My yorkie is only 2 1/2 months old and I have only had him for 2 weeks.
Because he is so young, he sleeps a lot and this helps. But I keep him with me almost constantly..... on the davenport - in a bed in the kitchen -- in a bed in my office - sleeps with me at night - etc.
I take him to his puppy pad almost hourly - and he usually pees. I take him more often if he hasn't gone for a while.
I take him outside also. (I want him to learn that he is supposed to pee on his puppy pad or outside - not just in one place).
He's pretty good about sleeping most of the night, but if he does wake up, I take him to his puppy pad.
So - after all my times taking him to his puppy pad - he really does use it most of the time - and he has gone there himself several times and gone to the bathroom. (Good for him!!!)
Now the bad news - I work and am gone for about 6 hours - four days a week. When I am gone, he is confined to the kitchen with his bed, toys, food, and a puppy pad. And, he uses it some of the time - but not always.
So - I think we are making headway - but I do know that I am going to have to keep up this regimen for the next few months ahead and be consistent.
It's work - but not really that bad - he doesn't weigh a thing, so carrying him off to his puppy pad often really isn't any work. But - I have to remember to do it consistently. And, I have to get up in the middle of the night if he wakes up. (He almost always goes then.)
I personally don't like crate training. I have crate trained before and don't like my little puppy confined to a crate all the time. I'd rather keep a constant eye on him. I'm sure this is just a matter of preference.
Good luck - Carol Jean |