I LOST it today on Maxi. Ashamed and needing Help.

[Honeychile]

I've had my furbaby for 1 month (December 1). He is a delight. Although, there are some issues. He is still being treated for kennel cough and on 2 cough suppressants and an antibiotic.

I was having trouble getting him to eat healthy foods, but he has finally accepted O&M Holistic kibble and Wellness puppy (wet food). He also eats the meat rolls and Prairie freeze dried food. They all cost me a small fortune, but he is worth it.

Here's my problem:

Peeing and pooping on the carpet 50% of the time.

Maxi will go on the paper and bolt towards me at high speeds wagging vigorously to get his treat for being a "good boy!" so clearly, he knows how to use the paper.

But the other half of the time... he will sniff out a spot and pee or poop all around the apartment (which is fully carpeted). I usually spot it immediately (we are always watching him)... and I clean it with nature's miracle. If I catch him in the act I firmly say no! and dash to lift him and place him on the paper. Lately he has been REFUSING TO GO on the paper by force. If I place him there or give him the "go potty!" command... he looks up at me dumbfounded and will just plop down on the paper and lay there. He also attempts to slink away like he's afraid. I have lightened up my voice or just stopped saying the "go potty!" command as frequently. I'll just say it once or twice as opposed to 10.

Maxi holds his pee for overnight (he sleeps in my bed) and for 4 hours while I'm at work and he's in the crate.

But lately, in the morning... he won't go on the paper if I put him on it. He will walk away from it and if I watch him or follow him he'll do nothing. If I turn away for a SECOND... he will pee on the carpet!!! WHY??? Why is he doing this?

Okay... this morning... you won't believe this. I spent 25 minutes following him around waiting for him to make his am release. I put him on the paper, I said "go potty!" I sat and watched him. I finally had to get in the shower and get ready for work. I brought him with me into the bathroom. NOTHING. He wouldn't go. I know he had to because he started to on the carpet and I interrupted him by swiftly lifting him and putting him on the paper. Plus he hadn't had his morning pee. So, the 25 minutes go by. I'm out of the shower... I put him on the paper... and say "go potty!" nothing -- he lays down on the paper. I change the paper thinking maybe it's too soiled for him... nothing.

I wait. Nothing. So, proceeding to get dressed... I put Maxi on my bed (that he too sleeps on... )and I turn my back. I turned back around to see him squatting and PEEING HIS LONG MORNING PEE ON MY BED!!!

WHHHYYYYYYY???? WHAT TO DO??????

Here's where I'm going to get tssk tssk'd. I lost it. I yelled NO! and spanked his bottom several times. Hard. He yelped., no, he screamed BLOODY MURDER. He was DEVASTATED!

I know it was wrong. I understand if you all are upset with me. I KNOW Maxi didn't deserve this at all.

I don't wish to do this again... but I was completely frustrated and I think it was just pent up from all the pee and poop I've been patiently and silently cleaning up for the past 4 weeks. I've been working so hard to follow the training manuals by being silent when he's doing the unfavorable and lots of praise when he's good. I spend everyday WATCHING him like a hawk. I shower him with love and attention and play with him for at least an hour everynight. In addition to my husband and son. He is always underfoot, following me everywhere... can't stand to have me out of his site. He has mastered the come, sit, stay, and up! command and is now learning to roll over. In every way... he seems to know who's boss and he is very receptive to my commands. BUT, All it takes is a SECOND for me to turn away or blink and he's going on the carpet! He doesn't run to me when he does this for a treat so he must know he's wrong! Right?

I'm prepared to do whatever it takes to make amends for spanking my furbaby. I understand that this is along the lines of abuse and I do not wish to make him fearful of me. After I spanked his bottom he ran from me and hid. He would not come when I called. I put him in his crate to cool off. I left the house and 20 mins later I returned to console him and to feed him and give him his meds. He was hesitant but soon back to his upbeat and spirited self. I regret that I lost it on him and I don't want to give him up to a "more loving and tolerant home" as someone may suggest. I want to do what it takes to be more loveable and tolerant of his mistakes.

I would like to understand why he is peeing and pooping around the house even though he appears to know better.

How many papers should I have down? How often do I need to change the paper?

Any help or insight would be most appreciated.

BTW, at this time, he does not go outside at all, due to the kennel cough and the fact that he doesn't have all his shots.

Also, is it a problem that he sleeps in the bed with me? He usually sleeps at the foot of the bed. I tried to break him out of it by putting a bed in my room ( a nice tent bed) but he insists on coming up on the bed and will whimper and attempt to jump up and bark like crazy. When I pick him up on the bed... he is so grateful he can't stop kissing me. I don't mind him on the bed... but want to make sure that I haven't done something wrong.

One other thing that bothers me...

He likes to go in the kitchen and scavenge for food particles and juices that may be on the floor. This drives me NUTS. He'll have food in his bowl... but I can't get him from sneaking into the kitchen.

I will be getting a gate soon, but since I have let him have the run of the apartment, I know he will have a hard time with this. I put up pillows as a blockade and he kept at it until he found a way to get past them.

Experienced yorkie mommies and daddies please help me!

[Sugar's Mom]

I am not a real experience yorkie mommy but I do understand where you are coming from altho I have no answers. Most days my baby will pee on his pad. other days he just goes anywhere especially since he was sick last week. He has never pooped on his pad. he poops in one or two spots mostly and like you, I clean it right up. I put his pads in those spots and he finds another spot. he runs like a streak of lightening when he has to poop and if ai say no, he poops behind the couch where I can't get him. Please do not be too hard on yourself. You know you were wrong in the spanking and yelling but you have accepted that and are trying to make up for it and do better. I bet even the experience people on here have at one time or other been as frustrated. Wish I could help with answers. Good luck.

[Honeychile]

Thank you Sugar's Mom. I just want to be the best mommy I can be!

I should also add... that when I came back home (after the 20 mins.) I let Maxi out of his crate. While I was preparing his food... he came in to sit by my feet, as usual.

I walked towards the living room with his food and noticed a fresh pee stain on the carpet. Even after the spank-scare event... he still peed on the carpet.

[Patti]

i have used the Jump Start pads from Petsmart even though they are expensive 28.00 for 50 and Cali has had very few accidents since she was 3 months old. I really think these pads work they are guaranteed to work. I would try that also free run of the house is probably not good until he is bettre trained. I have pads in both ends of the house. Cali to has had Kennel cough for 3 months! They can be so trying at times, Calis's main issue is she gets bitey and chews on anything wood! She has ruined many doors and also a hole in my carpet. But they do grow out of this and your baby will get housebroken. I know sometimes I don't know how to discipline Cali because I don't want to spank her but she doesn't listen. Try the pads see if that helps. Good luck

[MasonsMommy]

My little furbaby used to pee on my bed ONLY on my husbands feet..I finally made him stairs ...Mason is 1yr old and still doesnt always pee on his pads or poo for that matter. It can be very frustrating and I understand how you could get so upset. Please learn to just walk away when you get upset. Try and put your Maxi on a potty pad when he pees on the carpet or floor and tell him "Potty here Maxi" Try and stay positive with him and not let him see you upset
It will all be ok



Little dogs arent easy to Potty train

[wendybee]

hi
he is still a baby, that will have something to do with it, what i tried when rosie was being dirty was on the pee pad i sprayed this stuff that encourages them to use it, where he has already peed spray cheap perfume on it they will not pee there again, keep doing it where she pees but not near her pee pads eventually he will get the message, roise did but even now i dont let her upstairs without one of us as she would still pee in the bedrooms.
let us no how things go

[diva pup]

I do not have the answers for you but I wonder did you read up on yorkies before you bought one? Did you not read that they can be difficult to housetrain? My little girl is a year old and she still has accidents sometimes. The first thing I think they should tell prospective yorkie parents is they better have patience or find another breed. I am sorry to sound harsh and I am sure you have beaten yourself up about it but I cannot find any excuse for losing your temper like that with such a tiny baby. And if anyone wants to get mad at me, so be it.
But for petes sake,if he hadnt had his morning pee whos fault was it that you put him on your bed? He can't get down by himself, what did you expect? He is a puppy!!!
And as far as him cleaning up the stuff on your kitchen floor? He is a DOG, , they tend to be opportunistic. If there is something on the floor they WILL clean it up.Puppy proof your home, again that is YOUR job. HE doesn't know any better.

I hope you find the time to read up more on housebreaking and the dos and donts. There is tons of information on the net and what works for one of us may not fit your lifestyle. But frankly Patience is the first thing you need to learn. because IMO this isn't "along the lines of abuse" this is abuse.One month of cleaning up pee and poop is no excuse.

Sorry to be so abrasive but I had a really hard time with this one.

[YorkieShadow]

I can understand how potty training can get so frustrating . My Little Mickey was so hard to train, He would know it was wrong and still lift his leg while looking right at me and then run. I would always tell him bad and then stop take a few deep breaths then Take him back to the spot and tell him bad. and return him to the peepad, Telling him to go potty. Good luck I know some can be so hard to train, Just keep working with him.

[red98vett]

Yorkies need ALOT of patience - some will train easily while others train very slowely and sometimes not at all - I think you sound like a really nice person and can tell how bad you feel ...I hated reading that you hit him but can see that you really felt frustrated -

Please remember how small they are - you don't want to spank because aside from emotional devestation they feel - he could be hurt ...I hope next time you can walk away or count to Ten - anything so that doesn't happen again ..we're so much bigger than they are.... and they really don't deserve that. His medication could possibly be causing him to do this maybe ?

but they will respond to consistency and praise.

He's also still young right ? It's such an ongoing process for some - I was very glad to have tile in my house and not carpet when I was training my girls thats for sure - I know my youngest Cheri was hard to train but she DID finally at about 10 months old -

I'm no expert but this section of yorkietalk has lots of help dealing with training - Have you checked into the other threads by members here ? I would read all you can - maybe you can find a new way to help him learn

I Wish you the BEST OF LUCK with your little guy - and I would just remember - carpet can be replaced - he can't.... and he loves you.

[Shanatink]

I dont think any manual in the world or even a breeder can prepare a new yorkie owner for how hard it is to potty train a yorkie. I understand your frustration completely. I was never able to paper train chloe. I would follow her around for hours with the stupid paper, exactly like you described. I quickly gave up on that idea. I stuck diapers on chloe to save my carpet. It also helped me out a lot to potty train her. SHe know what "potty outside" means and she goes out in the backyard to do her business but still occasionally has accidents. But you might try diapers or belly bands. It can help with the training and keep you from wasting time following him around with paper and this will also keep you from getting so frustrated

[red98vett]

There you go !! Belly bands - lol - I totally forgot about them ...good post Shana -

[Shanatink]

Is there anyway you can bundle him up so he isnt cold but he can go outside to potty? I think some dogs just dont differentiate between paper and carpet. CHloe actually hated the paper and would NEVER go on it. BUt she was really quick to learn to potty outside. I meant to put that in my previous post. Maybe he will be really good about going outside.

[stinky]

I know exactly how you feel. I have not been blessed with the virtue of patience and sometimes I feel like I’m going to tear out my hair trying to train Ginger. The only thing that has kept me relatively calm in this process is the regretful feelings you’re having right now. Next time you get really frustrated think about how bad you felt the last time you “lost it” and try to stay calm. Over time I’ve prepared myself every day to find stuff on the carpet, because it seems like no matter now adamantly you train them, they will still have accidents. All you can do is stick to it and eventually he’ll pick it up,

I don’t know if this helped you any, but I’m hoping just knowing that there is someone (lot’s of people actually) who know your frustration, may offer you some comfort.

[YorkyKids]

Boy I am so sad over this incident that I can hardly type. The first advice I would give is the next time you put a puppy on your bed whom you KNOW needs to pee......GET A NEWSPAPER ROLL IT UP and bang yourself over the head several times!!!

Do anything but spank a puppy.....he is a puppy for gosh sakes.....puppies have accidents. He is probably mentally equal to a 8 months old human baby.....do we expect them to be potty trained?.....nope for some human babies it takes 2 or 3 years!! Why would we expect any more of a canine puppy....and a tiny one at that. Most Yorkies will be house broken with LOTS of patience and understanding. Please understand.....HE WILL NOT BE RELIABLE IN HIS HOUSE HABITS UNTIL ABOUT A YEAR OF AGE. Training a puppy is time consuming....If you cannot handle this....I respectfully suggest you find this baby another home. Either that or make up your mind that he will not "get" to you again......spanking can be extremely dangerous for his physical well being....not to mention his mental stability. Is getting this puppy a family affair....is he loved and played with by the whole family....or is he something only you desired to have....this sometimes makes a difference when the training is falling behind....you want him to be "perfect" in his house manners.....to keep peace "maybe?" Using harsh voice or spanking him will only make him afraid....he's KNOWS something is wrong....but he doesn't know what is wrong.....why? Because to pee and poo is a normal body process.....you drink....you pee....you eat....you poop....this is the natural way of things. <g> The best we can hope for is that as he matures he learns exactly what pleases YOU.....he will go to the ends of the earth for YOU....when he is mentally mature....until then....do not expect great feats from such a tiny animal....it just ain't gonna happen.

I would suggest you find a SAFE place for him to stay in your home....running around loose in the apartment is a BIG no no. You need to make his world smaller.....much smaller. Get a baby play pen or a puppy pen or an x-pen....put his bed, food, water, toys and PIDDLE PAPERS....in the pen. When you remove him from his crate.....put him in his safe place until he pees or poos....no exceptions! Then later give him access to say the kitchen....with a gate or something to keep him there. place his pads there.....then begin to let him play for short periods. Until he learns to use his piddle paper. Sleeping in your bed is a BIG no no.....until he is much older and has learned his house manners well. His world should be tiny tiny tiny....when he's learned his lessons...then you give him some freedom.....the better he is the more freedom you give him......but for gosh sakes....make his world PLEASANT at all times. Use "words" if you have to correct him......NEVER his name. When he hears his name it should be like music to his ears! If he makes a mess.....it is YOUR fault not his. Remember he's only doing what comes natural....again it's your job to teach him the proper manners....so just clean up his messes....do not ever punish him again for going potty.

BUT do give lots of love and praise and a treat for doing GOOD....make like it's the most wonderful thing in the world. He will soon get the idea....of what makes mommy HAPPY! Oh and do not associate human emotions to a dog....things are pretty simple to a dog.....he learns what makes his alpha pack member....his human happy by the response he gets....it is action verus reaction. When he makes you happy that's an action.....your happiness is a reaction....dogs know this "drill" very well and they respond to it....whether it happy or negative...they respond in kind....either with tail wagging happiness or great sadness and hurt with tail tucked and head down.....and the worst effect of punishment is "fear biting".....that's when it usually all over for a dog....when they become a BITING DOG.....well duh....what made them that way....the human who is charged with his care.

Well I know I'm rambling....but I felt the need to give you some insight into the dogs thinking. A dog is probably the world most unique animal....he is the eternal optimist.....he will lick the hand which is cruel to him time and time again! Don't ever forget that....gain his trust and do not ever let him down again....you will be rewarded over and over again. So don't let some a small matter as sloppy house manners get between you and your dog....okay? Enjoy him while he is a puppy.....you will not see these days again....as he matures he will change into a different personnality. I'm sorry if I have offended you....but I have had relationships with dogs for over 50 years....I have NEVER hit one yet. Be patient....be kind and your dog WILL reward you with his eternal love and devotion. But again....if you think you cannot handle this....please try to find him another home....I'm not trying to be mean...just honest!
d
PS...about the crumbs....well duh....he's a dog that's what dogs do....they will sniff every morsel of food available to them. <G>

[GucciMyGirl]

Don't beat yourself up..its a normal reaction it is very frustrating.. wait till you have children...lol But you should not hit him for he does not understand.First Maxi should not have full roam of your home you should keep him confined in area where he can sleep, eat and have a wee wee pad. When your home in the evenings then you can allow him a little more freedom.
Gucci is 17 mts and she still has accidents with number 2. She is trained in and outside. You need much patience for they can make you lose it. Try to get her on a feeding schedule , they usually go about 20 min. after they eat. Her potty habits will become rountine so try your best,

Gina