[milliecorrales]

I have two yorkies and my previous yorkie was almost 15 when he died. Yelling, sticking a dogs face in it is not IMHO an appropriate way to train a dog. Since you are transitioning and say that you are home more often, I would leave the litter box as is for now. Take the pup out about every 2 hours,( he can use the litter box when you are not home). My Benni is trained and barks when he needs to go out and believe me, does not let up until I take him out. Garett is more into the pads. I would never yell at my dogs nor stick their faces in it (by the way Benni is 15 months and Garett is 14 months). Training is something that takes quite some time for yorkies. My boys are good 95% of the time, and I cannot see myself yelling at them or sticking their faces in it the other 5% of the time. Yelling makes a dog timid and fearful. When the dog uses the appropriate place, whether it is the litter box, pad or outside, praise the dog a lot, present him with a treat and tell him what a great dog he is. Dogs live to please, and he will want to please you, persistence and patience and lots of praise and treats IMHO is the answer.