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Originally Posted by jessmerce  We got our little yorkie Franklin when he was 4 months old and he is now 8.5 months. Generally the potty training is going pretty well and he rarely has accidents around the house. Our issue is with the crate. I read over and over that dogs won't go to the washroom in the space where they sleep if the space is small enough, but apparently Franklin is the exception. We put him in the crate when we are having dinner so that he doesn't beg, when we leave him at the house while we're gone and my boyfriend puts him in the crate throughout the day while he works. Sometimes Franklin will be great and just sit there or sleep until we are home or finished doing whatever we are doing (we've left him for 3 hours without any accidents). Other times though, he whines a lot or we will come home and he will have had an accident, even if we've been gone an hour. He has even had an accident when locked up while we eat dinner. I should also point out that we always take him out to go to the washroom before he is put in his crate. Its like he is doing it beause he is mad at us. Any suggestions?
Other issue is that he barks like a little crazy puppy at any and all dogs. Its getting to the point where we get a bit embarrassed because we can't have a conversation with people if they're dog is around because Franklin is barking his head off. We have tried the horn that hisses and we have tried water with a bit of vinegar. Should we be adding more vinegar? Any other kinds of sprays? Any other suggestions? |
Hold the vinegar. You risk doing serious harm to his eyes. I would work on general obedience training using positive reinforcement methods, socialization, and de-sensitization. Practice daily in the house (basic obedience) and outdoors.
I understand the battle -- my Max is an excitement barker when he sees other dogs, but he improves tremendously the more we practice and are out and about. He regresses when we go long periods of not being around other dogs.
For potty problems -- when you say Franklin is crated while your boyfriend works, what is the longest he is crated? If the timeframe is really long, it might be too long for Franklin to hold it. Then during shorter periods of crating, Franklin might be figuring he won't be having a potty break any time soon, so he may as well relieve himself.
Would you be open to using a piddle pad?