 Yorkie Wanna-be
Am new to the forum ... in fact, I don't own a dog yet. Am researching prior to selecting a pet. Main criteria for me is size - want VERY small which is why chihuahua was my first choice until research raised about 100 red flags re: amount of time it takes to potty train them. I stuck with it though - was convinced this was the breed for me (affectionate, portable, easy to travel with) but in the end, there were TOO MANY testimonials about it taking more than a year to housebreak and even after that length of time, many reported consistant "accidents." I'm patient, but I know I don't have a year's worth of patience for what other breeds manage to accomplish (potty training) in a month or so. So my next choice is Yorkie - very very cute - still small and easy to take places/join me when I travel. I've clicked on this forum and read a few entries, however, I don't want to read further because it seems that these forums are used to seek help in solving problems. I'm looking for GOOD NEWS!!!! I don't want to hear about problems in potty training (although certainly if it's equally as impossible to house break a yorkie as it is a chi, then I should know that!) Assuming of course that any puppy will have accidents and cannot be expected to control its bladder consistently if under 3-6 months of age ... I'd like to know if housebreaking a yorkie takes a reasonable amount of time. What's reasonable? Hmmm ... most of my friends who have "muts" say with crate training, it took about a month - some a little more - some a little less. This, I can live with, but months and months and months (a whole year!) of peeing in the house and ruining carpets is not a scenario I relish (nor that my husband would tolerate). I owned a basset once - took about a month to housebreak - was a dream after that - no more accidents. Have owned other dogs growing up as a child - don't remember the ever-present smell of pee in the house - seemed housebreaking always occurred in a reasonable amount of time. Soooo .... my question about yorkies is: Generally speaking, on the whole or average (if they're 3-6 months old) with consistent training, can they be (for the most part) potty trained within a month's time (give or take a few weeks)? I suppose my previous statement about not wanting to hear about problems was a silly statement to make - all I want is the truth! Will I spend more than 1-2 months housebreaking a yorkie? Thanks in advance for any info you can share. I live overseas so I really want a dog I can travel with! Jan |