Help me make the right decision. - YorkieTalk.com Forums

notfastenuf · 03-07-2008, 03:20 PM

Okay... new member here. My Yorkie's name is Bauer. Very smart one year old male who has attended the Petco beginner course. However, he is still not potty-trained and to be perfectly honest, I'm more frustrated with this than my wife knows - which is why I'm here and not on a muscle-car forum.

I've read all kinds of articles saying how hard male yorkies are to train, tips & tricks, methods, etc... Well, I've decided to get 'professional' help locally - most likely have someone come out to the house.

Question: Do you think this is the best decision? My wife and I both work but this frustration I feel is starting to take a toll on me. Why can he hold it for sometimes up to nine hours and other times not for 10 minutes. Why does he not give indicators? Why, why why...

Additionally, he's not the relaxed around other dogs (although not aggressive) and still bites every-so-often.

Do yorkies benefit from a professional trainer? Have I given up on him? - not yet, but I do feel like a professional is in that career for a reason, much like I'm in mine - b/c they're good at it.

I guess I just needed someone to vent to and to re-affirm my thoughts. lol.

Here's a pic of my little guy.
http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r...nuf/Binker.jpg

shurweee · 03-08-2008, 08:31 AM

OH WOW! HE IS SOOO CUTE! & welcome to yt!
i'm sure getting a professional trainer would help but you gotta realize that they're only gonna tell you how to do it, and not teach the dog for you since they won't be there all the time to watch bauer. I'm re-potty training Einstein right now because he's maybe 10% potty trained and it is definitely my fault. Einstein used to bite all the time, and when I say bite, I mean BITE. My boyfriend start spanking him everytime he bit (trust me, I didn't want this at all!) --but now all I have to say is "no biting" and he will transform into licking mode! that definitely took a toll off of me. I think you just have to take on one thing at a time - bits and parts of different training steps might not make it permanent in his mind. I know this response is all over the place but I hope it helps!

MissSophie · 03-08-2008, 08:49 AM

Welcome to Yorkie Talk. I hope that you find the help you want. To be honest, our female was still pottying in the house occasionally when she was one year old. It was very frustrating. What we found to work was to keep her on a leash when she was out of her kennel. We always had her tethered to us. As I have said before, my brother in-law once asked if she would ever get off the leash. It took some time. The leash allowed us to catch her doing naughty things and stop them. Unfortunately some Yorkies are hard to potty train. Hang in there, it will happen, but you have to be on your toes all the time. Also, the crate is very helpful in not allowing your little guy to have too much space. Too much freedom gives them the opportunity to get into trouble.

tjdmom · 03-08-2008, 08:54 AM

Welcome to YT. Your baby is a cutie. Believe me, I know how frustrating it can be. I think you are doing the right thing by consulting with a trainer. I'm sure they can look at your situation objectively and figure out a way to help you out and if you're already on the right track, they can help you confirm it. Yes, no doubt in my mind that your are doing the right thing. Good luck and keep us posted.

Judy in Waco · 03-08-2008, 08:55 AM

Just wanted to say welcome to YT!

patty58 · 03-08-2008, 10:39 AM

Just wanted to say welcome to YT. I can't give you advice since Murfee was easy to train; but then I didn't work outside the home and was able to keep my eye on him all the time. Don't give up, he will eventually get it.

notfastenuf · 03-13-2008, 12:08 PM

Thanks for the welcome. I talked to several trainers on the phone - basically said I need to go back to treats when taking outside for potty-time. Meaning, that when he starts to go, say "good potty" and give him a treat. Keep reinforcing that. We're holding off on the trainer for the time being - seeing if we can do it outselves. You know how it is - frustration comes and goes in waves. It's not like he doesn't know what he's done - he knows and gives the "sorry dad" face and ears.

So the wife and I have been working on that and he's only messed up a couple times this week which is great. He still goes #1 every so often during the week when we're gone for the entire day, but I'm not going to fault him for that. Sometimes he holds it, sometimes not - at least it's tile.

Things hopefully will get better slowly. Hey, at least he's healthy and likes walks.

mechchic3 · 03-13-2008, 12:16 PM

Welcome to YT. I'm sorry to hear your having problems. My Rambo was very easy to train. Have you thought about using training bells. That might help. Good Luck.

notfastenuf · 03-13-2008, 12:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mechchic3

Welcome to YT. I'm sorry to hear your having problems. My Rambo was very easy to train. Have you thought about using training bells. That might help. Good Luck.

Tried that - have one that hangs by the front door for him to jingle. I hit it but he doesn't get that he is supposed to. haha.

PrincessDiana · 03-13-2008, 12:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by notfastenuf

Tried that - have one that hangs by the front door for him to jingle. I hit it but he doesn't get that he is supposed to. haha.

I think you're supposed to make THEM hit it... does that make sense?

notfastenuf · 03-13-2008, 01:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PrincessDiana

I think you're supposed to make THEM hit it... does that make sense?

Ya, I get it. haha. Sorry for the confused reply - ya, he's afraid of hitting it.

notfastenuf · 03-18-2008, 03:15 AM

Just wanted to say we're making progress. "Good potty" during the act seems to help and giving him a treats afterwards too. He's only messed up like once in the past five days and he held it for like 7 hours yesterday. So he's doing better. Thanks for the help ya'll.

03-08-2008, 08:31 AM	#2
shurweee Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Houston Posts: 57	:D OH WOW! HE IS SOOO CUTE! & welcome to yt! i'm sure getting a professional trainer would help but you gotta realize that they're only gonna tell you how to do it, and not teach the dog for you since they won't be there all the time to watch bauer. I'm re-potty training Einstein right now because he's maybe 10% potty trained and it is definitely my fault. Einstein used to bite all the time, and when I say bite, I mean BITE. My boyfriend start spanking him everytime he bit (trust me, I didn't want this at all!) --but now all I have to say is "no biting" and he will transform into licking mode! that definitely took a toll off of me. I think you just have to take on one thing at a time - bits and parts of different training steps might not make it permanent in his mind. I know this response is all over the place but I hope it helps! __________________ einstein

03-08-2008, 08:49 AM	#3
MissSophie YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Lincoln, Nebraska Posts: 547	Welcome to Yorkie Talk. I hope that you find the help you want. To be honest, our female was still pottying in the house occasionally when she was one year old. It was very frustrating. What we found to work was to keep her on a leash when she was out of her kennel. We always had her tethered to us. As I have said before, my brother in-law once asked if she would ever get off the leash. It took some time. The leash allowed us to catch her doing naughty things and stop them. Unfortunately some Yorkies are hard to potty train. Hang in there, it will happen, but you have to be on your toes all the time. Also, the crate is very helpful in not allowing your little guy to have too much space. Too much freedom gives them the opportunity to get into trouble. __________________ Sophie's Mom

03-08-2008, 08:55 AM	#5
Judy in Waco Gizzy's Best Friend Donating Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Waco, Texas Posts: 6,894	Just wanted to say welcome to YT! __________________ Gizmo's Judy Gizmo's dogster page http://www.dogster.com/dogs/566216

03-08-2008, 10:39 AM	#6
patty58 Donating YT 4000 Club Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: texas Posts: 4,855	Just wanted to say welcome to YT. I can't give you advice since Murfee was easy to train; but then I didn't work outside the home and was able to keep my eye on him all the time. Don't give up, he will eventually get it. __________________ Patty, Murfee's Mommy Believe Everything Happens For A Reason

03-13-2008, 12:16 PM	#8
mechchic3 Donating Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Tampa Posts: 506	Welcome to YT. I'm sorry to hear your having problems. My Rambo was very easy to train. Have you thought about using training bells. That might help. Good Luck. __________________ Sophie& Rambo Rambo proud member of "The Little Gentlemen's Club"

03-07-2008, 03:20 PM	#1
notfastenuf YorkieTalk Newbie! Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: NOVA Posts: 4	Help me make the right decision. Okay... new member here. My Yorkie's name is Bauer. Very smart one year old male who has attended the Petco beginner course. However, he is still not potty-trained and to be perfectly honest, I'm more frustrated with this than my wife knows - which is why I'm here and not on a muscle-car forum. I've read all kinds of articles saying how hard male yorkies are to train, tips & tricks, methods, etc... Well, I've decided to get 'professional' help locally - most likely have someone come out to the house. Question: Do you think this is the best decision? My wife and I both work but this frustration I feel is starting to take a toll on me. Why can he hold it for sometimes up to nine hours and other times not for 10 minutes. Why does he not give indicators? Why, why why... Additionally, he's not the relaxed around other dogs (although not aggressive) and still bites every-so-often. Do yorkies benefit from a professional trainer? Have I given up on him? - not yet, but I do feel like a professional is in that career for a reason, much like I'm in mine - b/c they're good at it. I guess I just needed someone to vent to and to re-affirm my thoughts. lol. Here's a pic of my little guy. http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r...nuf/Binker.jpg

03-08-2008, 08:54 AM	#4
tjdmom Donating YT 500 Club Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: upstate ny Posts: 2,844	Welcome to YT. Your baby is a cutie. Believe me, I know how frustrating it can be. I think you are doing the right thing by consulting with a trainer. I'm sure they can look at your situation objectively and figure out a way to help you out and if you're already on the right track, they can help you confirm it. Yes, no doubt in my mind that your are doing the right thing. Good luck and keep us posted.

03-13-2008, 12:08 PM	#7
notfastenuf YorkieTalk Newbie! Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: NOVA Posts: 4	Thanks for the welcome. I talked to several trainers on the phone - basically said I need to go back to treats when taking outside for potty-time. Meaning, that when he starts to go, say "good potty" and give him a treat. Keep reinforcing that. We're holding off on the trainer for the time being - seeing if we can do it outselves. You know how it is - frustration comes and goes in waves. It's not like he doesn't know what he's done - he knows and gives the "sorry dad" face and ears. So the wife and I have been working on that and he's only messed up a couple times this week which is great. He still goes #1 every so often during the week when we're gone for the entire day, but I'm not going to fault him for that. Sometimes he holds it, sometimes not - at least it's tile. Things hopefully will get better slowly. Hey, at least he's healthy and likes walks.

03-18-2008, 03:15 AM	#12
notfastenuf YorkieTalk Newbie! Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: NOVA Posts: 4	Just wanted to say we're making progress. "Good potty" during the act seems to help and giving him a treats afterwards too. He's only messed up like once in the past five days and he held it for like 7 hours yesterday. So he's doing better. Thanks for the help ya'll.