[Muireann]

Hello everyone,
I hope you don't mind but I have had a very hard time with Poppy doing her business everywhere but on the paper we have for her at our door that I would really appreciate your expertise.
Firstly, I am reading alot about your crate training and please forgive my stupidity but what exactly is a crate? and where do you put it?
My brother gave me a book called "House Break your Dog in 7 days" but the daily routine for a 6-12month puppy that you need to follow for seven days was rather shocking to me: If you don't mind I would like to write it as I have no one else really to consult and I would appreciate feedback:

General Timetable for 6-12 month old puppies eating 2 meals a day and owner is working during the day.


7.00am Wake up and Go out.
7.10am-7.30am Free period in kitchen
7.30am Food and Water
8.00am Go out. Confine in Crate when owner leaves for day. Leave safe toys and chewies to keep dog entertained. No food or water.
6.00pm Go out.
6.15-7.00pm Free period in kitchen.
7.00pm Food and Water
7.45-8.30pm Confine
11pm Go out. Confine over night.

According to the book if you do this for a week then your puppy should be house broken. Honestly though I think I would have a nervous breakdown. We came from the vet on Saturday as Poppy had a little limp on Friday night and she said that she could have a problem with a loose kneecap. She is so small and I can imagine that she will up on her back legs jumping for hours if she is confined and I would be so afraid of her hurting her wee self.

As the situation stands myself and my boyfriend live in a small two bedroom house. As it has been freezing outside since we had Poppy we decided to "paper train" her and then when the snow left and she got bigger we would take her outside. As such Poppy has the run of the house (except bedrooms and bathroom) and when she had an accident and we got her in the act we said a stern No and lifted her to the paper. If there was an accident that we hadn't seen then we just cleared it away. For the most part she learned to go on the paper and of course we had a party everytime that happened. This week however has been a nightmare and I feel so sad that I just have no clue what to do. She is just 6 months and weighs just under 2lbs and she looks so scared at me when I shout at her when she has an accident but honestly she has been peeing and pooing everywhere but the paper all week.

We both go to work everyday leaving between 8-9am and returning between 4-5pm and one day a week I have a half day. Saturdays and Sundays are just for the three of us. If anyone could give me an idea of how they crate train in a similar situation, I would be absolutely the most grateful person in the world. I apologise for the length of the email and I am sure this is an age old question but if you could spare a moment for an inexperienced yorkie lover in Finland...I would be so happy.

Thank-you very very much.
Kindest Regards,