whats a good schedule?
 

So we are back to square 1 potty training again!! I give him so many chances and it never works out!! We just got the carpets cleaned really good yesterday so we figured its a good time to start!

I would like to hear what kind of schedule you have for your babies.. I will let you know what I think I'm going to do, and let me know if it sounds good!!


Wake up 6am- take him potty

6:10 breakfast 1/3 of a cup Acana Grassland, mixed with a little wellness wet food, couple boiled chicken pieces and couple green beans thrown in there!

after that I play with him for about 20 mins

Try to make him potty again

I get ready for work

7:40 put him in crate, I go to work


5:00 take him out, potty time

5:15 Dinner

5:40 walk

7:00 play time

9:00 in the crate he goes!


Wake up and start all over, How does this sound?? What are you babies schedule like? Esp for the working women??

Honestly- this sounds like a TON of time in a crate- if I counted right- he is out of his crate less than 6 hours a day!

If I were you, I would find a dog walker who can come in at least once during the day and take your little one out for a while- I would also consider investing in an expen type set up so that he at least has access to food, water, pee pads, beds, and toys while he is confined.

I tried locking him in the kitchen and he will just pee everywhere but his pad, so I KNOW if I lock him in a play pen he will do the same.

I agree. 8am-5pm is 9 hours in the crate during the day. Then he's in the crate again another 8 hours over night. That's 17 hours in the crate out of a 24 hour day.

If you're going to do the crate thing, you need to do it right, or else it won't work. 9 hours in a crate is even too long for the Boxer I dogsit, who is about 80lbs and can hold his bladder longer than a small dog. The longest they leave him in a crate is 6hrs and I'd say 6hrs is the maximum I'd recommend as well. I also watch a Rottweiler and a few other large breed dogs and none of them are left in a crate for longer than 5-6hours.

Dog day care, a dog walker, or something is going to be necessary. Or if you're going to lock him in a kitchen or an ex-pen, you need to start by putting pads ALL over the floor.... that way he has no choice but to pee on the pad. You slowly begin to remove the pads one by one, it's a slow process. The first week - the whole floor is covered in pads. The second week -you take one of those pads away. Third week - you take another pad away... and eventually get down to just one pad.

It does sound like a ton of crate time. At least 9 hours during the day and 9 at night. Is there any way to keep him out of his crate at night? Or could you try an ex-pen so he has a little more room to run around? You could try some sort of waterproof bottom with the ex-pen if you are concerned about carpeting.

Levi's schedule at almost 3 years old is:
6:30 AM - Wake up/potty/breakfast
7:30 AM - I leave for work/school. Levi goes to my brother's room because my brother doesn't leave until later in the day. My brother takes Levi out again around 10 AM before he leaves, and then again around 3 PM when he returns.
5:30 PM - I get home and take Levi out. He eats dinner around 6PM. And then he goes out again around 7PM and 10:30PM.

I am gone 7:30 AM - 5:30 PM pretty much Monday-Friday (Thursday my schedule is a little different). If I did not live with my brother, or if he did not have such a flexible schedule, then I would definitely have a dog-walker take Levi out midday. He stays in my bedroom when no one is home.

My brother's dog have severe separation anxiety and gets destructive if left out alone. He is crated when no one is home, but that is usually a max of 6 hours a day. He is never crated overnight.

I would be able to not crate him at night, he will sleep with us in the bed for a little bit and then he will get up and go sleep in his crate, He likes to lay in there, I leave the door open for him.

The only thing is how am i able to know when he gets up, bc if he gets up and we are not aware he will go pee on the carpet somewhere...??

Try one of these...this is what I used with Bella, she is 2 1/2 yrs old now and don't use it at home anymore just when we go off, and hardly ever has an accident...I have 2 one is 44' round x 24 High and one is 57 x 36H...I kept the little one upstairs for bed time and the big one down stairs to confine her when I couldn't watch her at all times... they have floors in them so if they do miss the pad its not on your floor...I just coved the floor of it in pads...and made sure I took her out every 2 hrs to potty. I'm like you I work but my job allows me to bring my girl with me so I was able to potty train her outside...she now stays home 2 or 3 days a week no accidents :D...I had to bust my play yards back out last night and set them up cause I'm getting a new baby boy Harley, We get him today...but I find I like the play yards better than the crate...you can keep them in the play yard longer with there food and water and room for pee pads and to play since you are gone most of the day.

They come in all sizes and colors...they are very portable with a carring case I got mine off of ebay under pet accessories x pens. Good luck:)

That thing is pretty cool. But how are you suppose to train them to go outside if you put pee pads in with them? That is my whole goal..

If your goal is to train him to go outside, you need to get a dog walker who can come in and help with that by taking him outside. The walker can also exercise him and play with him.

Its just not fair to any dog to spend so much time in a crate.

When you are home take him out every 2 hrs, after eating and playing...let him do his bussiness, if he does his buss outside tell him he is a good boy give him tons of loving and even a treat if you want...bring him back in let him play for a little bit with you watching him...I use to set my timer on my stove to go off every 2 hrs as a reminder LOL...if you have to cook or clean after your done playing with him...put him back in the play yard until your timer goes off...if he potties before the timer goes off set for 1 1/2 hrs instead...Like you said you have to start at the begining again with him on the potty training, you have treat him like he is a puppy again...I know its going to be hard with you working, thats why I suggested the play yard...it keeps him confined during the day while you are working...with no chance to fail...and when you are home but unable to watch him at all times....he will learn its ok to use the pad when you are not home...and go out when you are home...he may even try to hold it until you get home...so he doesn't mess in his play yard..thats how I knew my girl was ready to be trusted, she got to the point to where she would hold it for 8 hrs until I got home to let her out...I still put pee pads down in the bathroom when I go to work and she stays home but she hardly ever uses them. Its gonna be a lot of work and attention on your part and it will take a while but he will get it...Good luck...OH the joys of potty training LOL...I'm getting ready to do it all over again with my new Yorkie Harley.

Not fair? When i am gone he sleeps.. you act like i am the worst doggie mommy,pnut is so spoiled! he is also very happy.. i know my dog. I know what he likes what he doesnt and what he is uncomfortable with. You are trying to say he is mistreated... i will not have a stranger come into my home and take my dog on a walk when i am gone, that will never happen. I will make this work how ever i do it.

Thanks u have some good pointers! It will be hard and stressful but i can do it!!

You came here and asked advice about his schedule- almost everyone has told you he spends way too much time in a crate, he is out for exactly 5 hours and 40 minutes a day by your estimate- of course he sleeps when you are gone, what else is he going to do inside his crate? Don't get defensive now that we answered your question. I didn't say he is mistreated, etc. etc. no need to put words in my mouth. We simply answered YOUR question and now you are upset because you don't like the answer.

No, when i left him out from his crate all he does is sleep.. i know my dog he doesnt play by his self, never has. The only thing he does do is chew on his bully stick. Other people gave me the same answer, but the only difference is they only said it once..you feel the need to say it over and over. This is only going to be a short thing it will prolly take him a good 2 weeks being locked up then he can start getting locked in the kitchen.. if i give him any slack the training wont work. I was seeing if anyone else had better ideas that would work...

Nobody is accusing you of being a bad doggy mommy! But I do think it's unfair for a dog to be a crate that long. I wouldn't expect to hold my bladder for 9 hours every day, so I don't expect my dog to either. What are you so against a dogsitter for? I am a dogsitter and go into peoples homes and go through a lengthy interview process, give them my personal information, my license ID, etc, and that's just because I'm a college kid doing this, not a company. Professional companies will be bonded and insured. A dogsitter doesn't even have to take him on a full walk if you don't prefer, they can simply let him potty, and go back inside. Jackson does not do anything either when I'm gone, he just sleeps, and won't play or chew anything, but I still don't feel it'd be fair to leave him in a crate for 9hrs.

Personally, I think it is a bit unrealistic to expect these small babies to go 8+ hours every day without a potty break. I understand it must be difficult potty training for outside when no one is home during the day. I am fortunate that I am home & can take Lulu out as much as is needed. However, if I were to need to work daily I would set up an xpen with a designated potty area using pads.

I know several have successfully trained their pups to use pads when they would be at home alone for a prolonged amount of time & then go outside when someone is home with them. I imagine that would be very difficult, but it might be best in your situation. I think you have the best intentions with pnut & want the best for him. Good luck with the potty training issues.

I just dont feel comfortable with the dog walker.. if it was someone i knew it would be different...but its not. I feel bad to leave him in the crate but i tried other ways and nothing seems to work. Im going to try and not lock him up at night.. but he is really bad right now so i need to do something where he gets into shape!

I wouldn't advise giving him the run of the house, especially when you are not awake to supervise. He could get into something that might hurt him. I would suggest finding something else to do for him during the day. I understand you aren't comfortable with a dog walker (I wouldn't be either unless it was a personal friend). Have you tried an xpen set up on a tile or wood floor? You mention locking him in the kitchen...perhaps that is too much room for him. That's where an xpen comes in handy. It will give him room to play, sleep, eat (if you leave food & water out for him to free feed) & potty. I know you don't want to train him to use potty pads, but unfortunately if no one is going to be available for 8+ hours each day to let him out then potty pads are necessary IMO.

Ok, do u think the kitchen was just too much room for him? If u leave the potty pads for them when u are not home how does that teach him not to use them..to go outside?? I schedule feed him so thats not an issue.

It doesn't teach him not to use them. It gives him a place to potty when he is unable to go outside. Yes, I think the entire kitchen could be too much room. If you choose to use an xpen, pnut can only "mess up" in the xpen so you won't be coming home to a kitchen filled with pee &poo. But, I still think expecting him to make it all day without pottying at all is unrealistic...that is why I feel potty pads are necessary for while you are away. You can still train him to go outside when you are home. It will be difficult, but I know some YT members have done so.

Ok thanks.. its going to be hard, but it needs to be done!!

You might try posting in the training forum about potty training using pads & going outside. Maybe the ones who have been able to do so can offer up some valuable advice. Good luck! The only advice I can offer is to be patient & consistent.

This thread may help.
http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/tra...-training.html

Thank you. I appricate what you told me. I am just at my wits end! I know it is my fault for not doing it correct but its frusrating, my carpet looked like his giant pee pad, we had it cleaned and treated so we are starting fresh! I will try more and more different ways till i find the way that works for both of us!

Well, we have a laundry room so that is where axel spends from 6am till about 3 pm sometimes 4 pm if I have meetings. But this is just what he is used to, we have had him since he was 8 weeks old, he is now 15 months even though we leave a pee pad down every day, he never pees on it, he goes when I get home out on the pee pad in the living room. So don't beat yourself up over this, they hold it a long time...Mine sleeps with us at nite we go to bed at 8:3o and he don't roll out of the bed till 5:30 so that is another 9 hours they can hold it...you don't need a dog person to take care of your baby. I don't have one! Have you tried using your bathroom if you don't want to use the crate to put him in? But I agree he probably sleeps all day! I know mine does we spy with a camara! Good Luck!

The play yard that I suggested earlier is just like a xpen but you can close him in and he can't calm out...my girl would calm out of the xpen and I didn't wanna use a crate...so I found the play yard.

Yes thats what I did...I used the play yard with pee pads when I wasn't home and at night until I knew I could trust her....its takes time but it can be done...Bella stays home a few days out of the week for 8 hrs by herself...I put pee pads down in my bathroom for her but she never uses them she waits until I get home at 330pm.

I think that many hours in a crate is just horribly sad!!! At least get a play yard but if you have to be away that many hours, I would think about doggy daycare.

PacknPlay
 

Hey girl...sorry you're struggling with this. The kitchen was definitely too large a space, Snick regressed with his training when I went back to work in Sept from my summer off (I teach.) He can hold it just fine, but he was peeing b/c his sep anxiety came back-he hates being alone. How old is Peanut now??? You're sure he can hold it that long right???

Anyway, we knew we had to contain him again and I despise crates...I think they are horrid, but understand that sometimes they are needed. So.....we got Snick a Graco PacknPlay (for children-its about a 3x4 space). I kid you not, it works wonders for us. Remember, pups won't generally soil in the area they are confined in. So we got the PacknPlay and put his thick fluffy fleece blanket in it, his bed, and some toys and HE LOVES this thing. It has mesh on 4 sides and we put it by a window and he is smitten, kinda looks like that playyard.

He actually asks to be put in there even when we are home...it's his little safe place. He runs up to it and jumps against it saying Put me in, Put me in!!! And I have no guilt that he is in there b/c the top is open, he can look out the window, and HE IS HAPPY!!! He has never pee'd in it since we started his training again. Mind you--my husband comes home from lunch daily...so he is in there 3 hours, 1 hour out, and then 3 hours again.

We are getting another pup soon, and we know Snick will do very well then having free reign of the house after puppy is trained and situated b/c Snick does amazing at his do nanny's house with other dogs when we vacation.

Wishing you luck and patience...it's so hard!!
Snick & Viv

Hey girly, how are you?? Hows Snickers? Ya it has been a struggle, I think it is all mine and Dh's fault. He use to do really well, even I had him locked in the kitchen, then one weekend we babysat Dh's good friends 4 year old and thats when things got ugly!! After that seems like he has been really bad, just peeing everywhere!! I wouldcome home and poo and pee would be all over the kitchen floor and his pee pad would be bone dry!! Its nice to hear someone try to help you and give you words of advice and not just try to shove you down and tell you how "bad crating him is" first of all I hate doing it, but I tried alot of the other ways and nothing seems to work. I wasnt really true on how many hours he is in his crate, he is laying with me right now on the couch soooo its not like he is in there 24/7 I understand 8 hours is a long time, and then to be put in there at night too, but then again he will lay with us for like an hour and then get up and go in his crate anyways soooo I dont know!! lol

Peanut is 3. Yes he can hold it, but he doesnt have a choice but to because he isnt going to pee on his blankets in his crate, I feed him in the morning and night so i know during the day he isnt hunrgy maybe a little thirsty but he isnt going to pass out or anything! All he does is sleep when I am gone, so I dont see the big ordeal.

Hmm pack n play.. that sounds interesting!! Can you send me a pic of his little area?? You dont put a pee pad in there right?? Its pretty much like a crate but more comfy and spacey??

How do you have snick trained? outside??

I made this little area on my patio for pnut , its fake grass and a little palm tree he likes it pees and poos on it, so dh and i want to start working on him to take him off the pads and start going out there...