Crate Training tips needed

[luvmyYorkieJack]

I have reposted this as I want this more visibile.

I have tried to look for something more speific to crate training but going through 101 pages of threads just doesn't sound like fun. My 6 month old puppy just peed on our bed this morning. He has been sleeping with us for a week and that has never happened. Not only that but he peed on my dad's couch last evening. I have decided that after this accident, crate training is in order. Besides that he lost bed privilges because I want him to know that it isnt okay. How long does he need to be crated before you can really tust he will hold it? And he is less then semi trained to go outdoors. He just refuses to use pee pads. I don't like the idea of leaving him in the crate until it's time to go out and then if the goes you play with him and pay attention to him and then right back into the kennel he goes until next potty time. And we just simply don't have the room for an xpen. Does anyone have an suggestions? I'm just not sure what to do anymore..... I think I am going to Barnes and Noble to get books.

[Lynn WDW]

At 6 months if he hasn't had any crate training it is going to be hard for you and him. I really don't know what to tell you. We crated a pom early and had no trouble with him. Baxter hates the crate and has since day 1 and I gave up. Now I wish I had stuck with it. Not to help with potty-training but just so I would have somewhere safe to put him if he needed to be off the floor for a while. Good luck.

[luvmyYorkieJack]

Thanks for your help. We just got home from the vet and it turns out that he has an infection which we caught early. We have medicine to give him so he should be good as new soon.

[Kimber44]

Hi, We use crate training which means Lily is on my lap or in her crate and then out for potty between my clients (I can take her to work). We've had her 3 weeks and only had about 4 accidents. Issue is I think I'm trained not her. Today we were outside walking for over an hour, came home, , she had about 2 minutes in the house and peed on my carpet. frustrating. Thoughts? My poodle who died on sunday (very sad for us) only had one accident in 10 years. We crate trained her and she just "got it" immediately. Lily is smart for sure but why is this so hard for this breed?

[luvmyYorkieJack]

Originally Posted by Kimber44

Hi, We use crate training which means Lily is on my lap or in her crate and then out for potty between my clients (I can take her to work). We've had her 3 weeks and only had about 4 accidents. Issue is I think I'm trained not her. Today we were outside walking for over an hour, came home, , she had about 2 minutes in the house and peed on my carpet. frustrating. Thoughts? My poodle who died on sunday (very sad for us) only had one accident in 10 years. We crate trained her and she just "got it" immediately. Lily is smart for sure but why is this so hard for this breed?

If Jack doesn't have an accident today, we will be on day 3. This may not sound like many days at all but it will be his longest streak! We haven't really crate trained him. We were going to until we found out he had an infection and not a potty training oops. We bought him string cheese so when he does his duty outside we give him a small bite-sized piece. And even though we have only been doing this for 4 to 5 days, he will watch us as he goes to see if he will get rewarded. He loves the treat and the extra attention (i.e. petting and playing when we get home). A lot of books I have read say Yorkies love attention. Usually when it gets close to like 4 hours we put him on his bed mat on the couch. I think today we will try to leave him running about near the four hours to see if he has any accidents. Usually he cues my husband by licking his toes, kind of funny but I think we need to get Jack focused on ringing a bell instead. lol.

I would give the reward system a shot. It may help it click in her head that "if I do this outside mommy will reward me for it."

Oh and another thing I did to help get rid of smells so he would be less likely to potty on my carpet was steam clean my carpet. I went to walmart and bought the cheap $68 Bissel model and it came with cleaning formula. I just cleaned my house with an enzyme-based odor remover which can be found at any local pet store. I sectioned off my apartment and I did it room by room. I sprayed the enzyme remover, which I bought Petastic, on the carpet and let it dry. Then I steam cleaned the room, waited for it to dry, then vaccumed. My carpets look amazing and smell less like puppy. I hope all this helps.

[kismet]

I am so glad you took him to the vet! It is not like a smart yorkie to pee in your bed if taken out regularly. Something else was going on. Smart mommy! Just wanted you to smile and feel good that you take such good care of your family.