Unique Potty training Issue
 

Ok here is my big problem, I made the mistake of buying my yorkie at a pet store. Even though i should have known better. I seriously regret it even though i love my puppy very much. I got him 2 days ago and he is 4 months old and weighs 2lbs 7 ounces

I just wanted to mention that in case it was a factor.

Well the issue is that I am trying to train him to go outside but everytime i take him outside he keeps wanting to curl up between my feet instead of sniffing around. I try to hold his leash away from me to keep him from curling up but he just pulls and tugs to try to get to my feet, i tried walking around in a circle or back and forth around his spot but all he does is dog my steps, excuse the pun. I have been taking him out like every hour to 2 hours and right after he eats or drinks. he did go outside a couple of times but i think that he just needed to go and would have gone no matter where he was. more often then not as soon as i get him back inside he will go about 10 to 20 minutes later. I am also useing cue words and a bell on the door.

Now other then that he seems to listen pretty well, he comes when i call him, he took to his crate instantly and he even lets me shut him up at night an he goes right to sleep till morning without soling his crate, if i know its about time for him to go i tether him on a tiled area so he does not go on the carpet and i keep him company while he is tethered.

:confused:So my Question is, Am i already doing everything possible to train him and do i just need to be more patient? Or should i already be seeing some results?

be more patient you only got him 2 days ago!:)

I have had my Harley since July and he has never went potty outside. He will use his puppy pads, but has never went outside. When I bought him he was 12 weeks old, and our breeder had never taken him outside due to not having all of his shots yet. She had been using pads and I think that that has alot to do with it. If he is going in the house maybe you should try puppy pads just so he does have a spot inside. It really doesn't bother me that he doesn't go outside, especially now that it is getting cold!

Jeri and Harley:aimeeyork

Hi, welcome to Yorkie Talk. Just remember he is just a baby and for a pet store puppy you are very lucky he is not soiling his crate. This is a big plus for you and will make potty training much easier. :) Potty training is a process and just like in human babies it takes time to accomplish. Just keep taking him out often and reward him when he does go. As for laying at your feet when you take him out he's probably not had much experience with being outside and is uncertain or scared. The leash may also feel very unfamiliar to him and make him nervous. He's seeking reassurance from you. I would recommend you buy a small exercise pen from a pet store and place him in it when you take him out to potty. Stay close by for reassurance but the pen will give him some room to move around without being on a leash. I always use exercise pens when potty training and it works well. There is lots of information available on potty training puppies and I would recommend the crate training method. Please do some reading, what your puppy is doing is normal and he is actually doing very well. Good luck with your new baby.
Teresa

He actually went twice on his pee pad today once while he was tethered in the area where his pad was and once he went to it on his own. I only had him tethered after he didn't go outside and i knew he would go soon, i just wanted to control where the accident happens when it does happen since most of my home is carpeted. he usually goes 10 to 20 minutes later after i tether him and then i let him loose to roam. usually after he poops in the evening i won't feed him anymore until morening.

I think i may stick to the pee pads since that is what seems to be working with him, it would also make him a little less maintenance not that its a bid deal.

I think you are doing everything right, I'd just give him time and love (which you are already doing) and he should come around in no time.

My girls actually prefer going on the pads rather than outside, have you considered that as an option?

I got my second Yorkie from a per store ai knew I had to have him. It was a long haul trying to train him even with treats. It just got to excited. I used a very tall laundry basket with not very much room to walk around. That way if he didn't go he went right back into the basket till he told me he had to go. I liked the laundry basket better then the crate. He would cry for hours in the crate but if I out him in the laundry basket by my bed he would see I was right there and he would go to sleep and not cry till morning to tell me its time to goooo.

Thats a good idea too, I have been lucky on that aspect though, the first night i put him in his crate he slept the whole night thru and he didn't soil himself, last night again he did the same thing and he goes in and out of his crate all day to drink water and eat or grab one of his toys, i barely had to crate train him at all. Then again they are kept in crates at the pet store so anyway they are already used to it.

I think i will train him on pee pads, it seems more efficient for him and me, the last 3 days have been very hectic and not having to go outside every other hour will be helpful, not to mention we are in florida and we seem to have a sudden infestation of mosquitos and i would rather keep him away from that.

Do you ever take him outside to play? Since he always wants at your feet it sounds like he is scared or maybe cold (not sure what your weather is currently like)when you take him out so he does not want to be there. I would say make sure he is comfortable and he knows how much fun it can be outside. It takes time but it sounds like you are doing great so far!!

Time, consistancy and persistance on your part will go a long way. I've had my Littlest Mac since he was 9 weeks old and we have never used pee pads or anything indoors. He is now 7 months and almost completely trained to let us know when he wants / needs to go outdoors.

Keep up the good work - it's worth it!