Yeah its a potty training ?... :)
 

Hello all...I have just purchased a Yorkie 2 1/2 weeks ago...she was almost 5 months old...this is my 1st experience with the breed...I realize it takes awhile to housebreak a puppy...Sassy is a great girl but today I left her for a couple of hours in her crate while I went shopping...when I returned I noticed that she soiled in her crate...so far all the people that I have talked to said Yorkies are impossible to housebreak...a crate is a great tool but useless if the dog soils in it...I have never had this experience with a pup before...any input would be greatly appreciated...Dennis

I too have a 5 mos old. The crate has been a better house breaking tool than the x-pen. Farrah has soiled in her crate only when left too long. Usually overnight.
I've read to feed the pup earlier and take the water away early also. Has helped 9x's out of 10.
Good luck & Welcome to YT!!

We never did the crate thing (she did not like it at all) but I kept her in a play pen (for kids) until she was about 8 months old and put a pee pad down in there. Then I moved her to the kitchen with a pee pad until she was a little over 1. Now she has free reign of the house and uses the pee pad in the kitchen to pee and a different one in the dining room to poop. She is a very private pooper so she likes to poop in the corner of the dining room where no one can see her.

I work and was able to potty train Bailey in 2 months - she was reliable in 4 months.

I used the crate for short periods of time and the ex-pen for when I was at the office. The crate must be small and only large enough for the pup to stand up and turn around. When Bailey was in the ex-pen - then all potty bets were off. She peed all over and chewed the pee pads, etc. No problem, I just cleaned up the pen every day (5 minutes tops). She outgrew this around 8 mos.

However, potty training is not about putting the dog in a crate or ex-pen. Potty training is about watching the dog in the house and correcting behavior. We blocked off the family room, laid down blankets and watched the dog. All eyes on the dog! When she started to pee - then we said "outside", scooped her up, tapped the bell and went outside. Once outside we said "go potty" - then praised and treated when she pottied outside. Repeat as necessary - and repeat you will! :) Wash the blankets after every accident to remove the pee odor.

If we had to take our eyes off the pup for any reason - (i.e. wash dishes, brush teeth, go to the bathroom, etc.) then the pup went into the crate. If we had to leave the house, then she went into the expen.

2 solid months of watching the dog - and nothing else!! It worked. Yes, these dogs can be trained - but it takes time and consistency. Do not try to multitask - potty train and nothing else or put the dog up.

Good luck

this sounds like a great idea... crate for sleeping no room to move a lot so no urge to pee (hopefully) and pen for when out.... and 2 months of watching... Sounds like what I've been trying (with errors of course).... but i keep all eyes on the pup... my friends think i'm paranoid but it's just i really don't want him to pee inside but thanks to you now I know for sure I'm not crazy and think I have a better grasp and things figured out... just hope it works for my little MILO... wish me luck... thanks a bundle!!