My Molly was just a few months old when I developed some serious health problems and my daughter had to take her. My daughter had her for over a year and just couldn't get her trained. When I finally got her back permanently, I took her to a trainer for help once a week. After 3 months she is outdoor trained!
What I did was first, controlled her food so it would be worth it to her to obey me. She was fed only twice a day and if she didn't eat within 15 minuters, it was put up until the next meal. Then, I put her in her kennel 1st thing in the a.m. when we woke up. (She sleeps with me and has never messed in my bed or her kennel.) When I was ready, I took her out. A first it took a long time out with her until she realized that she didn't get a treat or go back in until she did both jobs. I think in all those months she had not learned that we wanted her to go outside! When she went, she got some freedom in the house, but if she didn't, back inside the kennel. Tried again a little later.
Soon we got that part, then we had to teach her NOT to go inside! If I wasn't sure she had gone enough, or I was thinking she may have to go soon, I put her on leash and "wore her" so I could catch it when she went. The I said NO! and took the poo or soaked up pee outside with her and showed her where to go. She learned this fast, but we had to go in every rooom before she saw there was No Place Inside that was OK!
Soon, we were going weeks in between accidents and when she missed, it was usually because I was not observant enough. Now I am teacing her to whimper at the door instead of scratching for attention. She would scratch anything and it was hard to tell what she wanted!
Don't give up - Yorkies are smart dogs, but willfull and reluctant to give up control. If you are more stubborn than they are, they'll get trained!
Kathy |