Need to train my Yorkie so he doesn't have to move out

[Zeena]

Hello,
I'm new to Yorkietalk. I have a 1 1/2 year old male Yorkie named Zack. I got him a couple of month's ago from someone in the area who was trying to find a new home for him. He's such a sweet little dog. Real affectionate and submissive. The problem is that he pees and poops in the house and my husband is fed up. I've tried to keep him in a crate unless he's being watched, but we don't watch him well enough. He sneeks away so quietly and goes off and poops in the kids' bedrooms. He also marks some places in the house. We've just moved to a new house so he's been doing it quite a bit and my husband has no patience for it. He wants us to find him a new home. I'm going to need to implement a serious training program for him (really it's to train me and the kids). If you have any suggestions, I'd love them. I really love this little guy and will do whatever it takes to keep him.

Thanks for your time,
Zeena in MD

[jennifermcb]

Do you have a bathroom or laundry room where you can keep him confined? If so, put up a baby gate, place pee pads on one side and his bed/toys/food and water in other areas of the room. Watch him carefully and when he starts doing the 'potty dance', place him on the pee pads, use your *potty* words, and praise him when he poops or pees. Consistency is the key here. Potty traning a toy breed takes months.

Also, spray something like Nature's Miracle or Fresh NClean in the spots where he has marked, so that he won't be tempted to mark there again.

[wbrat1]

We have 2 yorkies and a German Shepherd dog, The yorkies are 6 months old now and our female is doing pretty good but our male is a nightmare to train. I am not used to it we housebroke our German Shepherd in 3 days. The yorkie male just can't seem to get the concept... any suggestions would be appreciated as we have tried crate and only let them out if we watch them but the male will go while you watch him and then wont go outside.

thanks

[Ponyup]

Zeena-close off all rooms, but the one you are currently in that way he can't sneak away into another room. OUr pup is not allowed anywhere, but the living room and kitchen right now, there's too many places to hide in a bed room. and trust me the last thing you wanna find under a bed is an accident that been there for a while. Put the pup on a very strict schedule of when he gets fed soon he will start potting in a pattern, once he develops this patttern take him out at those times everyday. until the pattern starts take him out as soon he wakes up from a nap, 1/2 after he eats, and after he's been playing for an hour or so. Always take him out the same door so he knows what door to go to if he needs to go out.

wbrat1-our male does this too he looks right at you while peeing on the carpet. Try clapping your hands and saying no to startel him into stopping then pick him up and carry him to a pee pad or outside. If he does go outside after this praise the crap out of him. I usually take mine for a short walk and that usually gets some to come so I can praise him. You male may also be starting to mark with a female in the house and if neither one is fixed he will start marking very soon so be aware of this.

[Zeena]

I spoke to my husband about it and little Zack has been granted a reprieve. He'll be put in a pen during the day when he's not being walked or played with. I'll put him on a schedule and also, he needs to be neutered. I can't do the pee pad thing because my husband would not go for that. He keeps comparing Zack to Coby, our Poodle/Bichon who does nothing wrong ever. He's just the easiest dog to have. I'm trying to find an exercize pen I can borrow or have, until then he's being set up in a small tiled room that can be blocked off easily. I'm reading every post possible to get some good ideas.

[Ponyup]

You said you had children? Do you maybe still have a child's playpen?depending on how big your pup is and if he's not a jumper or climber you can put him in a regular playpen. I have mine in one right now. it has his bed some special toys and a pee-pad in there. Our's started jumping out a couple weeks ago and we just put a fitted crib sheet over the top and that seems to deter him. make sure to remove all collars, harness, & clothes before placing him in a crate or playpen. Explain to your husband that yorkies are like over active little children by the time they realize that they have to go it's usually too late. He will get it though.

[LIL MIS' MAGIC]

I would defintely say that you need to confine him to a smaller area...if they have to much room it will take forever to train him...pick an area that is easy to clean and keep him there as long as you are not with him...if he has an accident and you see him in here, tell him no and show him where you want him to potty (ie outside/ pee pads)...this will let him know what behavior is good and which is bad...patience is the key to training...being constant and patient will make training go a little smoothier...good luck and keep us informed on his progress!!

[Zeena]

Thanks for your help. He's now confined to a small room that has tile floors. It's right off of the kitchen and has a gate so he can see everyone in the kitchen. He's in there unless someone is walking him or playing with him. When I'm home he tends to stay right by me so making a mess isn't much of a problem. He only makes a mess far away from me (if he gets away without my noticing). So we keep a real good eye on him and we've had very few messes. He seems happy in his little room while I'm at work. I really appreciate the help you all have given me.

[Jacsmama]

You can also try putting a pee-belt (don't know what it's really called) around your dog when he's running around the house while supervised. I did this to my male dog because I didn't want to keep him penned up all day and it was too cold and wet to take him outside in the winter. I used a kotex inside the belt and it worked great! (your husband should get a kick outta that!) Fixing your dog should help with him marking but he might be too old to break that habit. Good luck! I feel your pain.

[suz]

I do believe the "pee-belt" that was referred to is called a "belly-band". Whatever you call it, they work very well. I made a bunch of them for my males. I wnet to the 99 cent store and bought a bunch of bandannas, cut them to size, sewed them up put velcro on the ends, and presto!!! Belly bans!! I use mini pads (like kotex) with the tape to keep them in place. Once they get used to the idea that it's real yucky when they go potty with the band on, they start to hold it til you take off the band and let them go outside. Just make sure you don't forget and leave it on them for too long at a time. Males tend to get very irritated little talley-wackers, and that does not help! Then they fight with you while you're trying to put a clean one on! But like everyone else says, it takes patience! And LOTS of it.
Good luck. I sure hope your husband finds some patience. He'll sure love the little guy for it.
Suz