Slightly weird question... :~/

[JaXon]

I have had Jaxon for about a week and a half... I love love love him and he is doing very well with peeing and pooping outside (he wouldnt do it before). I crate him during the day and when I am busy and everytime I let him out I take him outside to go potty (it is quite a workout since I live on the 4th floor of an apartment complex with no elevator). IF (and only IF) he pees AND poops outside, I will let him play in the apartment for about an hour (in the same room as me). He still may pee a very little in a corner every once in a while but for the most part, he has very little accidents. When will I know he is potty trained... will it be when I can leave him in the house alone without him having an accident... and how long before that happens.

What is you all's experience with the length of time it takes?

THANKS SO MUCH!

[Patti]

With mine each one was different. Cali trained the quickest to pee pads. I would say by 5 months she was 80% trained. I let her have run of the house when she was about a year, she loved being in her playpen when I was gone so it wasn't a problem. Roxie is 9 months old and pretty much trained except she will still occassionaly pee in the front room. She has had free run of the back of the house with the others since she was about 5 /12 months old. Usually you will know when they start giving you a sign they want to go out consistantly.

[stellarstarx]

Lola just turned five months and I finally feel confident enough to leave the house without putting her in her crate. She hasn't had any accidents in a few weeks so I'm pretty sure she's gotten the hang of the fact that she's supposed to "make" outside.

Some of my friends with yorkies have experienced the same thing. But every dog is different so some might get the hang of it quicker while others might take a little longer.

[Karrie]

I considered Bailey potty trained in 2 mos. (when she was 4 1/2 mos old) - at that time she was ringing the bell consistently so I picked up the blankets off the family room floor and let her go into the kitchen as well as the family room.

For awhile, we kept the dining room blocked off because we don't "live" in there. Gradually we let her run the house - but she pretty much just stays in the kitchen and family room with us - all the baby gates are put up!

I bought a spot-bot for those occasional accidents. Truth be told - I've only used it a handful of times due to potty accidents. Unfortunately, I've had to use it a few times for barf accidents, too. Its a great machine and highly recommended!!!

While at work during the day - I keep her in an ex-pen with a pee-pad in a litter box. Its just a safe place for her and she can either nap or look out the window and watch the birds and rabbits.

[JaXon]

thanks for the advice You all are great!