My yorkie not going to the bathroom enough
 

Hi I just adopted a 1yr old yorkie 4 days ago. He's about 8-9lbs. He's so timid and sweet. Think he may have been abused in his last home. I am currently crate training him. He has been really good (aside from his first night) at holding it through the night and when I'm out. When I walk him it takes forever for him to pee and poop. He's had diarrhea when he does go. He goes to the bathroom in the morning and midday but has not been going at night after dinner. I'm concerned. I feed him in the morning and evening. How often should I be expecting him to go to the bathroom?

Welcome to Yorkie Talk and congratulation on your new addition! What is his name?

Transitioning to a new home can disrupt eating and potty habits. Is he eating the same food that he had in his last home? Sudden changes in food can cause diarrhea.

Was he potty trained/crate trained in his previous home? Does he appear to do okay with the crate?

I would try increasing the number of potty breaks (trips outdoors) and try keeping him out longer. Are you walking him or letting him out in a yard? Sometimes walking will speed things along.

Each dog has his or her own body rhythm that will determine how often they need to go. My boys are the same size as your baby. My older boy poops twice a day, my younger boy goes at least 3 times a day. They are pad trained and pee a lot, probably for the rewards. They know how to exploit the system. ;):D Some dogs will only poop once a day.

Also, why do you think he was abused? I'm asking because it might help in answering questions about potty habits.

Many Yorkies have quirky behavior that can be misinterpreted as evidence of abuse.

Thanks for responding. My little guy's name is Dobby. He's so sweet and very timid. The reason I think he was mistreated was bc the shelter I adopted him from says he arrived at the shelter completely matted and it looked like he was not taken well care of. He also cowers any time anyone new comes near him. He shakes uncontrollably. It's so sad. He's definitely bonding with me and my family.

I walk him on a leash. Sometimes we are outside walking for almost an hour and nothing! For example, this morning I took him out of the crate after about 8 hours overnight and he had no accidents in the crate. I immediately took him for a walk. We walked for a half hour and nothing. No pee or poop. I took him back inside and fed him. Then took him back out and eventually peed but still has not had a bowel movement.

I took him to the vet yesterday for the diarrhea and they gave him an antibiotic and an anti-inflammatory. They also gave him canned dog food that will be gentler on his stomach. He's been gobbling it up which he hadn't done with his previous food (I bought the same food he'd been eating at the shelter) I'm just concerned that he's not going to the bathroom enough.

You are wonderful for giving Dobby a loving home and the care he needs. Sometimes Yorkies take time to settle into their new homes, even when they come from ideal circumstances. It's wonderful that he is bonding with you and your family. He is probably still nervous about the unknowns -- like will he keep his new home? will he be able to please his new family? will things continue to be great?

Diarrhea can throw of the pooping schedule. When Teddy had it bad, he went on meds and then it took almost 48 hours before he needed to poop. I think their systems needs to fill up again. Glad to hear Dobby likes his prescription food.

Nervousness can also cause all kinds of strange potty habits. I brought Max home at 13 weeks and he held it for 10 hours! Scared me to death. Teddy was 8 months and held it for the almost 6 hour trip. They were shy about going potty in front of me.

Try bringing treats (i.e. simple kibble or a little steamed plain chicken breast) with you when you go outside and when Dobby does his business, praise him like he performed the best trick ever and then give him a treat.

Give him time and he will settle in. :) Share some pictures of your little guy.

I've walked Dobby numerous times today but he's only peed once and it was at about 7am this morning. Nothing since. Isn't this a cause for concern??

That does sound highly unusual. Any chance he is hiding it by squatting inconspicuously on your walk? Sometimes a nervous or shy Yorkie will do that.

Does he show any signs of dehydration? lethargy (I assume not if he is walking), pale gums, extreme panting, loose skin?

When he does urinate, does he appear to strain or have difficulty? I'm thinking potential kidney stones ??

Pull his skin in a loose area and release, if it goes back normal its probably ok, if it does not it could be sign of dehydration. Might be hard to see because of coat so find a place viewable. On short hairs scruff just behind shoulders works good

Also Vet should be able to give a water amount range for breed and weight. Just measure water as you fill bowl, amount left when cleaning, do this over a given period as Vet gives you. When Sig was diagnosed with Kidney failure we did this as an indicator to see if within normal range