OK, this should be simple. First, you should refrain from using a "happy place" as a "bad place." The place where he sleeps is his zone, his area, a comfort zone of sorts. I would not use a bathroom for this purpose. Crate training is effective, but you have to make sure you don't use this crate for punishment, as well. When in the crate, give him treats. You can start by leaving the crate door open and placing his treats inside so that he goes in to eat them. He will soon equate the crate with treats, with good things. By using the bathroom as a bad place, he now thinks that he is being placed in there because he is bad, even when going to sleep. He also can't see out, as with a crate. They are a little insecure and like to know that mommy is nearby...whoever the chosen mommy is...
I used to sleep with my female in my bed, that is until Jesse came along. They now have their doggie beds next to my bed, and this is where they sleep. I close my bedroom door, I leave a wee wee pad by a night light, and VOILA!!! I make sure their food and water is up by 8 p.m., that they both go out for a pee right before we go to bed, get up in the A.M. and immediately take them out. Same command, "Let's go do pee pee outside." You have to put the animal on a schedule. They are very much like children.
Next, the pad is great, but some Yorkies never get it. It took my female 4 years to potty train, and when she did use the pad, she would stand on the pad, hang her butt of the edge and pee in the carpet. This is going to happen, especially with a puppy. If you can walk the animal, do so. They soon realize that it's fun outside, with all the visual stimuli and smells, eventually deterring them from going outdoors. Reinforce all good behavior. This almost requires walking around with a baggie of treaties in your pocket. This is key. Long walks are also excellent for relieving stress, which is very common to this breed. When weather is bad, they revert back to the pad.
I hope this helped. I think I am going to start a Yorkie Boot Camp...
We all need help from time....Blessings, Lisa, Lilly & Jesse
