YorkieTalk.com Forums - Yorkshire Terrier Community - View Single Post - Potty Training Scruffles and Other Issues

Scruffles4Ever · 04-20-2006, 05:15 AM

There are a couple of problems that I can identify. Muffie’s Mom I believe you are correct. Part of the problem is that he is not on a feeding schedule. One of the questions that I asked the breeder before I got him was when to feed him. The breeder said that he will eat when he is hungry so to leave the food and water down. I also agree with keeping him confined until he learns. Unfortunately, our floor plan is open so there is not a small enough area that I can gate off, so I thought that I could contain him by sectioning off a bathroom. I placed his litter box, food & water, and all of his toys in a large enough bathroom. I separated his food and water far enough from the litter box because I know that Yorkies do not like their food anywhere near where they go to the bathroom. I did what I thought was the right thing, but it didn’t work. He was so upset by being confined that he would not stop crying and he refused to eat. Well, I took him out of the bathroom. My next idea was to purchase an X Pen to place in our living room where we could be with him. I was going to put all of his things in the X Pen. I went to JB Wholesale Pet Supply and the sales lady said that this would be a waste of money. He will not like this and the best thing that I can do is just keep my eye on him constantly. I never bought the X Pen. Maybe I should try this idea again?

I also believe that I need to start potty training from the beginning, Throw out everything I’ve been doing and start fresh. I think that we have thoroughly confused him. We have two litter boxes (upstairs and downstairs) and we also take him outside. His crate is in a bedroom upstairs so when he wakes up and before he goes to bed, we take him to the upstairs litter box. When we’re downstairs in the living room, we have another litter box for him to use. Plus, we walk him outside a lot and he goes when he’s outside. This combined with my change in schedule has confused him so I cannot wait to go to training to help correct some of the mistakes that I have made. As I stated in my first post, the use of two litter boxes once worked, but now that I’m back to work, I think he is confused and upset.

Thank you everyone for all of your advice. I really appreciate it.

04-20-2006, 05:15 AM	#9
Scruffles4Ever No Longer a Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Monroe, NY Posts: 380	There are a couple of problems that I can identify. Muffie’s Mom I believe you are correct. Part of the problem is that he is not on a feeding schedule. One of the questions that I asked the breeder before I got him was when to feed him. The breeder said that he will eat when he is hungry so to leave the food and water down. I also agree with keeping him confined until he learns. Unfortunately, our floor plan is open so there is not a small enough area that I can gate off, so I thought that I could contain him by sectioning off a bathroom. I placed his litter box, food & water, and all of his toys in a large enough bathroom. I separated his food and water far enough from the litter box because I know that Yorkies do not like their food anywhere near where they go to the bathroom. I did what I thought was the right thing, but it didn’t work. He was so upset by being confined that he would not stop crying and he refused to eat. Well, I took him out of the bathroom. My next idea was to purchase an X Pen to place in our living room where we could be with him. I was going to put all of his things in the X Pen. I went to JB Wholesale Pet Supply and the sales lady said that this would be a waste of money. He will not like this and the best thing that I can do is just keep my eye on him constantly. I never bought the X Pen. Maybe I should try this idea again? I also believe that I need to start potty training from the beginning, Throw out everything I’ve been doing and start fresh. I think that we have thoroughly confused him. We have two litter boxes (upstairs and downstairs) and we also take him outside. His crate is in a bedroom upstairs so when he wakes up and before he goes to bed, we take him to the upstairs litter box. When we’re downstairs in the living room, we have another litter box for him to use. Plus, we walk him outside a lot and he goes when he’s outside. This combined with my change in schedule has confused him so I cannot wait to go to training to help correct some of the mistakes that I have made. As I stated in my first post, the use of two litter boxes once worked, but now that I’m back to work, I think he is confused and upset. Thank you everyone for all of your advice. I really appreciate it.