I am at my wits end - Page 2 - YorkieTalk.com Forums

tmatherly · 04-09-2006, 04:41 AM

You have received such good advice, and I agree with everyone about being patient with the puppy phase. One thing I did with Scout that really helped was "puppy potty boot camp", but it requires a weekend time committment on your part. Here's how it works: First, decide how your puppy is primarily going to be trained-does she go outside or on pads? Then commit to potty training ALL WEEKEND. Put Chloe on a 6 foot leash and attach the other end to YOU. She goes where you go all day. Watch her carefully for her potty cues: sniffing, circling, etc...you probably know them by now. As soon as she starts this, take her to the designated potty spot and say "GO POTTY" or whatever you choose (BTW, don't carry her..make her walk-she'll start to think she should be carried to the potty spot!) If she goes where she's supposed to, praise her and treat her. The main thing is consistency, and believe it or not a young puppy like her can understand commands like GO POTTY if you are consistent. Scout really started doing a lot better on pottying in the designated area after I did the weekend boot camp with him. Occasionally when he started backsliding again, I would do the boot camp with him again-usually only for 1/2 a day or so! GOOD LUCK!!!!

JeanieK · 04-09-2006, 05:01 AM

I know it's tough, you love them so much but hate what they are doing. I think you will notice a change at around 16 to 20 weeks. Some train before 16 weeks, but many don't.

Just like children, they all develop at different rates. For what ever reason, what you have been doing is not getting the message across, so you need to try something different.

Getting rid of the pee pads makes sense, since he isn't catching on to them, may as well not waste your money on them, you could try newspaper, he might not tear that up.

I think the boot camp sounds like an excellent idea. Give it a try anyway, it can't hurt, and when you are not home, leave him in a small area with hard surface flooring.

It just takes time and patience. Some require more of it than others. But hang in there, it will get better.

I don't believe changing the diet will help that much.

Gingergirlsmom · 04-09-2006, 05:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tmatherly

You have received such good advice, and I agree with everyone about being patient with the puppy phase. One thing I did with Scout that really helped was "puppy potty boot camp", but it requires a weekend time committment on your part. Here's how it works: First, decide how your puppy is primarily going to be trained-does she go outside or on pads? Then commit to potty training ALL WEEKEND. Put Chloe on a 6 foot leash and attach the other end to YOU. She goes where you go all day. Watch her carefully for her potty cues: sniffing, circling, etc...you probably know them by now. As soon as she starts this, take her to the designated potty spot and say "GO POTTY" or whatever you choose (BTW, don't carry her..make her walk-she'll start to think she should be carried to the potty spot!) If she goes where she's supposed to, praise her and treat her. The main thing is consistency, and believe it or not a young puppy like her can understand commands like GO POTTY if you are consistent. Scout really started doing a lot better on pottying in the designated area after I did the weekend boot camp with him. Occasionally when he started backsliding again, I would do the boot camp with him again-usually only for 1/2 a day or so! GOOD LUCK!!!!

Great post! I love it, and I can see how it would work!

I think one thing a lot of us forget is where we want them relieving themselves when they are all grown up! If you want that outside, take the puppy outside. If you plan on using pee pads for 15 years, then use the pee pads. Alot of people do and are very happy with it. Personally, we never used a pee pad or newspaper, just the outside from 12 weeks on.

Everybody here has great advice. Choose the method that makes the most sense to you and stick to it, consistency will be your biggest ally.

Good luck!

Emmsmom · 04-09-2006, 05:34 AM

Lord help me I am just asking for trouble here BUT... I have to disagree about the food and how many times a day they poop. I have tried different kinds of food. Science Diet, purina, nutro, merricks and now the only thing Diesel will eat is the puppy pedigree. He pees every time we take the shepherd out. Altho I am not convinced he is peeing. I think he marks his territory more. He only poops twice a day. He has done this for a long time and what he eats doesn't seem to make a difference. now all dogs are different but this is how it works for Diesel.

Michelle

red98vett · 04-09-2006, 05:39 AM

I Agree with Sherry Lynn - she is a BABY and please don't look at it as being 'bad' Your puppy doesn't know any better at this age.

Think of it this way - HUMANS TAKE UP TO 3 YEARS to potty train ! You're expecting this puppy to learn something in weeks that can take months to learn.

Have you tried the Pee Drops ? You can sprinkle some on the pad and it's susposed to attract the dog to use THAT area.....

and relax on the training - you can't punish a tiny puppy for doing what comes naturally - I would leave other things out for her to play with and maybe she'll stop shredding the pads.

Emmsmom · 04-09-2006, 05:46 AM

One thing I wanted to add was that IF you can salvage a puppy pad LOL that she has used take it outside and show it to her. Maybe then she will get the hint. I did this for about a week with Diesel and it seemed to help out some. Hope things work out soon for you. Good luck wiht the Potty Training.

mire · 04-10-2006, 12:40 PM

Everyone on this site is right: thhis shall pass. Please be patient. Your Yorkie is a baby. She will make many mistakes, even when she's much older, it comes with owning a dog. Confining a Yorkie's area works, truly it does. Get a child safety gate and choose a small area to start out with. Place the wee pad on one end, and food bedding on the opposite farthest end. Get your Yorkie on a schedule. When they are puppies, they usually have to go to the bathroom within 20 minutes of eating. Sit with your Yorkie, watch her. Get scented drops and place in CENTER of pad. Use the phrase "GO POTTY" often so she learns to associate that phrase with the wee wee pad. It will get to a point where you'll say "GOP POTTY" and your Yorkie will directly over to the nearest pad to relive herself: I promise this happens but it takes time...Place your Yorkie on the pad, let her sniff the scented droplets. With time and consistency, she'll get it. But it takes time and patience. Never yell or get mad if she's near the pad; you don't want them to associate the pad with anything negative. As she learns where she needs to go, praise her like crazy, clap, sing and cheer AS SOON AS SHE DOES IT ON THE PAD. Yorkies love having something to work for; she will work for your happiness. With time, she earns more space as she proves she can pee on the pad. Next thing you know she'll be going potty on her own and will earn free access of your house. But never stop praising her when she does the RIGHT THING or she may regress...BTW, my Yorkie was able to focus on this much better AFTER getting neutered at 6 months old: it helped him concentrate, he was less distracted and less wild....AND less accidents.

lilannie · 04-10-2006, 12:45 PM

My Beagle was exactly like that, and that is when I learned about crate training, after one week he was a completely different dog, he listened better, and was so much more enjoyable to be around....he is now 3 and thinks he is a people..and loved by everyone. might be worth a try, tho i have seen it backfire on people that abuse it by leaving them in to long or putting them in there because they couldn't be bothered working with them the tiniest bit.

YORKIE7 · 04-10-2006, 03:49 PM

Ive had the same trouble with my puppy,tearing the wee wee pads up,i used a litter box and she just ate the litter as i couldnt have a doggy door,i decided she could use a corner of tiled floor in the laundry room as her toilet. All i did was bought some johnsons toilet spray,sprayed it in the area i wanted her to use and its worked wonders! now i just clean up the poo or wee nand mop the floor,simple!

cajungal · 04-10-2006, 04:39 PM

Read my above new post. Chloe has made some progress! She went on her pad several times yesterday for both pee and poop. And the same today. I am really proud of her!

yorkiesinstowe · 08-26-2006, 07:04 PM

I was worried about my dog ripping up the piddle pads as well if we weren't present. I had heard stories about the dogs eating the piddle pad and then the contents expand only to find the dog dead upon return....I decided to order the piddle pads from a website: www.piddlepads.com....they came in the mail very promptly. I have to say, they are wonderful. Not only do they hide the piddle spots, they are waterproof, chew-proof?(can't be shredded) and easy to clean in the washing machine. It may just be what you need!

LuvMySadie · 08-26-2006, 07:21 PM

Someone mentioned on another thread somewhere about using a plastic grate on top of the pee pad. It is those plastic weaving grate things you can do cross-stitching with... at Jo-Ann Fabric store. Place the pee pad in a litter box or pan, then place the grid on top. She said this helps with the dog not stepping on the urine immediately after going, but it could help you with the tearing problem as well. I don't remember where the thread is, but you could do a search using some key words.

Hang in there. Like the others said..... she is just a baby.

Dragonfly · 08-26-2006, 07:44 PM

I have a little girl that is 14 weeks old, one day she will pee on it then the next day is will poo on it, sometime is will pee & poo on it, when she gets lonely she rip up the pad. so then I take the pad out and let her play upstairs for about hour put a new down she will use it, I have to make sure to let her play out of the bathroom thru the day that way she does better and doesn't rip them up.

baby03 · 08-26-2006, 07:46 PM

Don't lose hope!! She is fairly young. She needs more time. I think getting the washable pads might be the best bet that way she can't tear them up. Good luck to you!! Remember she won't be a puppy forever!! I know how you feel, but hang in there!!

ditsy · 08-26-2006, 07:47 PM

One thing to try that helped us was "telling off the bad potty".

Along with crate training (dont give up on that yet, keep at it) every time we had an "accident" I would get Jake under my arm and together we would go and tell the bad potty how naughty it was.

I wasn't shouting at him, and he was scare, more curious as to why I was telling off this piece of poop.

Then, with Jake still under my arm, I would take the potty outside and then start to praise the potty, telling the potty was a good boy etc (again not focusing on Jake, he just happens to be with me under my arm).

You feel like quite an idiot, outside on your hands and knees saying "oh good potty, what a nice potty" etc, but I think it helped.

We still have slip ups once in a while, but mostly thats because I'm not paying attention.

Good luck, and she is very young so I wouldn't worry too much.

04-09-2006, 04:41 AM	#16
tmatherly Razorback Yorkie Lover Donating Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Bentonville, AR Posts: 2,056	You have received such good advice, and I agree with everyone about being patient with the puppy phase. One thing I did with Scout that really helped was "puppy potty boot camp", but it requires a weekend time committment on your part. Here's how it works: First, decide how your puppy is primarily going to be trained-does she go outside or on pads? Then commit to potty training ALL WEEKEND. Put Chloe on a 6 foot leash and attach the other end to YOU. She goes where you go all day. Watch her carefully for her potty cues: sniffing, circling, etc...you probably know them by now. As soon as she starts this, take her to the designated potty spot and say "GO POTTY" or whatever you choose (BTW, don't carry her..make her walk-she'll start to think she should be carried to the potty spot!) If she goes where she's supposed to, praise her and treat her. The main thing is consistency, and believe it or not a young puppy like her can understand commands like GO POTTY if you are consistent. Scout really started doing a lot better on pottying in the designated area after I did the weekend boot camp with him. Occasionally when he started backsliding again, I would do the boot camp with him again-usually only for 1/2 a day or so! GOOD LUCK!!!! __________________ Tiffany Pippa, Scout, and Ranger's Mom http://www.dogster.com/?198523 http://www.dogster.com/?198525

04-09-2006, 05:39 AM	#20
red98vett Yorkie Kisses are the Best! Donating Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Houston TX Posts: 33,590 Blog Entries: 1	I Agree with Sherry Lynn - she is a BABY and please don't look at it as being 'bad' Your puppy doesn't know any better at this age. Think of it this way - HUMANS TAKE UP TO 3 YEARS to potty train ! You're expecting this puppy to learn something in weeks that can take months to learn. Have you tried the Pee Drops ? You can sprinkle some on the pad and it's susposed to attract the dog to use THAT area..... and relax on the training - you can't punish a tiny puppy for doing what comes naturally - I would leave other things out for her to play with and maybe she'll stop shredding the pads. __________________ Villette, Chanel & Cheri www.DesignsByVillette.net Custom Address Labels and Note Cards using YOUR Photos! Just Click HERE!

04-10-2006, 12:40 PM	#22
mire Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Weehawken NJ Posts: 53	Hi! Everyone on this site is right: thhis shall pass. Please be patient. Your Yorkie is a baby. She will make many mistakes, even when she's much older, it comes with owning a dog. Confining a Yorkie's area works, truly it does. Get a child safety gate and choose a small area to start out with. Place the wee pad on one end, and food bedding on the opposite farthest end. Get your Yorkie on a schedule. When they are puppies, they usually have to go to the bathroom within 20 minutes of eating. Sit with your Yorkie, watch her. Get scented drops and place in CENTER of pad. Use the phrase "GO POTTY" often so she learns to associate that phrase with the wee wee pad. It will get to a point where you'll say "GOP POTTY" and your Yorkie will directly over to the nearest pad to relive herself: I promise this happens but it takes time...Place your Yorkie on the pad, let her sniff the scented droplets. With time and consistency, she'll get it. But it takes time and patience. Never yell or get mad if she's near the pad; you don't want them to associate the pad with anything negative. As she learns where she needs to go, praise her like crazy, clap, sing and cheer AS SOON AS SHE DOES IT ON THE PAD. Yorkies love having something to work for; she will work for your happiness. With time, she earns more space as she proves she can pee on the pad. Next thing you know she'll be going potty on her own and will earn free access of your house. But never stop praising her when she does the RIGHT THING or she may regress...BTW, my Yorkie was able to focus on this much better AFTER getting neutered at 6 months old: it helped him concentrate, he was less distracted and less wild....AND less accidents.

04-10-2006, 12:45 PM	#23
lilannie Donating Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Alberta, Canada Posts: 338	My Beagle was exactly like that, and that is when I learned about crate training, after one week he was a completely different dog, he listened better, and was so much more enjoyable to be around....he is now 3 and thinks he is a people..and loved by everyone. might be worth a try, tho i have seen it backfire on people that abuse it by leaving them in to long or putting them in there because they couldn't be bothered working with them the tiniest bit. __________________ "To err is human, to forgive, Canine." Proud Mom of Bailey and Copper

04-10-2006, 04:39 PM	#25
cajungal YT Addict Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Schriever, Louisiana Posts: 404	Read my above new post. Chloe has made some progress! She went on her pad several times yesterday for both pee and poop. And the same today. I am really proud of her! __________________ Rest in Peace, Lacey I LOVE YOU. January 11,1992-June 30, 2005 Proud new mommy to Chloe Cheyenne born Dec 28, 2005

04-09-2006, 05:01 AM	#17
JeanieK Donating YT 12K Club Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Council Bluffs Iowa Posts: 12,552	I know it's tough, you love them so much but hate what they are doing. I think you will notice a change at around 16 to 20 weeks. Some train before 16 weeks, but many don't. Just like children, they all develop at different rates. For what ever reason, what you have been doing is not getting the message across, so you need to try something different. Getting rid of the pee pads makes sense, since he isn't catching on to them, may as well not waste your money on them, you could try newspaper, he might not tear that up. I think the boot camp sounds like an excellent idea. Give it a try anyway, it can't hurt, and when you are not home, leave him in a small area with hard surface flooring. It just takes time and patience. Some require more of it than others. But hang in there, it will get better. I don't believe changing the diet will help that much.

04-09-2006, 05:34 AM	#19
Emmsmom YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Virginia Posts: 989	Lord help me I am just asking for trouble here BUT... I have to disagree about the food and how many times a day they poop. I have tried different kinds of food. Science Diet, purina, nutro, merricks and now the only thing Diesel will eat is the puppy pedigree. He pees every time we take the shepherd out. Altho I am not convinced he is peeing. I think he marks his territory more. He only poops twice a day. He has done this for a long time and what he eats doesn't seem to make a difference. now all dogs are different but this is how it works for Diesel. Michelle

04-09-2006, 05:46 AM	#21
Emmsmom YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Virginia Posts: 989	One thing I wanted to add was that IF you can salvage a puppy pad LOL that she has used take it outside and show it to her. Maybe then she will get the hint. I did this for about a week with Diesel and it seemed to help out some. Hope things work out soon for you. Good luck wiht the Potty Training.

04-10-2006, 03:49 PM	#24
YORKIE7 No Longer a Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: ENGLAND Posts: 1,227	Ive had the same trouble with my puppy,tearing the wee wee pads up,i used a litter box and she just ate the litter as i couldnt have a doggy door,i decided she could use a corner of tiled floor in the laundry room as her toilet. All i did was bought some johnsons toilet spray,sprayed it in the area i wanted her to use and its worked wonders! now i just clean up the poo or wee nand mop the floor,simple!

08-26-2006, 07:04 PM	#26
yorkiesinstowe Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 34	Washable piddle pads are great! I was worried about my dog ripping up the piddle pads as well if we weren't present. I had heard stories about the dogs eating the piddle pad and then the contents expand only to find the dog dead upon return....I decided to order the piddle pads from a website: www.piddlepads.com....they came in the mail very promptly. I have to say, they are wonderful. Not only do they hide the piddle spots, they are waterproof, chew-proof?(can't be shredded) and easy to clean in the washing machine. It may just be what you need!

08-26-2006, 07:21 PM	#27
LuvMySadie Yorkie Talker Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 18	Someone mentioned on another thread somewhere about using a plastic grate on top of the pee pad. It is those plastic weaving grate things you can do cross-stitching with... at Jo-Ann Fabric store. Place the pee pad in a litter box or pan, then place the grid on top. She said this helps with the dog not stepping on the urine immediately after going, but it could help you with the tearing problem as well. I don't remember where the thread is, but you could do a search using some key words. Hang in there. Like the others said..... she is just a baby. __________________ Natalie~ Mommy of Sadie Angel Nina Suzy & of course Anna & Alena Visit Sadie at Dogster.com

08-26-2006, 07:44 PM	#28
Dragonfly My Sun Shine's bright Donating Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Georiga Posts: 2,353	I have a little girl that is 14 weeks old, one day she will pee on it then the next day is will poo on it, sometime is will pee & poo on it, when she gets lonely she rip up the pad. so then I take the pad out and let her play upstairs for about hour put a new down she will use it, I have to make sure to let her play out of the bathroom thru the day that way she does better and doesn't rip them up.

08-26-2006, 07:46 PM	#29
baby03 Donating YT 2000 Club Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: us Posts: 2,255	Don't lose hope!! She is fairly young. She needs more time. I think getting the washable pads might be the best bet that way she can't tear them up. Good luck to you!! Remember she won't be a puppy forever!! I know how you feel, but hang in there!!

08-26-2006, 07:47 PM	#30
ditsy Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 130	One thing to try that helped us was "telling off the bad potty". Along with crate training (dont give up on that yet, keep at it) every time we had an "accident" I would get Jake under my arm and together we would go and tell the bad potty how naughty it was. I wasn't shouting at him, and he was scare, more curious as to why I was telling off this piece of poop. Then, with Jake still under my arm, I would take the potty outside and then start to praise the potty, telling the potty was a good boy etc (again not focusing on Jake, he just happens to be with me under my arm). You feel like quite an idiot, outside on your hands and knees saying "oh good potty, what a nice potty" etc, but I think it helped. We still have slip ups once in a while, but mostly thats because I'm not paying attention. Good luck, and she is very young so I wouldn't worry too much.