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07-24-2011, 11:47 AM | #1 |
YorkieTalk Newbie! Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Kansas City
Posts: 6
| Potty training issues!! HELP! I am new to the forum and a new Yorkie owner! We were so excited to get Archer and he was an older pup when we got him from the breeder (almost 14 weeks). He is now 17 weeks old and I feel like we haven't made ANY progress in housebreaking. When we turn our heads, in an instant he poops or pees in the house. And recently this past week he has started waking up at 2:30am to go out!! I could understand this in a younger puppy, but in one who is over 4 months old? We take him out right before we go to bed (usually 11pm). Why is he doing this? He always used to get up at around 6:00am. I am so frustrated and the lack of sleep at night is really starting to affect me. I'm trying to be positive for the kids sake, but it's really hard He is getting neutered in a week, will this cause even more regression? Any help, advice or information is very much appreciated! |
Welcome Guest! | |
07-24-2011, 12:03 PM | #2 |
YT Addict Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Abbotsford, BC, Canada
Posts: 466
| Hi Kori and Archer. Try to relax a little bit! Being a "mom" of a 4 month old Yorkie myself, I hope I can give you some good tips and some confidence that things will get better. First, if you can't watch your pup AT ALL TIMES - meaning your eyes are not turned away even for a moment - he needs to be contained in a small area or crate. If a small area, make sure it's covered with pee pads. If you're training him to go outside only, I suggest training in a crate (our Ozzy is in a crate when we're at work or need a break from watching him like a HAWK). Second, make sure you're giving him enough opportunity to go outside, and keep him out there until he either pees or poops, so that you can reward him with a treat and/or praise. Positive reinforcement for doing the right thing will go a long way to aid potty training. Third, the waking up in the middle of the night may seem normal to some. Ozzy can sleep all night, but I know that many find that at 4 months the pup's bladder is just too small to hold it that long. I really think that pretty normal until they're older and used to holding it longer. Is he in a crate at night or sleeping with you in bed? Lastly, don't give up. The first week we had Ozzy I felt like he would never "get it". Now, after only one month, he's doing fantastic (1 accident in the last 9 days). It takes a LOT of patience and a LOT of active diligence on your part to make sure you set your pup up for success rather than failure (as pointed out to me by others... very true). Remember, he has to learn the good behaviour and the rules, which simply takes time and effort.
__________________ David & Denise ... proud parents of Ozzy |
07-24-2011, 01:25 PM | #3 |
Donating YT 4000 Club Member | Have you first ruled out something like a urinary tract infection that is causing this middle of the night urge to go? Does he sleep in a crate or with you? When Rhett was 4 months, he started doing the same thing. One night out of desperation I put him in my bed. He slept through the night and has been there ever since.
__________________ Don't get your knickers in a knot. Nothing is solved and it just makes you walk funny. |
07-24-2011, 04:14 PM | #4 |
YorkieTalk Newbie! Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Kansas City
Posts: 6
| We have his kennel in our bedroom by my side of the bed and he sleeps there at night. I would let him sleep with us if I felt like he could be trusted in the middle of the night. Our daughter has been taking him out about every hour to hour and a half trying to get him to go. She says when he's out there, he gets distracted by the least little thing and doesn't go. We are out there for 10 and sometimes 20 minutes at a time and it's really frustrating when he doesn't go. He is getting neutered next week and at that time, I'll visit with the vet about our issues. Maybe they will test him for urinary problems. So far, all I've gotten, is the "be patient, it takes time" response. I have lots of patience, but we got him on June 26 and it's as if we are making NO progress whatsoever. I am a SAHM, but we do have commitments outside of this house, ie; summer sports camps, church activities, swim lessons, and errands to run, etc... so we are not in the house 24/7. I'll post the schedule we've been keeping and if anyone sees any issues with the current plan, please, feel free to comment! 5:00 am wake up go outside 5:10-5:20 kitchen (which is gated) and food/water given 6:00 go outside 6:10 back in to the kitchen for free time 7:00 I have coffee in living room and he sits on my lap 8:00 confined to kennel 12:00 food/water 12:30 go outside 12:45-1:15 (or so) kitchen 1:30 confine 5:00 food/water 5:30 go outside 5:45-6:15 kitchen 6:30 confine 8:00 water 8:20-30 go outside 8:45-10:00 tv on my lap 10:30-11:00 outside 11:15 bed |
07-24-2011, 06:30 PM | #5 |
Donating YT 500 Club Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: Arkansas
Posts: 543
| I don't see any exercise. We walk every morning for about 30 minutes before I get ready for work and every (almost) evening. This is how I keep track of my babe's bowel movements. Mind you, we're not perfect, there's still the occasional "present" left. He's not crated when I'm at work (he has the run of the laundry room w/ a pee pad), and I come home for lunch every day. I have issues with him peeing at lunch, because it seems all he wants to do is lay in the sun - lol. If I put on his harness and leash, I have better luck. He has his pad if I can't get him to cooperate or don't feel like dressing him in his harness, so I don't feel so bad. Wow - you're neutering next week? Mr. Beasley will be six months old (26 weeks) next week, and I'm still not sure he's ready. Why so early? |
07-25-2011, 07:33 AM | #6 |
YT Addict Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Abbotsford, BC, Canada
Posts: 466
| How old is your daughter? One thing is that when you take your pup out for potty time this should not be play time. You stay in one spot or area until he pees or poops. And you STAY until he does. You have to be able to commit the time to the process or it won't work. Our vet suggested, and I agree, that when you're out to potty, that's it, that's all. If you want to play, then do potty, come in, then 10 or 15 mins later go outside to play. Also, you can't let a puppy have ANY free time in the house if they haven't gone outside. Once they have peed or pooped outdoors, then you could probably give 20 to 30 mins free time. However, I caution that ANY ANY time they are loose in your home that you watch them every moment. You just have to be severely diligent. If you can get the habit started, you'll be surprised at how quickly he will pick up on it and "get it". Also, make sure if your pup does go outside that the treat/praise is given within 30 seconds, or the dog will not connect the two. It doesn't just take patience, it takes diligence on the part of everyone in the family to set your pup up to succeed. Also, if you're with him outside feeling stressed that he's not going, he will pick up on that and it will just stress him out and he'll be less likely to go.
__________________ David & Denise ... proud parents of Ozzy Last edited by DJDB; 07-25-2011 at 07:35 AM. |
07-25-2011, 08:25 AM | #7 |
YorkieTalk Newbie! Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Kansas City
Posts: 6
| Our daughter is 8 years old. She takes him out and does not play with him. She waits until he does his "business" and then brings him inside. Maybe since Archer doesn't view her as the "Alpha", he is less likely to go for her every time? Right now we are using the "How to housebreak your dog in 7 days" method. He is has been confined since 8:45am and is now starting to bark and whine. according to the book, it says to keep confined until Noon. They say it's not cruel, but it's agonizing to hear him whine we will try this method for the next 7 days (if we make it that long ) I'm also very confused about the food/water debate. Since yorkies (and small puppies) are prone to hypoglycemia, isn't it prudent to leave food out at all times? This makes housetraining difficult, because you need to monitor closely the intake of food so you know when to let them out...so confusing!! Starting today, I am keeping a log of his time inside, outside, confined, eating/sleeping, etc... hopefully this will aid us in our housebreaking endeavors! |
07-25-2011, 09:41 AM | #8 | |
YorkieTalk Newbie! Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Kansas City
Posts: 6
| Quote:
We are neutering on recommendation of our vet. He is starting to hump our legs and she says that earlier is better than later b/c he will heal faster. | |
07-25-2011, 10:34 AM | #9 |
YT Addict Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Abbotsford, BC, Canada
Posts: 466
| Our vet is also recommending between 5 and 6 months to get Ozzy neutered, before he starts marking and humping. He's 4 1/2 months now and so far the only thing he's humped is the ONE other yorkie we met at the park. A very cute little girl, so I couldn't really blame him and she was, thankfully, fixed. It was actually really funny, because every time he got near her he would hump the grass
__________________ David & Denise ... proud parents of Ozzy |
07-25-2011, 10:45 AM | #10 | |
YT Addict Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Abbotsford, BC, Canada
Posts: 466
| Quote:
I have found that Ozzy has to have his first poop on the first walk in the morning, then again in the afternoon around 3-4, then again before bed. So, I take him out at 5:45 for a 10 min walk/pee/poop; he hangs out with me while I get ready for work, and I take him just outside the front door for another pee at about 7:30, then he goes in his crate. My b/f is home at about 2:30 and takes him out for a walk and he normally does pee/poop. If my b/f can watch him all the time he stays out and about until I get home at 4:45. If not, he gets crated again until I get home, when he gets taken out again. We both then watch him constantly - NEVER out of eye sight - and take him out if he starts sniffing the floor or sits at the door. He goes out again around 6:30 or 7:00, then again we watch him constantly until bedtime, around 9:30, then take him out again, at which point he'll have another poop. He sleeps all through the night with us in the bed. During the day he's confined to one floor only when he's out. With that schedule he's doing really well. 1 accident in the last 10 days, and that was my fault because I didn't pay attention to the signs (sniffing the floor is always a sign for Oz). I'm not sure when I'll feel like he's fully trained, but I'm thinking at least another month or two.
__________________ David & Denise ... proud parents of Ozzy | |
07-25-2011, 10:56 AM | #11 | |
YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Port St. Lucie, Florida
Posts: 1,043
| Quote:
You are waiting to long after eating/drinking...I take mine out about 5 to 10 minutes after any food/water and play time. Not enought time outside...they like to be walked and sometimes that takes longer than 10 minutes. After he potties, throw a huge potty party...yorkies love the attention and love to please...so praise praise praise and give a treat for good potty behavior...if you catch him in the act of pottying in the house...say NO in a firm voice don't yell it...and take him right outside and say good boy, letting him know this is where you want him to potty...if you don't catch him inthe act and you find a accident, just clean it up, make no fuss over it...if you make a fuss over it...like I said earlier yorkies love attention and if you give him attention over something bad he will continue to do it cause he is getting that attention..good or bad....good luck.
__________________ Jennifer R.I.P Bailey Bella Harley Ivy Baby Milo Last edited by bellababy08; 07-25-2011 at 10:58 AM. | |
07-25-2011, 11:00 AM | #12 | |
YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Port St. Lucie, Florida
Posts: 1,043
| Quote:
__________________ Jennifer R.I.P Bailey Bella Harley Ivy Baby Milo | |
07-25-2011, 11:23 AM | #13 |
YorkieTalk Newbie! Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Kansas City
Posts: 6
| (sorry, I couldn't help but use these cute emoticons!) But I am really appreciative of all the comments and advice I've been given thus far. We haven't been dog owners in almost 10 years and then we had beagles (but no kids). So this has really been an adjustment for our family! We look forward to Archer being a little more reliable around the house and gaining a little more freedom every day. I know it's going to be a long road, but it helps knowing I have YT to reference anytime I need help or guidance! |
07-25-2011, 06:54 PM | #14 |
YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Hafnafjörður, Iceland , North Europe
Posts: 728
| Calm down ! this can take time, Fido wasnt housebroken until about 10 months, I got him 5 months old and he was pee-pad trained then, the first month he did his buissness inside but after that cause I was so certain about the rules I didnt let him go away with anything. This is the best way to potty-train dogs ! When he does his buissness outside, then encourage him and say words like ''Good boy/girl !!'' with a babyvoice (they love that) and have some treats for him each time. When he does his buissness inside, then just say a clean ''NO ! bad dog!'' and go immediatly ouside with him and wait until he finishes or at least pees. DO NOT use pee pads if you want your dog completily housebroken !! If you use peepads it will be much much harder to housebreak him !! So if you use peepads give them to the animal shelter or something. It is soooo hard to pottytrain a dog who is used to use pee pads inside to pee on. Good luck !! Remember dont scold him much, NEVER put his nose in the pee/poo wen he does it inside, just a clean ''NO!'' and straight outside is enough trust me it worked here and I have the most stubborn dog there is!
__________________ Sun [Owner] ,Fido [Yorkie] ,Mímir [Chinese Crested] ,Kría [Icelandic cat] ,Skuggi [Forrest cat] |
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