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Annuta · 01-31-2007, 10:16 AM

I am by no means an expert at puppies, but here's what has helped with my new addition.

- Give her limited space. When I got Remy, he immediately went into the playpen and stayed there for 2 weeks. Of course, I took him out often to play, but I always played with him right after he went potty on the pad. A baby playpen gave him very limited, yet still large enough area for his size. He had his bed and toys on one side, and the pee pad on another. Initially, he did not always use the pad - he went in his bed, near the pad, under the pad, etc. But, after a week of constant correction/praise, he caught on and used the pad 80% of the time. By the end of second week, he used it 100% of the time, which is when I felt that he can be trusted in a larger area.

I don't think a baby playpen will work for your 10 month old - it is too small. My next step was putting him in the kitchen, which is what I think would be more appropriate for your girl. I started him out with one side of the kitchen completely covered in pee pads (I used about 6). For the first 2 days in the new place he went on the pads 50% of the time, but, now (he's been there 6 days so far) he uses them 95% of the time, and is down to 2 pee pads. I plan on having him in the kitchen for another week, to make sure he has the pee pad thing down. I then plan on gradually increasing his space, but expect that as soon as I do, there will be accidents until he gets used to the larger territory. You may have to cover the entire kitchen area with pee pads to set her up for success, and then remove them one by one until she is down to one pad (or two, whichever you prefer).

- Get her on a feeding schedule. This has helped me tremendously because I know for a fact that he is going to pee and most of the time poop shorty after I feed him. I do not free feed him. He gets 3 full meals a day with little stacks in between, as needed. He is thriving, and has never had a hypoglycemic episode. For reference, he is 16 weeks and weighs 2lb, 3oz. By feeding him scheduled meals, I can guarantee that he will be set up for success at least 3 times each day. I watch him like a hawk after he finishes eating, and as soon as I see him circle around and sniffing, I do one of two things: if he is doing that on his pee pads, then I am ready to make a HUGE deal of it and praise him right after he is done. I also say the words "go potty" while he is actually doing his business - that way, he learns the cue, as well as realizes that what he is doing is right. Say it in a soft voice, calm voice (you don't want to disturb her or get her all excited before she's done) over and over until he's done.

If he's NOT circling around the pee pad area, I place him on the pee pads. If he stays there and does his business - lots and lots of praise. If he runs off of them (that happens too), I am ready to scoop him up as soon as he squats down. I tell him NO! in a firm voice as I scoop him up. I then place him on the pee pads and say "Go potty". Sometimes he finishes on othe pee pads, sometimes he doesn't and holds it in till next time. The point is to offer immediate praise/correction when you see them do their business.

I think the "Go potty" (or whatever you prefer) command is very important to teach them. I went to my inlaws with him the other day and wanted him to potty before we come into the house. I stood outside with him and told him to go potty 4 times, after which he did. He also went on cue (after about 5 "go potty"s before we went to puppy class. He's catching on.

I will add more things as I think of them, but these are the most important, imho. I am sure there will be more advice from much more experienced yorkie owners.

01-31-2007, 10:16 AM	#4
Annuta Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Naples, FL Posts: 57	I am by no means an expert at puppies, but here's what has helped with my new addition. - Give her limited space. When I got Remy, he immediately went into the playpen and stayed there for 2 weeks. Of course, I took him out often to play, but I always played with him right after he went potty on the pad. A baby playpen gave him very limited, yet still large enough area for his size. He had his bed and toys on one side, and the pee pad on another. Initially, he did not always use the pad - he went in his bed, near the pad, under the pad, etc. But, after a week of constant correction/praise, he caught on and used the pad 80% of the time. By the end of second week, he used it 100% of the time, which is when I felt that he can be trusted in a larger area. I don't think a baby playpen will work for your 10 month old - it is too small. My next step was putting him in the kitchen, which is what I think would be more appropriate for your girl. I started him out with one side of the kitchen completely covered in pee pads (I used about 6). For the first 2 days in the new place he went on the pads 50% of the time, but, now (he's been there 6 days so far) he uses them 95% of the time, and is down to 2 pee pads. I plan on having him in the kitchen for another week, to make sure he has the pee pad thing down. I then plan on gradually increasing his space, but expect that as soon as I do, there will be accidents until he gets used to the larger territory. You may have to cover the entire kitchen area with pee pads to set her up for success, and then remove them one by one until she is down to one pad (or two, whichever you prefer). - Get her on a feeding schedule. This has helped me tremendously because I know for a fact that he is going to pee and most of the time poop shorty after I feed him. I do not free feed him. He gets 3 full meals a day with little stacks in between, as needed. He is thriving, and has never had a hypoglycemic episode. For reference, he is 16 weeks and weighs 2lb, 3oz. By feeding him scheduled meals, I can guarantee that he will be set up for success at least 3 times each day. I watch him like a hawk after he finishes eating, and as soon as I see him circle around and sniffing, I do one of two things: if he is doing that on his pee pads, then I am ready to make a HUGE deal of it and praise him right after he is done. I also say the words "go potty" while he is actually doing his business - that way, he learns the cue, as well as realizes that what he is doing is right. Say it in a soft voice, calm voice (you don't want to disturb her or get her all excited before she's done) over and over until he's done. If he's NOT circling around the pee pad area, I place him on the pee pads. If he stays there and does his business - lots and lots of praise. If he runs off of them (that happens too), I am ready to scoop him up as soon as he squats down. I tell him NO! in a firm voice as I scoop him up. I then place him on the pee pads and say "Go potty". Sometimes he finishes on othe pee pads, sometimes he doesn't and holds it in till next time. The point is to offer immediate praise/correction when you see them do their business. I think the "Go potty" (or whatever you prefer) command is very important to teach them. I went to my inlaws with him the other day and wanted him to potty before we come into the house. I stood outside with him and told him to go potty 4 times, after which he did. He also went on cue (after about 5 "go potty"s before we went to puppy class. He's catching on. I will add more things as I think of them, but these are the most important, imho. I am sure there will be more advice from much more experienced yorkie owners.