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linm · 06-26-2007, 07:30 AM

We got our 2 Yorkies a month ago. They weren't rescues; they came from a reputable breeder that had kept them for different reasons and had now concluded that she really couldn't give them good pet homes. We were thrilled to get them and they are adjusting really well. Cora is 4 years old and Rupert is just 1 year.

My issue is with the Potty Training. The breeder had told us that they were both Pee Pad trained. Well, not quite.

The guys were kept in pens with a crate and a pee-pad in the pen. They would use the pee-pad in their pen.

When we brought them home, we introduced them to the backyard! They both got it pretty quick and will now take themselves out if they have to go and we are in the TV room/Kitchen area (where the sliding door to the backyard is). I take them out there first thing in the morning, last thing at night and often during the day. If we go out for awhile, we leave them in their pen upstairs that has access to a bathroom where the pee-pads are. They use them if they have to, but more often, wait until we get home and take them into the backyard.

My problem is that they never ask to go out and don't seem to make any signs that they need to go. Rupert, the youngest at 1 year old, tends to circle a lot (I think from growing up in a pen), so I can't use that as a cue. If we are in any other space in the house, they have accidents! If I work in my office or workroom, they hang out with me but can't seem to connect the pee-pads in the next room as the appropriate place to go! They will just squat and go wherever they are! Cora seems to walk to the top of the stairs where the closed gate is and do her business there. I think she wants to get outside but, no cues! I try to watch them but can't seem to do it constantly!

I will be home alot this summer so I am tying to set a timer to ring every 1 1/2 hours to remind me to take them out. I have also ordered a couple of bells; I thought I would try to train them to ring to alert me, but does anyone have any other suggestions? Crate Training does not seem to be the answer as that would just reinforce what they learned at the Breeder's.

06-26-2007, 07:30 AM	#1
linm Donating Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: May 2007 Location: Vancouver, BC Posts: 130	Potty Training Older dogs We got our 2 Yorkies a month ago. They weren't rescues; they came from a reputable breeder that had kept them for different reasons and had now concluded that she really couldn't give them good pet homes. We were thrilled to get them and they are adjusting really well. Cora is 4 years old and Rupert is just 1 year. My issue is with the Potty Training. The breeder had told us that they were both Pee Pad trained. Well, not quite. The guys were kept in pens with a crate and a pee-pad in the pen. They would use the pee-pad in their pen. When we brought them home, we introduced them to the backyard! They both got it pretty quick and will now take themselves out if they have to go and we are in the TV room/Kitchen area (where the sliding door to the backyard is). I take them out there first thing in the morning, last thing at night and often during the day. If we go out for awhile, we leave them in their pen upstairs that has access to a bathroom where the pee-pads are. They use them if they have to, but more often, wait until we get home and take them into the backyard. My problem is that they never ask to go out and don't seem to make any signs that they need to go. Rupert, the youngest at 1 year old, tends to circle a lot (I think from growing up in a pen), so I can't use that as a cue. If we are in any other space in the house, they have accidents! If I work in my office or workroom, they hang out with me but can't seem to connect the pee-pads in the next room as the appropriate place to go! They will just squat and go wherever they are! Cora seems to walk to the top of the stairs where the closed gate is and do her business there. I think she wants to get outside but, no cues! I try to watch them but can't seem to do it constantly! I will be home alot this summer so I am tying to set a timer to ring every 1 1/2 hours to remind me to take them out. I have also ordered a couple of bells; I thought I would try to train them to ring to alert me, but does anyone have any other suggestions? Crate Training does not seem to be the answer as that would just reinforce what they learned at the Breeder's.