Housebreaking a Yorkie
From LoveToKnow Dogs
Housebreaking a Yorkie can be a challenge, but one well worth the effort. Share one dog lover's dilemma.
Visitor Has Trouble Housebreaking a Yorkie
I have a Yorkie that's going to be two years old in July. Since we live in an apartment, I trained him to pee on newspapers. He'll usually use the papers if I have him confined, but he'll pee on my bed and other areas if I don't.
This situation is frustrating because I can't seem to teach him not to do this. What can I do about correcting the problem, and is it possible for me to retrain him to pee outside?
~~Amh03e
Expert Reply
If I had a nickel for every question about housebreaking Yorkies...
This gorgeous little breed is notoriously difficult to housebreak, but it can be done. It does take time and diligence. Here are my recommendations.
The papers are only useful when your dog is confined, so let's get rid of them and start from scratch. You need to treat your dog like a new puppy and take him outside frequently, beginning first thing in the morning. Choose a one word command, such as "potty", and repeat it patiently until he goes, then praise him saying "good potty". This associates the word with the deed and the praise.
Now we need to address issues inside of the house. I'm going to recommend that you restrict your dog's access to your bedroom. Part of the reason he is peeing on your bed is that your scent is there, so he's marking to claim you as part of his territory. Keep the door closed and lower the level of temptation.
Since he's probably sprinkling in other areas, I think you might give a canine belly band a try. This product works just like a diaper or child's training pants. Your dog wears it around the house, and it only comes off when it's time to potty outside.
When he wets indoors, he'll experience the sensation of being wet, something most dogs don't like. Let him deal with it for just a few minutes, then remove the belly band, and wipe him off. Take him outside and give him a chance to do things right. Remember to use your command and praise any success.
This isn't going to be a quick and easy training because Terriers have a strong urge to mark their territory. However, if you're determined, I believe you can do it.
~~ Kelly.
Comments
Hi Natalie,
You make some good points, but I have to disagree on one. I've known too many dogs that were willing to soil in their crate no matter how many times they were taken out. There's no guarantee that confinement will prevent soiling, no matter how small the crate is.
Thanks for sharing your opinion.
-- Contributed by: KellyThe best way to train a yorkie is through a crate/reward system. Get a crate that is small, so the dog only has enough room to stand and turn around. The dog will not expell when he might have to lay on it. Let him out every two hours during the day and take him to the surface where you will be expecting him to go. Some experts say that if you want to move from inside to outside eventually than use a lined tray of sod rather than newspapers. The dog wont be so excited to explore and play in the grass when he gets outside, and he will actually go. If he doesn't go within 10 minutes play with him for 10 minutes heavily and give him a drink then take him back to his peeing place. Play and drinking are common ways to bring about the urge to go in a dog. If they still don't go then they go back in the crate for the next two hours then repeat all over. Rubbing noses in it doesn't work on yorkies because they like their doo doo, they will even eat it if you let them (yucky). Punish say NO in a loud voice when they do it in the wrong place and show them where to go immediately. Reward EVERYTIME when they do it in the right spot. Use small (pill sized or catfood sized) treats rather then big bones (the ceasers for small dogs are good). Bones can fill your little dog up and they won't care if they get another. Plus you can take him out to play it's just when you are on the phone or watching TV, etc. you can't dedicate 100% close quarteres supervision he should be in a crate. The training should be finished between one to three weeks. It's better if someone is home during this time. After you think it's worked only put him in the crate while you are gone to work, shopping, etc. or at night until you are sure he's broke. Think of it like grounding til they've learned their lesson. My vet recently told me that training is most important between 8-10 weeks because that is when they develop a sense of where they should go so try to stick to this frame if you ever get a new pup again.
-- Contributed by: Natalie SteeleThis page has been accessed 929 times. This page was last modified 11:32, 30 April 2008.
© 2006-2008 LoveToKnow Corp.
