I too wanted to tell you don't get discouraged. I think it takes a long time (based on comments made here) for a yorkie puppy to actually get to the point where they will let you know they have to go out. Before that happens you become more trained then they are. In other words, you have to be the one to learn the signals and keep an ever watchful eye on them. She could be 7-8 months before she will let you know. Sometimes it's by scratching at the door, or barking at the door, but most of the time, they just sit near you and stare at you. (Unless they are trained otherwise, like to use the bells).
If you can't keep an eye on her, then I would recommend not keeping her in the kitchen. This is too large a space and makes it real easy to find a place to go potty and then another place to eat, sleep and play. You need to either keep her tethered to you so she goes where you go and you can correct the incorrect behavior very quickly, or you should put her in an x-pen (which you will need to fill up with her toys, food dish, bed, crate, so there is very little room for her to mess in without getting it on something that she does not want it on, or use the crate.
You should allow her free play out side the crate or x-pen, but you must be in attendance at all times and keep a eye out on her. You really want to limit the amount of times she does not do the correct behavior. Dogs learn thru repetition, so you want to repeat the good behavior 9 out of 10 times. It should never be a 50-50 or 60-40 deal. |