They really are trained! Yippee!
 

Yesterday we had to go out of town for about 9 hours. I put Darwin and Mabel in the kitchen so when they made messes it would be easier to clean up. Talk about being shocked - not even one mess - couldn't believe it. I have left them for six hours without any problems a couple of times but this time was so much longer. I'm usually at home with them during the day so they are walked regularly. Darwin is almost two and Mabel is just over ten months - there have been only three messes in about 5 months - they have definitely got it figured out!! Just had to share!:)

Training works! I wish mine would use the pads I leave down when I have to be away for long but he just will not so I almost break my neck getting home ASAP due to Tibbe holding it!!!

Great news!!!!!!! Would you mind me asking how you trained? I am having some difficulties (due to my inconsistencies). I would appreciate any advice. Thanks.

I didn't know if you were asking me or not so I just copied and pasted a couple of previous posts about crate training for you to just read through. These posts are answers to other posts so may have the odd reference here and there:

As far as crate training, don't put the little one in there and leave them for long at first. Just a couple seconds and take them back out. Other times, I'd put treats on the floor of the crate and Tibbe would go in himself. I'd close the door and wait 5 - 10 seconds and open it and out he'd come. We worked up to the time in the crate until he habituated to it and then, 15 minutes later, out we went to the backyard for any bathroom action. Soon, Tibbe was playing and falling asleep in his crate and yes, toileting but eventually he learned he was being taken out so often that he learned to hold it for outside and besides, he learned he didn't like a soiled crate. But I was semi-retired when I first got Tibbe and had the whole day and night to do this so I had a big advantage on working folks. Whatever method you use, be patient as a saint and persistent as a terrier and your little baby will "get it". Those early panic sessions of whining, crying and pooping when they are put in the crate are understandable reactions to wanting mamma and siblings bac, not understanding what in the world has happened to them and not being able to control themselves well. Can't blame the little things! I'd act just the same if I were jerked away from my family to a wholly strange life. Eventually the love you show will win the day and you'll become everything to your baby - and given the choice, you'd win out over momma and siblings all day.

The tough part is you have to be more determined than your terrier. If you rush to her after a while of crying when in the crate, she will never learn that she has to start to accomodate to this new life and this part of it. Getting a very young puppy is a disadvantage here as they do not have as good reasoning power as an older dog and are simply seeking help of any kind. But left to her own devices, even a young pup will eventually get tired of yelping, figure out no one is coming and start to listen to the surroundings. Don't let her see you watching her if you are in the room - look at TV or away. She will eventually go to sleep and wake up yelping again. Stick to your schedule and only take her out when you have determined you want. She will figure out that yelping no longer brings your warm, loving arms and so it won't be worth it any more. But with a really young dog, it just takes longer. But each time you go to her when she yelps, it essentially rewards the yelp and teaches her yelping is the answer to getting mommy to do what I want. She's not really thinking, she is just calling for help and pretty desperate. If she doesn't get what she wants this way, she will eventually reason it all out. You will be a wreck by that time but that's the way mommyhood is. Try to think on this as you are listening to the screaming: One day this will all be over and done with! If the pup knows they will not have to stay in the crate for long and that it is not an endless jail term, they seem to resent it less so only crate on your schedule when done with all the rest of the pup's activities.

I still slept with Tibbe in his little carrier in my bed at night Tibbe's first 2 weeks here so I could get some sleep but during the day, it was the crate all the way once activities were over. Course Tibbe was 9 mos. old when I got him but he was essentially feral and wild, fearful, unfamiliar with people, houses, sounds of the home, so he was practically the same as a 6 wk old puppy as to mental processes and fearing his new surroundings, inability to control his toileting. He would scream like a banshee in the house until I started actually little by little training him to stay in his crate until it was time to come out to potty, eat, play, cuddle - live. But back in the crate he would go until it was time to come out again. Eventually, he began to see his crate as his own domain and he would run in there when scared. So, they do change their attitude about crates just like they do about you. Not sayin' crate training a new puppy or dog is easy but it just plain works.

Remember that the crate is just where you put them when you are done cuddling, playing, grooming, socialing, training, hanging out with and feeding them - just put them in there for some down time while they nap and you take care of other things. The most of the time the dog is out with you living his or her life and taking every step you do.

Darwin and Mabel seemed to take a few weeks until they realized the routine. Neither were great in the beginning and it took a couple of months of lots and lots of walks. When they were babies I took them out every 1/2 hour and kept increasing the time. Now they get walked regularly every 5-6 hours. When it takes them forever to pee you know you're taking them out to often. Neither of them peed in their crate - the crate was just big enough for them to lay down, turn around if they needed but not too big. They were just crated at night or for really short times when we had to go out. It's just a lot of repetition and praising. I think it's much easier if they are trained for only going outside and we've never used pee pads. There are quite a few people on YT that have their dogs trained for both though. I think if the dog knows it's only acceptable if it goes outside it gets through their minds faster. On those cold, nasty days I start to think I'm totally crazy for not doing the pee pads but it's too late now! Seriously, I am really glad they go outside only; especially like what happened last night it shows they have really got the idea - Yorkies are really smart and so it only goes to show that they can be trained to do almost anything - maybe not driving the car but you never can tell!!:D

I love that both my last Yorkie, Jilly, and now Tibbe are totally clean in the house but when it is pouring rain, late at night or very cold, I feel so sorry that they have to go outside in that and try to take care of business! But both of them much preferred/prefer it so that is that. But the guilt is awful when I am gone much of the day and think about my poor little one home holding it in!!!!

Thank you both for the great advice. I need to be more consistent. She is a very smart dog, and I know it's my fault and not hers. Have a great day.

You know I found that my Yorkies were sort of like children in that they began to love a routine - knowing exactly what was coming and when. They really get into schedules and seem to like being able to predict what will be coming next. So keeping to a regular schedule seems to suit them very well. Consistency seems to give them reassurance that "okay, this is what we do now" so they adjust quite well to it, even if it means it is time for the crate or the pen. I sure hope things work out well for you and your Yorkie baby as they are delightful even during potty training.

Your welcome! Consistency goes a long way! Good luck and I hope she is trained really soon!:)