Please Help Me From Having To Sent My 2 Sweeties To A Shelter - YorkieTalk.com Forums

Princess Patte · 10-08-2006, 06:01 PM

Please Help!!! This is my first attempt at using a site like this. I am desperate. I have 2 female Yorkies. The will be 2 on December 28th. As of yet, I have not been successful at potty training them. We have been using a litter box that is located in our garage off of the laundry room. They should go out there to use the facilities. There are more accidents than successes. I just had double knee replacement surgery and cannot keep up with these little ones. They seem to make no attempt to try to hold it. During the day, when I was still able to work, before my medical leave, they have been in crates. I thought this was mean, however, everyone assures me this is ok. I deliberately bought 2 puppies so that they would keep each other company during my absence. I am heartbroken to say, that I am now at the point of bring them to a shelter. They have totally worn me out. I would praise their successful potty efforts my actually jumping and clapping (when I was able to jump that is). Now I am very limited. The have no problem with eliminating in their own crate. Nothing seems to work. I can't tell you how truly heartbreaking this is for me. I am typing between my teardrops, so I hope that this is readable. PLEASE, can anyone suggest what I can do to get them potty trained at this late time? I would even send them to a dog training school and leave them there for training. I don't know where to go. I have spent the last 4 months crying at the thought of getting rid of them. I don't want to do that, nor do I want them separated as they are sisters and have been together since birth. My son, 29 has made it clear to me that he will never speak to me again if I get rid of them. He has tried in vane to help with the house breaking too. He adores Mandy and Hailey. But I am now warn. I love them too, but the constant washing of blankets, cleaning of accidents, only to turn around and find after cleaning one mess, that the other just did the same. PLEASE HELP. I am so upset. I love them both, and fear losing them and my son. Thanks to any one who can help me with this sad dilemma. Kind regards, Princess Patte

RowdysMom · 10-08-2006, 06:15 PM

I'm afraid that I won't be much help - but I'm really sorry that you are haivng such a hard time. I know about knee replacement surgery and you certainly cannot get around well now, but it should get better in the future.

About the housebreaking. Do you have a fenced yard? If so, and your yard is safe, can you try a doggie door so they can go outside to potty. That is what worked for me - when we put in a doggie door so that our Rowdy could go out the doggie door by himself, then he was almost magically housebroken. Rexy came a year later and he just followed Rowdy's lead, and so he was pretty easy to break.

I can't say that Rowdy doesn't occasionally potty on the floor, because he does. He is not neutered and so he marks - but it is only alittle bit and we have wood floors and stained concrete, so it doesn't matter, I just wipe it up. Rexy never goes in the house, except for occasionally pooping in my mom's room - I don't know why, but sometimes he does.

Good luck, I hope you get some good suggestions.

gloriajean · 10-08-2006, 06:43 PM

please just be patient, your knees will heal in time and then you can really attack the housebreaking problem, I also have 2 girls, sisters Laverne & shirley they are the same age as your 2 they sometimes still have accidents. Just hang in there it will get better, in the mean time just keep cleaning thier crates and maybe use an ex-pen if you have one, they can be used outside or inside. If not, call me I'd be intersted in them if you decide to re-home them. 931-270-7677

Scruffles4Ever · 10-08-2006, 06:51 PM

I have no advice to offer other than to just hang in there. Look to your babies as a source of comfort during this difficult time and on your road to recovery.

I had a spinal fusion 6 months ago and today I am pain free completely. I truly believe that my baby Scruffles helped me to recover. I had only had him for five days when I came out of the hospital so he was not even trained yet. It was not easy looking after a puppy by any means at the condition I was in, but I was determined and I know he helped me get through my recovery faster. Back brace and all I would take small walks with him, and as I got stronger I increased the distance and my pace. There were plenty of accidents throughout this time, but the good times far outweighed the bad. I know your babies will help you through your physically challenging time too.

Good Luck

Doodlebug · 10-08-2006, 06:52 PM

I hope and pray that you don't have to give up your babies. It took my Yorkie girl over a year to get potty trained and she messed in her crate too. I got her a companion too, a Yorkie mix, and he was easier to train. Close to the time that she turned one, I was home with them full time and I was able to let them out more often. Persistance did pay off and she never has an accident in the house anymore. She is now 3 and I still praise her like she just won me a million bucks every time she potties and poops outside. In the morning her first poop of the day gets her a chicken jerkey and she knows it, she poops and then runs like crazy to come get her treat.

I tried to get them to use a litter box and also pee pads, but they just wouldn't use them. They WOULD use newspaper though. Maybe you could try using just newspaper on the floor. Good luck and I will pray for your fast recovery and that you will be able to keep your precious little babies with you.

my2boyz · 10-08-2006, 06:54 PM

Do you have a place to install a doggie door? We've had great luck with the boys using one once they get the hang of it. We haven't installed one in our new house yet so we keep a wee-wee pad (in a tray) inside for times when we're gone and they can't get out. When you crate trained your girls did they have too much room in their crates? They should only have room to sit or lay down, not to play. We crate trained our boys and yes, it does seem cruel at first but it's actually a great way to train them. Please don't give up...you've come to the right place for help...you'll find it here and be able to keep your girls!

JeanieK · 10-08-2006, 06:57 PM

I think you will need to go back to basics. Keep them confined to the laundry room untill they learn to go out to the box.

It might be that they don't like the box, but it sounds to me like they just never got the message, so you will need to start like they were puppies and retrain them.

When I got my guys, I put down pee pads where ever i found poop or pee, they were confined to the kitchen. At one point I had half of the floor covered, then I gradually started moving the pads closer together towards the area where I wanted the pad to be.

If they went back to a spot that I had moved a pad from, I put one of their beds or a toybox over the spot.

Gradually I got it down to one pad, and then I put that pad in a shallow under the bed type rubbermaid box. They did real well with that 95% of the time.

Since then I have fenced in my patio and installed a doggie door, and now they use the doggie door and only use the box if it is raining out.

However, I still keep them confined to the kitchen during the day, They are only allowed in the living room in the evening when we are watching TV, and then I put the box in the living room becase I still don't trust them.

I crate them only at night.

Please just give them time. I know it is hard for you right now, but for the time being, confining them to hard surface floor will help.

If you absolutely cannot handle it I would love to have them. And many others on here would also.

Piccolo's mom · 10-08-2006, 07:04 PM

Oh, please, keep them. You can try diapers for a while till you get better and they will learn eventually. I saw some cute waterproof panties for girls and they are washable.

Gracie2006 · 10-08-2006, 07:22 PM

Being they havn't caught on in two years, you might consider hiring a trainer and an animal behavioral specialist to come out to your home and work with you on the potty training. There may be some other issues that are causing the potty training problems. Also, have you had your babies checked by a vet recently just to make sure there is nothing physically wrong with them? Where did your babies come from? If they came from a pet store or a puppy mill, they might have gotten used to going in the crate and as such, crate training probably won't work. Like the others said, I would sit tight until you have recovered from your surgery than get busy on this issue.

chloeandj · 10-08-2006, 09:07 PM

Go for the diapers!! All you do is put in a sanitary pad and change as needed throughout the day. Give yourself some peace of mind and ENJOY YOUR BABIES!! Lots of people do this! Wouldn't you be so lonely without them? Don't give up on them, put them in diapers!!

Susan123 · 10-09-2006, 01:41 AM

I feel so bad for you, that will certainly wear you out. If you have a child safety gate (you can find on cheap at Goodwill) you can section them off on some linoleum flooring ie kitchen, bathroom, to give you a break when you need it. At least it will keep the mess confined for the time being. When you have them sectioned off, you can place a pee pad in there or the litter box, while they're in thier pen. This way, the mess won't be all over them as in the crate. Best wishes to you,

Susan

red98vett · 10-09-2006, 03:21 AM

You got some good advise & your son has a point..... Taking a dog to a shelter unless it's agressive is the lazy way out.....but I know you're frustrated.

It sure does sound like you need to start from the beginning and try to re-train them - or FIND SOMEONE WHO CAN - there are many people looking for yorkies that would be able to invest the time to train....with all the accidents you can't be enjoying them too much and that's just a shame for them and you.

PLEASE READ THIS ABOUT Taking a dog to the Shelter....I think it may change your mind on them http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=54913I

I wish you all the best

chachi · 10-09-2006, 03:42 AM

If all else fails and you decide they need to go offer them on YT and I am sure someone wuld adopt them. That would be alot better than taking them to a shelter

romeos mommy · 10-09-2006, 04:20 AM

please don't bring them to a shelter. they will be so scared. someone here can help you rehome them. there are good yorkie loving people here. can you have a dog trainer come to your home? have you tried cesar millan books or dvds?

friesianlady · 10-09-2006, 04:34 AM

Please don't give up on them, I have 6 at my house and I can tell you that potty training is tough. If you could use a crate to train them that might help. I have two (2) that will never potty in their crates and one (1) that will wait to go outside, so that leaves three (3) more, and two (2) are the boys who can lift their legs in seconds. I truly understand the pains in potty training, confine them in one area and go from their. If you really have to re-home them, I will take them. Just give it some more time please...

10-08-2006, 06:01 PM	#1
Princess Patte YorkieTalk Newbie! Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Wheeling, IL Posts: 2	Please Help Me From Having To Sent My 2 Sweeties To A Shelter Please Help!!! This is my first attempt at using a site like this. I am desperate. I have 2 female Yorkies. The will be 2 on December 28th. As of yet, I have not been successful at potty training them. We have been using a litter box that is located in our garage off of the laundry room. They should go out there to use the facilities. There are more accidents than successes. I just had double knee replacement surgery and cannot keep up with these little ones. They seem to make no attempt to try to hold it. During the day, when I was still able to work, before my medical leave, they have been in crates. I thought this was mean, however, everyone assures me this is ok. I deliberately bought 2 puppies so that they would keep each other company during my absence. I am heartbroken to say, that I am now at the point of bring them to a shelter. They have totally worn me out. I would praise their successful potty efforts my actually jumping and clapping (when I was able to jump that is). Now I am very limited. The have no problem with eliminating in their own crate. Nothing seems to work. I can't tell you how truly heartbreaking this is for me. I am typing between my teardrops, so I hope that this is readable. PLEASE, can anyone suggest what I can do to get them potty trained at this late time? I would even send them to a dog training school and leave them there for training. I don't know where to go. I have spent the last 4 months crying at the thought of getting rid of them. I don't want to do that, nor do I want them separated as they are sisters and have been together since birth. My son, 29 has made it clear to me that he will never speak to me again if I get rid of them. He has tried in vane to help with the house breaking too. He adores Mandy and Hailey. But I am now warn. I love them too, but the constant washing of blankets, cleaning of accidents, only to turn around and find after cleaning one mess, that the other just did the same. PLEASE HELP. I am so upset. I love them both, and fear losing them and my son. Thanks to any one who can help me with this sad dilemma. Kind regards, Princess Patte

10-08-2006, 06:15 PM	#2
RowdysMom Donating YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Central Texas Posts: 2,624	I'm afraid that I won't be much help - but I'm really sorry that you are haivng such a hard time. I know about knee replacement surgery and you certainly cannot get around well now, but it should get better in the future. About the housebreaking. Do you have a fenced yard? If so, and your yard is safe, can you try a doggie door so they can go outside to potty. That is what worked for me - when we put in a doggie door so that our Rowdy could go out the doggie door by himself, then he was almost magically housebroken. Rexy came a year later and he just followed Rowdy's lead, and so he was pretty easy to break. I can't say that Rowdy doesn't occasionally potty on the floor, because he does. He is not neutered and so he marks - but it is only alittle bit and we have wood floors and stained concrete, so it doesn't matter, I just wipe it up. Rexy never goes in the house, except for occasionally pooping in my mom's room - I don't know why, but sometimes he does. Good luck, I hope you get some good suggestions. __________________ Rex & Rowdy's Mom

10-08-2006, 06:43 PM	#3
gloriajean YT Addict Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Tennessee Posts: 460	good luck please just be patient, your knees will heal in time and then you can really attack the housebreaking problem, I also have 2 girls, sisters Laverne & shirley they are the same age as your 2 they sometimes still have accidents. Just hang in there it will get better, in the mean time just keep cleaning thier crates and maybe use an ex-pen if you have one, they can be used outside or inside. If not, call me I'd be intersted in them if you decide to re-home them. 931-270-7677

10-08-2006, 07:04 PM	#8
Piccolo's mom Donating Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Mississauga, Ontario, Canada Posts: 778	Oh, please, keep them. You can try diapers for a while till you get better and they will learn eventually. I saw some cute waterproof panties for girls and they are washable. __________________ Barb & Piccolo If your dog barks and doesn't fit in a bread roll, don't eat it.

10-08-2006, 07:22 PM	#9
Gracie2006 Donating YT 3000 Club Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Sequim, Wa Posts: 4,541	Being they havn't caught on in two years, you might consider hiring a trainer and an animal behavioral specialist to come out to your home and work with you on the potty training. There may be some other issues that are causing the potty training problems. Also, have you had your babies checked by a vet recently just to make sure there is nothing physically wrong with them? Where did your babies come from? If they came from a pet store or a puppy mill, they might have gotten used to going in the crate and as such, crate training probably won't work. Like the others said, I would sit tight until you have recovered from your surgery than get busy on this issue. __________________ Gracie loves Bailey. Holly loves Tucker. Proud member of the YT Gracie Girls.

10-08-2006, 06:51 PM	#4
Scruffles4Ever No Longer a Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Monroe, NY Posts: 380	I have no advice to offer other than to just hang in there. Look to your babies as a source of comfort during this difficult time and on your road to recovery. I had a spinal fusion 6 months ago and today I am pain free completely. I truly believe that my baby Scruffles helped me to recover. I had only had him for five days when I came out of the hospital so he was not even trained yet. It was not easy looking after a puppy by any means at the condition I was in, but I was determined and I know he helped me get through my recovery faster. Back brace and all I would take small walks with him, and as I got stronger I increased the distance and my pace. There were plenty of accidents throughout this time, but the good times far outweighed the bad. I know your babies will help you through your physically challenging time too. Good Luck

10-08-2006, 06:52 PM	#5
Doodlebug ♥Love My Puppies!♥ Donating Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: US Posts: 5,786	I hope and pray that you don't have to give up your babies. It took my Yorkie girl over a year to get potty trained and she messed in her crate too. I got her a companion too, a Yorkie mix, and he was easier to train. Close to the time that she turned one, I was home with them full time and I was able to let them out more often. Persistance did pay off and she never has an accident in the house anymore. She is now 3 and I still praise her like she just won me a million bucks every time she potties and poops outside. In the morning her first poop of the day gets her a chicken jerkey and she knows it, she poops and then runs like crazy to come get her treat. I tried to get them to use a litter box and also pee pads, but they just wouldn't use them. They WOULD use newspaper though. Maybe you could try using just newspaper on the floor. Good luck and I will pray for your fast recovery and that you will be able to keep your precious little babies with you.

10-08-2006, 06:54 PM	#6
my2boyz Donating YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: In my house :) Posts: 5,219	Do you have a place to install a doggie door? We've had great luck with the boys using one once they get the hang of it. We haven't installed one in our new house yet so we keep a wee-wee pad (in a tray) inside for times when we're gone and they can't get out. When you crate trained your girls did they have too much room in their crates? They should only have room to sit or lay down, not to play. We crate trained our boys and yes, it does seem cruel at first but it's actually a great way to train them. Please don't give up...you've come to the right place for help...you'll find it here and be able to keep your girls!

10-08-2006, 06:57 PM	#7
JeanieK Donating YT 12K Club Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Council Bluffs Iowa Posts: 12,552	I think you will need to go back to basics. Keep them confined to the laundry room untill they learn to go out to the box. It might be that they don't like the box, but it sounds to me like they just never got the message, so you will need to start like they were puppies and retrain them. When I got my guys, I put down pee pads where ever i found poop or pee, they were confined to the kitchen. At one point I had half of the floor covered, then I gradually started moving the pads closer together towards the area where I wanted the pad to be. If they went back to a spot that I had moved a pad from, I put one of their beds or a toybox over the spot. Gradually I got it down to one pad, and then I put that pad in a shallow under the bed type rubbermaid box. They did real well with that 95% of the time. Since then I have fenced in my patio and installed a doggie door, and now they use the doggie door and only use the box if it is raining out. However, I still keep them confined to the kitchen during the day, They are only allowed in the living room in the evening when we are watching TV, and then I put the box in the living room becase I still don't trust them. I crate them only at night. Please just give them time. I know it is hard for you right now, but for the time being, confining them to hard surface floor will help. If you absolutely cannot handle it I would love to have them. And many others on here would also.

10-08-2006, 09:07 PM	#10
chloeandj Tinkerbell, My Little Flutterpup Donating Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Beautiful California! Posts: 6,112	Go for the diapers!! All you do is put in a sanitary pad and change as needed throughout the day. Give yourself some peace of mind and ENJOY YOUR BABIES!! Lots of people do this! Wouldn't you be so lonely without them? Don't give up on them, put them in diapers!! Last edited by chloeandj; 10-08-2006 at 09:10 PM.

10-09-2006, 01:41 AM	#11
Susan123 YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Florida Posts: 1,455	I feel so bad for you, that will certainly wear you out. If you have a child safety gate (you can find on cheap at Goodwill) you can section them off on some linoleum flooring ie kitchen, bathroom, to give you a break when you need it. At least it will keep the mess confined for the time being. When you have them sectioned off, you can place a pee pad in there or the litter box, while they're in thier pen. This way, the mess won't be all over them as in the crate. Best wishes to you, Susan

10-09-2006, 03:21 AM	#12
red98vett Yorkie Kisses are the Best! Donating Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Houston TX Posts: 33,590 Blog Entries: 1	You got some good advise & your son has a point..... Taking a dog to a shelter unless it's agressive is the lazy way out.....but I know you're frustrated. It sure does sound like you need to start from the beginning and try to re-train them - or FIND SOMEONE WHO CAN - there are many people looking for yorkies that would be able to invest the time to train....with all the accidents you can't be enjoying them too much and that's just a shame for them and you. PLEASE READ THIS ABOUT Taking a dog to the Shelter....I think it may change your mind on them http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=54913I I wish you all the best __________________ Villette, Chanel & Cheri www.DesignsByVillette.net Custom Address Labels and Note Cards using YOUR Photos! Just Click HERE!

10-09-2006, 03:42 AM	#13
chachi I Love My Yorkies Donating Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Indianapolis, Indiana Posts: 37,147	If all else fails and you decide they need to go offer them on YT and I am sure someone wuld adopt them. That would be alot better than taking them to a shelter __________________ Chachi's & Jewels Mom Jewels http://www.dogster.com/?132431 Chachi http://www.dogster.com/?132427

10-09-2006, 04:20 AM	#14
romeos mommy YT 3000 Club Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Pennsauken , NJ Posts: 4,068	please don't bring them to a shelter. they will be so scared. someone here can help you rehome them. there are good yorkie loving people here. can you have a dog trainer come to your home? have you tried cesar millan books or dvds? __________________ Bernadette & Romeo

10-09-2006, 04:34 AM	#15
friesianlady Donating YT Addict Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: NEW HAMPSHIRE Posts: 426	Please don't give up on them, I have 6 at my house and I can tell you that potty training is tough. If you could use a crate to train them that might help. I have two (2) that will never potty in their crates and one (1) that will wait to go outside, so that leaves three (3) more, and two (2) are the boys who can lift their legs in seconds. I truly understand the pains in potty training, confine them in one area and go from their. If you really have to re-home them, I will take them. Just give it some more time please...