Originally Posted by leipshen  After reading your post there were several thoughts that came to mind.
First...12 wks of age is very early on for you to already be at your "wits end" with your baby girl.
It is customary that reputable breeders do not even consider allowing a puppy to go to it's new home until they are "at least" 10 -12 wks of age.
One of the primary reasons for this is that puppies(under at least 10 wks old) are simply not mature enough (mentally or emotionally) to adjust to new surroundings and people without undue stress. This is true especially with the Yorkies. They are a very sensitive breed.
Hopefully, during this past five weeks, you have given equally as much time and attention to making sure that your little girl has lots of love, affection, family intreraction, talking to her, using her new name constantly, so she can feel the security of knowing who she is, showing her toys and saying "the word toy to her, asking her if she is hungry at feeding time, or thirsty when filling her water. All of these things will help to teach her how to make conscious associtions. All of these important actions , by you , will generally build her trust in you , as well as a bond of love. It is this loving , trusting relationship between you and your puppy, that will then have her willing to listen and learn to go potty outside.
During these past weeks your puppy has really only had the capacity to understand that her new parents like to go outside often and they are kind enough to take her too. When she goes potty outside, it is most likely, not done because she has made any conscious associations between your intentions and her actions. Be sure to 'express in words" praise and encouragement, when she does go, again helping her to make these associations.
It is my opinion....that she should be allowed to be out with you (perhaps in a play pen) when you or the family is at home. She should have a sectioned off place , with a "pee pad" in close proximity to her. This way you can watch her and if you see her start to squat, you can gently pick her up and place her on the pad, telling her "in a loving and encouraging voice..."go potty on the pad". She can then start to build this mental association.
Yorkies are very sensitive to the sound of our voices, and the emotions we are feeling. any feelings of frusturation, or worse yet, anger, toward your little girl's mistakes, will only serve to confuse and upset her, thereby undoing any positive trust or bonding that has occured.
If you are intent on training her to go outdoors, without taking the intrem steps (pee pad), you are going to have to realize that this may well take a good deal longer than another 5 wks.
It is also very important for you to realize and "Understand" that there are going to be accidents on your floors during this process. Tiny house dogs may well have accidents well past puppy age. This, although much more infrequent, can be caused for a variety of reasons. if you take your Yorkie somewhere new, new smells, new people around, over excitement, or if your Yorkie is not feeling well, she may have an accident. Hopefully, your love for her will make it possible for you to take these occurances in stride, realizing that circumstances can not always be perfect.
Every person has a point of tolerance. If you have reached yours and your puppy is only 12 wks old, please do some soul searching, as to whether you are going to be willling to see her through her "growing up stages" , while continuing to show her patience and love.
There is one thing I can gaurantee you ...through it all and after more...having a Yorkie to love, is a blessing from GOD and she will surely give you many occasions of joy during the time you have her.
These things I have said are only "My opinion". I have used these above methods and fully believe in them.My fellow Yorkie lovers on this site hold a wealth of experience and knowledge. I hope you will receive much forthcoming valuable information. |