Crate Training Help! - YorkieTalk.com Forums

FunkyMunkie · 02-28-2005, 05:42 PM

Although Luna has more bladder control now, it's almost impossible to avoid accidents if we don't rountinely take her out.

Well, I just came back from the pet store and asked about training her to go potty on wee wee pads. They said to have her crated all day unless she is going to eat, play, or do her necessities. I really need help in this area because my father believes that crating the dog is evil, then I get from everyone else, that crating is the best option for potty training. He takes her out when I say not to and jsut right this second she had another accident because I was busy doing something around the house and was unaware that she was taken out of her crate.

I should mention though, that Luna is great about going potty outside every single time we take her out. The problem is that she equally goes inside as well, she doesn't grasp the idea that going potty outside is the only OK. I try rewarding her outside but she is so much more happier to be outside than to have some treats. So I'm just confused. I've been meaning to ask the trainer but there is just so much to learn in the class that I forget to ask.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated. If crate training is 100% ok, and dogs are safe in it please write some words of advice for my father who refuses to go the crate training way.

As always, Thank You All!

fasteddie · 02-28-2005, 08:18 PM

A good way is to routinely take her out every 30 minutes or an hour if you can. And you can 'dab' a bit of her pee onto the new pad to get her to associate peeing onto the pads. It's best if you do have time to be there and watch her if possible.

FunkyMunkie · 03-01-2005, 06:28 AM

That is the problem, I'm not home as often as I use to be. That is why I was thinking of crate train her.

DrakesMom · 03-01-2005, 07:10 AM

Hi Melissa! I know EXACTLY what you're going through, regarding being thought of as "evil" by putting them in the crate! Trust me, though....it's one of the BEST options there is! My little Drake didn't like it at first but now he will just go in there on his own if he feels like it! And, by using the crate, it puts YOU in control of the potty training! Your little one will get used to it and remember....NEVER take them out when they're whining or crying, or they will just do it longer the next time because they will realize that's what gets them out of there!

Schatzie's Mom told me basically the same thing you said your pet store did....in the crate unless they're eating, playing or doing their business! She also told me that it may seem mean but to give it ONE week and I'd be surprised! I took her advise and did everything to a "tee" and Drake hasn't had any pee accidents on the floor in 4 days now! He will be playing around with my other dog and suddenly stop, look around and head directly to the pee pad and go! Now as for pooping, we're still working on that! I don't think he realizes that's supposed to go on the pad, too, but I tell you what....I'd much rather pick up a little "poo" than to have to clean up pee that has soaked into the carpet!

Anyway, sorry this is so long and good luck with it!

Karla

Milo · 03-01-2005, 08:50 AM

I've only had Milo for about 2 weeks now and absolutely believe in crate training. Whenever I can't keep my eye 100% on him I crate him. He's been doing great at potty training. Accidents now and them but for the most part he goes on his pads. Even looks for them when he's out playing.

FunkyMunkie · 03-01-2005, 11:28 AM

Thank you all for your words of advice. I cannot thank you ENOUGH! I will definately be showing this post to my father, who is so against crating Luna. He feels bad when she cries and whimpers in her crate, and then takes her out, same goes with my sister.

I think you should all know though, that since the first day we got her she's always had access to her crate, however, we have left the door open ALL THE TIME! So, she doesn't mind the crate, she's always in it when she is sleeping or playing with the toy I dangled from the top of her crate, etc... but as soon as she hears one of us around she darts out and of course wants to play. I don't pay attention to her unless she calms down, my father and sister don't. Oh and another thing, we just started using the crate 24/7 this week. Prior to this week the crate was only used for through the night sleeping, during the day she would stay in her play pen. That got messy because she'd go pee inside of it and it smelled so bad, then we'd have to wash it basically 24/7.

LOL... Anyhow, it's hard because I understand where my family is coming from, and I see what they mean, how can we resist such a cute little thing? But I'm reminding them that in the long run, crating will pay off! Thankfully, my mother is on my side!! HEhe...

Milo: How old is Milo? Just curious, you only mentioned how long you've had him...but I wanted to compare ages... Luna is now 6 months.

wish me luck guys! hehehe. thanks again!

FunkyMunkie · 03-01-2005, 11:41 AM

A couple of more questions:

When I begin to crate train 100%...

-Do I take Luna on her or off her leash to the wee wee pads?

-If she doesn't get busy, how long do I wait for her?

-If she doesn't get busy, do I recrate her?

-If she does, how should I praise her? She doesn't seem to want treats after getting busy. I just always make sure to say "Goooood!" ...is that sufficient or should I get her use to treats?

-When there are accidents in the house and I'm able to catch her, do I tell her NO and take her to her pad and say "get busy here!"?

-Also, if I catch her do I watch her and wait for her to finish, then say NO? Or do I wait for her to finish then say NO?...Or do I not say anything at all?

Sorry, I know I sound like a perfectionist, but you all have to understand that I really want this to work. I need to know what the best method is EXACTLY!

Milo · 03-03-2005, 11:44 AM

Funkie: Milo's only 11 weeks. He's a wee wee baby

02-28-2005, 05:42 PM	#1
FunkyMunkie Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Miami, FL Posts: 221	Crate Training Help! Although Luna has more bladder control now, it's almost impossible to avoid accidents if we don't rountinely take her out. Well, I just came back from the pet store and asked about training her to go potty on wee wee pads. They said to have her crated all day unless she is going to eat, play, or do her necessities. I really need help in this area because my father believes that crating the dog is evil, then I get from everyone else, that crating is the best option for potty training. He takes her out when I say not to and jsut right this second she had another accident because I was busy doing something around the house and was unaware that she was taken out of her crate. I should mention though, that Luna is great about going potty outside every single time we take her out. The problem is that she equally goes inside as well, she doesn't grasp the idea that going potty outside is the only OK. I try rewarding her outside but she is so much more happier to be outside than to have some treats. So I'm just confused. I've been meaning to ask the trainer but there is just so much to learn in the class that I forget to ask. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. If crate training is 100% ok, and dogs are safe in it please write some words of advice for my father who refuses to go the crate training way. As always, Thank You All! __________________ Melissa

03-01-2005, 06:28 AM	#3
FunkyMunkie Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Miami, FL Posts: 221	That is the problem, I'm not home as often as I use to be. That is why I was thinking of crate train her. __________________ Melissa

03-01-2005, 11:28 AM	#6
FunkyMunkie Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Miami, FL Posts: 221	Thank you all for your words of advice. I cannot thank you ENOUGH! I will definately be showing this post to my father, who is so against crating Luna. He feels bad when she cries and whimpers in her crate, and then takes her out, same goes with my sister. I think you should all know though, that since the first day we got her she's always had access to her crate, however, we have left the door open ALL THE TIME! So, she doesn't mind the crate, she's always in it when she is sleeping or playing with the toy I dangled from the top of her crate, etc... but as soon as she hears one of us around she darts out and of course wants to play. I don't pay attention to her unless she calms down, my father and sister don't. Oh and another thing, we just started using the crate 24/7 this week. Prior to this week the crate was only used for through the night sleeping, during the day she would stay in her play pen. That got messy because she'd go pee inside of it and it smelled so bad, then we'd have to wash it basically 24/7. LOL... Anyhow, it's hard because I understand where my family is coming from, and I see what they mean, how can we resist such a cute little thing? But I'm reminding them that in the long run, crating will pay off! Thankfully, my mother is on my side!! HEhe... Milo: How old is Milo? Just curious, you only mentioned how long you've had him...but I wanted to compare ages... Luna is now 6 months. wish me luck guys! hehehe. thanks again! __________________ Melissa Last edited by FunkyMunkie; 03-01-2005 at 11:31 AM.

03-01-2005, 11:41 AM	#7
FunkyMunkie Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Miami, FL Posts: 221	A couple of more questions: When I begin to crate train 100%... -Do I take Luna on her or off her leash to the wee wee pads? -If she doesn't get busy, how long do I wait for her? -If she doesn't get busy, do I recrate her? -If she does, how should I praise her? She doesn't seem to want treats after getting busy. I just always make sure to say "Goooood!" ...is that sufficient or should I get her use to treats? -When there are accidents in the house and I'm able to catch her, do I tell her NO and take her to her pad and say "get busy here!"? -Also, if I catch her do I watch her and wait for her to finish, then say NO? Or do I wait for her to finish then say NO?...Or do I not say anything at all? Sorry, I know I sound like a perfectionist, but you all have to understand that I really want this to work. I need to know what the best method is EXACTLY! __________________ Melissa

03-03-2005, 11:44 AM	#8
Milo Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: California Posts: 160	Funkie: Milo's only 11 weeks. He's a wee wee baby __________________ Makenna Mae (aka; Milos Mamma)

02-28-2005, 08:18 PM	#2
fasteddie *YT 6000 Club Member* Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 6,238	A good way is to routinely take her out every 30 minutes or an hour if you can. And you can 'dab' a bit of her pee onto the new pad to get her to associate peeing onto the pads. It's best if you do have time to be there and watch her if possible.

03-01-2005, 07:10 AM	#4
DrakesMom Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Missouri Posts: 107	Hi Melissa! I know EXACTLY what you're going through, regarding being thought of as "evil" by putting them in the crate! Trust me, though....it's one of the BEST options there is! My little Drake didn't like it at first but now he will just go in there on his own if he feels like it! And, by using the crate, it puts YOU in control of the potty training! Your little one will get used to it and remember....NEVER take them out when they're whining or crying, or they will just do it longer the next time because they will realize that's what gets them out of there! Schatzie's Mom told me basically the same thing you said your pet store did....in the crate unless they're eating, playing or doing their business! She also told me that it may seem mean but to give it ONE week and I'd be surprised! I took her advise and did everything to a "tee" and Drake hasn't had any pee accidents on the floor in 4 days now! He will be playing around with my other dog and suddenly stop, look around and head directly to the pee pad and go! Now as for pooping, we're still working on that! I don't think he realizes that's supposed to go on the pad, too, but I tell you what....I'd much rather pick up a little "poo" than to have to clean up pee that has soaked into the carpet! Anyway, sorry this is so long and good luck with it! Karla

03-01-2005, 08:50 AM	#5
Milo Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: California Posts: 160	I've only had Milo for about 2 weeks now and absolutely believe in crate training. Whenever I can't keep my eye 100% on him I crate him. He's been doing great at potty training. Accidents now and them but for the most part he goes on his pads. Even looks for them when he's out playing.