Best pad training techniques??
 

Hi all! Happy New Year! I picked up my yorkie poo on Christmas Eve. He is now 9 weeks. So far the journey has been good. His first night with us was good as he was "on point" with the training pad. I think we fell off somewhere along the way as he's having more and more accidents than ever. We have a training pad at the front door only. Help? Also, what type of crate is everyone using? The crate we purchased for Moxie is very small, plastic & only has peep holes; he HATES it! Should I try the metal crate which allows him to see better? Thanks!

Congratulations on the new addition to your family!

I found that my boys preferred the wire crates when they were puppies. I folded a blanket on the top, but they could see out all of the sides. We mostly used xpens, but they had their crates open to go sleep in if they wanted to.

Pad training: limit roaming freedom and have the pad close, easily accessible. A small puppy likely isn't going to travel too far or leave the scene of action/family to go to the pad.

When you cannot supervise, an xpen with the pad is ideal. When you are there to supervise, usually one room with the pad is best.

When he gets it right, praise profusely and reward. We use a kibble or two for potty rewards.

If I were you, I would try an Iris pen, (Amazon) they are awesome, you put their bed and UGO potty in the pen, along with their water and food bowls.

I agree with what Maximo said about limiting freedom to roam. I might even go a step further and tie their leash to your belt loop and to his harness. I have done it in the past and it keeps YOU more alert about his potty needs.

As for the pad, I would get a pad holder, which not only keeps the puppy from tearing up the pad, but also gives the pad a border and a slight step up so the pup knows when he is actually on the pad. The most frustrating thing is when the pup's front paws on the pad but the booty is not, and they try but miss. You can't punish them for that but you can't praise either.

Attachment 408564I noticed this is your very first post - so, welcome aboard and Happy New Year! I approached pad training just like Maximo - wire crate and folded a blanket on the top - small world. :) We have the crate in our recreation room in the corner. It turned out to be very private for Charlie, can't see it unless you are looking and even have a supply of pads on top in an antique box. I actually placed a flat piece of wood on top, blanket on top of wood to reinforce it since the crate isn't that strong.

Now, in my experience, like Maximo - limit roaming freedom and have the pad close, easily accessible. Before we did that Charlie would have mistakes - the key is limit how far away your puppy is from the crate while learning - once trained - your puppy will be good to go.

Every time Charlie would use it we give him a very small treat (cut up a standard treat into 6 pieces). Unfortunately, we are now in battle with Charlie because he figured out if he uses the pad he gets a treat. Now, I am not kidding - that turkey "fakes" going, wipes off his feet in front of us and wants his reward! We actually watch him go into the crate, walk in a tight circle and and run over to us for his reward! We have even watched him stick his head in the crate and come back like he just went!

Anyway - you have no idea what you are in for with a Yorkie! :)

Best pad training techniques??
 

Ha! Too funny & too cute!! I knew they were smart but my goodness!! That's quite advanced! Thank you for the tips on the crate. So basically, I should return the small kennel & switch it out for a metal crate?

Attachment 408565IMHO - not knowing what you are actually using - as long as your puppy has enough room to circle (without bumping the sides) it should be enough. I got a metal crate because of the lower price. Now, we bought a AmazonBasics Double-Door Folding Metal Dog Crate for $24.85 (on Amazon) and use it when we visit the kids or stay in hotels. When we used the Amazon crate - we set it up - put Charlie near it and the wife and I say Good Boy and give him a treat as though he just used it! Yea, he didn't go but he used it within minutes afterwards.