New to forum! Please help! (potty and ears)

[KJLive]

Hi. I am new to this forum. My wife and I just purchased a Yorkie from a local pet store. (We hope we saved her!) We have never owned a Yorkie and are desperately seeking to talk to folks that have knowledge of the breed. We want to be sure we are doing whatever is in the best interest of the dog. Sophie is 14 weeks old and weighs about 3.5 to 4 pounds. Initially, we have 2 questions. First, we are told Yorkies are difficult to housebreak. We take Sophie out every 2 hours (when we are home), and she does her business outside but never gives us any indication that she is ready to go out. If we don't hit the correct time, she will do her business in the house. However....she never goes in her crate. When she is in her crate at night, she will cry to let us know that she has to go out. Any suggestions? Ideas? It is very frustrating. 2nd question.....one ear is standing (about a week), and one ear is drooping. Is this common? How long does it take? We had her groomed yesterday and had hair removed from the ear area in hopes that it would help. Any help would be deeply appreciated.

[hugz4all4]

Welcome to YT and congrats on the new puppy, Im sure she is a beauty. I have no advice as far as the ears go, I have a yorkiepoo and his ears are long but I have read on this board about shaving the tips and possibly taping the ears to stand. Im sure others will have more advice for you.
House training any breed is a challenge. Your puppy is the same age as mine, however Ive had him since he was 8 weeks old. I started mine on pee pads cause he was so little when we first got him but for the last few weeks Ive been taking him out side. I take my little guy out every hour while he is awake and he goes everytime. I keep his pee pad out still "just in case" but he hasnt used it in awhile, he does still have accidents in the house but they are far and few in between and its usually poo and most of the time its because Ive lost track of the time. He doesnt go to the door yet either but I think its because he is still a little young to catch on, but Im sure he will as will yours. It takes awhile for them to actually get it and most dogs arent fully housetrained untill they are 6 to 8 months of age and from what Ive seen on this board, yorkies do take a little longer. I have found that being consistant is the key and that praise or treats work wonders. Good luck!!

[Missiemiss]

Congrats to you on your new baby. I do believe you saved an angelic soul!

In regard to potty training - yes, they can be difficult because their bladders are so small and the muscles are not developed. Be consistent if you are going "outside." When you go out keep telling her "go potty" or "go poopy" or (we use) "Get busy!" Reinforce this each time and when she does go give her lots of praise and some treats. We also use the "bell" method. When ours need to go outside they just ring the bell (we have a ringer on the floor for them).

In regard to the ears. Right now the calcium in her body is being used for her adult teeth. One of the best things to do (besides keep the ear-hair trimmed) as to fold the ear together (liek you are closing it) and tape it.

I'm not sure how picky you are on ears but I've got two with ears that can pick up satellite signals and one that has floppy ears. Honestly, it adds to her personality.

Welcome to YT! I know you will get alot of input.

[Yorkiekids]

You need to make sure you always bring treats with you when you take her out. When she goes give her a treat and a lot of praise.

[chattiesmom]

Welcome to YorkieTalk

Welcome to YorkieTalk and congratulations on your new addition. Would love to see pics of your precious little Sophie.

As far as house training goes, it sounds like you are off to a good start. Taking her outside the moment she wakes up, just after each meal and anytime in between that she does the "potty dance" -- without fail -- is the way to get her trained the quickest. Always remember to treat her after every potty -- find the treats that she loves best and reserve them for this single purpose for now. Use a potty phrase every time you take her out, something simple such as "Go Potty?" use excitement in your voice and say it as you are walking towards the door and as you go outside.

Being consistent is the rule.

About the ears, I have found that massage - firm strokes from the base of the ear to the tip helps me with pups that seem to be a bit lazy with their ears.

[Missiemiss]

I thought of something else. When potty training it is important to keep your pup confined as much as possible. Do NOT let them roam the house - they will find a place to potty.

We blocked off our Dining Room so the dogs were in the living room with us. Yes, we lived in a gated community however it was worth it because we could tell (as Chattie'smom said) the first steps of the "Potty Dance."

Hope this helps!

[lovelylf1]

Congrats on your new baby!

Potty training was a challenge but like everyone else has said, staying consistent will pay off. You may also want to start training classes as soon as possible. I started Scooter in Petsmart puppy classes at 11 weeks and it helped me more than I expected. They really teach you tricks on sitting, down, touch, etc. that you would not really think about. With our trainers advice, I went from being stressed out about potty training to getting it done within a week or two. Now, Scooter has taken both the puppy and intermediate classes and graduated with honors. I have now mastered how to teach him becase of the ways the teach. I highly recommend starting training ASAP. It does wonders and can really help you with potty training and general attitude.

Also, YT is such a resource. You will become an addict. Good luck.

[Karrie]

Welcome to YT!!

Just to add to the potty training issue - I recommend laying down blankets in the living room so that you can 1. save the carpet and 2. wash the blankets to remove the odor (to help prevent reoccurrence).

"House Training for Dummies" was a good resource for me.

Good luck!

[JoeyP]

Hi welcome to YT
Your little girl is about the same age as my two little guys
As far as housebreaking and training goes don't buy into what other people tell you
Training is training and you have to follow the same steps with every dog
In the beginning esp at this age it comes down to containment and watching them
As far as the ears go ... they will likely stiffen up
the hair will weigh it down so cutting it will help and you can even tape it up to help temporarily

[YorkieLover9]

Originally Posted by chattiesmom

Welcome to YorkieTalk

Welcome to YorkieTalk and congratulations on your new addition. Would love to see pics of your precious little Sophie.

As far as house training goes, it sounds like you are off to a good start. Taking her outside the moment she wakes up, just after each meal and anytime in between that she does the "potty dance" -- without fail -- is the way to get her trained the quickest. Always remember to treat her after every potty -- find the treats that she loves best and reserve them for this single purpose for now. Use a potty phrase every time you take her out, something simple such as "Go Potty?" use excitement in your voice and say it as you are walking towards the door and as you go outside.

Being consistent is the rule.

About the ears, I have found that massage - firm strokes from the base of the ear to the tip helps me with pups that seem to be a bit lazy with their ears.

on the potty training and I wanted to add that I also tried massaging my yorkies ears (as Chattiesmom recommends) and it worked though I helped that long by keeping the hair trimmed (using a Wahl trimmer) on the top 1/3 of his ears so as not to weigh them down.

[KJLive]

I really apprecaite your reply and your help! Thank you! I am sure I will having many more questions.

[shirlblack]

Hello and welcome to YT.

[tiffjunior]

Originally Posted by KJLive

Hi. I am new to this forum. My wife and I just purchased a Yorkie from a local pet store. (We hope we saved her!) We have never owned a Yorkie and are desperately seeking to talk to folks that have knowledge of the breed. We want to be sure we are doing whatever is in the best interest of the dog. Sophie is 14 weeks old and weighs about 3.5 to 4 pounds. Initially, we have 2 questions. First, we are told Yorkies are difficult to housebreak. We take Sophie out every 2 hours (when we are home), and she does her business outside but never gives us any indication that she is ready to go out. If we don't hit the correct time, she will do her business in the house. However....she never goes in her crate. When she is in her crate at night, she will cry to let us know that she has to go out. Any suggestions? Ideas? It is very frustrating. 2nd question.....one ear is standing (about a week), and one ear is drooping. Is this common? How long does it take? We had her groomed yesterday and had hair removed from the ear area in hopes that it would help. Any help would be deeply appreciated.

i SUGGEST that you go to Barnes and Nobles or Bordes and get Yorkshire Terriers for Dummies and How to housebreak your dog in 7 days (the trick to this book is following the rules and learning your own dogs timing with how long after they eat do they need to go potty..every dog is different.
That should be a great read for you to learn everything ya need to know and also keep reading different post.
The ear thing is normal both my pups ears are now standing at 18 weeks..so give it some time and trimming helps with groomers.

Congrats on the new Puppy!

[SophieKatesMom]

The only advice I can offer is to post your questions on YorkieTalk. I was a first time dog owner also in September and I can tell you the members here gave me so much good advice.

My Sophie's ear are still not standing up, probably never will completely but I love the way the tips flop over, they suit her.

Good luck with your puppy, it will bring you hours if not years of joy and comfort.

[chattiesmom]

Originally Posted by YorkieLover9

on the potty training and I wanted to add that I also tried massaging my yorkies ears (as Chattiesmom recommends) and it worked though I helped that long by keeping the hair trimmed (using a Wahl trimmer) on the top 1/3 of his ears so as not to weigh them down.

Thank you for adding about the trimming part -- I do that also but forgot to add it.