Last Resort Before I Sell Her
 

I am so fed up as many of you are on here. I've browsed through so many threads trying to find my answer, but can't. Here's my problem...please help me!!

Dutchess is 1yr old. I got her as a puppy and started training her on potty pads. She did awesome and was confined to a small space in one room only. When she got good at it I decided to let her have free roam of one room. She started peeing on the rugs and the floor and she got confined again. Then she decided to start ripping up her potty pads and going on the floor because there was no more pad to use. I got a potty pad holder and that didn't work. She just stood on it and ripped it to shreds. So being resourceful I went to the hardware store and bought wire mesh, cut it to the size I needed and placed it over the pad so she couldn't get to it. It worked for a few months. She couldn't get to the pad and was going on it again. Yeah I thought. Well, there came a time when she figured out how to open the pad holder and then would take out the pad and rip it to shreds again. I was so mad and frustrated. She was going all over the floor again because there was no pad to use. So I was forced to switch to potty training outside.

She was about 8 months old when we switched. She's used to being crated and confined in a small area so she didn't cry or whine. At first the potty training wasn't so successful, but it got better. However, it's now been 4 months and she still can't come out into a room. She wakes me up at about 6 or 6:30am to go pee. So I let her out. Then throughout the day it's hit or miss. I take her out and she pees, but if she's been in there more than 2 hours she goes on the floor. I go to nursing school so this is a big problem. I can't sit at home. She's old enough her bladder should handle it. She holds it at night. I found she is now using her bed as a potty pad and I am washing it daily. I took that out so she has nothing to pee on like a pad but she pees and then lays in it because she's crated and can't get away from it. I tried leaving her out in one room but I come home to pee all over the place and poop everywhere!!! I have tried treats, clickers, dog whistles, praise, everything.

I am tired of her being crated almost day long. The only time she gets to come out is when I take her outside for playtime. I can't let her out anywhere in the house because I will have pee and poop all over and I'm not ok with living that way. I have shampooed the rugs and carpets and I am ready to give her away. I don't know what else to do. Someone please help me!!!!!!!!!!!

I got nuthin' but to say keep up with the patience. Once she's a couple years old it should settle down. Just keep working on it. Is she getting plenty of exercise and play time with you? You said you're in nursing school and I know that takes up a lot of time. Just a guess...I'm no expert. :( Just sorry you're having a tough time.

I'm sorry you are having such a tough time. I can see you are trying so hard! I went through the same with Jewel she was one stubborn girl! We ended up calling a professional trainer to help us out. That didn't work either. Now that I look back, I don't think we praised her enough when she did hit the pad. Maybe she needed more reinforcement then we were giving her. We didn't monitor her as closely either to take her to the x-pen when it was about time for her to go.

We didn't even think of not having her so we did the next best thing... Took out ALL the carpet and switched to tiled floors in all the space she had access to. We continued to work on the potty training but having tile made cleaning up a chinch!

I actually love the tiled floor! It's easy to clean and when I see all the stuff I sweep and mop up... I can't imagine what the vaccuum doesn't pick up - ugh! I don't think I will ever go back to carpet again!

Good luck! I hope someone has a different soultion for you that works!

Several questions:
1. Have you tried using machine washable cloth pads?
2. How long do you crate her in the day? She should not be in a crate longer than 4 hrs. She can hold it at night for 8 hrs because her metabolism slows down during night sleep. The same is not true during the day, so it is cruel to leave her in a crate for longer than 4 hrs. max. No dog enjoys lying down in her own waste.
3. Have you tried regulating food water hours? You could try giving her water at scheduled hours and then take her for pottying 20-30 mins. afterwards depending on how long it takes her to process it. If you decide to do it that way, you need to make sure that she gets enough water at very regular intervals. I suggest talking to a trainer. I have found dog trainers at petsmart very very helpful.

Please, please do not leave your dog in the crate for long periods of time, that is not good for your dog's wellbeing at all.

There is also a lot of literature online and at pet stores about potty training. Please check them out. Even if you go to google and type in dog potty training, you will see a lot of helpful results.
Good luck. I hope things will work out for your dog and you.

I can see from your post that you are not being consistent with her. Consistency is the key in potty-training any dog. Also, she is probably bored from being crated so much and needs more time for exercise.

When you are home watch her like a hawk. What I have done when raising my girls is I used the umbilical cord method. Sounds funny but attach their harness to a leash and attach this leash to you (whether it be a belt loop or your foot). Therefore everywhere you go your baby must follow and doesn't necessarily give them the run of the house. Also, it helps when you see them about to pop a squat you can quickly take them outside without having to worry about chasing them down and getting the leash and harness ready. Keep an eye on her at all times. If you can not watch her like a hawk put her in her crate or an x-pen (although I prefer a crate). Watch for the sniff and circle routine and take her immediately outside when she does this. Praise her like a maniac when she does the deed outside (with treats or simply praise). However, if after several minutes she does not go and you know she needs to confine her to her crate for a few minutes and try again. Once she goes outside attach her leash back to you and repeat all of the above. Also, I would not free feed and make sure to take food and water up at the same time every night. If your dog is on a schedule you will be more apt to know what their potty schedule is. It's going to take time, patience and consistency but it can be done!

Also, make sure to take her out for a walk or some sort of exercise after you get home from work to get her energy out. The saying goes: A tired dog is a good dog! Good luck and don't give up!

You have to give the dog plenty of exercise. Boo used to tear up alot of things in the house, then I was told they need walks and alot of play time, so I tried it, the first day I walked him for an hour then took him to the park he quit tearing up things. I do this everyday it is nice and he has been perfect. When I get done with him he lays around and sleeps, then he gets up then we play in the house, he loves fetching his little soccer ball. Dogs get bored real easy and need a job, yorkies were bred to chase and catch mice, so you can imagine how much energy they have to release. It also helps with the peeing problem if they are on a schedule. Word of caution though, if you do take them for long walks and play at the park for a long time you need to feed them well. I always carry Nutra Cal with me and give him a little if I think he needs it or not.

Having been through nursing school, I understand how much stress you are under right now, secasias.

I'm not sure what to tell you. I could join in with giving you potty-training advice, but I'm not sure that's what you want/need right now. If it is, say so. Otherwise, I'd say you've got to do what's right for you and Duchess. If you haven't got the time or energy, you haven't got it. No amount of advice is going to change that.

Good luck and God Bless.

I have my girls on a schedule. If they have to go in between the times, they let me know. Bella Barks and dose a low grr at me and Bunny will come up and paw at my hand. My girls go at 4am (when my hubby gets up for work) again at 11am..then at 5pm and then right before we go to bed. Maybe that might help.. I also take them for a 20 min walk each time I take them out to go potty. It helps keep them from being so bored and chewing up things. Also do you have things for her to chew on? That might also help with her chewing on her puppy pad..Hope everything works out!!

Olivia, Bunny and Bella

I feel so sorry for you. I have been told that Yorkies are one of the
hardest breeds to train.
I got Buddy at 14 1/2 wks. I crate trained him. It was my first time using a crate and he was my first puppy. Dogs in the past were rescue ones and already trained. Maybe I got lucky or maybe what I did really made it easier.
I got up at 6:00am because I work full time. I would take him out first thing.
His crate was dry. We walked for about 15min and back home to eat.
I played with him in the kitchen for about 20min, put the gate across the kitchen and went to get ready for work.He cried the whole time. Out again before I left at 8:00am. IN the crate, no water or food and left.
I came home at 12:15 to let him out he drank water, we went for a walk, got a treat, back in crate until I came home at 5:30. I felt guilty about being in crate for so long but it was a large one and I did not plan on using it for long. We went out for a 20mins walk, fed him out again around 7:00 and then he was free with me. Yes, he had a few accidents at this time. Out again at 9:30 and into crate for the night. He never had accidents in the create.
He was larger than most yorkies, 6.5 lbs at the time. Maybe that had something to do with it. He was completely trained by 5mos. I kept him in kitchen until around 8mos and let him free. He chewed rug corners on all the rugs and got into other things but did not have any accidents.
I hope you find a solution. How about diapers? I hate to see you give up
your pet. Make sure she gets lots of excercise and attention when out of the crate. Schedule is key.

Good luck,
Carol & Buddy

Maybe try a diaper or belly band if you dont trust her walking around the house alone.

Is she spayed?

I started Lexie on the litter box when she was a baby. That did not work and I felt like it almost gave her a license to go anywhere in my house. I then decided I would do the outdoor thing. Again, most of the time she would do well BUT she was STILL having accidents in my house. My carpets were ruined and I was at wits end. Yes- I know everyone says consistancy is the key, BUT it is SO hard to sustain that for an extended period of time!!! In January I went to Mexico for a week. Lexie stayed with my trainer. He worked with her for a week, and it was a TOTAL miracle! She is now 100% trained. I never thought it was possible with her. IF you know someone you totally trust, I think it is worth a week of having someone work with them. My honest opinion is that the week away from me was enough to break the bad habits that were so ingrained in her. Good luck- trust me I feel your pain and frustration. I wish you and your baby the best!!

I completely sympathysize with you..

I went through the same exact thing with Wookie. I got him at 4 months, and it was complete hell from day one with potty training. I had him for about 8 months and was thinking of finding him a new home because he was doing exactly what your girl is doing.

He would rip up potty pads.. so I got the reuseable kind.. then he would pee on them and lay on them.. Or just pee and poop anywhere then step all over it, and so i was giving him a bath every day and cleaning the entire area and all of his stuff every day. I was going insane, staning outside with him for 4 hours at a time, but nothing, the second we went inside he would go. So I totalllly understand.

I eventually took him to a local trainer.. he did general obdience training and also potty training.. and he was gone for 3 weeks.. and as bad as it is to admit, it was a nice vacation, then when he came back he was a totalllly different dog, we kept up what the trainer suggested and it was like a miracle. He sometimes has accidents.. about once a month, but im totally ok with that :)
He was a year and 4 months old when he went to the trainer.

My suggestion is to possibly look into a trainer. be prepared they are expensive, I can tell you what my trainer did with Wookie and what we did when he came home if you are interested, or I can help you find a good trainer in your area.. just PM me if you need help. I'm happy to help, I completely understand how helpless you feel.

Thanks
 

Thanks to everyone who posted.

I'm gonna try to answer all questions at once. Yes, she's spayed. She's a large yorkie too at a year she is 8 lbs and the vet says full grown. When I say I have her confined or crated she is in an exercise pen, but not the full thing. It's been shortened to six gates and not the 8 it came with. She has lots of toys and chewies and I give her greenie treats almost every night. I do keep her water in there all day long and maybe that's my problem. I only feed her once at about 5pm and she goes out to poop a little after. She seems ok with that and no hypoglycemia or anything, but as I said she's a bigger yorkie than most. I don't want to do diapers because I would rather her just hold it and go outside. Maybe I will try holding her water while I'm out? I thought owners should always have water available for the dogs so I ddn't think of that. Thanks for all of your suggestions. I'm gonna try some more and hope she gets it.

I had a hard time getting Abigail trained. She is a larger yorkie too she is 9 pds. She use to stay in a room during the day, but the potty training wasn't going good so we switched to a crate and that works great. She use to tear stuff up all the time even in her crate. I have a water bottle in their crate and she pulled that off the holder and chewed it up and she chewed up her old food bowl. Her bowl was hard plastic too. She doesn't ever go to the bathroon in her crate, so I can't help with that part. I can tell you though that I think it just takes time just like someone else said. Abigail is about 2.5 years old now and she doesn't do any of that anymore. She is very active and we live out in the country so she gets plenty of exercise when we get home. Summer I am still trying to train she is small she is only 3.5 pds and she is a year old. She still has accidents in the house all the time. I have to watch her or make sure I let her out pretty often when she isn't in her crate. I hope that she will get over it. I think sometimes they just take longer than others. During the day she can hold it, but when we are home and she is running around she seems to have to go more. I hope all the advice you get helps you out.

welcome to YT. I have 2 that was very easy to train & 2 not so easy. I had better luck when I trained to go out side. I watched each and every move they made. I was like an eagle eye. that was only for a couple of weeks and they got the hang of it. the other 2 I couldn't watch as closely so they got away with a lot.
when you see them start to potty you need to startle them , pick they up , go out with them.

I'm so sorry for the time you and Duchess are having. I have two friends who are nurses (RN & LPN). I understand the stress of your schedule right now. When one friend was in school, I didn't even call her - I waited for her to call me when she found a moment.

I didn't read all the posts, so pardon if I'm repeating; but, perhaps Duchess is feeling your added stress and absence? Yorkies are extremely sensitive to ANY change in their humans. Abigail was 8months before I could pronounce her 99% trained. And, I'm home all day to work on it! We did give her LOTS & LOTS of PRAISE when she was successful. One might say we had Potty Parties: "GOOD GIRL, YOU PP'd ON THE PAPER!" Hugs and kisses everytime. She still, occasionally has an accident on the floor. But, it's because for some reason she can't get to her potty paper (door closed).

Best wishes and encouraging *hugs*!

training
 

Buy this girl some parlor panties so she can be free...

I guess Im lucky that I can work at home...I hated pee pads!! Maybe you could train her to go outside and come home during the day to let her out. Being in the pen is just too much for that long. Some dogs can learn to pee on pads and some just cant..maybe yours just cant..I would start training to go outside..its sooooooooo much easier..good luck..

Dawn

Poor mommy! It is tuff when you're in school isn't it? I think withholding water is a good idea and will help alot. Tink gets no water during the day while she's crated. I am able to come home at noon so she gets just enough water to wet her whistle and a little play time - long enough to poop and pee, and then back in the crate 'til I come home later.

she is doing much better, but not traied yet. She usually goes on the pad, but not always. If I can't watch her evry minute, I either crate her or put a diaper on her. Depends on what I'm doing. I think it will be a way of life for us until she decides she wants to train. I'm finally OK with that.:)

sounds like she is mad at you cause you are keeping her confined to this small area and not giving her the attention that a Yorkie needs.
You should know the signs by now when she has to pee, so if you are home with her and she is out of her area, then you need to watch her like a hawk for the signs when she needs to go out. I think love, praise, and rewarding her are the best, when she does her bussiness, then it's party time!

I use a EXPen, so when I'm at work, my Lillie is in her pen, it's big enough for her bed, food, water and a pee pad. But since yours destroys the pads, I would get some washable pee pads.

Good luck!

Potty Training
 

Yes, it is a lot of work. My Cookie Boy was totally trained then I got him a mate --Miss LaQuita Evans- and Cookie boys training was out the window.
Now, I take them out and watch their behavior and it is getting better and better. I dont mean to offend you in any way whatsoever, but it sounds to me from your post that she spends more time in the cage then interacting with you. I notice from experience--and again--without judgement--that when I am on the computer or doing something while not paying attention to them they become very destructive and mischievious and they positively do it for attention. These are like babies, not dogs, and require alot of attention and time. If you love them, it is very rewarding, they are the greatest breed in the world, but they are like young children. The time you put into their training is so rewarding, but if you are not dedicated, you will not get results.
Your baby will be so happy to get out of that cage, she will be totally chaotic. I saw this with my cousin Bruno's yorkie-Lady. I have a huge house and keep them confined to about 2,000 square feet, with a wee wee pad in the kitchen. I take them out in the morning, have a neighbor take them out 2x in the afternoon, I take them out when I come home from work, and before we go to bed. They will let me now when they need to go out.
I wish you alot of luck, If I could do it ANYBODY could do it!!!

Hi...I am brand new to this forum :-) Seeing your puppy problem I thought I would offer an idea... check into hiring a pet sitter. You can have someone come in during the day when you are away, (or even when you are home to give yourself a break) and you could also get her into a routine that way.
I am a pet sitter and I work with a lot of puppies. Most pet sitters will work around your schedual and will come in when you need them. Just a thought and I know I have helped a lot of people in your same situation.

Welcome to the forum, navajobeader! Good advice.

:thumbup: They also have disposable diapers for dogs at Wal-Mart. Something to think about.

Hi


You are keeping her confined WAY to many hours in the day. She needs to run and play and not just sit or lay down allday... And yes you need to get her on a schedule and fast!

And please no GREENIES... they are very bad for dogs especially little yorkies.. She could get some piece stuck in her throat and with you not being there choke to death... She dont need treats during the day while she in unattended, only water and small amount of foor. Your only feeding her once a day???? Why is that??? She should be feed at least twice daily I would think.

Dont give up,!!!! It takes alot of patience and alot of Constantly watching her while you are home. I would think possibly part of her problem is she left at home all alone for most of the day and evening and is BORED, LONELY, CONFUSED.. She needs a life..

Try to spend as much time as you can with her while you are home. Watch her like a hawk and keep taking her out to potty and PRAISE< PRAISE her alot and she will get it.

JMO

Sorry you are having so many problems, but hang in there. Yorkies are one of the toughest breeds to housebreak, and when I had problems with Chloe in the very beginning, my vet told me that consistency was key to training her. Chloe is both outdoor trained (bell trained) and pee-pad trained for night time. Chloe rips up her pee-pad at night if she is "angry" at me for not letting her on my bed, or if during the day she is running around and wants to play, if I don't play with her, she will run into the bedroom, grab the pee-pad and rip it to shreds! Not sure I would limit the water, except for at night. Try to get her on a schedule, and if you can't come home mid-day to let her out, maybe a dog walker would help Also, you may want to try bell training. Chloe was about 80% trained, then I did the bell training, and it was the best thing I ever did, and it only took about 3 weeks. You may want to try doggie daycare a couple times a week- Chloe loves it. As it will give her lots of exercise and attention while you are school, so maybe she will stop ripping up the pads. Good luck!

I am not an expert but this is what I will do to her if she is mine. Choose one method and sticks with it for awhile. From what I read it seems outdoor training probably is the better option for you. Some dogs are just not an indoor or pee pad train like mine. I would probably stick to outdoor only, since it is easier in my opinion.

My puppy chelsea is about 7 month old. She makes mistakes occasionally and mostly is our fault. She is potty train outdoor because I have no luck with peepad train. Some dogs just do not understand floor+peepad=OK but not capet or floor only. During the first few weeks when we got her, we used the crate a lot and did not let her run around the house . I feed her 3 times a day at almost the exact time 7AM, 12AM and 6AM and have free access of water during this period only. After meal, nap or crate, I took her outside to potty or pee. I ignore her during this period until she potty or pee outside. Praise-2 and treat-2 if she does her job. Immediately took her inside and play with her alot (associate potty outside, play inside). If she did not potty or pee, I put her back in the crate for 5 minutes and try again. Until eventually she pees or potty; and play inside. Eventually she understand......Potty or pee outside, I can play with you inside...hmmm. Associate potty/pee outside with treat, play inside the house and other pleasant things and do not let her play outside after she does her job. If she makes mistakes in front of me I say NO and immediately take her (and her poop outside) to show her where is the correct location. This sounds yuck but it works (I read it somewhere here). Feel free to PM me for any questions