We got lucky with our second boy in that he has a bigger bladder than our first. He can sleep about six hours (at night) before he squeaks to be let out (not too much though because he knows overdoing it won't get him anywhere). During the day, he naps on an average of three hours.
Apollo (our first yorkie) was housetrained in about two weeks. We used the xpen system where we blocked off a small area near the bathroom. We placed the piddle mat in the bathroom. He eventually caught on. We gradually enlarged his xpen area and now he is about 90% successful with full access to the house. He has accidents when we accidentally leave the bathroom door closed (DOH!).
Arion (our second) is on the crate system right now. We want him to get used to being alone in his crate. We'll switch to the xpen system in about two weeks.
I think it's easier to train the second because we have a system now. With Apollo, we tried a couple different methods before settling on the xpen system. Arion might catch on faster because he has Apollo to watch and perhaps learn from.
We don't leave our puppies in crates unless
1) they are sleeping,
and/or
2) they are out with us (car, places they shouldn't be roaming free, etc.).
We haven't left Arion alone yet but we gave Apollo as much freedom as possible. This was perhaps possible because we trained to potty on a mat and not outside. Training to go outside might be a bit different.
Our puppies don't complain when inside their crates unless they have to potty. They are very independent and secure. Apollo is able to stay alone without so much as a whimper. Arion seems to be down the same road.
I think (this is strictly my opinion from what I have experienced) the puppies' naturual dispositions played/play a big part in how quickly they learned/learn, but researching/reading anything and everything I could about puppy care really facilitated the training process. |