Progress Report on Nugget

[Flakes]

Good morning yorkie lovers. Well Nugget has been with us for a week so thought I'd post a progress report as I seem to be one of the few folks here who does not crate or confine train my dogs.

We tried the crate the first night and she was ok but by night two she had already figured out that the other two dogs were asleep elsewhere and all 1.9 lbs of her decided to attempt to destroy the crate. I put her in my bed and she was happy as a clam and sleeps through the night.

She was apparently "paper trained". NOT!!!. I tried the pee pads but she seemed trained to pee where she eats, I moved the pee pads but we were hit and miss. So I removed the pee pads and returned to my normal method of training outside. She caught on to that one no trouble at all and after just one week we have very few accidents. We've learned her body schedule, (they all have one). She learned how to go up the stairs on her own, took to harness and leash training no problems.

She has freedom of the house although one of us stays within close proximity of her at all times just so she doesn't get hurt. She does not chew furniture, shoes etc. I have rattan furniture and thought for sure it would be a problem as dogs just love the smell of that stuff, but a couple of times of saying NO took care of that problem.

She loves to be brushed, doesn't even mind getting her face washed now. I use those puppy wipes which in my opinion are the greatest thing since sliced white bread.

She travels well in the car, we take her for a short drive every day so she gets used to the vehicle.

She does not whine, barks only when she wants one of the others to play with her.

All in all it has been a very successful week with our new little angel.

[Osso]

Wow your Nugget is doing awesome. We did the free run thing until we realized we couldn't read the pups correctly. Now I have ruined carpets but my pups are doing much better and are going consistently on the pee pads and littler box. They are however 1 year old. I wonder if your way worked so well because you really know how to "read" doggy body language?

[shecass]

Originally Posted by Flakes

Good morning yorkie lovers. Well Nugget has been with us for a week so thought I'd post a progress report as I seem to be one of the few folks here who does not crate or confine train my dogs.

We tried the crate the first night and she was ok but by night two she had already figured out that the other two dogs were asleep elsewhere and all 1.9 lbs of her decided to attempt to destroy the crate. I put her in my bed and she was happy as a clam and sleeps through the night.

She was apparently "paper trained". NOT!!!. I tried the pee pads but she seemed trained to pee where she eats, I moved the pee pads but we were hit and miss. So I removed the pee pads and returned to my normal method of training outside. She caught on to that one no trouble at all and after just one week we have very few accidents. We've learned her body schedule, (they all have one). She learned how to go up the stairs on her own, took to harness and leash training no problems.

She has freedom of the house although one of us stays within close proximity of her at all times just so she doesn't get hurt. She does not chew furniture, shoes etc. I have rattan furniture and thought for sure it would be a problem as dogs just love the smell of that stuff, but a couple of times of saying NO took care of that problem.

She loves to be brushed, doesn't even mind getting her face washed now. I use those puppy wipes which in my opinion are the greatest thing since sliced white bread.

She travels well in the car, we take her for a short drive every day so she gets used to the vehicle.

She does not whine, barks only when she wants one of the others to play with her.

All in all it has been a very successful week with our new little angel.

Wow you are very lucky. How old is she? You guys are doing great with the potty training. Keep up the good work.

[Flakes]

She is 4 and half months old.

They all have their own "signs" of when they are going to pee or poop and they all have their own schedule. My adults are trained to pee on command. Consistency and rewards are the key to successful training.

I think I spent the best part of the first two days standing around outside saying "pee pee Nugget". I did get a great tan out of the deal. She now knows the faster she does her business the sooner she gets her treat. Food is a wonderful motivator.

Pee pads work very well for some people as does newspaper. I've trained to kitty litter as well in the past and for people who are working or in apts these are great alternatives. For me I prefer to train to outdoors, it may be a little more work in the beginning but well worth it in the end.

I have never had a dirty dog regardless of the age when I took them. So I think there is something to be said for the old fashioned methods.

[ademas]

what exactly are "old fashioned methods?"

My little guy doesnt like treats--he's not much of an eater at all--so treats don't seem to be much of a motivator for him.

I've taken him out 6 times today, starting at 3:00am, and it's not even noon yet here. After the last walk, we came back inside and he immediately lifted his leg and pee'd on the wall.

hmmmm.

It's going to take awhile to figure out his system and habits. It's only been 36 hours so far since we rescued him. But I am curious to know exactly what old-fashioned methods you're referring to.

I've got all the time in the world to work with him. Too bad he's not motivated by treats, though. That would sure make things easier.

[Flakes]

I call old fashioned methods training to outdoors, no crates, no exercise pens, no pee pads, no belly bands, no doggie diapers.

Bless you for rescuing a little angel, it makes my heart sing when I hear of another one rescued.

Some questions, how old is he? Is he neutered? Rescued from what circumstances?

It may take some time before your little guy finds his appetite for starters. He likely doesn't have a clue what treats are at this point.

Rescues present special challenges, you have undo anything they may have learned in their previous circumstances. A stern No, bad dog (don't yell) when he messes in the house is your first step, immediately take him back outside and tell him again in stern voice "this is where you pee". Male dogs will pee on every blade of grass, every tree, every post and the easiest way to house train them is when you take them out take them out on a leash and take them for a walk. Every time he lifts his leg praise him, give him kisses and generally tell him how wonderful he is. You could try the dog chocolate wafers as a treat, they work extremely well for picky eaters.

If he poops in the house, again "No, bad dog". Pick up the poop and him and take them outside. Put the poop down first, then him and tell him in stern voice "this is where you poop".

Remember that part of a male lifting his leg in the house is about marking his territory. If you are cleaning up all scent of him having peed he'll just continue to mark his terrority. I always leave one "marking" so he knows it is still his house.

Time, patience, consistency are what will eventually win him over. Never raise your voice to a rescued dog unless you have to save him from immediate danger. They respond much better to firm command. You must constantly remind him when outside what it is you want him to do.

Another secret, run the dog when you take him out, it makes them pee faster.

If you just take them out and let them wander around the yard they'll become distracted so constant reminder of why they are there and walking on a leash should help.

If you can tell me a little more about the circumstances he was in previously I may be able to help with further specifics. I've rescued many many dogs over the years.

[YorkieChanel]

Ok I am starting the crate training. but as i have posted in other threads, basically her crate is my room. She doesnt pee or poo in there. I have her on a morning and evening feeding times and walk after that. And she does do it outside. I just got the crate and started practicing it. Lets say,, so so on that. she cries after about 6 minutes of being inside. but i put a nice bedding in there and would like her to feel comfy enough to sleep there at nights.

but back to training issues. Wake up around 7 when i feel her walking on my bed. Walk her and she pees, and poos .. whatever she has to do. I feed my Chanel at around 8 am,. leave her in my room with her food till i get out the shower. enough time. Then i take it away from them. Get dressed, warm up breakfast, and take her outside. Wait to see if she does anything else. Then finishe breakfast, and go to work leaving her with her toys and crate open in my room. I come home around 5pm and straight to walk her outside. no leash. i got yard with drive way all around my home. So its gated and cant go out. so i let her wonder till she has to do her thing. After we let her loose in the house, She plays, looks, and so on.... when we eat dinner i get hers too, put her back in my room, leave her for about 20 minutes. then finish eating dinner take her back outside to see if dinner and water made her go potty again. I tell her "Lets go and she knows its outside time. Once she is peeing i started to tell her "Lets go pee pee Chanel", "Go Pee Pee" then she does and i have the clicker, so i then proceed to click and treat. and tell her good girl,, good girl.... and rub her and so on.. then for a bit let her run around after me outside. then back in the house. Back to my room.

this is my everyday routine.

i was wondering FLAKES, Can you explain if you have the time how you do you outside training? do you walk them on leash, and so on? i would really appreciate it. And i think you would also help out other memebers. THanks. and congratulations on your success so far.
************************************************** ****************
opppss. just saw taht you posted your old school training already as i was typing my whole message. thanks.

*********************
ok just read your post. What can you say for my chanel. FEMALE. no rescue home. first owners.

[ademas]

Thanks, Flake! I appreciate you taking the time to write that out for everyone. There's a lot of excellent information there, and it makes a lot of sense.

My new rescue pup is a 5 year-old male. As ths story goes (and there's really no way to know for sure...), he was a breeder stud and has lived in a kennel complex for the past 4 years. He was no longer working out, and the breeder was going to put him down. A local rescue found out about him and took him in.

He was neutered a couple of months ago--that I know for certain, as the scars are fresh. He's extremely timid and seems pretty overwhelmed by everything at this point. I think it's sensory overload. All the sudden he's going for walks, riding in the car, being carried and handled much more than he seems accustomed to. The way he dances to avoid my feet when I walk leads me to believe he's been kicked a few times, too. But I feel like I am gaining his trust, slowly but surely.

I've never been big on crates myself, but this little guy seems to really like his for the time being. I think it gives him security at this point, with all the changes going on around him. He's actually in the crate asleep right now. I close the door when he goes in but I never latch it, so he can push his way out with his nose if he chooses to. Perhaps he hasn't figured that out yet. He seems to only go in there when he's tired, or when I tell him "no" about something. (I think the word "no" is the only command he recognizes.)

So...there's some background. I'll probably use a combination of your ideas and the crate ideas, since he seems to enjoy his quiet time in his crate anyway. Any other suggestions you might have are certainly welcome and appreciated.

Thanks again,
addy

[Flakes]

Hi Addy.

My heart just goes out to that poor little guy. My Turbo was a breeder stud for years until he was no longer useful and we were able to rescue him so I know what you are facing. Much of course depends on the dog's temperment, luckily for us Turbo is a very laid back kind of guy.

The feet thing is normal for most yorkies I think it is instinctive because of their size.

At 5 years of age potty training him is not going to be easy. Just be sure to take him right back out every time he does it in the house. He obviously won't have to do anything but with time he'll come to understand that is where he is supposed to go. Do not attempt to use two different methods ie outside and pee pads, pick one and stick with it.

It may well be that it will take many months to train him, if you don't have that kind of time to devote you may want to consider belly bands for him or doggy diapers. Although the diapers are really meant for girls they be helpful in this case as they provide an extra prod where pooping is concerned. Squatting to poop with those on is going to feel very different to him which should allow you more time to actually catch him in the act, say NO and whistle him outside.

I agree that if he is happy in his crate then continue to use it as a "safe" place for him to go. I'd not use it for training however.

I think your best bet would be walking him so he can pee on all the lamp posts etc and then I'd put him in diapers in the house just so he isn't ruining your walls etc. I suspect that he has never had to train his bladder or bowels so anything that will give you even seconds more time will help.

These little guys are incredibly smart.

[Flakes]

Originally Posted by YorkieChanel

Ok I am starting the crate training. but as i have posted in other threads, basically her crate is my room. She doesnt pee or poo in there. I have her on a morning and evening feeding times and walk after that. And she does do it outside. I just got the crate and started practicing it. Lets say,, so so on that. she cries after about 6 minutes of being inside. but i put a nice bedding in there and would like her to feel comfy enough to sleep there at nights.

but back to training issues. Wake up around 7 when i feel her walking on my bed. Walk her and she pees, and poos .. whatever she has to do. I feed my Chanel at around 8 am,. leave her in my room with her food till i get out the shower. enough time. Then i take it away from them. Get dressed, warm up breakfast, and take her outside. Wait to see if she does anything else. Then finishe breakfast, and go to work leaving her with her toys and crate open in my room. I come home around 5pm and straight to walk her outside. no leash. i got yard with drive way all around my home. So its gated and cant go out. so i let her wonder till she has to do her thing. After we let her loose in the house, She plays, looks, and so on.... when we eat dinner i get hers too, put her back in my room, leave her for about 20 minutes. then finish eating dinner take her back outside to see if dinner and water made her go potty again. I tell her "Lets go and she knows its outside time. Once she is peeing i started to tell her "Lets go pee pee Chanel", "Go Pee Pee" then she does and i have the clicker, so i then proceed to click and treat. and tell her good girl,, good girl.... and rub her and so on.. then for a bit let her run around after me outside. then back in the house. Back to my room.

this is my everyday routine.

i was wondering FLAKES, Can you explain if you have the time how you do you outside training? do you walk them on leash, and so on? i would really appreciate it. And i think you would also help out other memebers. THanks. and congratulations on your success so far.
************************************************** ****************
opppss. just saw taht you posted your old school training already as i was typing my whole message. thanks.

*********************
ok just read your post. What can you say for my chanel. FEMALE. no rescue home. first owners.

It sounds as if Chanel is doing well, you did not indicate if she is messing in the house during the day, what you have for her to use during the day, pee pads? How old is she? From 8 am to 5 pm is a long time for a puppy to be alone. It is too long to expect them to hold their bladder. Although Nugget holds her bladder all night I'd not expect her to do so during the day.

You should probably start leash training soon before she becomes completely accustomed to being free to roam the yard. Otherwise you are likely to have problems when you do start leash training her. The sooner you can get them used to the leash the better, perhaps you could walk her around your driveway on the leash after she has done her business.

Otherwise your routine sounds good unless you are having specific issues and I'd be happy to help if you are.

[YorkieChanel]

Originally Posted by Flakes

It sounds as if Chanel is doing well, you did not indicate if she is messing in the house during the day, what you have for her to use during the day, pee pads? How old is she? From 8 am to 5 pm is a long time for a puppy to be alone. It is too long to expect them to hold their bladder. Although Nugget holds her bladder all night I'd not expect her to do so during the day.

You should probably start leash training soon before she becomes completely accustomed to being free to roam the yard. Otherwise you are likely to have problems when you do start leash training her. The sooner you can get them used to the leash the better, perhaps you could walk her around your driveway on the leash after she has done her business.

Otherwise your routine sounds good unless you are having specific issues and I'd be happy to help if you are.

I leave her alone but not in crate from 9 to 5. she is free to roam all over my room. i got alot of space, and she even gets on my bed to sleep too. By me leaving her in my room, she doesnt pee or poo. for some reason she doesnt do it in the room. thats why i considered it like her BIG CRATE.

i just got my crate. And when i walk her outside, she is free to roam everywhere. Although she goes to usual places. But i do walk her with a leash and she doesnt do anything. She just stands there.

[Flakes]

She sounds like a little angel. If she won't walk on the leash, just drop the leash on the ground when you take her out. Walk about 10 to 15 ft away from her with a treat in your hand and call her. If you do this repeatedly for a few days she will get used to moving with the leash on her. Then you can try having someone else hold the leash while you call her for her treat, eventually she won't even realize the leash is there. The only reason she won't walk with it on at the moment is because it is "new" to her and she doesn't know what is expected of her.

[YorkieChanel]

Originally Posted by Flakes

She sounds like a little angel. If she won't walk on the leash, just drop the leash on the ground when you take her out. Walk about 10 to 15 ft away from her with a treat in your hand and call her. If you do this repeatedly for a few days she will get used to moving with the leash on her. Then you can try having someone else hold the leash while you call her for her treat, eventually she won't even realize the leash is there. The only reason she won't walk with it on at the moment is because it is "new" to her and she doesn't know what is expected of her.

yeah she walks on the leash now, and the leash its about 3.5 or 4 feet. Should i get a 6 feet one? i was told by trainer that the retractable ones are no good because dogs get use to PULLING after and sometimes choke themselves. This is why i also baught Chanel a body harnest. You know, the ones that basically hold them by their chest not just neck.

So this is whats going on so far.

i leave her in my room with crate. This weekend after i got my power back from hurricane Katrina, i got her in her crate for a while and she enjoyed it until some guest came over and she wanted to exit. but after that, she just randomly went in it and layed down. And i praised her for that. Telling her "good girl". I am trying to get her used to knowing that her crate is her bed. so i put treats in other end of crate so she can enter it and say "go to bed".

but, i did what you said, to leave her water all day long. Food no, But just water. And over the weekend, she had 2 accidents. Once she peed and other time was poo. diferent days each. this happened becuase i left her alone and she roamed the the house.

I feel that i cant let her out my room because she might run around and play and do her business. So what do you recomend. Eventually it would be nice that she is all over my house like my older dog and when we get home she rushes outside and does her thing.

today is my 2nd day at training school also. Lets see how that goes.

[YorkieChanel]

Also, let me ask you.. Yesterday i followed the rules on how they ALWAYS need at least water ALL day available to them. I did this left her in my room. Guess what?? I found 2 pees on the floor. Something she had never done before in there. I was on the feed 2 times a day, allow feeding for 20 minutes then take away. That way she knows that when food is placed, its time to eat. And then waited around 15-20 minutes after and took her out.

So yesterday, that i came home, she peed in my room.. , and then today in the morning, i woke up, and pee again by my door. Also got up to take her outside and she didnt even make it outside. She pooped right by the door before we stepped outside. But i said NO, not here. lets "Go pee pee" and she went outside and finished off outside. I guess i shouldnt make much of the fact that she pooped before making it outside. Hey it happens, when someone cant hold it anymore. God knows if she was holding it while we were sleeping.

But today i have training again, and i will make SURE if its ok to feed her in morning and take her tray away till i get home so that there are no mistakes on the floor. But i guess the ultimate trained doggie would be able to have her tray full of water all day and let you know that she needs to pee. And for that i need MORE MORE to gooooooo. And i hope crate training aids that process.