First Time Dog Owner Frustrated and Angry.... ...not at my new 12 week Yorkie but at the countless people telling me an absurd amount of contradicting information about how to raise and train him. Sorry for the rant, but this is ridiculous. The breeder said to just leave food out all the time. But the housebreaking book I just got (Housebreaking in 7 Days, per the sticky here) says feed him 4 times a day per a strict schedule. So does a few blogs. But then another site says to deed him 3 times a day. And another says 2 times a day (yes itnsaid a Yorkie between 3-6 months should be fed twice a day. I'm going to ffollow the book's but my confidence in it isn't exactly great. I'm also reading places that housetraining is crucial during this time. But then I'm also told by the breeder and the vet that he shouldn't leave the house until his final booster is given and kicks in a month from now. I'm trying to doastroturf litterbox training (he won't stay put in there and it'ss been a nightmare) - but what if I wanted to do outdoors? I don't have a lawn. I live in an apartment on the 4th floor. I'm going out of my mind. This world of pet care is utter chaos. Where is the difinitive authority? Where is the Bible of pet care that every vet swears by? Why does everyone and every site give tips as if they were universally accepted practices without even mentioning the fact that others disagree? Sorry to bother everyone with this, I just had to get it out. |
I am a believer you have to do what works best for you I free feed all my dogs and it works for me. I had very good luck with the pee pads for training. And I would just restrict the area where the pee pads are the litter box is. Until they learn this is the proper place to potty. Running the whole house does not help you potty train. mine always potty after playing or waking from a nap Even when you free feed they pick a certain time they eat. At least mine do. And the best advice is to be consitstent and if you do potty training will be over before you know it. You both are just getting use to each others body language. Pretty soon your 12 week old pup will have you perfectly trained :) good luck and stay positive it will be well worht it |
Almost all of it usually works out okay generally except for those that really believe in punishing the dog for certain behaviors or feeding nothing but a diet of raw carrot sticks but as a responsible pet owner you have to listen to your breeder and vet, read and digest all that you can and determine what is going to work out best for you and your pup. All pet owners have gone through what you are going through. I was raised with dogs in the family and sort of went by what my parents did at first but soon found there were a variety of even smarter and better ways of doing things. So I read and read, watched every TV show on raising/training dogs I could and talked to everyone who would! So soak it all in but be guided by what you think makes the most sense for you and your pet. |
It is annoying sometimes. I don't think you'll find a definitive authority on every issue. In terms of training and socialization, I disagree with your breeder and vet and instead look to what the expert vets who are board certified veterinary behaviorists have to say about it. And they say that puppy socialization is best achieved at a time before puppies are fully vaccinated, under certain circumstances. Here is their position statement: http://www.avsabonline.org/avsabonli...ialization.pdf As for feeding, I have always fed on a schedule of twice a day -- three times when they were small puppies. They poop at the same times, every day, so that makes indoor pottying easier for us to manage (we use pads indoors). I have heard stories of dogs choking to death on kibble when their owners weren't home, and I'm a worrier so I wouldn't leave food out. It also would not work well in my multi-dog, household and doggie pack dynamic (one is a bully!). Good luck w/ your new pup! |
Don't give up....He should have you trained in no time... |
balderdashian! Deep breath....in.....out.....in......out! It will be fine! You read everything you can about raising these babies, and for the most part, you will get a consensus on most of the important things. Next, you have to use some educated guesstimations about what is going to work for you and your puppy and your schedule.....a very young baby, that is very small, can NOT go all day without eating but twice a day....even 3 times a day....you have to be sure that baby is getting "tanked up" every 2 hours, to prevent possible episodes of hypoglycemia....that is why some free feed.... larger puppies that can ingest larger amounts of food, can go longer between meals....potty training takes consistance, persistance, and patience.....no body curls up and dies if you dont get it exactly right....it may just take longer, thats all! Take them outside first thing in the morning, after you see them eat anything, when they get up from their naps, and at least every 2 hours in between! Give the command you choose, "potty, potty"..."TT", "TT"..."Poo-Poo", "Poo-Poo"....and I always have several treats in my hand....I use green beans....aand when they do what they are supposed to do, even if it is by accident, praise, praise, praise, kiss, kiss, kiss, squeal in delight and "good girl, good girl"...and give the green bean! Do this every single time you take her outside, especially when to potty! As far as taking them outside before the final booster is given, I would not be concerned if the baby was 12 weeks old and I had her in MY back yard....NO DOG PARKS, NO HIKING PATHS, NO LONG WALKS IN PUBLIC AREAS....but just in your own private yard where there is no exposure to other dogs.....and take it easy...we have all been where you are! That baby will be fine and so will you! |
Do what works best for you. I feed my yorkues puppies 3 times a day as puppies til 6 months then cut it to 2 times. Around that time the would not eat all 3 meals anyway. They also got snacks throughout out the day as potty training rewards. Mine are outdoor pottyers from the start. No pee pads for me. Only in my yard though til after they were full vaccinated. I did not let them walk to public places til after they go all their shots. If it took the with me before they had their shots it was in my arms, their bag, or stroller. No one was allowed to touch them in public til after they got their shots. I told people "No you can't pet her". I even put a sign on the stroller that said "Look all you want but don't even think if touching me. My mom is super protective of me and will yell at you"- It worked. |
It will all sort out...you have to do what works for you. Having a puppy is a challenge in itself. I wish you all the best. |
OMG, I know EXACTLY how you feel. And, every time you try something and it doesn't work, you feel like crap because YOU screwed up. I have had my 7 mo. old Yorkie for 3 weeks now and it has not been easy. I THOUGHT she was getting the pee pads, but 2 days ago she regressed to peeing all over the floor in the kitchen. DO NOT LET YOUR DOG HAVE THE RUN OF YOUR HOUSE. I did for the first few days and totally screwed up any potty training she had. Today, she pooped in the exercise pen that I keep her in and then proceeded to walk in it. It was everywhere. And don't let anyone tell you they won't poop where they sleep or eat, they DO. I love the people who tell you to take the dog out every 2 hours. Well, guess what, I WORK. I can't do that. I am killing myself trying to get some kind of freakin "schedule" so that I have some sanity with this dog. Now that it is warmer, I am going to try and get her to potty outside. The problem is, she now won't even pee outside. She holds it till she gets back inside and proceeds to pee on the floor, unless I lock her in the exercise pen. Which she then goes nuts. I try and walk her 3 x a day for at least 1/2 hour each time. You would think that would be enough exercise, but NO. I feel like I am doing everything wrong and she is just getting worse and worse. Then she will do something so cute and all the frustration just melts away. I am looking into some private training classes. Mostly for ME. Anyway, I will tell you what everyone has been telling me: Hang in there, it gets better. |
Sorry all for the typos. I did all that on my phone, and it looks like there's no edit here for new thread posts! :eek: |
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Just take what information that works best for you and your little man. I do have to agree not taking him out till he's had his shots though. |
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Another issue, we were under the impression that he'd be in his gated off area except at night. We got this play gate: Amazon.com: North States Superyard 3 in 1 Wood... ...which my wife said was recommended somewhere (here I think). We learned in about 30 seconds that he squeezes right through it (it was really cute)! The next day I bought some wire mesh to make it work but it took me all day to get it ready. We have hardwood floors and just wanted him to be happy and unstressed and like his new home, so we let him run around (supervised) that entire day. We were led to believe that we could tell when he's about to go and just pick him up and put him on a pee pad or the litterbox. Not true. He was sniffing the ground all day so there was no telling he was gonna pee until he did, and he'd occasionally run behind something and poop really quickly. It was nuts. But it was easy to clean so we just laughed like it was no big deal. Little did I know it caused housbreaking setbacks. I spent two days trying to get him to go in the astroturf box or outside. He won't go either so far. It wasn't until today when I bought the ebook that I see he must be trained for the litter box OR outside - not both (that's a bummer, I want him to use either which is what bought the box with the fake grass for). Just chuggin along and following the schedule now. He didn't eat or potty last time out of the crate and now I'm worried he could have an accident in it. I'm supposed to let him out at 5 (Pacific). It's like, do I break the schedule and let him out early, or wait the remaining 2 hours? The book says to not deviate from the schedule. But it also says if he goes in the crate it's a major setback. Oh, what to do! **facepalm** |
Training Listen to your vet. We got a new Yorkie-poo. There is something called Parvo. It is a disease in animals. It can kill your dog if you put him on the ground outside before he gets all his shots. Try the puppy pads. You can find them at Walmart or other stores. You can get the plastic tray to put them in. Go on line and find Crate training. Our puppy was completely trained with very few accidents in two weeks. Good Luck and happy puppy training. |
Hey i got my baby in december,and owning a yorkie is a whole diff world then owning a bigger dog fr my experience so far. it is hard to know what the right answers are, i think whats right is what works for you. I'm not as experienced as alot of people here, but heres what i learned so far, don't let him around other dogs until hes had all his shots, you said alot of dogs walk by where you live, so don't let him out there either until he's had all his shots, he could catch parvo(very dangerous), my baby found it too cold to let out all winter so she'd just go out on the deck for the first while, i suggest getting your balcony secured and letting him out there for some fresh air, maybe even take him for a walk in your arms for some fresh air,thats what i did with my baby for the first bit,too much snow for her.Oh and dont let too many people touch her until shes had all her shots. Potty training this is what i've learned so far... If you don't clean up where they've peed or pooped extremely well, if they even get a little sniff that they pottied there...they will do it again. they will have accidents the first while, you need to praise them so so so much anytime you seem them go on a potty pad and give them treats,if you see them sniffing around fast circling sniffing(it took a little bit of watching them to see the difference between just sniffing around and sniffing to pee or poo, it takes a bit to get to know your babys habits,as u get to know him more u will also begin to see his habits of the times he pees and poos for example after drinking or eating of after naps etc, they pee and poo ALOT at first because they're still young and have a small bladder, they will slowly begin to pee less as they get older thier bladder gets bigger and they have the ability to hold it longer) put them on the potty pad however if you don't cath them in time NEVER pick them up while they're crouched down ready to potty and never never get mad at them for not pottying on thier pad, they will then think pottyings a bad thing and try to hide it from you and poo or pee in places you can't see.I let my baby have free roam of the basement,now that shes finally gotten the hang of using ptty pads and rarley has accidents she has free roam of the whole house, this works for me but i hear crating is also good too. now that she has the potty pads down were starting outside training now that the snows melting(shes about 21 weeks now). My vet said with these little guys its good to free feed them at first, now were switching to feeding her 3-4 times a day because she is a bit overweight, but i have heard so many problems with young yorkies i just thought i'd free feed her to keep her healthy, not sure if i did the right thing but shes as healthy as can be, so i guess it worked.but i would deff feed a baby yorkie more than 2 times a day, they are growing and fragile little things,i'd want it to be as healthy as can be!,i played fetch inside with my little one to make sure she got lots of exercise due to her not being able to play in the snow, i chase her around with favourite toy pretending i'm trying to get it from her, keeps her healthy.i give her baby carrots and apple slices very tiny pieces,she loves these.anyways just thought i'd share my experience so far...everyone will raise thier baby differently , you need to learn your babys personality, consider your lifestyle and figure out what works for you!..everything you will read will have conflicting information, i would read it all and figure out whats going to work for you, thats what i did, i read alot here on yt, and found my own way to raise my yorkie from bits and pieces of everyones info, oh and praise praise praise!!!these little guys need alot of praise for potty training,put on your happiest high voice when u see him go potty on the pee pad!!(everytime mine dose i go "YAYYY MEESHA!!!GOOD GIRL" clap my hand and she comes running over so proud of herself,you need to praise them for pottying on the pad..these little ones are sooo much harder to potty train..don't get frustrated though your dog will sense that, don't stress and just enjoy your baby while they;re still a baby, get lots of pics too! they grow up so fast!!:)goodluck with your new baby!:) |
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