HELP: Potty Training 10 wk old, 2# Puppy in 0-15 degree temps
 

We are getting our new pup in the morning. We live in Michigan where it has been 0-15 degrees, brrr, I'm freezing thinking about it! I REALLY do not want our dog even thinking about going potty inside. I know it will happen, but REALLY want to work hard and consistently at pottying outside. So am I crazy to get a pup in the dead of winter....yeah, I know, don't answer that. So my plan was to take him to a potty spot in our attached garage if we couldn't actually make it all the way outside and at least we'd be outside of our living zone. BTW, garage is not heated. So I got my box all ready tonight with the potty pads all set up to put in the garage and I am thinking, maybe it is too cold even in the garage. My husband suggested maybe just put it inside the door to the garage, which would be in the kitchen. I realize potty training can be difficult and I really want to teach correct behavior without making him have to re-learn something different later. BTW, I did buy him a nice parka and made him some little boots (as shown online by someone with Yorkies in Alaska). Who knows how often I'll get him into that "get-up" before he pees on me. LOL So reality is hitting me here on the eve of Yorkie-motherhood, with fridged temps and a 10 week old who is just about 2# now, what is realistic to do?? HELP!! Does anyone have a practical strategy that I should use??

Get a playpen, put the bed on one end, potty pads at the other.

I would recommend the pee pads for now and in the spring you can start with the outside training. Most if not all young puppies (even large breeds) begin with some kind of paper or pad training and then progress to outside.

Ok, thank you both. I also was told by the breeder not to take him outside before he has all his vaccines. And you know I did read that, but didn't put 2 & 2 together. So it is pee pads for now and when he is done with his shots the weather will be more suitable.

I think your plan to train in the garage is perfect. Even at that age its important to start them on the road to a routine when it comes to potty training. I also had winter pups (2) at two separate times, not my idea but we managed. I kept the potty area inside and worked on that but when we had a break in the weather we always took them outside rain, snow or whatever, we were right there with them through it all encouraging them every step of the way. So if it were me I would do both. I would suggest that you set up both potty areas as close to the door that will be used as you go in and out for potty time. That a key step in training your pup.

I've trained lots of puppies in my days and have taken the time to add my routine to my website if you are interested in reading it. www.dawnsyorkies.com/training-tips

OK, good info too! You are seeing my thought process exactly. I wanted to get that outdoor habit started right off the bat, as that is the advice I have read in "the books." As the time came to bring him home, the reality of the cold temps set in and I really got confused.

He has been home with us for all of 4 hrs now. I did put a potty pad in the pen with him. His pen is in the middle of our family room. I put down a vinyl tablecloth as the flooring. His first pee was dribbled all in the floor of the pen. He managed to keep both his bedding and his potty pad nice and dry. LOL This is going to be fun!!

So I guess I will take him "out" to the potty spot at the door, in the garage, or outside as I would naturally, weather/temps permitting. And keep the potty pen in the pen as well for good measure.

My thought about the potty pad in the pen was that it has an attractant (supposedly) and I didn't want to give him the idea that pottying in the house was an ok thing at all. Any thoughts on that??

I have a clear schedule so I am really going to have time to work with him, so we will see how this goes.....

We got a puppy last month (Tucker will be four months on the 15th) and it's been relatively cold here the past week (not 0 but below freezing.) I've never pad trained him. I began taking him outside since the moment he came home so it's just what we do. He doesn't go for walks, just outside to one spot of the yard to potty and then right back in. The cold may work to my advantage because he doesn't want to be out there any longer than it takes to pee or poop. Lol he does have a little parka coat that we use and I do crate train and follow a very specific schedule with him so he's starting to realize when he goes out that means it's time to do his business.

We had the first vet visit today and he has told us to go ahead and have the potty pad in the pen, maybe when we aren't looking and he needs to go he might hit it. He also said that even with the cold temps our garage will not be too cold as he isn't going to be out there long and on a potty pad anyway, not the concrete floor. And when weather permits he can slip outside to go, again he probably won't be out long. Our vet also has a Yorkie at home, which gave him an extra point in my vet search. I feel so much better now, between all the advice here and from him it is all falling into place now. He did say that although he really didn't believe it before having his once Yorkie, they can be very difficult to train. So my feeling that I wanted to hit the floor running was good. So we will do our best and we'll see. In the end, I will win, there will be no pottying in the house. Right now he's going at will while I struggle to see his signs. I thought I caught him and got him to the pad in time. When I turned to clean the few drips that landed on a toy, I returned to find another puddle and pooh, pooh that looked like it had been played with. My goodness....but I will win yet!!

I am all for cage training, its how I trained all four of my Yorkies and with that there should never be a potty pad in the cage with them it really defeats the whole purpose but with the an x-pen its different since the sleeping area and potty area are totally separate from one another and the pup doesn't get confused.

Yes, those tell tell signs are hard to notice. The rule of thumb is that within 5-10 mins from the time the pups eats or drinks they will go potty. So it is important for you to monitor eating and drinking habits so that you can get them right outdoors or into the x-pen to use the pad. With puppies there are 3 noticeable signs 1. they will start to pace 2. will walk with their bottoms lowered to the ground and 3. with their noses to the ground in search for the perfect spot. Which is why I choose to paper train my pups. With papers you can transfer the bottom cleaner layer but still has their pee scent to the top of an new clean stack. Puppies will go anywhere but you will soon notice that they will also frequent the same area. The reason being is that they smell their own scent and will go in that same spot over and over again. You can read more about this on my web site.

OK, so this is the set up. I have the crate where he has about 10x12" or space it is attached to the ex pen, so that if I have the crate door open he can pass between the two at will. Which I wanted to get him to like to go into the crate on his own. This is only his second full day with us so I first wanted to establish the crate as a happy place. At night I close the door, during the day I close the door when he is napping, but open it shortly after he wakes up and move him to the potty pad. I am guessing now (with my one day experience) that I am jumping the gun on opening that crate door. He shows no fear of containment. Do you think I should really wait until he is looking more like he has to go before letting him out? A couple times I have had him on the pad for 15 min with no success, but him back in the crate, 15 min later tried again, and back again. I am concerned about the hypoglycemic risk, so I am nervous that I am waiting too long delaying his eating with the potty training. (Its ok you can laugh and say NEWBIE, about now!) I am also fearing that I am making the standing around on the potty pad seem like punishment and I don't want to do that.

Update:
Well, the potty training seems to be progressing reasonably well. I feel like I am being trained to watch this little pup and when I slack I am cleaning up something. Unless I or my husband are playing with him, he is in his ex-pen or crate (one connected to the other). If he is not in his crate with the door closed, I have to watch him like a hawk and take him out about every hour or so that he is awake. When I have gotten lazy/tired or otherwise occupied, I end up cleaning up a mess. The potty pads in a box in the garage are working out well. It is cold, but not too cold, and he does get the job done quickly so he has rarely been out there more than a few minutes. We have had him 2 weeks now and he is about 11 weeks old. I can see that this will be my life for quite some time. I am working on getting a Superyard Play Yard for him so that he can have more play space as well as access to the area near the door we go out for "potty". I would like to put up Potty Bells next to the door and train him with them. Sometimes he does sit and whine abit, I take him right out and he goes, so I think he is getting the message that he needs to ask somehow to go out. ???

Oh, one other thing, he no longer has a potty pad in the ex-pen. It was there in hope that he would use it if he was going to have an indoor accident. Well, he never once managed to hit the pad, so since I do not want him going inside anyway, I figured it was defeating the purpose. I never did put him on that particular pad to go, but it is the same as what is in the potty box in the garage, so I thought maybe he'd use it, but it is probably best that it is gone now. It is just so hard to know what is right when you start out with your first. :confused:

Karen, you are doing a wonderful job training him or should I say he is doing a wonderful job training YOU . . I hope my advise worked well for you. I've trained several pups in the same manner and it always works great. Yes, you really really need to watch them like a hawk and also be very very consistent.

Thank you Dawn. I found all you have shared to be very helpful. It is good to hear from someone with all your experience in this. I also very much appreciate the feedback as well.

With my tiny bit of experience I can already see how the crate makes housebreaking a no brainer. What an excellent tool! It is a shame that those who do not understand see only a prison! Jack has the coziest little bedroom in his crate and its use has not once been an issue for him. Never as much as a wiggle or whimper on the few times I have had to put him in and closing the door doesn't phase him. Of course, I open the door when I see he is fidgety, knowing its "time."

Anyway, much thanks Dawn! I hope he will be a one of those early trained, but I know I am probably in for the long haul on this!!

You seem to be on the right track! Some people like to say some yorkies are impossible to train, but if you start right away and are consistent like it sounds like you are it will happen in no time. My yorkie was my first dog ever, and I was lucky enough to have her trained in 2 weeks (keep in mind she was already 13 weeks when I got her). It can happen, but some do take a little longer than others. Keep up what you are doing, and you will have a happy, potty trained dog!

Thanks for all the wonderful potty training advice..I love Yorkietalk...Teddi is using her pee pad perfectly and has never had an accident (so far)....When the weather warms up i intend to start with outdoor training..my hubby has built her a large box with sides and drainage holes....plenty of grit...soil and a grassy surface...im hoping this will become her toilet...Motinot Teddi's carer

I have seen those Potty Patches online. I am curious to hear how it turns out for you! Do post again after you've got it up and working.
:thumbup:

Well my little Jack is 11 weeks old today. He (or I) did so well for so many days then today a piddle on the carpet not 15 min after I brought him in from going. Ugh! What can you do! Just pooh, poohed him and cleaned it up, rolling my eyes to he heavens remembering he's still building those muscles! BUT I THOUGHT HE WAS EMPTY!! lol So my goodness if he could be 99% trained in a month or two, I would be thrilled!! I do have to say that I am sooo happy he is little! His accidents are also little, so all and all its not so bad. And he is rarely on the real wall to wall carpet! We have an area rugs over the carpet as added protection during this phase.

OK, now a new twist has set in!! Jack is running from me when I try to pick him up to go out to potty, also other times as well. He sits with me, he isn't afraid of me...I'm Mom afterall. It is cold outside even though he is only going to the attached garage to potty. I think that is it, that and some puppy playfulness. So what to do? This started a couple days ago and has become a problem. I will not chase him around the house! That doesn't seem to be a good idea to decrease this behavior. Today I did not put his kibble in a dish for him, but rather called him to me to get each piece. I walked around calling him to different areas spots. When he wouldn't come after a few calls I set the kibble aside and went about my chores. Then in a few minutes tried again. When he comes to get the kibble I try to pet him and he ducks and runs. Which again indicates to me he doesn't want to be picked up. Am I on the right track with this, or does anyone have a better idea to curb this behavior before it becomes more pronounced?

Hello! Sounds like you have a nice setup for your little one. So one thing I am particularly curious about, your other pup who you housebroke in the same way, did you get him/her during the winter months? Was he/she a yorkie? How long did it take to transition to outside, I mean at what age was the other dog reliably going outside without having indoor accidents? I'm just so curious as to about how long until my little guy is reliable - I know no one can tell me that, but I am curious about others experiences. Good Luck with your new babe! It is so exciting to have a little one in the house!!

Karen, if you eventually want your puppy to go to the potty outside and the pad is out in the garage, maybe you should start leashing him to take him out to the pad. I know my puppy loves the run from mommy around the house game lol. When I get his leash out he sits down and waits for me to put it on. You puppy might just see this as a game and would rather be chased instead of picked up lol.

You are so very welcome !!


Looks like your little one is getting the best of you and the training continues.



The shortest time I ever had one of my babies potty trained was within 5 months of bringing them home. Each pup is different and each has their own little quirks that you have to deal with. Its all about finding what works for you. You pup might benefit from some leash training in order to get that run and hide/play thing under control. Look up umbilical cord training or look on my site for some helpful tips with this. Especially the part about teaching the "come" command, that should help.


You doing fine. keep it up!


Make him come to you . . never ever give chase. You are on the right track. That behavior normally indicates he is in a playful mood and wants to play. Maybe in addition to the kibble keep one of his favorite toys, a clicker or a squeaky toy on hand to get his attention. If he want to play, let him but remember to take him our right after. Playing seems to stir up the urge to potty.


I also agree with taking him out to potty with a leash on. That gives you control. I would suggest putting the leash on, carry him out to potty but that let him walk back to the house.

Thank you both! Using a leash now is something that I hadn't really thought about as being important to my ultimate goal of pottying outside. Much thanks for this and all your advise and support. Now another issue I have had is finding an easy on harness, which I think I will quick make one similar to a buddy belt which I have been intending to do. Thank you again!

The little sneak pooped in the house TWICE today! :eek: His name has been changed to "the little sh!t"! Not really, but, twice!!!

I do notice that I am not as vigilant on the weekends; there is more going on and I miss cues. So again, my own fault, and I have given him the privilege of moving around just alittle less supervised and that needs to stop, so HE'S TETHERED TO ME! Oh, God this little stinker is giving me a run for my money!

I think he is rather dismayed at the leash, but he will get used to it. Also, I was not happy with any of the three harnesses I bought and so I am working on making one that is tailored to him. He has worn 3 proto-types. Each time I put it on him, I see how it fits, how he acts. After he's enjoyed some "freedom" and play, he goes back into the crate, and I modify the harness. He seems to be able to pull the harness and twist it, particularly when he is pulling and playing, chewing on the leash. So I have one of the leashes drying right now that I sprayed with bitter spray. I imagine as he gets used to the harness being on and the leash hooked to it, it will be less inviting to play with.

I keep telling myself that I managed to raise a human child, keep him safe, potty train him, and he is an adult I can be proud of. But this little cutie puppy is turning into a challenge!! LOL

I think your idea of making one if you have the know how it the best way to get the perfect one.

Lol his new nickname . . fits him perfectly just like the harness will. I think you are on the right track and yes these little ones are just like having a child but you forgot to mention to teach them right from wrong . . Tethering him is the best way to keep his little butt out of trouble.

Being under a major snow storm warning overnight, I'm betting you're glad you've got the potty pads to go to in the garage, and arent having to shovel a potty area outside!

I live in Wisconsin and we have a big snow storm still coming through. Somewhere between 6-10 inches. I have had to shovel out their potty area in the back at least 6 times today. It's days like this i wish they were pad trained!

We cleared the driveway twice and it is full again tonight. Yes! And not only am I glad that I have the garage option, but I may have to keep an emergency potty spot for bad weather, but I will be happy to have him take him business outside when weather permits!!

I have been taking him out to the garage potty on this leash too.

BTW, I think I have the perfect step in harness figured out for him. The last proto-type was very good, so I will make him one now that is lined and hemmed with some nice fabric now. I had been using some denim from the rag bag for the proto-types. Tomorrow I will go through my stash and find a fitting print. ;)