We just welcomed our our very first yorkie this week, "Hazel" - she's 8 1/2 weeks old. And, for once in my life I am looking forward to any and all (un)solicited advice!
My explanation I know, will be rediculously long... SORRY!
We have a two story house and had gated off the laundry room (which is upstairs) with the intent of making it "her area" at night or when we were away... We placed pee pads in one area and had her crate (which we placed her bedding inside) in another - we leave the crate door open when we leave so she can come and go. At night, we close her in the crate and I let her out every few hours to let her use the pee pads. So far, it has worked just fine!
Now, during the day - when we're all home we spend most of our time downstairs so I placed another pee pad in our kitchen (which is open to our family room). We keep her in the general area with us and watch her constantly. When we see her about to go we get her to the pad, praise, "potty", treat, yada, yada. That's was going okay, too. HOWEVER, now all the sudden (4 days later) Hazel will NOT go on the pee pad downstairs for ANYTHING! She no longer sniffs at it, or shows any interest (except trying to drag it around occasionally). We continue to place her on the pad periodically, but to no avail! If she's downstairs she will "secretly" pee wherever...in her pack 'n play, in another bed she lays in, on the rug, kitchen floor, etc. - she shows no discrimination... I have also tried replacing the pad...
What gives? We have NOT punished her for going elsewhere - we tell her "NO" when we catch her in the act and take her to the pad but I could wait there an hour and she will not finish her business - she's now held it for 6 hours!!!!!
Any advice? How does everyone else handle up/down stairs? Please, help me with Hazel!
Many thanks in advance! I've already learned so much just from reading other posts!