6 month old female teacup yorkie stopped using potty pads all of a sudden - HELP!!!
 

I have a 2.2 lb 6 month old female teacup Yorkie named Yves. Yves has been using the same potty pads since I got her at 9 weeks old. She caught on immediately and only had a few accidents. She has been accident free for about 3.5 months and all of a sudden she just stopped using the pads and go wherever she pleases. She has a nice size play pen in which her bed is on one side and potty pad on the other. Before now she was only in the play pen while I'm at work (I work across the street and come home to see her often). She gets tons of attention from me and I love her very much but WHAT HAPPENED?? I took her to the groomer to be groomed (she has been there 3 times) and she was there just about all day on Saturday while I went shopping. She got a new close haircut which I love. I brought her home and it started from that minute on. As soon as she got home she pooped on the floor. In the past, no matter where she was in my apartment, she would run back to the pad when she needed to potty. Now she plops down wherever she is and relieves herself. I live in a tall high rise and I never take her outside to potty but had no problems with the pad. Her mom and dad are 2 lbs so she will never outgrow the pad. Sorry to be so lengthy but I wanted to give you all details hoping you could offer advice. Oh BTW she is not fixed. Thanks in advance for any guidance. Desperate and frustrated but I won't give up on my little girl.

Hi and Welcome to YT!

First of all, I'd take her to the vet to check for a UTI. Or she could have a sensitivity issue with something the groomer used on her... try bathing her and rinse well to remove any residues. She may be hormonal... Once medical issues are resolved/ruled out, you may need to start over and keep her confined until she's retrained... or recalls her early training.

From my experience there are events that can throw them off their training. It could be her time at the groomer was upsetting for some reason. I don't like the idea of leaving my dog at the groomers for hours at a time. They are usually kept in small cages and they are not let out to potty. It is also a good idea to have a dog checked out by the vet whenever something this dramatic happens.

My Gracie also was easily pad trained. During her first year there were a couple of times she just suddenly started peeing next to the pad instead of on it. It was always when there was a change in things in the home. One time it was when my daughter moved back home. I just had to start watching her very closely like starting training all over again. I would give her a treat every time she got it right. It was only a matter of days that she was back to using the pad regularly again. One time I also went out and bought a liquid house breaking aid to put on the pad. They help to attract the dog to pee on that spot. I know the pads are supposed to already have the scent on them but I figured that you can't always trust these pet product companies so maybe a fresh attractant would help. I also make sure the frame that I keep the pads in was cleaned after every pad change. Some dogs will avoid a dirty potty area.