banks and everything. He was such a big boy. We sold all the unused pee pads at a yard sale and will never go back to them again. Just put a sweater or coat on your baby and they will be ok. The cold makes them go faster I think lol