8 week old puppy crate training - YorkieTalk.com Forums

LoriML · 12-05-2013, 07:31 AM

Hi all. I'm new to the forum, so tia for the help!
I just got a yorkie puppy about 2 weeks ago. He was weaned early due to his mom having complications and being spayed. He was 6 weeks then, 8 now. I wouldn't normally have gotten a puppy so young but he was already taken from mama anyway so I took on the challenge

My question is about crate training such a young yorkie. I've been working with crating him at night and during naps during the day. He started out well, not minding it much, only whining when he woke up to go potty. But it seems like every day he's hating more and more, and will only sleep in it if he's almost completely asleep prior to going in. If not, he whines, barks, and cries to get out, especially at night. I don't have a pee pad in there, since I don't want him peeing in there (altough he will have accidents sometimes), but I do give him some treats and meals in there sometimes. When he wakes I take him immediately outside to potty, or if there is snow (2 storms in 2 weeks here) I will put him on a pee pad. I really have a hard time with him in the middle of the night over the past couple nights with crying and wanting out of the crate. I want to be consistent, but also worry that he's just too young and maybe I need to back off of the crate while so young. Thought? Thanks!!

MauiGirl · 12-05-2013, 01:50 PM

Welcome to Yorkie Talk.

You are right about him being too young, Yorkie pups should stay with their mom until 12 weeks.

In my opinion, 8 weeks is too young for crate training. Can you set up an ex-pen and put pee-pads, plus his food and water in there, and put the crate in too? That way he'd get used to the crate, but have a little more freedom, leaving the crate door open.

Pups also should not have their feet on the ground outside until all puppy shots are given, or even a couple weeks after that. This is usually around 16 weeks. They can easily get parvo before that. Gotta protect these little ones.

AngelFae · 12-05-2013, 05:11 PM

An 8 week old can absolutely be crate trained. Yes, you need to be more aware because he is so young, but it's doable. As you said, consistancy is key. Yes, he is probably lonely in there and trying to see what he can get away with and will try to get you to let him out. Make him feel secure in there for bedtimes- give him a lovey to snuggle with and a blanket or shirt that smells like you. Keep his kennel in your room and reassure him that you are there but don't let him out other than to potty (no play time!) a firm "no" isn't going to harm him either. Once he understands that YOU are the boss, not him, and that you aren't going to let him out just because he whines or cries, he WILL settle down and everyone will be happier.

pstinard · 12-06-2013, 03:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AngelFae

An 8 week old can absolutely be crate trained. Yes, you need to be more aware because he is so young, but it's doable. As you said, consistancy is key. Yes, he is probably lonely in there and trying to see what he can get away with and will try to get you to let him out. Make him feel secure in there for bedtimes- give him a lovey to snuggle with and a blanket or shirt that smells like you. Keep his kennel in your room and reassure him that you are there but don't let him out other than to potty (no play time!) a firm "no" isn't going to harm him either. Once he understands that YOU are the boss, not him, and that you aren't going to let him out just because he whines or cries, he WILL settle down and everyone will be happier.

Absolutely! I agree with everything said above. We crate trained Bella at 8 weeks with no problems. We always kept the crate in the same room with us, and made it comfortable with soft blankets and a snuggly toy. We allowed Bella about 15 minutes of play time with us after she pottied before putting her back in the crate.

LoriML · 12-07-2013, 04:38 PM

Ok thank you so much! Last night he did better. We were up a little later so he didn't go to bed for the evening until 11pm and he slept until 6:30! A total win in my book. Hopefully every night gets a little better.

Also he only goes out at my house right by my front door for about 1 minute (he's super good at pottying outside, he just doesn't hold his bladder inside the house yet). I don't ever take him out anywhere other than that. He just doesn't respond to potty pads like going outside. He's had his first set of shots, so I'm trying to be very careful until he's after all shots. I have 4 acres with and a couple far off neighbors so I think we're ok. We don't live in a city and he's not out of my sight a second. We're working on pottying with a leash. Not to get him to come, but so no owls or hawks or such things get any bright ideas!

Thanks again for the responses!!

AngelFae · 12-08-2013, 09:47 AM

Glad to hear that things are getting better!

JWisewoman64 · 12-08-2013, 01:34 PM

We discovered the Potty Training Puppy Apartment. Modern Puppies - Potty Training a Puppy Here is a video showing the apartment and some training tips. {if you have a crate with a side door, you can simply cute out a door in the divider} I don't have to wake up to take my Bernard out at night... I can sleep in a bit in the morning... I LOVE it!

Rainbows · 12-09-2013, 04:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JWisewoman64

We discovered the Potty Training Puppy Apartment. Modern Puppies - Potty Training a Puppy Here is a video showing the apartment and some training tips. {if you have a crate with a side door, you can simply cute out a door in the divider} I don't have to wake up to take my Bernard out at night... I can sleep in a bit in the morning... I LOVE it!

Yeah, those are great! If you can't get a hold of one, get 2 of the same size crates and remove the doors and push the two crates together on each side, basically the same effect but with a bit more wiggle room for the pup and less expensive. Or use a bigger pen with a bed on one side and potty tray on the far end of the other side but not like a big playpen, more like a whelping pen. Another thing that works, some people I know have done but not me personally, is if you are training them to go outside get a small vial of fox pee or deer urine like the kind hunter's use, can be found like at walmart. Spray it in a spot in the yard you want them to go and they will continue to go there to mark territory and it will become their pee/poop spot if all else fails. Pretty much all dogs can go on a potty pad, its about the method you're using. Better though to choose one or the other, when trying to do both pee pad + outside it confuses the dog and makes training way more difficult so best to choose one and stick with it.

Rainbows · 12-09-2013, 04:08 AM

Sorry, tried to edit my last post but couldn't. I was going to add, a set up like this gives more room than traditional crates and potty trains at the same time. I use a similar set up with my girl and its been peachy.

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LoriML · 12-13-2013, 09:43 PM

That's an idea I haven't tried but will definitely look at! Over the last couples nights he's had us up going potty every 1.5-2 hours and goes potty fine, but when he goes back into the crate he's getting more upset. He's discovered he can bark incessantly for quite some time, which is not fun for anyone in the house.
I also bring him to work with me (I work a day or two a week at my husbands office for a only a few hours) but it's on the second floor and with only 1 set of shots, I can't bring him out to potty, and he's petty much decided he refuses to use the potty pads there.
I'm afraid of giving in to him, but I've also heard so much about little dogs getting separation anxiety, so I'm trying to figure out where the line needs to be drawn. The last dog I crate trained was an enormous german shepherd and he was a piece of cake. This little guy is very different

Jonas · 12-19-2013, 09:44 PM

I think you can provide crate training to your 8-weeks old puppy, but take help a professional. I have a Yorkie, and he too hates the crate the most when he was young, and it was tough for me to take care of his comfort every time. So, I hired Cali K9 SF for puppy training and now, my puppy obeys all my orders and behaves properly.

lisa89 · 02-07-2014, 11:38 AM

Tonight will be night 7 with our new Yorkie. She is 3 mos. We want to start by doing the right things & I feel we have failed already 7 days in....is there hope for us ? lol

We are crate training but it's a closed (travel) kennel. Wondering if we need a wire one if that would make things better or not?? She did ok in the kennel the first 5 nights, but last night was horrible. The crying/whining & full blown barking kept us up for 2 hours! (the most she cried was 30 mins or so before I caved & tried something else with her) She has not napped in her kennel until right now. I'm home most of the time so only use the kennel when I leave for a couple of hours and at night.

I put a warm water bottle in there (probably not doing a thing!) and just let her cry it out. I am on a different level of the house right now & it's quiet...after about 20 mins of crying. If I get better at daytime naps, will that help with nighttime? And I HATE forcing her to go in there so I do throw some food in there & all her toys are in there & then I shut the door. I am going to get her a KONG toy on my next shopping trip.

pstinard · 02-07-2014, 03:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lisa89

Tonight will be night 7 with our new Yorkie. She is 3 mos. We want to start by doing the right things & I feel we have failed already 7 days in....is there hope for us ? lol

We are crate training but it's a closed (travel) kennel. Wondering if we need a wire one if that would make things better or not?? She did ok in the kennel the first 5 nights, but last night was horrible. The crying/whining & full blown barking kept us up for 2 hours! (the most she cried was 30 mins or so before I caved & tried something else with her) She has not napped in her kennel until right now. I'm home most of the time so only use the kennel when I leave for a couple of hours and at night.

I put a warm water bottle in there (probably not doing a thing!) and just let her cry it out. I am on a different level of the house right now & it's quiet...after about 20 mins of crying. If I get better at daytime naps, will that help with nighttime? And I HATE forcing her to go in there so I do throw some food in there & all her toys are in there & then I shut the door. I am going to get her a KONG toy on my next shopping trip.

We use a covered travel crate, the smallest one that Bella can comfortably sleep and turn around in. We put a soft baby blanket on the bottom for her to lie on, and put in one stuffed animal. You might also consider putting in a t-shirt or some other article with your body scent on it--that might make her feel more secure. We also use the crate only at night and when we are away from home for a couple of hours. Make the crate seem like a safe and secure place for her to be. Get her used to it, and put in a treat, and praise her when she goes in on her own.

12-05-2013, 07:31 AM	#1
LoriML Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: New Mexico Posts: 42	8 week old puppy crate training Hi all. I'm new to the forum, so tia for the help! I just got a yorkie puppy about 2 weeks ago. He was weaned early due to his mom having complications and being spayed. He was 6 weeks then, 8 now. I wouldn't normally have gotten a puppy so young but he was already taken from mama anyway so I took on the challenge My question is about crate training such a young yorkie. I've been working with crating him at night and during naps during the day. He started out well, not minding it much, only whining when he woke up to go potty. But it seems like every day he's hating more and more, and will only sleep in it if he's almost completely asleep prior to going in. If not, he whines, barks, and cries to get out, especially at night. I don't have a pee pad in there, since I don't want him peeing in there (altough he will have accidents sometimes), but I do give him some treats and meals in there sometimes. When he wakes I take him immediately outside to potty, or if there is snow (2 storms in 2 weeks here) I will put him on a pee pad. I really have a hard time with him in the middle of the night over the past couple nights with crying and wanting out of the crate. I want to be consistent, but also worry that he's just too young and maybe I need to back off of the crate while so young. Thought? Thanks!!

12-05-2013, 01:50 PM	#2
MauiGirl Donating YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Maui, Hawaii Posts: 7,740	Welcome to Yorkie Talk. You are right about him being too young, Yorkie pups should stay with their mom until 12 weeks. In my opinion, 8 weeks is too young for crate training. Can you set up an ex-pen and put pee-pads, plus his food and water in there, and put the crate in too? That way he'd get used to the crate, but have a little more freedom, leaving the crate door open. Pups also should not have their feet on the ground outside until all puppy shots are given, or even a couple weeks after that. This is usually around 16 weeks. They can easily get parvo before that. Gotta protect these little ones. __________________ SANDY, MOM TO TIKI , KAYLA , KARLEE , R.I.P. MEIKA

12-05-2013, 05:11 PM	#3
AngelFae YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: MN, USA Posts: 780	An 8 week old can absolutely be crate trained. Yes, you need to be more aware because he is so young, but it's doable. As you said, consistancy is key. Yes, he is probably lonely in there and trying to see what he can get away with and will try to get you to let him out. Make him feel secure in there for bedtimes- give him a lovey to snuggle with and a blanket or shirt that smells like you. Keep his kennel in your room and reassure him that you are there but don't let him out other than to potty (no play time!) a firm "no" isn't going to harm him either. Once he understands that YOU are the boss, not him, and that you aren't going to let him out just because he whines or cries, he WILL settle down and everyone will be happier. __________________ Amanda

12-08-2013, 01:34 PM	#7
JWisewoman64 Yorkie Talker Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Middletown, IN Posts: 10	Ptpa We discovered the Potty Training Puppy Apartment. Modern Puppies - Potty Training a Puppy Here is a video showing the apartment and some training tips. {if you have a crate with a side door, you can simply cute out a door in the divider} I don't have to wake up to take my Bernard out at night... I can sleep in a bit in the morning... I LOVE it!

12-07-2013, 04:38 PM	#5
LoriML Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: New Mexico Posts: 42	Ok thank you so much! Last night he did better. We were up a little later so he didn't go to bed for the evening until 11pm and he slept until 6:30! A total win in my book. Hopefully every night gets a little better. Also he only goes out at my house right by my front door for about 1 minute (he's super good at pottying outside, he just doesn't hold his bladder inside the house yet). I don't ever take him out anywhere other than that. He just doesn't respond to potty pads like going outside. He's had his first set of shots, so I'm trying to be very careful until he's after all shots. I have 4 acres with and a couple far off neighbors so I think we're ok. We don't live in a city and he's not out of my sight a second. We're working on pottying with a leash. Not to get him to come, but so no owls or hawks or such things get any bright ideas! Thanks again for the responses!!

12-08-2013, 09:47 AM	#6
AngelFae YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: MN, USA Posts: 780	Glad to hear that things are getting better!

12-13-2013, 09:43 PM	#10
LoriML Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: New Mexico Posts: 42	That's an idea I haven't tried but will definitely look at! Over the last couples nights he's had us up going potty every 1.5-2 hours and goes potty fine, but when he goes back into the crate he's getting more upset. He's discovered he can bark incessantly for quite some time, which is not fun for anyone in the house. I also bring him to work with me (I work a day or two a week at my husbands office for a only a few hours) but it's on the second floor and with only 1 set of shots, I can't bring him out to potty, and he's petty much decided he refuses to use the potty pads there. I'm afraid of giving in to him, but I've also heard so much about little dogs getting separation anxiety, so I'm trying to figure out where the line needs to be drawn. The last dog I crate trained was an enormous german shepherd and he was a piece of cake. This little guy is very different

12-19-2013, 09:44 PM	#11
Jonas YorkieTalk Newbie! Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: 1488 Lombard St San Francisco CA Posts: 1	I think you can provide crate training to your 8-weeks old puppy, but take help a professional. I have a Yorkie, and he too hates the crate the most when he was young, and it was tough for me to take care of his comfort every time. So, I hired Cali K9 SF for puppy training and now, my puppy obeys all my orders and behaves properly.

02-07-2014, 11:38 AM	#12
lisa89 YorkieTalk Newbie! Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: MN Posts: 7	Tonight will be night 7 with our new Yorkie. She is 3 mos. We want to start by doing the right things & I feel we have failed already 7 days in....is there hope for us ? lol We are crate training but it's a closed (travel) kennel. Wondering if we need a wire one if that would make things better or not?? She did ok in the kennel the first 5 nights, but last night was horrible. The crying/whining & full blown barking kept us up for 2 hours! (the most she cried was 30 mins or so before I caved & tried something else with her) She has not napped in her kennel until right now. I'm home most of the time so only use the kennel when I leave for a couple of hours and at night. I put a warm water bottle in there (probably not doing a thing!) and just let her cry it out. I am on a different level of the house right now & it's quiet...after about 20 mins of crying. If I get better at daytime naps, will that help with nighttime? And I HATE forcing her to go in there so I do throw some food in there & all her toys are in there & then I shut the door. I am going to get her a KONG toy on my next shopping trip.