Question about crate training

[elcapril]

Hi,
We are planning to adopt a Yorkie puppy in the near future (we are looking at breeders now and doing research.)
I have experience with crate training a beagle (11 years ago) not to mention toilet training my 3 children. I would like to train the Yorkie pup to do "potty" all outside. Luckily, our schedules are such that the puppy would not be home alone for more than a few (about 4) hours at a stretch. How often does a 3 - 4 month old Yorkie need to go out? How long can they go at night without peeing the crate? I really don't want to do "pee pads" indoors, especially since we have kids and a cat.
Does anyone have any info to share?
Thanks!

[For My Coby]

Congrats on the soon-to-be new member of your family. Mine actually did pretty well with 4 hour stretches at that age. I work so coming home at lunch was 4 hours. Overnight took a little bit longer, maybe an extra month, and then no problems.

[Candacekimble]

I agree with the above posting, I got my puppy at 4 months also and I crate trained. She could hold it for four hours during the day, just in time for my lunch hour. Holding throughout the night took about 4 more weeks, about 5.5 months, I took her out once about 3am (really sucked).

As a side note, i realized about 5 months that her crate was too large and i placed a doggy bed inside to make it smaller. She stopped peeing/pooping in cage immediately. Now at 9 months, I only crate her at night

Good Luck!!

[Jessica P]

My puppy is less than 2months and she does "her stuff" outside. Take her out of the crate in the morning and immediately take her for a walk. Feed her and then take her for a quick walk again 15 min later. Do not feed her until 6 pm and take her for a walk. Camila has been doing great. Even if she wants to pu,she goes outside as she knows. i always say restroom when i take her in the morning and praise her for her good job. She is also able to sleep all night since she was only 8 weeks. I am so proud of her !!

[sabrinasmom]

I think all pups need to be trained to sleep in a crate. My older isn't and when we go visiting, she cries for an hour when I put her in the crate - now I keep her there when I go out, and she sleeps in really well but it took me 11 years to do this. My younger pup I started immediatly. Now, it's 8 p.m. and she jumps up in my lap, gives me a kiss, and goes in her crate, I give her a treat and she's down for the night. Even on trips. Not a sound out of her. She'll go outside on the potty command, the older won't. Can't help yu there. sorry. But crate sleeping - I'll never do without it again. It's good for them.