REALLY tough time potty training-PLEASE HELP
 

Dear friends,

I am hoping some of you yorkie lovers can share some of your potty training wisdom with me. I am having a VERY hard time potty training my 9 month old baby. When I got him at 2 months old, I trained him on wee-wee pads and eventually outside (I never really crated him, I tried-but he cried and hated it and it broke my heart and he would pee in his crate and have no problem sleeping on his pee-seems strange, but he didn't care one bit, so I stopped using the crate). Now he is trained to go outside when it's nice weather and inside when it's pouring and in the winter when it snows. However, he seems to think every rug in my house is a wee-wee pad!! I have pulled all the rugs out of my house and he sometimes is good about using the wee-wee pad, but 8 times out of 10 he misses the pad and I have to clean pee mess constantly. I am now 7 months pregnant and want him to be somewhat trained once my baby arrives because with a newborn and baby Louie messes, I am going to go insane!! I am so tired these days and cleaning up his pee constantly is hard! Does anyone have any suggestions, am I doing something wrong here???? Also, he pees constantly....sometimes every 10 minutes, is this normal?? Thank you for letting me vent! I love my baby and I just want him to be trained properly so that we can spend more time playing together and less time with me on my hands and knees cleaning pee mess.

If hes peeing that often at that age it sounds like hes marking.

What does that mean and what should I do then if he is "marking?"

Let him out more often, and use Belly Bands to protect your furniture.
It could be marking, but my dogs seem to have more accidents during bad
weather than nice. So I put them out more often in bad weather.
I have experienced this problems in both sexes. :(
I am convinced Yorkies are spoiled and mine are. :rolleyes:
Good luck

Is he fixed? Make it easy on yourself, get some belly bands. When the baby comes, the last thing you want to do is clean up his pee and eventually the baby will crawl and you certainly don't want the baby to be around any accidents. I sell them 2 for $10, let me know if you are interested, they really will save your sanity and your house.

That is a good price. When you consider the time & material.
I make my own, but may consider you next time.
I have seen them around the internet for alot more.

I am having the same problem with my 8 month old baby. She thinks all doormats are hers to pee on, do belly bands work for females? I didn't think they did.

I'd love to do that for you, send me a pm if you decide to get some from me.

Belly bands for boys, Panties or diapers for little girls.

What are belly bands and how do they work?? Do you guys think that I am confusing him by having him pee both outside and inside?? And Yes, he's been fixed, he was fixed at 6 months. Maybe this is a stage they outgrow eventually???

It's like a diaper, here is a pic of one I make. You attach a feminine pad to it and wrap it around their waist covering the sprinkler, it attaches with velcro.

And that helps train them or they have to wear it forever?? Doesn't having the urine right at their skin cause rashes or irritation?? Also, how often should the pads be changed?? Is this typical of yorkies or do they eventually outgrow peeing every 10-15 minutes and going everywhere?? And yes, I am very interested in buying some belly bands, should I just go on your website?? Thank you for your suggestions and everyone's advice.

If he is going every 15 minutes, I would assume that is marking and different than peeing. If you want him to stop marking you have to train him not to, the belly band is only to protect your house. I have heard some people train their dog to stop marking by using a squirt bottle, I don't know if that works. The belly band is only precautionary, they should still be let out often during the day to potty without the band, when you let him back in the house, put it back on. If you use a quality pad, change it as needed and let him air out at times, like during the night, the use of the band should not cause a rash. My mom has an unneutered 10 month old maltese that marks, he wears his belly bands at all times in the house and my mom is so thankful for them. She'd much rather have it on him than worry constantly about where he may have sprinkled.

Jodi, I tried to PM you back, but it says your inbox is to its capacity with PM's.

Yes, I am interested in the belly bands. What is a paypal invoice??? I'm so new at all this stuff, sorry if I sound like a dork. I can send you a money order if you'd like also. I'd love to see what other fabrics you have.

Yes, first baby technically-although I consider Louie my first! ;)

Patty

Inside or outside
 

I think it can be confusing to a dog when they use pee pads inside and then when its nice go outside. I have noticed that many people on here have a hard enough time when they train them one way but to go back and forth can be even more confusing to the dog. In my opinion you would have an easier time chosing one or the other.


Jack and Mandy's Mom :aimeeyork :aimeeyork :animal36 :animal36

It sounds like he is marking to me. I am going through the same thing. Stewie does not pee on his bellyband because he doesn't like being wet. I take it off of him when I let him outside -- and I let him out often. Hope I helped. Let me know if there's any other questions you have :)

It would be fantastic to just pick one or the other...outside or inside, but I live in the northeast where it is Bitter cold and snows a lot...I think it will be even more challenging to take him out on those days. Also, today it's in the 50's here, I took him outside for a short walk and I had to come back to the house to get him a sweater...he was shivering like I've never seen him before. Even if I do pee-pad train him, how do I avoid him constantly missing the pad?? He's such a smart little guy too, I don't know why he hasn't gotten it?

How can he be marking when he was neutered at 6 months??

Tucker is 13wks and I am having an easy time training him. I would still like to buy some belly bands to keep just in case. He is only 1.9lbs so what size do I need or do you make them that small?? I have made him a schedule and we stick to that religiously.... He is crate trained so he sleeps there at night and he is training to go outside... I take him outside about every 20-30 minutes and tell him to "potty outside" I tear up a treat to make it real little and he gets alot of praise and part of his treat after he pees and then again after he poops.. He is catching on very quickly. During playtime, I watch for signs and if he is caught in the act, then I firmly say No, Outside and take him out immediately.. At this point he does not get a treat.. Only if he goes on his own outside.. If we are in a heavy playtime, then i will stop and take him outside to be safe... I will admit that I worry about him peeing somewhere and me not seeing it so the belly bands would be great... He now understand to go to the door when I say lets potty outside...Consistancy is the key...and the schedule has worked wonders...Feeding him at a set time 3 x a day lets me know when he shall need to poop......

Well, I wouldn't have such a problem if he actually peed on the wee-wee pad, but he misses. I don't get it. Some days he does fantastically well, not one miss and other...misses every time he pees, which can sometimes be like 12x/day..that's a lot of pee mess to clean up. What else can I try??

:confused: This is very discouraging to me<sigh> :confused:

GOT SCARED, so I did a Google
 

Housebreaking Ten Commandments

1) THOU SHALT NOT BRING HOME A PUPPY OR ADULT DOG AND EXPECT IT TO KNOW IMMEDIATELY WHERE THE POTTY IS. Every time they move from one home to another they need to be taught where to go.

2) THOU SHALT NOT EXPECT A YOUNG PUPPY OF 8-16 WEEKS TO BE HOUSEBROKEN. That's like expecting a one year old child to be completely potty trained -- It just AIN'T GONNA HAPPEN.

3) THOU SHALT NOT ALLOW THE NEW PUPPY TO MAKE ALL OVER THE HOUSE AND RUN LOOSE AND THEN WONDER WHY THE DOG GOES BACK TO THE SAME SPOT TO MAKE. You will have to disinfect the house thoroughly where he has done his business. White vinegar in the water will help neutralize the smell because he WILL GO BACK to the spot that smells.

4) THOU SHALT NOT YELL AT THE PUP (DOG) WHEN HE/SHE GOES IN THE WRONG SPOT. Better than yelling, you need to just clean it up thoroughly and put the dog where he is supposed to go. Dogs and most animals learn much better by the PRAISE AND REWARD system.

5) THOU SHALT NOT KEEP THE YOUNG PUPS 6 MONTHS OR YOUNGER CONFINED FOR LONG PERIODS OF TIME. They are too young until at least 6 months to hold it for that long. Take them out to make frequently and generously praise and reward them for going where you want them to.

6) THOU SHALT NOT PUT A LONG HAIRED TOY DOG OUT IN THE RAIN TO MAKE UNLESS YOU WANT TO USE A HAIR DRYER WHEN THEY COME BACK IN. To do so could cause a chill and tonsillitis and/or trachea bronchitis.

7) THOU SHALT NOT EXPECT AN UN-NEUTERED OR UN-SPAYED DOG TO HAVE PROPER POTTY MANNERS. It is only nature telling them (boys and girls) to leave calling cards and scents for the other sex to notice. Chin up, if they were goats, they would constantly PEE on their heads to make themselves attractive to the opposite sex.

8) THOU SHALT HAVE A POTTY PLACE GATED OFF FOR YOUR YOUNG PUPPY AT LEAST UNTIL 6 MONTHS OF AGE. It's unrealistic to expect a young puppy to be completely trained until then.

9) THOU SHALT SPEND A LOT OF TIME WATCHING THE DOG WHEN THE DOG IS NEW TO THE HOUSE TO CORRECT BAD HABITS BEFORE THEY START.

10) THOU SHALT READ THESE COMMANDMENTS INSTEAD OF BEING ANGRY AT THE DOG AND MEND YOUR WAYS. A dog wants nothing more than to please you.


Potty Training Information

There are two methods of potty training, and if the weather where you live is not too harsh, it's okay to train them to go outside, if they're old enough....at least 5-6 months....if not, then you may want to consider Litter Box Training.

Crate Training - Cages are cruel?

Not true. A crate is an indoor dog house, just big enough for the dog to stand up and lie down, and turn around in. It's your dog's den, home and place where your dog can feel safe. When you go shopping, or when your pup is very young, it's a good place to keep him out of trouble, however, don't expect a very young puppy to stay in there for really long periods of time. Keep the time crated to short intervals and extend them a little at a time as the pup gets older. They cannot be expected to hold their water for 8-16 hours at a time when just a young baby. Take this into consideration when your pup is very young and if you must be gone for an extended period of time, then leave the door open and keep a place outside the crate where the puppy is allowed to make on papers or on a piddle pad in an exercise pen or puppy play pen. The crate is the dog's "space" in the house. This should be a place where your puppy feels safe. It's his house. He should be made to feel secure in his house and he can sleep while his owners do what they must do, run errands, etc. When you return in a few hours, your dog will not have destroyed the house and it will be a happy reunion. Honest, he'll love his crate and will probably just go to sleep, and you will not come home to "destruction," chewed cords and windowsills, etc.

How long can puppy stay in there?

For a few hours while you go shopping or overnight in the crate next to your bed so you can sleep without worrying about what the pup is up to. If you are going to be gone for a longer period of time, you should get a pet gate and confine the dog to a gated area, where he cannot pull lamps off tables or get at any electrical cords, like in a utility room, or a kitchen. Sometimes there is a covered secure spot in your yard if the weather is good like a deck or fenced in area where the dog can play without escaping, and where no one can get in and steal him! Having a place to keep your dog away from small children is a blessing your dog will appreciate.
Your dog needs to interact with you. Never tie them up or leave them out on the deck or yard for too long without being there to talk to them and interact with them. Dogs are a social animal and need this contact. They need to feel that they are a part of the family, and that means being in the house, even when the family may not be in the house. If you deprive your dog of that feeling of belonging and being part of the family, it can do great psychological damage to him and he can become neurotic or psychotic. Problems with digging, fence jumping and barking are just a few of the ways neurosis can manifest itself.
It's deplorable to buy a dog and chain them outside all the time because you're too tired, busy, or lazy to train them. You must invest some time and lots of praise to have a canine companion that will be devoted to you for a lifetime. It's worth the time you will invest. When the dogs are young, they all go through destructive behavior and most of them outgrow it and eventually you will feel safe leaving him alone in the house. Please remember that if you allow the dog to "go" all over the house when he first comes to your home, he will go back to where he smells it. Normally, a dog will not urinate or defecate where he sleeps, because then he would have to lie next to it. Crates aren't cheap, but sometimes you can pick up one second-hand without having to put out a lot of money, in the classified or at yard sales. Buying a Crate: Most pet shops, dog shows, or kennel supply houses carry crates. The price depends on where you purchase the crate and the size of the dog. You will probably spend anywhere from $40 to $60 for a crate, but it will last for a lifetime. The Fiberglass or Plastic ones are easier to keep clean as they won't rust like wire crates, and they aren't as noisy as the wire collapsible crates are, and considering that this is the safest way for your dog to travel, you've bought him his "dog house" and "car seat" in one package.
Your dog's crate should be just big enough for him to stand up, lie down and turn around in-no bigger. The reason for this is so that he can't piddle in one corner and sleep in the opposite corner. This teaches the dog control.


TO BE CONTINUED

How do I know what size crate to get?

Just stand the dog next to the crate if he is full grown and make sure the crate extends about 4 inches above the shoulders and four inches each side and from front and back of the dog. Big enough for him to turn around in and lay down in. If he's a puppy, you'll have to estimate his full grown size and then place a cardboard box in there to make it just comfortable for him and keep changing the size of the box as he grows. Some brand names of plastic dog crates are: Vari-Kennel, Kennel Cab and Sky Kennel.
Where is the best place to put the crate?
The busiest room in the house, wherever the family congregates.
He keeps crying when in the crate, now what?
Most dogs hate being confined in the beginning, but with a little time to realize they will not be in there forever, your dog will love the peace and safety of his crate. If he cries, just tap the crate and say "No, Quiet now!" in a firm voice. Keep repeating this and don't give in!! Puppies cannot be expected to go for long periods of time without relieving themselves, so you have to make the time confined for short periods and praise the puppy for going in the crate and give him a treat when he goes in willingly. If he doesn't, then just give him a push into the crate and then a treat and a "good boy" verbal command and shut the door. After he is quiet in the crate for a few minutes, come back and open the door and allow him to go use the bathroom spot outside of his crate or wherever you expect him to relieve himself. Make sure the exercise area is sturdy enough that he cannot knock it down.
As the puppy gets older, he will be able to "hold it" longer and by 6 months should be able to spend an entire night without having to relieve himself.
Be sure to let the puppy relieve himself before you shut him in the crate for the night. DO NOT let the puppy out when he is crying!! If you do, you have just taught the puppy he can get his way by being vocal. Always wait until the puppy is quiet before you let him out of his crate. There is an exception to that rule, and that is when you get home after the puppy has been in the crate for a while. The excitement of your return will make your puppy need to "go" so you should take him immediately to the designated "spot" and praise him exuberantly when he does his thing. Do this same thing in the morning, after he has been crated at night. Crate training the Adult dog is a little harder but patience, persistence, and a set of ear plugs should get you through this. Put his bed and toys into the crate and throw in a treat that he loves, and tell him "bedtime" or "crate time." Tell him how wonderful he is for going "in the crate." Play with him for a minute and then close the door when he is comfortable in the crate. Do this a few times and use the same command each time. Put him in there if he refuses and praise him for going to the crate...Good Boy! Keep repeating this command and getting him in the crate until he realizes he will get a reward for going in the crate and eventually you will let him out. You must be consistent. Once the dog will go in there on command, and you can leave him there for a few minutes without crying, you can increase the amount of time that he is in the crate, a little bit more each time. Always be sure he has been to the "potty" before crating. With small dogs, it's sometimes easier in the beginning to put them in the crate at eye level at night, like on your bed stand night table.

Since he has been fixed, I really don't have a clue. I know that Gracie was not completely reliable in the pee department until she was over a year old :(

I totally understand that he is going to have accidents, completely fine...I'm VERY, VERY patient with my baby-I just can't have him "missing" the wee-wee pad every time he pees, I might as well just not put a wee-wee pad down and have him pee on the floor everytime. Maybe I should try a little box which will force him to step inside the box to do his thing?? Anyone use a little box for your baby??

This might be a strange question, but how much does he weight and how much water does he drink? Loki has what we jokingly call a "drinking problem" and he doesn't know when to stop drinking water. He begs for water like other dogs beg for food (The vet says he's fine). While it's gotten better, if he does drink too much he really truly does have to pee (not mark!) every 10-15 mins. I know because I let him out on a leash and I watch him go!

The vet says 1-1.5 oz of water per pound per day is normal. More if it's hot or they exercise a lot. Loki is almost 8 pounds, so about 1 to 1.5 cups a day for him. Loki could drink that in 5 minutes if I gave him that much at once.

We had the HARDEST time potty training until we figured this out. Everything I've read says give the dog water freely. We literally measure out 1.5 cups of water every day to make sure he gets enough, then if he still wants more we give him ice cubes or more water, but not much after 7PM or he pees all night. By the way, he is now 11 months and I consider him to be potty trained.

OMG, Erin...I think you just figured out Louie's problem. He could drink all day long as well, which I found strange because I figured they would drink according to their weight-small dogs should need as much water unless he is vigorously playing or it's really hot outside. I fill his water bowl maybe 7-8 times per day...and that's when I notice he has a problem peeing very 10-15 mins. and it's just impossible to take him out every 15 minutes, I would have to live soley to take my dog out to pee. So, I am going to try rationing his water, which I hate to do, but I'll do the ice cube thing. Thanks so much for your suggestion!!!!!

Hello -

I hope you figure all of this out - my heart goes out to you!

Be very careful about limiting a dog's water - have the vet check him first for diabetes, hyperthyroid etcetera. He is probably drinking excessively for a reason and limiting his hydration could be dangerous if he has a health problem.

Wylie's Mom

You fill his water bowl 7-8 times per day???!!??? That definitely is NOT normal. I would talk to the vet about it soon!

I wish I had better news for you. My little girl is going to be 2 years old December 9. I had her in a crate for about the 9 months that we had her and like you, when she would wine and look at me with those eyes It would just break my heart so...I would bring her in bed with us. Sadie hasn't done well with pottie training at all. If she is out side she will do her thing and I praise her. When she is inside, and I have wee-wee- pads all over the place, she will go on my rugs as well. Alot of times she will make it on the pad but not enough. By this time she should be totally trained. I did alot of research on yorkies before I invested the money and one of the things it did say about them is that they are hard to house break because of their size. I have put my order in for another, Sadie needs a playmate, for next year from a very reputable breeder here where I live. She assured me that all her puppies are litter box trained before they leave. I tried that also but she ate the litter, I used pee pads in it but she was afraid to go it in..I just don't know what to do anymore either..If you find something that works please let me know!

From what I've been reading, placing pee pad's in different places can confuse the dog, causing them to make everywhere.