Now, won't use the pee pad...
 

We just welcomed our our very first yorkie this week, "Hazel" - she's 8 1/2 weeks old. And, for once in my life I am looking forward to any and all (un)solicited advice! ;)

My explanation I know, will be rediculously long... SORRY!

We have a two story house and had gated off the laundry room (which is upstairs) with the intent of making it "her area" at night or when we were away... We placed pee pads in one area and had her crate (which we placed her bedding inside) in another - we leave the crate door open when we leave so she can come and go. At night, we close her in the crate and I let her out every few hours to let her use the pee pads. So far, it has worked just fine!

Now, during the day - when we're all home we spend most of our time downstairs so I placed another pee pad in our kitchen (which is open to our family room). We keep her in the general area with us and watch her constantly. When we see her about to go we get her to the pad, praise, "potty", treat, yada, yada. That's was going okay, too. HOWEVER, now all the sudden (4 days later) Hazel will NOT go on the pee pad downstairs for ANYTHING! She no longer sniffs at it, or shows any interest (except trying to drag it around occasionally). We continue to place her on the pad periodically, but to no avail! If she's downstairs she will "secretly" pee wherever...in her pack 'n play, in another bed she lays in, on the rug, kitchen floor, etc. - she shows no discrimination... I have also tried replacing the pad...

What gives? We have NOT punished her for going elsewhere - we tell her "NO" when we catch her in the act and take her to the pad but I could wait there an hour and she will not finish her business - she's now held it for 6 hours!!!!!

Any advice? How does everyone else handle up/down stairs? Please, help me with Hazel!

Many thanks in advance! I've already learned so much just from reading other posts!

training
 

When I am house training a puppy they are never on carpeting in case of a mistake..I place 2 pads in the room where they are free...and I watch them closely. 8 1/2 weeks is young and it will take time...mine do not really get the idea of pads until 12 weeks or so..but I have adults and they copy them..good luck

Here a great link with lots of good information, you're right never punish your dog for making a mistake. Remember. it's never their mistake, it's yours, you haven't done something right. Also most yorkies aren't completely trained till much later. I think the average age is 8 months. You just can't give them in opportunity to make a mistake, and they will catch on faster. Free House Training for Puppies and Adult Dogs - No More Accidents Starting Today!

I suggest that you put her on leash and hook it to your belt. That way, you can keep an eye on her every move and see when she needs to "go."

You can also purchase something from the petstore that is supposed to attract the dog to the pad...it's a spray of some sort, that will make the pad more "interesting."

I would really suggest crate training. If you can't watch her, crate her. Take her out and as soon as you do, put her on the pad or take her downstairs and outside. If she doesn't "go" at that time, put her back in the crate and take her out again after 15 minutes. You may have to continue this cycle until she goes on the pad, but after a while she will catch on.

Make sure that as soon as she starts (not before and not after) going potty, you say "go potty!" This will become the command and she will start to go on cue, after a while.

Good luck, and here is my article about house training, including success tips:
LDT House Training