My 1.5 year old male yorkie will not potty train!
 

I have a one and a half year old male yorkie who absolutely refuses to be potty trained. I even got him neutered in hopes that this may help him. What can I do? I put him outside very frequently. The only thing he is interested in doing outside is chasing birds, sniffing the grass and chasing neighborhood kids up the street. I tried using pee pee pads but he tears them up and never uses them. He is terrible. Are there any good dog training boarding classes in the Westchester, NY area? Any tips for potty training him?
Thanks so much!

Usually you need to start out by confining them to a crate or an ex-pen. That's the only way I got it done. Worked on the rescues I got, too. Use the 'search' button at the top on the right hand side. There are lots of threads offering advice. Many have trouble with this issue. Not unheard of with Yorkies.:D

If 'misery loves company' :confused:- I'm having the same issues with my 11-month-old. We gave up on the pads (he tore them up too) - now use the washable bassinet pads from Walmart mentioned on another board here. Right now he's doing better as he'll use a small enclosed porch (can be hosed down!) during the day. BUT - every morning without fail, I have to clean up his pen. He goes to bed happily and never makes a sound - also doesn't make a sound when he needs to go! Might just have to work thru this...
Gloria

I, personally, have met very few people who have had potty training success with pee pads. He is probably confused on where he is actually supposed to go to the bathroom since you leave a pee pad down but also take him out frequently. You can't blame him for tearing up the pee pad . . . he probably thinks it's a toy!

I have 5 dogs and I truly believe that I have perfected the art of potty training. I have potty trained each and every one of my dogs by crate training and following this schedule:

http://www.darnfar.com/Dog%20Tra...ng_a_puppy.htm

The key is to getting a crate that is only big enough for them to stand up, turn around, and lay down. When they are laying down, the whole floor of the crate should be covered by their body. If you buy the smallest crate and it is still too big, you can put a box in the back of it. That is how I potty trained all of my dogs and they were all potty trained within a month. After they are potty trained, you can take the box out of the crate or buy a bigger crate that is more comfortable but it is essential to have the proper size crate while crate training/potty training.

mine also
 

had 2 boys 2 and 3, who were fairly good with going outside. They are 5 pounds each. We got a baby girl, she 7 mos, but a little over 3 pounds, so we don't let her outside at all(hawks). She pees, poops all over-- now the boys are doing it. I just threw out rugs from 2 rooms. I'm tired of shampooing them all weekend...I hate to crate, but I'm going to try it:

Some people may have the misconception that crate training is cruel. Sure, they may act like they are dying the first few weeks you are crating, but you just have to ignore them . . . and after a few weeks, they will come to LOVE their crate . . . dogs are den animals and their crate will become their den. If you do not ignore them when they cry in the crate, and if you let them out when they cry, they will think that you will always do that and you will be unsuccessful. You HAVE to ignore them.

Crate Training
 

I'm in the same position. I am having one heck of a time training JC.

I got him 3 months ago, (he's a year old on the 10th). The people that gave him up never crated him and when I tried I thought he was going to go insane. There would be no way I would put him through that for 2 weeks! I think that is total abuse. After 2 weeks he would be emotionally scarred for a very long time.

There has to be another way, but I am getting frustrated. He goes 7-8 hours when we sleep, so I don't understand why he can't hold it for more than 2 hours during his waking hours.

It is not an everyday occurrence, but enough that I can't trust him which doesn't make me happy. I don't want to have to watch him every 10 minutes.

Why do Yorkies have housebreaking issues? I've talked to owners who just live with it. Even though, their pee and potty are miniscule, I still don't want to live with it.

In order to get the pup to like the crate, I left the crate in the living room, put a treat in it, he went for it, next time a bully stick in it, he went in picked it up, the key is getting him to see that the crate is a good place, put toys in it, I have put food in it as well.
With Zander, I would take him out of the crate every .50 hour, he was 3 months,.... within a few days I went to every hour and continued to move it up....I would take him outside, I read that you should name the #1, so as he is going #1, I would say, good boy, pipi, good boy, and immediately give him a treat, it can be .50 of a cheerio. I would do the same with #2. I would give him a few minutes, so he would understand pipi first then play. If he didn't produce back into the crate, if he did he would get play time. When I was off to work, he would stay in the bathroom with a pipi pad, bed & toys, I had to get him cloth pads anchored to a pad holder. If he is in an xpen, pin the pad underneath one of the sides of the xpen. This is how Zander learned to use the pad as well, he only uses it now if he just can't hold it. Even now if he tries to hold back and not go #1 when I take him, we walk back to the door, then back to the grass, he then gets it that we are not going in until he goes tinkle.
With Jazzie I just kept her leashed to me, put a bell on the back door, showed her how to smack it when she had to go outside, I would smack it and say pipi outside, give her a cheerio for smacking it, go outside, etc.

Being persistant is what I noticed works. If the dog is going #2 in the crate I would cut off feeding by 6pm, water by 9pm.... perhaps a walk would help him eliminate that nighty night poo ;). I remember setting the alarm clock at 5:30 am just to take Zander outside to poo & pi, I knew his sleep was lighter around that time so I wanted to make sure he understood that this stuff is done outside. I read that when they are 5 months or younger, take them out of the crate, hold them in your arms, then put them on the grass, since they are so young and don't hold it as well they could tinkle on the way out :).

Be patient, keep up the good work and you will feel very proud of your furbaby once he is potty trained. :thumbup:

We use the same method as we did with Prissy, our seven year old poodle. It worked out great with her. We used the crate method, no pads, taking her outside to do her business every 2 hours until she was completely housebroke. Jasmine is almost 5 months old now and she is doing well, she occasionally will have an accident but not very often now. Of course, we still have to watch her like a hawk and will have to until she is completely housebroken. She sleeps all night through in her crate and we also keep her water and food in her crate. I don't know if this will work for you but it did and does for us. Good luck.

My father always said crate training is best because a dog won't go where he sleeps (in what he considers his den). He will cry when he wants to go out. When you let him out and he does his business reward him immediately with boiled chicken. I have two puppies and they're doing great! When they go to the bathroom they make sure I'm watching and run right to me when they're done...CHICKEN works! The only way a dog will pee in the crate is if they're left there a rediculous amount of time and they can not hold it in. Crate works! If you wanted to use a crate and attach an expen or make a pen out of storage cubes and zip ties, you could actually only make the pen the size of the wee wee pad so as soon as you open the crate he can go on the wee wee pad if you'd prefer it that way....which ever works for you just remember as soon as they come out of the crate that's where they'll go...

I promise you . . . your yorkie will NOT be emotionally scarred of you crate train him. Do some research on it. I am confident you will change your mind.

Guess I have the only pup who DOES go in his sleeping quarters! Have a pen that's divided into sleeping/potty area - some mornings I clean both!

He's good during the day, goes directly to sleep when I put him to bed, no sound during the night - but when I go to get him in the morning...well, I'll just say I'm thankful for Swiffer products!

One day...LOL
Gloria

Do you close off the den from the potty area? He needs to be caged in the crate so that he can't get out to the other area. Then when you open the crate, grab him run outside and then he'll poop. Also, maybe the length of time is too long for him to hold it during the night. When I hear mine cry, I'll get up at 2am for a potty break....it sooooo stinks but sometimes I have no choice...

Thanks for responding! :) He has an small opening between the two...I'd hoped he'd get the idea since his potty papers were on the other side. Since it's close to my bedroom, I'd hoped I would hear him at night - he either makes no noise or I"m a deeper sleeper than I thought!

My baby is a little over two and i still have issues with him every now and then. he has an accident here and there but he does ok as long as I take him out frequently. Their little bladders don't hold much so it's important to take them out alot. It took alot of patience, I tried crate training and just learned how to push the poop out the sides onto my floor. So, that wasn't as effective for me. I've heard that they are never completely potty trained because they are so small. I have a baby coming soon so he is going to obedience school for a few weeks for that among other things! :)

Does he have room to move around where he sleeps? He should have room only to sleep and maybe keeping his water and food close by....I mean in the den....

I have a question, I do not use a crate however Laci does not go in the house, I take her out every 2-3 hours , only 2 accidents in the last month and honestly both were my fault... but how do you teach your dog to tell you they have to potty?? I just kind of keep a schedule since I am able to be home all day.. I know she poops first thing in the Am and at night about 9 pm its always the same time and same place... ;) I just want to teach her to be able to tell me instead of me telling her :confused::confused:

I understand!!
 

I have a 9 months yorkie who is not housebroken yet..
I used the crate since I got him at 3 months, but mine does his business in his crate, I try the smaller crate and still does in it, and steps in his poop and everything, tired of washing my dog every day, I decided to leave him the house and now he still does inside the house when I'm at work. At lest I don't have to wash him and the poop, just the poop, but I am desperate also! He never does in the house when I'm there, but as soon as I leave the house, he's doing his business inside!! Even if I leave for 15 minutes and come back, He did something, and he did it outside before I leave! It's as if he's doing it on purpose... Could it be because I get mad at him when he does inside, and now he thinks that by doing inside he will get my attention????????????

I guess I have to be patient, but I tried everything.. :(

"Does he have room to move around where he sleeps? He should have room only to sleep and maybe keeping his water and food close by....I mean in the den...."

Room in sleeping area just for the bed; potty side is same size. Really no room for food/water and he upsets anyway! I'm currently adjusting his feeding times. Better, but not home free yet!

My boy is now 2yrs. & 4 mos. old now. Let me tell you I had a hell of a time trying to train him. I did everything by the book, out every half hour, lots of praise and treats, crate training, ...etc. You name it, I did it. But this little guy just couldn't quite get it right. He would go for about a 2 weeks, fine... then bam!...back to square one. But through many frustations, tears, vet visits, tests....we finally got through it, and yes he finally got it. So what I'm trying to say is..have patience... he will be potty trained when and only when he truly understands....It took us 2 yrs...but he his finally figured it out!!:D:animal-pa

Thanks! It's comforting to know I don't have the ONLY stubborn (loveable!) puppy! LOL

Gets Frustrating....
 

:animal-paNope, you don't..lol! My Neko was the same way from the time we got him. He was potty trainned to go outside, yet he'd do well for a week and then an accident in the house. I read a post here about "submissive urnation" and boy didn't this hit it right on the head for me. My Neko will also coward and urinate in the carpet if you raise your voice (meaning telling him to do something he doesn't want to and/or you scare him). There's many reasons for accidents and not just stubborn or hard to house break. I say just "Hold On", continue working with your baby and by all means, keep checking back here. They have alot of "HELPFUL" information!! =):animal-pa

Try The Bell?
 

:animal-paYa know...I'd love to keep reading here to find out the answer to this one. I do the same as you. Just kinda keep an eye on my Neko and keep an eye on the time I took him last to see when he has to go. They are fairly smart. He will jump on me and continue to until I stand and follow him. He leads me to things that he wants. Some how getting him to do the same when he wants to go outside would be nice. He does it from time to time, but not often enough to not have accidents. He's not a barker either! Well, I read a post here about using a bell. I bought the bell about a week ago and attached it to the back door. Every time Neko has to go out/we take him out that is, we RING THE BELL!! Saying "Outside/Potty?" Then take him out. I really don't think he's got the idea yet, but it's only been a week. I even use his little paw to tap the bell and say "outside/potty" then open the door and take him out. So we will continue because I've heard alot of people say that it works! :cool::animal-pa

I found this on: training-dogs.com
 

Well, it’s always risky to guess about a situation without knowing all the details, but to me it seems that it’s time to think outside the box… um, crate. Here are some thoughts…
Many problems of this sort can be handled by paying a lot more attention to the puppy’s bathroom needs. You are clearly already being very conscientious but if you take your attention to an even more intense level for a few days or weeks, you may be able to solve the problem completely.
On the weekends and during the night, you can get an idea of just how long the puppy can hold it. Different breeds mature at different rates, and individual dogs will vary too. We once had an Australian Shepherd pup who could hold it all night from the first night we got him, at 9 weeks (gloat), but that is unusual.
Say you discover that your little pup can go about 4 hours. (Review my potty training puppies page here for a suggested routine.) That means you’ll do best if someone can come in once during the time all your family is gone. This would be nice for the puppy anyway, since he is likely pretty lonely. A trusted neighbor, a paid pet-sitter or dog walker, or one of those friends who is telling you not to use an X-pen are all possibilities. They would take him out for a chance to pee or poop, play with him for a few minutes or longer, and perhaps take a pre-stuffed Kong out of your freezer to coax him back into his crate before they leave.
This also means that a middle of the night potty stop outing should take place. Set an alarm clock if you are heavy sleepers.
Seems to me that what you want is to break the habit of using the crate for a bathroom as quickly as you can. I personally would consider combining the crate with an X-Pen, and putting newspapers down in the pen. If the dog is tiny relative to the crate, maybe you can define two spaces in it, but I am guessing this is not the case from your description. Or if you happen to have a mudroom or other small and totally puppy-proof space (or can invent one somewhere in your home), you could put papers down in it and have the crate in there with the door open.
If you begin to think this is going on longer than it should (of course, it already feels like that!), then be sure to consult your veterinarian. It all sounds pretty normal so far, though.
So in a nutshell, I’m suggesting closer management and experimenting more with the size of his space. Best wishes!

We divided an enclosure down the middle with a small opening between bed area and newspapered area. His bed area is just large enough to hold the bottom of his crate - the potty area is the same size. (Hope this makes a little sense!) He 'gets' it ... sometimes.

Choco was potty trained... or I thought he was until recently he started pooing and peeing in my room. He used to go to the bathroom to use the pee pad. Since I am not able to take him out very frequently to do his business, he was "trained" to use my bathroom where the pee pad was. He has been that way since just recently. He is right now a year and 3 months old. And I have no idea what's wrong. I am going to get him neutered in 3 days. I hope that will help him.....

Any advice?
What punishment do you give your yorkies when they do make a mistake?
I make him sniff the place he made a mess and say "No" a couple of times. He puts his ears down and look guilty, but he'll repeat the behavior anyways... I really don't know what to do. Please help :(

help
 

My first 2 rescue yorkies never went in the house Boomer still doesnt. However i recently rescued 3-one has a home so i have 2 one just had puppies the other 1 1/2 male is getting neutered although the hopes of him stopping now marking his territory is minimal. habit! The both must have been crated ALOT they too think the carpet is free for all potty place! UGH. do i really want to keep one of her puppies at the same time trying to train these 2. Cody the 1 1/2 yr old wasnt to stay here but have to try to break him so he has a better chance of a good home. UGH I am tired of cleaning carpet! and I am home all day! Lilly the mom... is in a doggie playyard in the house with her pups... she can climb out? of the pen so we cant shut the door to it she goes nuts trying to get back in to her babies.
HELP.

I have the same problem with my 1 year old male. He tears the disposable pads up, so I started using the washable ones. He knows what they are for and many times will use them, but just as many times he'll go whoever he wants. When i let him outside, I have to chase him off the porch. He doesn't particularly like going out in the yard. I tried the crate and when he indicated he needed to go, I would take him outside, and wait sometimes as long as 15 minutes and he still wouldn't go, but before I could get him back in the crate, he would pee in the floor. I guess my mistake is not carrying him in from outside and putting him back in the crate and trying again later. It is very frustrating.

I guess I am one of the lucky people who has had success with pee pads:).

How I did it was to first keep my baby boy on a feeding schedule so I had a good idea of when he would need to potty. After he ate, I would place him in a pen that was lined with pee pads and when he pottied he would get heaps of praise and treats and I would let him out to play. I would leave the pen open for him during the day so he could still access the pee pads whenever but I would lock him in after eating because I knew he would need to go.
Over time, I kept taking away the pee pads until there was just two in a corner and he would still keep going on them. Eventually I got rid of the pen and he would go to his corner to potty whenever he needed to. My baby boy was completely potty trained by 10 months and he has never had an accident since (he's now 2) :D

P.S. I don't know if this helped with his training, but I always made sure that he knew I was the boss; he always got fed after I ate my meal first, even when playing with toys, if I take them away he knows to sit and let me take them. I think because Yorkies are so independent and strong willed if they don't see you as the boss they will just ignore you haha.