Train ME-Overwhelmed Mom

[klkkim]

Nikki can be an 11 week old-mostly in a small apartment, wild child zipping & chewing & pee pee misses as she has fun. We started her main room as the kitchen. It is blocked & she can have her kennel open all the time-until bed or when we leave. When she was being walked she got all her energy out. Now she needs exercise & wants run of the living room. She goes into (our name) "beast mode" & goes under the couches where we can't reach her nor see her under there with electrical wiring possible potty oppsies & out of our sight. She is watched 100% otherwise. When she has a potty mistake, then back in the kitchen she goes...We keep her potty pads in there & she is pretty good about using them. She is 11 weeks, how would you suggest I let her run about the living room..do I lighten up & just clean what stains I find later? Let her explore under watchful eye (I can lure her out from under couches (I hope) with a treat. Someone suggested keeping her leash on & even keeping it attached to me to keep her by my side...but she wants burn energy time..but I don't want her turning into a wild banshee. She did so well when we (mistakenly) walked. Also the teething is turning to biting & we have all the safe (rubber/hard) toys. Trying to teach her no on fabrics, & everything not to chew. I keep sticking her hard rings in her lil chewing face. I would so love to train her to use our balcony as her main potty eventually & outside later for fun. She isn't safe out there alone & with so much to see/hear, potty pads go untouched. Lastly, Oh boy what a long note..sorry but so overwhelmed ! I had someone say not to confuse her with potty pads out (patio,living room, etc) that she should keep learning that the kitchen is where potty happens & not yet try the patio & not have pads in living room for her mistakes (they seem more from excitement). Others say have the pads wherever she has previously marked. I'm ready to "sit & stay & train" but want to make it easier as we seem to have a long road ahead & want it to be a good path. Your thoughts are so GREATLY appreciated..Nikki is a sweet girl we hope to keep those qualities with her as we venture into better home training. Many Thanks (sorry for typos, only have small phone screen).

[capt_noonie]

I agree with whoever told you to keep her on a leash all the time and attached to you. Best way is to loop the handle end through your belt loop and then clip onto her. That way you are much more conscience of her being out of her kennel, than just letting her walk around herself and every 30 seconds be wondering where she went. She is far too young to be given that much free space already. When you absolutely cannot watch her, put her in her secured area. Or always keep her leashed. Only take her off the leash when you are playing or training. I would say bout 5 or 6 months is when you can start to see potty training progress and start to give more freedom. Even in an apt, you need to restrict her space. Yorkies are so small, they will go across the room and think it's far away enough and make that their bathroom spot. You don't want her to start making that habit now. Ever actually.

[Wylie's Mom]

Originally Posted by capt_noonie

I agree with whoever told you to keep her on a leash all the time and attached to you. Best way is to loop the handle end through your belt loop and then clip onto her. That way you are much more conscience of her being out of her kennel, than just letting her walk around herself and every 30 seconds be wondering where she went. She is far too young to be given that much free space already. When you absolutely cannot watch her, put her in her secured area. Or always keep her leashed. Only take her off the leash when you are playing or training. I would say bout 5 or 6 months is when you can start to see potty training progress and start to give more freedom. Even in an apt, you need to restrict her space. Yorkies are so small, they will go across the room and think it's far away enough and make that their bathroom spot. You don't want her to start making that habit now. Ever actually.

Agree w/ all of this...

[mybellababy]

I know how you are feeling right now I am raising my second Yorkie right now and Lily is nothing like her sister was Bella trained much easier then Lily and Bella didn't do the chewing that Lily is doing . I am a bit ahead of you in time Lily is about 6 months and just now I am seeing some progress in the pad training. I do think that there is a readyness to pad training just like kids and potty training and then a time that we the parent is trained to watch for potty time and then comes the light bulb that goes on and they get it and use the pad. Treats help.
I use Natures Miracle on the carpet and that gets the stain and odor out and I have a carpet cleaner.
Hang in it will get better.

[klkkim]

Great re-assurance Capt & Bella. I feel bad that she want's to play & run but know that it is critical I slow down & teach her properly. Capt Noonie I remember you from all your help last Dec when I was looking at a 2yr old named Stormy that just had kidney stone surgery. You rwally helped me! I hope my lil Nikki will be as well behaved. She has a very well mannered disposition (except at "those" moments) I am learning everyday & hope my cuddling with her at night makes up for "training mom" & doesn't spoil her to much. Lilly's mom: I bought the same product. I use dawn dish soap at firts then if it really needs more treat it with that more expensive brand. We are both learning to get her potty handled in the kitchen on her pads & have shorter playtimes on the rug in the main room & using her leash (oh she does not like that..but is getting use to it). She never uses the potty pads I have out in the living room or by our patio. I hope to someday get her to use them on the patio & hope to someday get her out of the kitchen.. Someone said once she gets use to the kitchen will be hard to change. She is smart but I am Slow & getting more exercise than hoped bending & cleaning. The night hugs are worth it..I hope ;-) .Long road ahead...

[SLR49]

I agree with the others, my little guy is just shy of 5 months and the pad training is kicking in for wee. We have very few accidents now. Poopies are still sneaky...lol

He also did the wild running/hiding thing and still does. lol he know when he has found something he should not have. Fortunately, it is easy to bribe him with another toy/treat.

[gracielove]

You have a very young baby. There is a muscle that dog's have that holds back the urine/stool. It does not fully develop until they are at least 16 weeks old. Many pups will learn early where the potty is but if they get too far away from it they may have an accident because they can't hold back the urine or stool long enough to get back to it. Sometimes a young one is just having too much fun to think about getting back to the potty in time. They are babies. Even after 16 weeks you still need to be right on top of the training all the time for several months.

The leash idea is an excellent one. Tethering is a good way to let your baby spend time with you and you get to learn the little signals that your puppy gives when it has to potty. Right now your little one needs constant watching. They learn nothing locked in a kennel at this age. With tethering you can be there to help and to teach that little baby.

You will have a busy time for the next few months but when you train properly early on your pup will learn to be consistent in potty habits.

[canana]

Yes, agree with others that you should either have her tethered to you at all times or keep her in the isolated area. No running around in your living room without a leash until later. Don't worry, she'll get there. Key is to prevent accidents so she won't get used to it. If she gets the freedom to run around and have pee accidents, soon she'll think it's okay and mommy will just clean it up

Training sessions are great for mentally tiring them out! Not only that, sit/down/stay etc teaches them to sit patiently and not jump or beg. I've read over and over again that a calm dog is a happy dog!

Keep spoiling her with a variety of toys and chew toys, rather than giving her the opportunity to nip or bite at your fingers.

It might seem forever, but with a lot of consistency the beginning training period is well worth it later on once she learns what is good behaviour It might seem frustrating at times, but just enjoy this puppy period. They grow up so fast~~~

[belindasr]

I am soaking up all this great advice. My Biscuit comes home in 12 days (12 wks old) and I have had a few sleepless nights trying to figure out the best way to house train. I'm also trying to figure out which of the many grain free dog foods is best for small breed puppies. And suggestions?

[klkkim]

Such great advice & support ! It's so comforting hearing what to expect & about when. I d I dn't realize how long the "puppy" stage lasts. And especially the wild child syndrome out there with other pups. Nikki is just dying to have freedom outside into the main room. I am surely not quite ready. Baby Steps :-)

[Gr33zyinc]

In my opinion, get rid of the potty pads. That only teaches the pup it is okay to go to the washroom inside! This is a small breed dog that will need to be let out frequently, especially since they are still developing bladder control.

Introduce a crate to keep the puppy in when you can not supervise. If you take the puppy out of their crate, either have them in an isolated area (closed in a room, WITH YOU), baby gates in the kitchen with you, or tether to yourself with a leash.

Understand when a puppy begins to wander, and sniff the floor they are most likely contemplating going to the washroom. They need to use the washroom right after they get up from their nap, after they eat or drink, right after they shower.

Pick up your puppy, take them outside to their "potty place", set them down and say the "potty" command or whatever word you choose when they go. Once they go celebrate and reward them excitedly so they know its a good thing to go outside!

NEVER correct a dog if they go to the washroom inside after they have gone. This is YOUR Fault. If you see the puppy going to the washroom in front of you, then it is okay to give a quick correction, "NO", then pick them up and take them to their outside place. Again celebrate and reward when they go outside. Make sure you clean the spot inside with a decent detergent/ water:bleach solution, as wiping it will not completely clean it - they will still smell it and remember it as a spot to go.

[canana]

Originally Posted by Gr33zyinc

In my opinion, get rid of the potty pads. That only teaches the pup it is okay to go to the washroom inside! This is a small breed dog that will need to be let out frequently, especially since they are still developing bladder control.

Introduce a crate to keep the puppy in when you can not supervise. If you take the puppy out of their crate, either have them in an isolated area (closed in a room, WITH YOU), baby gates in the kitchen with you, or tether to yourself with a leash.

Understand when a puppy begins to wander, and sniff the floor they are most likely contemplating going to the washroom. They need to use the washroom right after they get up from their nap, after they eat or drink, right after they shower.

Pick up your puppy, take them outside to their "potty place", set them down and say the "potty" command or whatever word you choose when they go. Once they go celebrate and reward them excitedly so they know its a good thing to go outside!

NEVER correct a dog if they go to the washroom inside after they have gone. This is YOUR Fault. If you see the puppy going to the washroom in front of you, then it is okay to give a quick correction, "NO", then pick them up and take them to their outside place. Again celebrate and reward when they go outside. Make sure you clean the spot inside with a decent detergent/ water:bleach solution, as wiping it will not completely clean it - they will still smell it and remember it as a spot to go.

I also chose the crate and outdoor potty training route, granted I got both Casie and Scottie when they were 5 months. Had they been 12 weeks when I got them, I'd have no choice but to let them use pee pads at first. This is because I don't have the time to take off work to let them out frequently to go potty. At that age, they cannot hold their potty for more than 2-3 hours. Many don't realize the time commitment required for such a young puppy. I always advocate for slightly older puppies!

Anyhow, it's a personal preference though. Some choose to have indoor dogs, some outdoors. The benefit of potty trained indoors is that you don't need to go out rain or shine and you don't need to buy poop bags. The benefit of potty trained outdoors is that you never have to smell pee or poo in your home, but you need to stock up on pee pads.