Know that you are not alone. I have to admit to smiling a little when I read new owners saying their puppy is already housetrained at such early ages. Breeders even advertise that 8 week old puppies are pad trained. (They are likely kept in an area most covered by pads as mine were and they do go on the pad).
Yorkies are notorious for being difficult to potty train. You just have to be pesistent and patient. My Annie is over 5 months old but she is still having accidents. We have good days and bad -- but I approach them all the same. We are "in progress."
I do believe in having treats for potty time. Break them in tiny pieces as you don't want to spoil their appetite for good food. But they need reward for doing well in addition to your high praise.
You said you are taking her out at 12, 2, 4, and 6 -- does she actually go each time? If so, and then she is still peeing in her crate with nothing to drink after 7 pm .... then I might schedule a vet visit to just be sure she doesn't have a urinary infection. That would be a lot of night time peeing even for a puppy.
Sounds like you are approaching things well. Just be patient. It may take months yet. She is still so young, she would be with her mother for a minimum of two more weeks if she were one of my pups! So, she would be more mature when you started. It is difficult for thes young pups -- they have not physically acquired bladder control yet in many cases. So, as much as they may want to wait, it is simply not doable for many at 10 weeks old.
The biting is another sign of leaving mom & siblings too early. They learn by biting and being bit with their litter and mom. Since you have yours so early, you will have to act as momma dog. I read to use finger and thumb to gently pinch a little skin at the neck simulating momma dog gently biting to scold for biting too hard. Do NOT hurt the pup. Just a little nip as you say a stern NO will do the trick. Not immediately -- it takes time. But over a few weeks time, the puppy will learn.
Don't expect them to learn with just one or two tries. Puppies and human babies take repetition and they need consistency. Same thing every time and they will learn. Hang in there -- she will get it eventually. But stand by, because it usually takes MONTHS to get it all! |