Mia's Training Traumas

[Mia's Mom]

Hi ,

Mia is my 14 month old yorkie. Sweet little thing. Here's her issues which are nothing unique but I am not sure how to handle and I think I am confusing her more than anything else.

Mia has potty issues. I have attempted to train her with the pee pads and I don't think I have done such good job. Her breeder tells me patience is essential, but mine is running short and that doesn't help either.

I just don't think she likes the pads. She is confined in the bathroom during the day where half of the floor is covered with 2 pads. She always goes off the pad. When she is not confined and we are home, she will always go back to the bathroom and pee but again not on the pad. She sleeps in her crate at night and although she does before bed and has no water in the crate, she will pee in the crate - which I am not sure is normal since I have heard they don't generally pee where they sleep. She even made pee on the 2 mats I bought her for the cage.

I have tried to reinforce positive behavior with treats and punish negative with a yell or a tap to the butt. I thought she would have improved but no luck. To make things worse, her new friend that is 14 weeks is going on the pad without fail and no accidents.

I feel like I am not doing a good job and could use any advice. Thanks and sorry for the long post.