Welcome Jen. Keep up the training!!! Your little guy sounds stubbborn like most yorkies. My Lucy hates the rain/heat/darkness too. We've worked through those issues. Here's what we do:
At night, we take a big lantern (not just a little flash light) with us that lights the roadway. We found if Lucy can see a bit ahead of her, she'll stay out and go. For the rain, we take a large golf umbrella with us and keep Lucy covered while she walks. She hates the raincoat - so we don't use one. Even if I get wet, she can go without getting pelted by drops. For the heat - that's more difficult. We do carry her part of the way & also take her to shady spots. My Lucy starts panting heavily in the heat. As soon as she goes, I scoop her in my arms and get her right back inside & to the water bowl.
At all times, we make a REAL BIG DEAL every time she goes outside. Our neighbors think we're nutty alright. I walk with my daughter & we even have a little "hurray" song that we sing to Lucy as soon as she starts to piddle.
Finally, we found that Lucy doesn't like grass. She prefers to go in the street. However, she really likes to sniff mailboxes & polls & road signs (for other dogs' pee??) So, as soon as she goes, we dash over to the nearest mailbox and let her take a good long sniff around. It's sort of a reward for her. She expects it now.
Good luck. Let us know how it goes!
Tracey |