First post.....long time YT fan!!
 

Hello Yorkie Fanatics!

I have been reading through threads for awesome advice and tips for the past couple of years. Even before I got my "little" 15lb bundle of crazy named Rufio! This is my first post, please be kind.
I have had Rufio for three years since he was 12 weeks old. He is my first dog as an adult and first ever small dog. All of his bad habits are my own doing and I take full responsibility for the fact that we have lived in a new place every 7months or so of his life. Rufio and I have lived in 4 different states since I got him and he's having a difficult time with potty training. He knows not to go in the house however if noone is around to tell him to go out the dog door he will go inside the house. Plus Rufio is a little prince and doesn't like rain, we moved to Portland, OR :mad: This was not too big of a problem when I was able to take him to work. But my job has changed, I am now gone for 10 hours and I can't leave him in his crate for that long. In the past, Rufio use a catlitter box in an apartment.
My question...If I lock him in a space with littler box when I'm gone and have him use the dog door when people are home is that too many options for him? We run in the morning before work and walk to dog park after.mhe gets plenty of exercise in. Ideally him using the dog door on his own would be my first option. My roommate has a dog and I can't lock him in a space that blocks the dog door. I have tried so many options he is so hit or miss when he is left in an open space. I'm at the point of pulling hair out. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you to anyone who responds with a helpful response:animal-pa

Hello and welcome

I'm horrible with advice for you

Wow 10 hours is too long without Mom. Do you know a trusting person to come and walk him? I don't know what I would do in this situation. Good luck sweetie.

Welcome to YT. Barney and Willie have been trained to use both pee pad and outside. But....Willie is not dependable. We got him when he was already 2 and he hadn't been potty trained. He will mark in the house if we're not careful. So, he wears a belly band when we are gone and at night. Barney does much better.

Welcome to Yorkie Talk. Rufio definitely needs potty breaks during that 10 hours.

Consistency is key to establishing good house training. Whichever method you choose, he should have that option at all times. For instance, my boys are pad and outdoor trained. They have a pad available at all times, although they would prefer to go outdoors.

If you are going to use the litter box, let him have access to it 24 hours a day as an option, even if he has other options when you are home.

Good luck!