I give up. Outdoor potty training frustration. - YorkieTalk.com Forums

LucyGoosey · 10-11-2014, 12:41 PM

I don't know what to do. My 8-week old Lucy only occasionally pees outside; after several hours of being in the crate, I'll take her outside (or even first thing in the morning) and all she does is sniff around the grass, play a little and lay down. Then, as soon as we get inside and I don't have my eye on her 100%, she poops and/or pees wherever.

Nothing seems to work. It seems like my ONLY options at this point are to let her eat/drink, crate her for some time(??), go outside, crate her, let her eat, go outside, etc. So she does literally nothing but eat/drink, go outside for her doggie business (if she ever is willing to potty outside), and hang out in the crate.

Perhaps 8 weeks is too young for this and I should just be satisfied if she makes it on the puppy pad?

I just don't know what to do. Almost all my free time while I'm not at work is devoted to her, and I'm fine with that, but I'm getting hardly any sleep and as soon as she pees/poops inside, I feel like I'm back to square one; once she's already gone, I can't punish her, and going outside won't do any good because, well, she's already gone poo (or pee).

So I dunno. I'm open to suggestions, otherwise I may just say F it and cover my apartment with pads and call it a day. After all, I clean up people poo all day at work, so why not continue when I get home, eh?

Lovetodream88 · 10-11-2014, 08:18 PM

At 8 weeks she should still be with her mom and breeder. So yes she's pretty young and it's going to take awhile to teach her. Using pads and outside is going to confuse her so just pick one. Remember though her bladder is small and she cannot hold it long.

Britster · 10-11-2014, 09:35 PM

Wow, yeah, expecting way too much at 8 weeks old lol. She's a baby! Some Yorkies aren't fully potty trained until 6 months - one year old.

I promise you the worst will be over soon. I remember Jackson as a pup and having to be on that strict routine schedule was difficult. But stick with it. Don't leave room for failure. If she went outside and didn't potty, she's back in the crate or tethered to you at all times. Just keep trying.

I remember just trying to not even let Jackson fail. If I knew he was likely going to have to poop or pee, he was leashed to me, or in his crate until he went. After he went he would get his free fun time. And after every outdoor potty, praise praise and treats!! I remember finally letting my guard down, texting on my phone or something small, and that's when I'd look up and see him peeing. ARGHH, it was frustrating. But Jackson was 90% potty trained by 5 months old. It just took patience and consistency with our schedule. He's 6 now but has had complete free roam of the house since 9 or 10 months old and always been well behaved, so you'll get there.

Maximo · 10-12-2014, 08:15 AM

Hang in there.

I agree, at 8 weeks, keep your expectations for potty training low.

For a Yorkie puppy at 8 weeks, I wouldn't expect the puppy to hold it more than 2 hours during the day. Since you live in an apartment and you work, I would recommend an xpen with piddle pads.

My boys do both piddle pads and outdoors. They have a piddle pad available at all times, but we try to go out as much as possible, especially for poops.

Whatever you decide, I agree with Taylor that you have to be consistent. You can change methods as they mature, but stick to one at a time and don't change frenetically. 8 weeks is too early for crate training, I think. I'm not as familiar with crate training methods.

The keys do potty training are:
1) limit freedom/roaming room
2) give ample opportunity to potty, including when the pup first wakes, after meals, after playtime or anything that causes excitement, and many times in between
3) praise happily when the pup gets it right
4) don't get angry when the pup gets it wrong
5) clean accident spots with an enzyme cleaner to remove the scent that may attract the pup to return to the spot and consider a place to potty

Here is my blog about how I potty trained: Potty Training Small Dogs - Dog Life and Style

Bos · 10-12-2014, 06:48 PM

When you take her out and she doesn't pee, put the divider in the crate, only big enough for her to turn around and sit, turn around and sit. Then wait a couple minutes and take her back out. Give her lots of praise for peeing outside. If you're inside, keep her on a leash that's attached to you, no longer than about 10 feet. Keep her in line of sight and as soon as she looks like she's going to pee take her out. You might have to make a loud noise to stop her from peeing before you take her out. That's what worked for me.

You're right, it was very time consuming. I work a lot of hours and all my other time was devoted to potty training. It was exhausting. Also, I agree with the other poster that mentioned when you should be clued in to taking her out. My pup would stop playing with his toys and start sniffing around. That's when I knew to take him outside.

Bos took longer than all my other dogs to potty train. Now he only poops in the house if he has diarrhea, and that's because I leave him out at night and he wakes up and goes to poop by his crate when his tummy starts bubbling.

TiffanyandTeddy · 10-12-2014, 06:57 PM

I think at 8 weeks to start potty training and expecting it to be done asap isn't very fair. Since bringing Teddy home at 9 & 1/2 weeks old he's been strictly pad trained, he'll be 12 weeks on the 15th and he is still only being pad trained. I don't want to expose him to outside until he gets all his shots as a lot of dogs run wild in my neighborhood and some of them don't have any vet care. I think buying yourself an xpen could be a priority so she has her own area to roam around and also has pads available to use when she has to pee and poo. Teddy has one and it's been very helpful to have. Consistency is key and you will need to put her on some type of schedule as mentioned above, first thing in the morning take her out, feed at a certain time, take her out, after naps and playtime take her out, ect.

kay miller · 10-12-2014, 09:07 PM

Potty training is tough, Bailey is almost seven months this is what worked for me. I use a crate at night take him out first thing in the morning. I have baby gate's up to confine him to one room. When I'm busy I put him in a ex pen. When I take him outside I tell him "go potty" then praise him when he goes. Sense winter's coming I'm going to hang a bell on the door and teach him to use that as well. He has only had one accident sense.( I got up in the morning and went to potty myself first) he didn't wait for his turn. Lol oh and I should tell you I don't work.

SirTeddykins · 10-14-2014, 01:25 AM

I think you are just now beginning to understand some of the frustration and challenges which arise as a result of working full time and having a puppy.

I think it would be wise to give the puppy some more time and compassion. As someone above mentioned, a lot of dogs do not become fully housetrained until they are at least a year old and some argue that Yorkies never train at all (although, this has never been my experience).

Perhaps the schedule you have arranged for your puppys training needs amended in addition to your expectations?

8 wks is very tiny and really, although the basic concept of training can be implemented at this age, focusing on bonding with the puppy should also be a priority.

I found that bonding was lacking with my puppy, due to my working, which I have just started to make up for a year into his life. He was housetrained in 2 weeks as a puppy but socialization etc has been an issue.

More time with him, whether it be from you or someone you elect to act on your behalf whilst you're out, will be immensely beneficial for this puppy, I think?

breggy · 10-14-2014, 04:05 AM

I'd start with indoor pad training. I got Maui at 8 weeks too. He went every two hours. I listened to advice on here about crate training them at the same time, and only letting them out to go potty. This means even during the night time. After Maui woke up, I'd place him on his pad, waited for him to pee or poop, won't let him off until he went, praised him right afterwards, then a little play time, and back to the crate. This was the routine for the first month or so. It worked. He's 6 months now and completely pad trained and crate trained.

Kimbieann · 10-14-2014, 12:34 PM

Be patient. I still have accidents at 5 months old and I got my puppy at either 8 or 9 weeks and she was paper trained by the breeder. I hated the paper training and switched her to an indoor potty system. She still tends to go where she is not supposed to for me when she is upset with me about something. She is getting much better. But I am constantly on alert for her to have an accident in the home. Also I am gone 9 hours for work 5 days a week and my puppy has adjusted just fine and is not traumatized or unsocialized.

I can take my puppy outside or go inside. I mostly trained her for inside pottying and I get really excited when she goes outside but she loves to sniff around and try to eat leaves, rocks, grass etc. eventually she will go but it can be a long wait so she mostly goes indoor. I have a Ugodog Potty (two of them) LOVE THEM. One I leave in her excercise pen where she sleeps at night and stays during the day, the other is out in the room we have confined her in. (This would be the living room with my husband and I.) I had to get creative to keep her in the living room with us with baby gates and chairs etc. It turned out the best thing for us is to put her 2nd Ugodog Potty in a doggie play pen that we also used to block her in with us. That way she just runs in the playpen and does her business on the potty. You will get used to knowing or sensing when they have to go. I seem to know the signs and either put her in her excercise pen or the play pen where the potty's are until she goes. You have to wait them out sometimes. But I would rather she not pee or poo on the carpets.

I just now gave her more freedom friday night. She now has the entire downstairs with the exception of the stairs down to the front door and the stairs to the upper levels. But only when we are home with her. So she can run from the kitchen through the dining room into the living room but that is after I first get home and make sure she potty's so I confine her until she goes. She seems to go to her playpen which I no longer block from other rooms and she will go potty in that on her indoor potty. She has the occasional accident though. I think its normal since she is still a baby. But she is MUCH better.

You will just have to watch your Yorkie like a hawk and you will get used to their behaviors which will tell you your puppy has to go potty. I just know she does #1 and #2 when I first get up with her so she does NOT go out of the kitchen until her business is done. Then she goes #2 once during the day while I am at work and then she goes again a 3rd time at 7-7:30pm. She pees way more though but its normally every 2-3 hours, can be more if she drinks more. As soon as she gets up or you come home from work she will need to go. Then its around 2 to 3 hours for me when my puppy pees. You will start to learn their potty times.

I had to keep telling myself and my hubby to be patient she is a baby still and kept to a strict routine. I praise her everytime she does #1 or #2 on her indoor potty's and give a treat every time. My hubby and I make a HUGE deal with her when she goes potty where she is supposed too.

She loves the extra attention. lol

Sillydawg · 10-20-2014, 01:38 PM

Your Yorkie is still quite young but have you considered a Pack 'N Piddle? It's a portable, collapsible, light-weight and water-proof dog potty that accommodates potty pads. You train them to go in one designated spot and if they miss their mark, it's water-proof. There's even a door for training! It's a much better option than having potty pads all over your home. It's great for condo and apartment living and travel too! It's not meant to replace walking your dog but sure comes in handy when you can't take them out, especially in the rain or snow!

Verbena · 10-21-2014, 03:46 AM

I agree with everyone. He is a little too young to be potty trained. . You have to remember they are so much smaller.

LucyGoosey · 10-29-2014, 01:03 AM

I appreciate all the responses!

I only haven't responded back since every time I write something, I get the message that a moderator needs to approve it before it gets posted and I never know how long that's gonna take.

Anyway, for everyone saying she's too young for potty training and supposedly can only hold her business for a couple hours, this is untrue. My friend, who has raised more than a few small dogs and who I've been leaving her with when I go to work, got her sleeping in her kennel all night (~6-7 hours) with no accidents. When she's with me, she sleeps in my bed and while I have a puppy pad on the corner of my bed, she usually doesn't use it or need it so long as we go out first thing in the morning (afternoon) when I sense she is becoming restless.

I dunno. We have our good days, better days, and frustrating days. You guys are right in one thing for sure though; I need to remember she's just a tiny puppy and not lose my patience with her. It's tough trying to get her housebroken, socialized, and not biting all at the same time. I do spend a good majority of my free time working/playing with her.

But she's my little Bunny Bee so I love every minute (or try to lol)

Anyway, I'm not gonna give up

I appreciate everyone's input.

10-11-2014, 09:35 PM	#3
Britster Action Jackson ♥ Donating Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Maryland Posts: 17,814	Wow, yeah, expecting way too much at 8 weeks old lol. She's a baby! Some Yorkies aren't fully potty trained until 6 months - one year old. I promise you the worst will be over soon. I remember Jackson as a pup and having to be on that strict routine schedule was difficult. But stick with it. Don't leave room for failure. If she went outside and didn't potty, she's back in the crate or tethered to you at all times. Just keep trying. I remember just trying to not even let Jackson fail. If I knew he was likely going to have to poop or pee, he was leashed to me, or in his crate until he went. After he went he would get his free fun time. And after every outdoor potty, praise praise and treats!! I remember finally letting my guard down, texting on my phone or something small, and that's when I'd look up and see him peeing. ARGHH, it was frustrating. But Jackson was 90% potty trained by 5 months old. It just took patience and consistency with our schedule. He's 6 now but has had complete free roam of the house since 9 or 10 months old and always been well behaved, so you'll get there. __________________ ~ Brit & Lights! Camera! Jackson! CGC ETD TKP ~ Follow Jackson on Instagram: https://instagram.com/jacksontheterrier Last edited by Britster; 10-11-2014 at 09:38 PM.

10-12-2014, 08:15 AM	#4
Maximo ♥ Maximo and Teddy Donating Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 25,041	Hang in there. I agree, at 8 weeks, keep your expectations for potty training low. For a Yorkie puppy at 8 weeks, I wouldn't expect the puppy to hold it more than 2 hours during the day. Since you live in an apartment and you work, I would recommend an xpen with piddle pads. My boys do both piddle pads and outdoors. They have a piddle pad available at all times, but we try to go out as much as possible, especially for poops. Whatever you decide, I agree with Taylor that you have to be consistent. You can change methods as they mature, but stick to one at a time and don't change frenetically. 8 weeks is too early for crate training, I think. I'm not as familiar with crate training methods. The keys do potty training are: 1) limit freedom/roaming room 2) give ample opportunity to potty, including when the pup first wakes, after meals, after playtime or anything that causes excitement, and many times in between 3) praise happily when the pup gets it right 4) don't get angry when the pup gets it wrong 5) clean accident spots with an enzyme cleaner to remove the scent that may attract the pup to return to the spot and consider a place to potty Here is my blog about how I potty trained: Potty Training Small Dogs - Dog Life and Style __________________ Kristin, Max and Teddy

10-12-2014, 09:07 PM	#7
kay miller Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Atlanta,Ga Posts: 195 Blog Entries: 1	Potty training is tough, Bailey is almost seven months this is what worked for me. I use a crate at night take him out first thing in the morning. I have baby gate's up to confine him to one room. When I'm busy I put him in a ex pen. When I take him outside I tell him "go potty" then praise him when he goes. Sense winter's coming I'm going to hang a bell on the door and teach him to use that as well. He has only had one accident sense.( I got up in the morning and went to potty myself first) he didn't wait for his turn. Lol oh and I should tell you I don't work. __________________ kaybailey and bella

10-14-2014, 04:05 AM	#9
breggy Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Virginia Posts: 28	I'd start with indoor pad training. I got Maui at 8 weeks too. He went every two hours. I listened to advice on here about crate training them at the same time, and only letting them out to go potty. This means even during the night time. After Maui woke up, I'd place him on his pad, waited for him to pee or poop, won't let him off until he went, praised him right afterwards, then a little play time, and back to the crate. This was the routine for the first month or so. It worked. He's 6 months now and completely pad trained and crate trained. __________________ Mommy to Maui

10-20-2014, 01:38 PM	#11
Sillydawg YorkieTalk Newbie! Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: Venice, Fl. USA Posts: 1	potty training Your Yorkie is still quite young but have you considered a Pack 'N Piddle? It's a portable, collapsible, light-weight and water-proof dog potty that accommodates potty pads. You train them to go in one designated spot and if they miss their mark, it's water-proof. There's even a door for training! It's a much better option than having potty pads all over your home. It's great for condo and apartment living and travel too! It's not meant to replace walking your dog but sure comes in handy when you can't take them out, especially in the rain or snow!

10-11-2014, 12:41 PM	#1
LucyGoosey Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: Mililani, HI Posts: 35	I give up. Outdoor potty training frustration. I don't know what to do. My 8-week old Lucy only occasionally pees outside; after several hours of being in the crate, I'll take her outside (or even first thing in the morning) and all she does is sniff around the grass, play a little and lay down. Then, as soon as we get inside and I don't have my eye on her 100%, she poops and/or pees wherever. Nothing seems to work. It seems like my ONLY options at this point are to let her eat/drink, crate her for some time(??), go outside, crate her, let her eat, go outside, etc. So she does literally nothing but eat/drink, go outside for her doggie business (if she ever is willing to potty outside), and hang out in the crate. Perhaps 8 weeks is too young for this and I should just be satisfied if she makes it on the puppy pad? I just don't know what to do. Almost all my free time while I'm not at work is devoted to her, and I'm fine with that, but I'm getting hardly any sleep and as soon as she pees/poops inside, I feel like I'm back to square one; once she's already gone, I can't punish her, and going outside won't do any good because, well, she's already gone poo (or pee). So I dunno. I'm open to suggestions, otherwise I may just say F it and cover my apartment with pads and call it a day. After all, I clean up people poo all day at work, so why not continue when I get home, eh?

10-11-2014, 08:18 PM	#2
Lovetodream88 Yorkie mom of 4 Donating YT Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: LaPlata, Md Posts: 23,247	At 8 weeks she should still be with her mom and breeder. So yes she's pretty young and it's going to take awhile to teach her. Using pads and outside is going to confuse her so just pick one. Remember though her bladder is small and she cannot hold it long. __________________ Taylor My babies Joey, Penny ,Ollie & Dixie Callie Mae, you will forever be in my heart!

10-12-2014, 06:48 PM	#5
Bos Yorkie Talker Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: San Antonio Posts: 22	When you take her out and she doesn't pee, put the divider in the crate, only big enough for her to turn around and sit, turn around and sit. Then wait a couple minutes and take her back out. Give her lots of praise for peeing outside. If you're inside, keep her on a leash that's attached to you, no longer than about 10 feet. Keep her in line of sight and as soon as she looks like she's going to pee take her out. You might have to make a loud noise to stop her from peeing before you take her out. That's what worked for me. You're right, it was very time consuming. I work a lot of hours and all my other time was devoted to potty training. It was exhausting. Also, I agree with the other poster that mentioned when you should be clued in to taking her out. My pup would stop playing with his toys and start sniffing around. That's when I knew to take him outside. Bos took longer than all my other dogs to potty train. Now he only poops in the house if he has diarrhea, and that's because I leave him out at night and he wakes up and goes to poop by his crate when his tummy starts bubbling.

10-12-2014, 06:57 PM	#6
TiffanyandTeddy YT Addict Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: FL Posts: 389	I think at 8 weeks to start potty training and expecting it to be done asap isn't very fair. Since bringing Teddy home at 9 & 1/2 weeks old he's been strictly pad trained, he'll be 12 weeks on the 15th and he is still only being pad trained. I don't want to expose him to outside until he gets all his shots as a lot of dogs run wild in my neighborhood and some of them don't have any vet care. I think buying yourself an xpen could be a priority so she has her own area to roam around and also has pads available to use when she has to pee and poo. Teddy has one and it's been very helpful to have. Consistency is key and you will need to put her on some type of schedule as mentioned above, first thing in the morning take her out, feed at a certain time, take her out, after naps and playtime take her out, ect.

10-14-2014, 01:25 AM	#8
SirTeddykins aka ♥SquishyFace♥ Donating Member Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: n/a Posts: 1,875	I think you are just now beginning to understand some of the frustration and challenges which arise as a result of working full time and having a puppy. I think it would be wise to give the puppy some more time and compassion. As someone above mentioned, a lot of dogs do not become fully housetrained until they are at least a year old and some argue that Yorkies never train at all (although, this has never been my experience). Perhaps the schedule you have arranged for your puppys training needs amended in addition to your expectations? 8 wks is very tiny and really, although the basic concept of training can be implemented at this age, focusing on bonding with the puppy should also be a priority. I found that bonding was lacking with my puppy, due to my working, which I have just started to make up for a year into his life. He was housetrained in 2 weeks as a puppy but socialization etc has been an issue. More time with him, whether it be from you or someone you elect to act on your behalf whilst you're out, will be immensely beneficial for this puppy, I think?

10-14-2014, 12:34 PM	#10
Kimbieann YorkieTalk Newbie! Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Oregon, USA Posts: 3	Be patient. I still have accidents at 5 months old and I got my puppy at either 8 or 9 weeks and she was paper trained by the breeder. I hated the paper training and switched her to an indoor potty system. She still tends to go where she is not supposed to for me when she is upset with me about something. She is getting much better. But I am constantly on alert for her to have an accident in the home. Also I am gone 9 hours for work 5 days a week and my puppy has adjusted just fine and is not traumatized or unsocialized. I can take my puppy outside or go inside. I mostly trained her for inside pottying and I get really excited when she goes outside but she loves to sniff around and try to eat leaves, rocks, grass etc. eventually she will go but it can be a long wait so she mostly goes indoor. I have a Ugodog Potty (two of them) LOVE THEM. One I leave in her excercise pen where she sleeps at night and stays during the day, the other is out in the room we have confined her in. (This would be the living room with my husband and I.) I had to get creative to keep her in the living room with us with baby gates and chairs etc. It turned out the best thing for us is to put her 2nd Ugodog Potty in a doggie play pen that we also used to block her in with us. That way she just runs in the playpen and does her business on the potty. You will get used to knowing or sensing when they have to go. I seem to know the signs and either put her in her excercise pen or the play pen where the potty's are until she goes. You have to wait them out sometimes. But I would rather she not pee or poo on the carpets. I just now gave her more freedom friday night. She now has the entire downstairs with the exception of the stairs down to the front door and the stairs to the upper levels. But only when we are home with her. So she can run from the kitchen through the dining room into the living room but that is after I first get home and make sure she potty's so I confine her until she goes. She seems to go to her playpen which I no longer block from other rooms and she will go potty in that on her indoor potty. She has the occasional accident though. I think its normal since she is still a baby. But she is MUCH better. You will just have to watch your Yorkie like a hawk and you will get used to their behaviors which will tell you your puppy has to go potty. I just know she does #1 and #2 when I first get up with her so she does NOT go out of the kitchen until her business is done. Then she goes #2 once during the day while I am at work and then she goes again a 3rd time at 7-7:30pm. She pees way more though but its normally every 2-3 hours, can be more if she drinks more. As soon as she gets up or you come home from work she will need to go. Then its around 2 to 3 hours for me when my puppy pees. You will start to learn their potty times. I had to keep telling myself and my hubby to be patient she is a baby still and kept to a strict routine. I praise her everytime she does #1 or #2 on her indoor potty's and give a treat every time. My hubby and I make a HUGE deal with her when she goes potty where she is supposed too. She loves the extra attention. lol

10-21-2014, 03:46 AM	#12
Verbena Donating YT 3000 Club Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: with my flying monkeys Posts: 15,620 Blog Entries: 7	I agree with everyone. He is a little too young to be potty trained. . You have to remember they are so much smaller. __________________ Teri . . . Galen Jameson Frazier Seraphina Luna Rosencrantz, Saber Tooth Tiger, Pussy Willow Pandora Guildenstern

10-29-2014, 01:03 AM	#13
LucyGoosey Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: Mililani, HI Posts: 35	I appreciate all the responses! I only haven't responded back since every time I write something, I get the message that a moderator needs to approve it before it gets posted and I never know how long that's gonna take. Anyway, for everyone saying she's too young for potty training and supposedly can only hold her business for a couple hours, this is untrue. My friend, who has raised more than a few small dogs and who I've been leaving her with when I go to work, got her sleeping in her kennel all night (~6-7 hours) with no accidents. When she's with me, she sleeps in my bed and while I have a puppy pad on the corner of my bed, she usually doesn't use it or need it so long as we go out first thing in the morning (afternoon) when I sense she is becoming restless. I dunno. We have our good days, better days, and frustrating days. You guys are right in one thing for sure though; I need to remember she's just a tiny puppy and not lose my patience with her. It's tough trying to get her housebroken, socialized, and not biting all at the same time. I do spend a good majority of my free time working/playing with her. But she's my little Bunny Bee so I love every minute (or try to lol) Anyway, I'm not gonna give up I appreciate everyone's input.