Potty Training Setup Suggestions

[aqeuous18]

Ok...I tried to find answers to these questions but couldn't quite find any for my scenario. So, I'm picking up my boy on Friday. He's started on potty pads from the breeder. I intend on keeping him on the pads for right now.

At first I was going to gate him in the kitchen with the pads for his area to make accident clean up easier. I decided against this because there are some small spaces between appliances that worry me.

My next plan was a baby play pen/pack n play. I'm still up in the air about this one. I'm worried that the den instinct will be jeopardized because technically the whole pen would be his den. Even putting the pad on one side seems iffy because those things aren't that big.

My other plan is to put an xpen up in an unused dining room area in the apartment. This way he'd be where everyone is. But I'm weary about putting him on carpet just in case he makes an accident when I'm not there. It could be dried up by the time I find it. Any suggestions?

Also, where do I put the potty pad that he is to use? Ideally I'd want it in the bathroom or kitchen, but that seems like such a far walk for a little guy. Do I keep it close by his area? I understand crating and confining him when I can't watch him, but I want him to be able to come out and play and still have an area to go to.

Help? lol

[Kirby]

Congratulations on your new boy.

I put a pan in between appliances in my kitchen and cabinets. If you pick a spot to put the pads, make sure you keep it there. If you move it around, you'll have to start over with the training. A bare floor area is the norm as like you said, in case of an accident. If you would rather have the xpen in a carpeted area, you might consider putting Plexiglas down or an old shower curtain. Also, make sure you have more than one pad down and gradually take one away at a time as he gets better.

Let us know how it goes and post pics of him when you can.

[veggienut]

Find one particular spot and designate that as the potty area. A bare floor would be good, such as a bathroom since it is easier to clean up. A kitchen isn't good since you eat and have food in there and it isn't sanitary for bathroom purposes.

[JKTex]

When our first was small, if I needed to leave him, it would be penned up in the kitchen with pads. it's large so he had plenty of space, his bed and pad that he didn't always hit. We bought a couple of 24" potable metal "fences" that turned out to be great. Together they make a big pen, or as fences blocking off parts of the house or in the kitchen in the early days.

I dare say, there will be accidents so get used to that. If you work with them vigilantly, and it takes months, they'll train fine. That means taking them outside every 20-30 minutes, using verbal queue's, we use "potty" and "outside". Be aware of when they eat and get them outside soon after etc. Good bladder control comes with time and sooner than you might think. But constant training with the same words and going outside works.

Now, with our 2nd a week away from 1 year old, it's been months and months since we've had to worry about anything. They go outside on their own (I put in a doggy door in the wall) and even on their own at night on the rare occasion we forget to make sure they go out before bed.

[YorkieMom6]

I am new to this and had the same questions. This is what I chose to do.

I am using exercise pens. I got a few of them and make odd shapes so the sides stand nicely. The odd shapes make them difficult to measure but one is approximately 90" X 60" but in an odd rectangle/bean shape. I also have three levels and thus, wanted to have them on all levels of the house. This was a bit expensive though and I am sure not everyone needs the same elaborate set-up.

Then my husband and I went to Lowe's and found some inexpensive linoleum. We cut this to shape however; I would recommend cutting it in a rectangle or square because these xpens move some. The linoleum is easy to cut and since my preferred location is on carpet, it allows for easy cleanup and use of a steam mop every weekend.

I then have a bed area in each one. The xpen in the master and living room have crates that can be closed. The xpen in the basement workout room is open and is where she gets most of her extensive exercise. I always shut her in her crate at bedtime and plan to use this to teach outside potty training in the spring. For now, we are using potty pads entirely and they are kept in the exercise pen, at the opposite end from where her bed is. I put a paper pad on top of the potty pad because she happens to use the paper more for pooping and the cloth for peeing. This is great in my opinion, because the paper is so much easier for cleanup when it is a messy one. Zoey has had no problem at all switching from newspaper training from her breeder to this new system. I worried about the distance, but it never has been a problem.

Note, we have had an occasion where there was a poopy mess. This was mostly my fault with too many carrots used as treats. Hence, I have cut those back considerably. Anyway, the messy cleanup is a challenge as we all can relate to however, the xpen, linoleum, and extra beds on other levels; made this manageable!!

Wow - that was an elaborate explanation for a newbie LOL

Maybe something in there will help you - I hope so anyway!

~Denise

[YorkieMom6]

Oh, I wanted to add that the xpens I made up have doors that can be opened so If i want her to have the ability to move about the entire floor or house - I can, or not.

This is our xpen and on the master and main level - we use 7 panels and the basement we use 6 because we are right there with her and use the wall as one whole side. Yes, we purchased 5 sets total which is alot however; that is not needed by most.

Amazon.com: Iris Indoor / Outdoor Plastic Pen 36"...

~Denise

[_Chrissy_]

When I am not at home, can't watch him, cooking, ... I have Mickey in the tiled floor kitchen in an x-pen.
In the x-pen I have a small crate w/ blanket which he sleeps in as his den (the door is open). Then I have pee pads in the back corner along side the small crate. His food and water are in the front near the door.
The kitchen is low gated from the rest of the house so when he is out he can not run free around the house. It is a big kitchen.
I hope this makes sense. If not let me know and I will post a picture.
Although I have only had Mickey 2 weeks tomorrow, this seems to be working out really well. I am also starting to take him outside to potty.
Max has free run of the house.
We have the same pen as YorkieMom6 but with the 4 panels. I used it to train Max As well.

[aqeuous18]

Thank you so much for the suggestions! I think I am going to put the linoleum down. Our kitchen is too small for him to have ample space. Dang apartment , but lucky we have a lot of space everywhere else. I'm still kind of shopping for a pen. I have the Midwest metal one, but my Chihuahua used to climb out of it all the time. I'd like one lighter and easier to move. I get an employee discount, but I can't decide if it's cheaper to buy one online.

So keep the pads in his pen with the door open for his potty space? That won't be too hard for him to figure out? Won't be too far? Right now I want to train him 100% on pads, especially because the breeder started him out on them. Once he gets that, then I will move to outside.

[YorkieMom6]

Maybe it is just me and maybe I am not a good trainer (being so new and all) but I would say no. I do not let Zoey have the run of the house or more often a room or two until I have seen she has a least gone poo potty. Then, I generally only give her access to a couple of rooms and then I put a potty pad in the same location in that area, every time - showing her where it is each time and of course tons of praise and treats when she uses it. I know maybe it is more a problem for me than her but she did have a couple of accidents and I want to reduce those as much as possible. And until I feel she is trained, I do not give her full run unless I can watch her nonstop.

I was suggesting the open door for when you want to give her full access, tho that is not what I do without full attention.

I wish you great luck and PLEASE, share with me what your successes are and maybe we can learn together. I too am 100% using potty pads and then plan to do outside in the spring. She gets so cold right now that I do not want to risk a major problem.

Good luck and I am sure you will do terrific!

~Denise

[aqeuous18]

I didn't mean to give him full access, but if we are playing I'd like for him to be out of his pen. If he has to potty then he's gonna have to go to the pad. Do I just have to be in charge completely and put him on the pad every hour or do I let him try to get there himself?

I don't want him to be in his pen 24/7

[YorkieMom6]

Oh, I completely agree - I like to let her out as often as I can as well. Maybe others can help more, all I can add is what I do and I am new.

I have multiple potty pads and just either lay a new one in the area we are playing or bring her existing one with us. When she is out of her xpen, she tends to not go back unless I put her there - too much to explore and sniff and she loves to play ball with mommy.

Encouraging him by putting him on the pad periodically is a great idea, in my opinion!

[aqeuous18]

Thank you! Anyone else have any answers to the potty pad placement question?

[spiritwings1202]

I have my Pixie in an EX-Pen in the living room and it is set up elongated way. I have her bed at one end of the pen and her pee pad by the gate of the pen I also have her food and water in the middle.. I bought one of those plastic runners ( the ones they use for carpet in the hallway to protect it) for underneath the ex-pen. when I can watch her I leave the ex-pen door open and when I see her do the potty dance I call her over to her pad and tell her to do pee pee if she doesn't I pick her up and put her in there with the door closed until she does and when she does I praise her. I also have the living room gated off so that is the only room she has full run of.
At night I crate her in my room in a crate with a bed and food and water and she wakes me up to go, and I bring her to the ex-pen.
Pixie is doing great she is 13 weeks and will go to her ex-pen to pee.
We are working on the poop thing that is hit or miss I just try to keep eye on her! Good Luck~Joyce