Training my new puppy I need help! - YorkieTalk.com Forums

mespinoza · 06-21-2010, 01:42 PM

Hi there! I am new to the forum and to yorkies as well. We got a male yorkie, his name is Zeus and he is 5.5 months old. He is the cuddliest puppy ever! Loves, loves, loves to be held, loved and we are loving it. But.... his potty training is a different story... I had a s**t-zhu before and trained her to go outside since day 1 with Zeus it has been a challenge since day 1. He refuses to go outside most of the time and as soon as I get in he will go ONLY in his crate. I have the divider and his space is small but he still goes in there. I read somewhere (a book I think) than once a yorkie gets this habit is impossible to house train him/her, is this true? This is my first yorkie so I am not familiar with the breed.

What can I do to help him potty outside constantly?

Some info about him... We bought him from a puppy place and yes he did pee and poop in his cage while at that lace. They had the cages that everything "falls" down and then they clean it. Does that has something to do with it?

Also at night we place him on his crate and he screams, whines and barks the whole night. We are going crazy between both situations... So as you can see we need some help, advice and encouragement that this will pass some day, soon?

DvlshAngel985 · 06-21-2010, 01:54 PM

Welcome to the wonderful world of the stubborn yorkie! The best way to get him to go outside is to take him out often. Set him up for success and praise him for going in the right place. Start with taking him out every 2 hours, if he still has accidents, then do it every hour, and if he still has accidents, then every 30 mins. I know it sounds like a lot, but it will work. Good luck!

dew22 · 06-21-2010, 04:24 PM

i don't think that it's impossible to train them not to go in the crate but it does make it harder. i agree the easiest (though it's the most time consuming) is to take them out every hour in addition to after meals, play time and naps. this starts a routine.

when they're out their give them a signal word for them to do their business, like "hurry" or "go potty". once they go praise them. try to write down at what times they went to give you an idea of how often you need to take them out.

shawnzeppi · 06-21-2010, 05:31 PM

Absolutely if you have the wrong pup, it can take time for house breaking, even if the breeder tried... and yours apparently did not do a great job. Gotta recommend pee pads AND outdoor training. With our dogs, although one has an issue with needing to be closed in to use a pad, they will go both on the pads and outside. Pads just make training so much more convenient and can be a bonus for when you leave them for work.

As far as the crate at bed time goes, we have never been able to enforce that with our pups. They need at least in my experience to be right by your bed so they know you are there. As soon as we can trust them not to pee in our bed, that is where the pack sleeps.

Maxman · 06-21-2010, 05:44 PM

Welcome,I wish I could help,but I'm still trying to convince mine not to poop and pee on the floor!BTW great name!

kdhawks · 06-21-2010, 05:50 PM

Congrats on your new baby. How long have you had your Zeus?

Since he went in his crate at the "puppy place," it seems to me that he just isn't familiar with any aspect of potty training. I agree with what others have said and recommend that you take him out every hour until he gets the hang of things. I think sticking to a consistent schedule is key. I use the signal phrase "go now" when my boy is doing his business...and now if we are out on a walk and he's dawdling, all I have to do is say "Go now!" and he relieves himself. It takes time for yorkies to potty train (stubborn little guys!

) but he will learn if you are consistent and understanding and praise him when he is a good boy!

zekie's mom · 06-21-2010, 06:26 PM

I have a 2 yr. old Yorkie that is both paper trained and outdoor trained. I never really tried too hard to train him when he was really young. I have never said anything about him going in the house, only praise for going outside, so he does not know that I might be upset with his accidents. Also, I got him at 8 weeks and have sleep with him every night. The minute he would move around, I would take him out or put him on his papers and say potty. I have never had a dog cry at night becuase they were always with me. I rigged my pillows so that he could not fall off the bed and put him between my husband and myself, and that is where he still sleeps.

mespinoza · 06-22-2010, 04:18 AM

Thanks to all of you for encouraging me

Last night I put him on his crate in our bedroom and he didn't bark all night long. He did a couple of times and I told him to be quiet and he did... I also placed his favorite bed inside the crate. He seems to love the bed so he doesn't pee or poop it. The bed is dry and he slept on it all night long!!!! We had to take him out a couple of times last night but at least I didn't wake up to a mess.

He is going pee outside without any problems but still refuses to poop outside. Is like he holds it until we get in and then he goes. I have him for 3 weeks now and planning to put him on a tight routine. I don't work so I have the time to stick to a routine.

Thanks again! I feel confident that this will come to an end eventually...

NAUTILUS1900 · 06-22-2010, 04:26 AM

Hi and welcome to Yorkie Talk, maybe you should consider using pads at the beginning and after he figures out that he has to go to a certain place then teach him to go out.
And I have to say that you picked a fantastic name.
I'm Greek and Zeus father of the Greek Gods
I hope your puppy won't take advantage of his name

Maria

Rhetts_mama · 06-22-2010, 05:06 AM

The heat here these last couple weeks is adding to your difficulties, I'm sure. It's hard to stay out long enough to encourage them to go. If you want to keep encouraging the out door potty place, you might want to try using an umbrella to keep you both cooler while you are waiting.

Make sure you are cleaning up all his "oops" spots in the house and crate with a good enzyme based cleaner like Natures Miracle. You can also take some of his poop and put it in the yard spot to encourage him to go there.

Good luck.

mespinoza · 06-22-2010, 05:17 AM

Thanks! I picked the spot under the deck as his business spot. It is shady even though it gets hot. Later today I am heading to get that cleaner.

Thanks for your reply!

06-21-2010, 01:42 PM	#1
mespinoza Yorkie Talker Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Buford, Georgia Posts: 11	Training my new puppy I need help! Hi there! I am new to the forum and to yorkies as well. We got a male yorkie, his name is Zeus and he is 5.5 months old. He is the cuddliest puppy ever! Loves, loves, loves to be held, loved and we are loving it. But.... his potty training is a different story... I had a s**t-zhu before and trained her to go outside since day 1 with Zeus it has been a challenge since day 1. He refuses to go outside most of the time and as soon as I get in he will go ONLY in his crate. I have the divider and his space is small but he still goes in there. I read somewhere (a book I think) than once a yorkie gets this habit is impossible to house train him/her, is this true? This is my first yorkie so I am not familiar with the breed. What can I do to help him potty outside constantly? Some info about him... We bought him from a puppy place and yes he did pee and poop in his cage while at that lace. They had the cages that everything "falls" down and then they clean it. Does that has something to do with it? Also at night we place him on his crate and he screams, whines and barks the whole night. We are going crazy between both situations... So as you can see we need some help, advice and encouragement that this will pass some day, soon?

06-21-2010, 01:54 PM	#2
DvlshAngel985 Donating YT 2000 Club Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Los Angeles, California, USA Posts: 12,693	Welcome to the wonderful world of the stubborn yorkie! The best way to get him to go outside is to take him out often. Set him up for success and praise him for going in the right place. Start with taking him out every 2 hours, if he still has accidents, then do it every hour, and if he still has accidents, then every 30 mins. I know it sounds like a lot, but it will work. Good luck! __________________ Littlest JakJak We miss you Kaji

06-21-2010, 05:50 PM	#6
kdhawks Donating YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 2,359	Congrats on your new baby. How long have you had your Zeus? Since he went in his crate at the "puppy place," it seems to me that he just isn't familiar with any aspect of potty training. I agree with what others have said and recommend that you take him out every hour until he gets the hang of things. I think sticking to a consistent schedule is key. I use the signal phrase "go now" when my boy is doing his business...and now if we are out on a walk and he's dawdling, all I have to do is say "Go now!" and he relieves himself. It takes time for yorkies to potty train (stubborn little guys! ) but he will learn if you are consistent and understanding and praise him when he is a good boy! __________________ katy&levi

06-22-2010, 04:18 AM	#8
mespinoza Yorkie Talker Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Buford, Georgia Posts: 11	Thank you :) Thanks to all of you for encouraging me Last night I put him on his crate in our bedroom and he didn't bark all night long. He did a couple of times and I told him to be quiet and he did... I also placed his favorite bed inside the crate. He seems to love the bed so he doesn't pee or poop it. The bed is dry and he slept on it all night long!!!! We had to take him out a couple of times last night but at least I didn't wake up to a mess. He is going pee outside without any problems but still refuses to poop outside. Is like he holds it until we get in and then he goes. I have him for 3 weeks now and planning to put him on a tight routine. I don't work so I have the time to stick to a routine. Thanks again! I feel confident that this will come to an end eventually...

06-22-2010, 04:26 AM	#9
NAUTILUS1900 Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Athens Greece Posts: 172	Welcome Hi and welcome to Yorkie Talk, maybe you should consider using pads at the beginning and after he figures out that he has to go to a certain place then teach him to go out. And I have to say that you picked a fantastic name. I'm Greek and Zeus father of the Greek Gods I hope your puppy won't take advantage of his name Maria

06-21-2010, 04:24 PM	#3
dew22 Yorkie Talker Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: ohio Posts: 19	i don't think that it's impossible to train them not to go in the crate but it does make it harder. i agree the easiest (though it's the most time consuming) is to take them out every hour in addition to after meals, play time and naps. this starts a routine. when they're out their give them a signal word for them to do their business, like "hurry" or "go potty". once they go praise them. try to write down at what times they went to give you an idea of how often you need to take them out.

06-21-2010, 05:31 PM	#4
shawnzeppi YT Addict Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Springfield, va Posts: 457	Absolutely if you have the wrong pup, it can take time for house breaking, even if the breeder tried... and yours apparently did not do a great job. Gotta recommend pee pads AND outdoor training. With our dogs, although one has an issue with needing to be closed in to use a pad, they will go both on the pads and outside. Pads just make training so much more convenient and can be a bonus for when you leave them for work. As far as the crate at bed time goes, we have never been able to enforce that with our pups. They need at least in my experience to be right by your bed so they know you are there. As soon as we can trust them not to pee in our bed, that is where the pack sleeps.

06-21-2010, 05:44 PM	#5
Maxman YT Addict Join Date: May 2010 Location: Butler NJ Posts: 314	Welcome,I wish I could help,but I'm still trying to convince mine not to poop and pee on the floor!BTW great name!

06-21-2010, 06:26 PM	#7
zekie's mom YT Addict Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: PA & FL Posts: 403	I have a 2 yr. old Yorkie that is both paper trained and outdoor trained. I never really tried too hard to train him when he was really young. I have never said anything about him going in the house, only praise for going outside, so he does not know that I might be upset with his accidents. Also, I got him at 8 weeks and have sleep with him every night. The minute he would move around, I would take him out or put him on his papers and say potty. I have never had a dog cry at night becuase they were always with me. I rigged my pillows so that he could not fall off the bed and put him between my husband and myself, and that is where he still sleeps.

06-22-2010, 05:06 AM	#10
Rhetts_mama Donating YT 4000 Club Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Georgia Posts: 5,959 Blog Entries: 1	The heat here these last couple weeks is adding to your difficulties, I'm sure. It's hard to stay out long enough to encourage them to go. If you want to keep encouraging the out door potty place, you might want to try using an umbrella to keep you both cooler while you are waiting. Make sure you are cleaning up all his "oops" spots in the house and crate with a good enzyme based cleaner like Natures Miracle. You can also take some of his poop and put it in the yard spot to encourage him to go there. Good luck. __________________ Don't get your knickers in a knot. Nothing is solved and it just makes you walk funny.

06-22-2010, 05:17 AM	#11
mespinoza Yorkie Talker Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Buford, Georgia Posts: 11	Thanks! I picked the spot under the deck as his business spot. It is shady even though it gets hot. Later today I am heading to get that cleaner. Thanks for your reply!