Potty Training Questions...Please help! - YorkieTalk.com Forums

splannon · 01-08-2008, 09:33 AM

Hi there! I have a few questions that some of you can hopefully help me out with. I have an almost 9 week old baby who I am trying to potty train. I keep him in the bathroom during the day while I’m at work and at night; where he has many toys, food, water, bed and crate (that I leave open for him). He uses the bathroom on the tile (which I will get puppy pads tonight for that). I'm afraid he is getting used to going where ever by now. So I am thinking about keeping him inside the crate all day so that potty training will come easier to him. I have not decided whether I would like to use puppy pads all the time just yet. I would definitely rather go the fully trained route (outside) if possible. I have potty trained two labs before and basically know how to do it although it is much easier with that breed. I am just a little confused with this breed as I am a first time Yorkie mommy. Just a few questions…

Is he too young to start potty training?

Should I keep him locked in his kennel all day while I’m at work and at night as well? I feel guilty doing this. If so, how big should the crate be?

When I take him outside to go potty he won’t go, but comes right back in to go on the carpet, then I am back outside again with him not going potty. What should I do about that?

I have read bits and pieces of people using a “bell” for good behavior? How does that work for you? Do I just buy a traditional bell?

I have bought a few different kinds of treats that will be easy for him to eat (since his teeth are not fully grown in). He does not like any of them. What are some brands you use that your puppy enjoys?

Last night I disciplined him and felt really bad afterward b/c he seemed really sad. Should I ever discipline him? If so, how?

What are some ways that you potty trained your own puppy?

Any tips will be very helpful I’m sure! Thank you so much for your time and advice! You guys are great!

-Shannon and Diggy

red1973 · 01-08-2008, 04:42 PM

hello, i am new to yorkies also. i have had tucker for about a month. he is going pee on the pads about 75% of the time. i do get to take him to work with me so it makes it easier, but he is in a crate alot of the time while with me there, but doing good so far. can not get him to poop on them very much. he will do it right beside them though. it is too cold to outside train him, we are waiting for spring for that..... i have heard they are hard to house train. hopefully not too hard. i am used to rottweilers and they train in about a month. but i did alot of research on this breed before i got him and i knew that was one of the difficulties. i praise him alot when he does it right and rub his belly and he likes it!!!!! best of luck, renae

hha · 01-08-2008, 04:46 PM

No, you DONT' want to keep him in a crate all day while you're working..a 2 month old puppy can only hold his bladder for 2-3 hours a day..would you want put in a little spot all day with no where to go potty?? they have to have room to move when you're gone for that long..buy an xpen, but whatever you do, don't leave him in a little crate all dayhttp://www.petproductdepot.com/Gold-Series-ExPens-540.htm?gclid=COnM8pyD6JACFQMlHgodLTklQg
this is the xpen my son bought, I have one also and love mine. you can make them big enough for his bed, food, water, toys and pee pads.

hha · 01-08-2008, 04:50 PM

Also, he's 9 weeks old, he's still a baby..most of the ladies in here will tell you, that you shouldn't expect much out of a 9 week old puppy, let alone a yorkie puppy. I was lucky, mine started using the piddle pads almost right after I got her, but, I got her at 11 weeks from a very good breeder, and she had been working with her pups..if you're gone all the time, I would use pee pads over trying to get him used to going outside, doesn't sound like you're home enough to train him outside..When he's done eating and drinking, playing, and just waking up, put him on the piddle pad and make him stay on it until he goes(usually within 10-15 min. after eating)..they really have no control over their bladders until between 12-14 weeks. when he does go on the pad, praise him, and even have a treat on hand to give him..whatever you do, don't punish him for going potty where he's not supposed too...as my obedience trainer told my hubby and me, when a dog does something wrong, it's not the dogs fault, it's the owners fault

mejones · 01-08-2008, 04:58 PM

I also got my puppy when she was almost 9 weeks old. Little did I know that was technically too young (I guess the babies are supposed to be with their mamas until about 12 weeks)! Oh well, she has done great! My husband and I both work all day. I commute an hour and a half each way, so I'm not able to come home and take her out over my lunch hour. We have a small area gated off for her with her crate, water, pee pad and toys. We have trained her to use pee pads during the day and go outside at night/weekends. It has taken a little while, but she's done really well with it. I'd say right now she's about 90% trained. I think training both ways takes a little more patience, because it's gotta be pretty confusing to them, but they're a smart breed, they'll catch on! Congrats on your new baby!

domesticated08 · 01-08-2008, 04:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hha

Also, he's 9 weeks old, he's still a baby..most of the ladies in here will tell you, that you shouldn't expect much out of a 9 week old puppy, let alone a yorkie puppy. I was lucky, mine started using the piddle pads almost right after I got her, but, I got her at 11 weeks from a very good breeder, and she had been working with her pups..if you're gone all the time, I would use pee pads over trying to get him used to going outside, doesn't sound like you're home enough to train him outside..When he's done eating and drinking, playing, and just waking up, put him on the piddle pad and make him stay on it until he goes(usually within 10-15 min. after eating)..they really have no control over their bladders until between 12-14 weeks. when he does go on the pad, praise him, and even have a treat on hand to give him..whatever you do, don't punish him for going potty where he's not supposed too...as my obedience trainer told my hubby and me, when a dog does something wrong, it's not the dogs fault, it's the owners fault

Some good advice!!

Amy81 · 01-08-2008, 05:10 PM

Welcome to YorkieTalk! Congratulations on your first yorkie!!

weissy · 01-08-2008, 05:17 PM

my puppy is about 12 weeks old now so I can understand what you are going through. I've been trying out the bell with him for a couple of weeks now and ringing it with him everytime we open the door and now he's beginning to start ringing the bell himself. My advice is to constantly watch, watch watch your pup. I've noticed in the split second i take my eye off of him is the time he goes potty. Oh I started a puppy training class that helps with housebreaking and basic obedience. They suggested to not feed and limit water after 6-7pm and take them out late like 11ish before you crate them to prevent accidents in the crate. Pepito was getting up at 4:30am whining to let me know he had to go potty but he's starting to sleep in a little more (if you count 5:30 as sleepin in hahaha) Oh, there are these small soft treats at Petsmart called nature recipe training treats. They are soft and very small for pups to get down. Good luck!!

Amy81 · 01-08-2008, 06:30 PM

welcome to YT weissy!

girltime · 01-08-2008, 07:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by splannon

Hi there! I have a few questions that some of you can hopefully help me out with. I have an almost 9 week old baby who I am trying to potty train. I keep him in the bathroom during the day while I’m at work and at night; where he has many toys, food, water, bed and crate (that I leave open for him). He uses the bathroom on the tile (which I will get puppy pads tonight for that). I'm afraid he is getting used to going where ever by now. So I am thinking about keeping him inside the crate all day so that potty training will come easier to him. I have not decided whether I would like to use puppy pads all the time just yet. I would definitely rather go the fully trained route (outside) if possible. I have potty trained two labs before and basically know how to do it although it is much easier with that breed. I am just a little confused with this breed as I am a first time Yorkie mommy. Just a few questions…

Is he too young to start potty training?

Should I keep him locked in his kennel all day while I’m at work and at night as well? I feel guilty doing this. If so, how big should the crate be?

When I take him outside to go potty he won’t go, but comes right back in to go on the carpet, then I am back outside again with him not going potty. What should I do about that?

I have read bits and pieces of people using a “bell” for good behavior? How does that work for you? Do I just buy a traditional bell?

I have bought a few different kinds of treats that will be easy for him to eat (since his teeth are not fully grown in). He does not like any of them. What are some brands you use that your puppy enjoys?

Last night I disciplined him and felt really bad afterward b/c he seemed really sad. Should I ever discipline him? If so, how?

What are some ways that you potty trained your own puppy?

Any tips will be very helpful I’m sure! Thank you so much for your time and advice! You guys are great!

-Shannon and Diggy

Please do not crate him all day...This would be setting him up for failure.

Sounds like you have the bathroom setup real nice for him while your away. I'd suggest using a pee pad in there. Next time he goes pee on the tile or outside, try and soak a little of it up on his pee pad. This little trick helped me in training my two yorkies to use the pee pad (need to smell their pee on it).

MyDuke · 01-10-2008, 12:10 PM

I keep Duke, 12weeks old, in a gated portion of my apartment during the day with his toys, food, water and pad. I get to come home for lunch so I can see how he's doing.

I've had him since he was 7 weeks old and he's been doing well with the pads when he pees. He still has trouble with going #2 on the pad though.
Everyone says that they're still too young for us to expect them to be trained, so I guess we'll just have to wait and be patient.

ImCarla · 01-10-2008, 09:19 PM

I too am having probs with potty training, I have brother and sister Yorkies who are 6 1/2 mos old. The girl is doing really well and doesn't usually have accidents, although yesterday she went on my bed w/ no warning. The boy is driving us nuts, I think he goes just as much in his pen in the house as he does outside. He knows to go outside but we have them in a pen (about 4ft square) in the house if we aren't around and he'll go the second you turn your back. We don't know what to do. Any help??? He knows its bad but he won't quit!

boeasygob · 01-11-2008, 04:44 AM

I got Sweetie at three months and had him completely housebroken by 5.5 months. I am retired and able to spend the time needed to properly train him.

First I found that he refuses to pee in cage so I caged him overnight until he could hold it overnight. Then I took him into bed and he had only one mistake then. A good "bad boy" session taught him to not do that. Then I took him to visit friends with dogs. There was a territory marking incident between Sweetie and Putter but that was minor. My friend Sue had claimed her Bichon Frise is the cutest dog ever. She looked at Sweetie and admitted that he is the cutest ever.

My big suggestion is to sleep with him. The more you bond with him the more he'll try to please you.

Bob

01-08-2008, 09:33 AM	#1
splannon Yorkie Talker Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Jacksonville, FL Posts: 23	Potty Training Questions...Please help! Hi there! I have a few questions that some of you can hopefully help me out with. I have an almost 9 week old baby who I am trying to potty train. I keep him in the bathroom during the day while I’m at work and at night; where he has many toys, food, water, bed and crate (that I leave open for him). He uses the bathroom on the tile (which I will get puppy pads tonight for that). I'm afraid he is getting used to going where ever by now. So I am thinking about keeping him inside the crate all day so that potty training will come easier to him. I have not decided whether I would like to use puppy pads all the time just yet. I would definitely rather go the fully trained route (outside) if possible. I have potty trained two labs before and basically know how to do it although it is much easier with that breed. I am just a little confused with this breed as I am a first time Yorkie mommy. Just a few questions… Is he too young to start potty training? Should I keep him locked in his kennel all day while I’m at work and at night as well? I feel guilty doing this. If so, how big should the crate be? When I take him outside to go potty he won’t go, but comes right back in to go on the carpet, then I am back outside again with him not going potty. What should I do about that? I have read bits and pieces of people using a “bell” for good behavior? How does that work for you? Do I just buy a traditional bell? I have bought a few different kinds of treats that will be easy for him to eat (since his teeth are not fully grown in). He does not like any of them. What are some brands you use that your puppy enjoys? Last night I disciplined him and felt really bad afterward b/c he seemed really sad. Should I ever discipline him? If so, how? What are some ways that you potty trained your own puppy? Any tips will be very helpful I’m sure! Thank you so much for your time and advice! You guys are great! -Shannon and Diggy Last edited by splannon; 01-08-2008 at 09:35 AM.

01-11-2008, 04:44 AM	#13
boeasygob YorkieTalk Newbie! Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: morrison, il Posts: 4	They are labor intensive I got Sweetie at three months and had him completely housebroken by 5.5 months. I am retired and able to spend the time needed to properly train him. First I found that he refuses to pee in cage so I caged him overnight until he could hold it overnight. Then I took him into bed and he had only one mistake then. A good "bad boy" session taught him to not do that. Then I took him to visit friends with dogs. There was a territory marking incident between Sweetie and Putter but that was minor. My friend Sue had claimed her Bichon Frise is the cutest dog ever. She looked at Sweetie and admitted that he is the cutest ever. My big suggestion is to sleep with him. The more you bond with him the more he'll try to please you. Bob

01-08-2008, 04:42 PM	#2
red1973 Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: pa Posts: 146	hello, i am new to yorkies also. i have had tucker for about a month. he is going pee on the pads about 75% of the time. i do get to take him to work with me so it makes it easier, but he is in a crate alot of the time while with me there, but doing good so far. can not get him to poop on them very much. he will do it right beside them though. it is too cold to outside train him, we are waiting for spring for that..... i have heard they are hard to house train. hopefully not too hard. i am used to rottweilers and they train in about a month. but i did alot of research on this breed before i got him and i knew that was one of the difficulties. i praise him alot when he does it right and rub his belly and he likes it!!!!! best of luck, renae

01-08-2008, 04:46 PM	#3
hha No Longer a Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Seneca, SC Posts: 2,837	No, you DONT' want to keep him in a crate all day while you're working..a 2 month old puppy can only hold his bladder for 2-3 hours a day..would you want put in a little spot all day with no where to go potty?? they have to have room to move when you're gone for that long..buy an xpen, but whatever you do, don't leave him in a little crate all dayhttp://www.petproductdepot.com/Gold-Series-ExPens-540.htm?gclid=COnM8pyD6JACFQMlHgodLTklQg this is the xpen my son bought, I have one also and love mine. you can make them big enough for his bed, food, water, toys and pee pads.

01-08-2008, 04:50 PM	#4
hha No Longer a Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Seneca, SC Posts: 2,837	Also, he's 9 weeks old, he's still a baby..most of the ladies in here will tell you, that you shouldn't expect much out of a 9 week old puppy, let alone a yorkie puppy. I was lucky, mine started using the piddle pads almost right after I got her, but, I got her at 11 weeks from a very good breeder, and she had been working with her pups..if you're gone all the time, I would use pee pads over trying to get him used to going outside, doesn't sound like you're home enough to train him outside..When he's done eating and drinking, playing, and just waking up, put him on the piddle pad and make him stay on it until he goes(usually within 10-15 min. after eating)..they really have no control over their bladders until between 12-14 weeks. when he does go on the pad, praise him, and even have a treat on hand to give him..whatever you do, don't punish him for going potty where he's not supposed too...as my obedience trainer told my hubby and me, when a dog does something wrong, it's not the dogs fault, it's the owners fault

01-08-2008, 04:58 PM	#5
mejones Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Marion, Iowa Posts: 51	I also got my puppy when she was almost 9 weeks old. Little did I know that was technically too young (I guess the babies are supposed to be with their mamas until about 12 weeks)! Oh well, she has done great! My husband and I both work all day. I commute an hour and a half each way, so I'm not able to come home and take her out over my lunch hour. We have a small area gated off for her with her crate, water, pee pad and toys. We have trained her to use pee pads during the day and go outside at night/weekends. It has taken a little while, but she's done really well with it. I'd say right now she's about 90% trained. I think training both ways takes a little more patience, because it's gotta be pretty confusing to them, but they're a smart breed, they'll catch on! Congrats on your new baby!

01-08-2008, 05:10 PM	#7
Amy81 No Longer a Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Palatka, Florida Posts: 6,523	Welcome to YorkieTalk! Congratulations on your first yorkie!!

01-08-2008, 05:17 PM	#8
weissy YorkieTalk Newbie! Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Hilliard Posts: 9	my puppy is about 12 weeks old now so I can understand what you are going through. I've been trying out the bell with him for a couple of weeks now and ringing it with him everytime we open the door and now he's beginning to start ringing the bell himself. My advice is to constantly watch, watch watch your pup. I've noticed in the split second i take my eye off of him is the time he goes potty. Oh I started a puppy training class that helps with housebreaking and basic obedience. They suggested to not feed and limit water after 6-7pm and take them out late like 11ish before you crate them to prevent accidents in the crate. Pepito was getting up at 4:30am whining to let me know he had to go potty but he's starting to sleep in a little more (if you count 5:30 as sleepin in hahaha) Oh, there are these small soft treats at Petsmart called nature recipe training treats. They are soft and very small for pups to get down. Good luck!!

01-08-2008, 06:30 PM	#9
Amy81 No Longer a Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Palatka, Florida Posts: 6,523	welcome to YT weissy!

01-10-2008, 12:10 PM	#11
MyDuke Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: NJ & NY Posts: 102	I keep Duke, 12weeks old, in a gated portion of my apartment during the day with his toys, food, water and pad. I get to come home for lunch so I can see how he's doing. I've had him since he was 7 weeks old and he's been doing well with the pads when he pees. He still has trouble with going #2 on the pad though. Everyone says that they're still too young for us to expect them to be trained, so I guess we'll just have to wait and be patient.

01-10-2008, 09:19 PM	#12
ImCarla YorkieTalk Newbie! Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Santa Maria Posts: 2	I too am having probs with potty training, I have brother and sister Yorkies who are 6 1/2 mos old. The girl is doing really well and doesn't usually have accidents, although yesterday she went on my bed w/ no warning. The boy is driving us nuts, I think he goes just as much in his pen in the house as he does outside. He knows to go outside but we have them in a pen (about 4ft square) in the house if we aren't around and he'll go the second you turn your back. We don't know what to do. Any help??? He knows its bad but he won't quit!