Need ideas on potty training! getting tired!!

I have 6 month old yorkiepoo, i do love him but i may not have the patience for him anymore... I've had dogs all my life! But this is my first time with a small breed! First we got him when he was 10 weeks old and started taking him outside to potty and pee .. he got it instantly but the vet told us not to take him outside because of the cold weather and he didnt have all his shots. So now we use  the OH !so famous wee wee pads.. He will pee on them and poop, but on the rug also. luckliy its an area rug which im about to throw out because im tired of steam cleaning it..I was told a dog will not pee and poops where he sleeps.. yeah!! right!! Sometimes i walk out the door to the car he pees right by the door when i leave!! I tried treats, spraying the wee wee pads, taking him out because its getting warmer, he still pees when we arent looking cause i smell it! or walk right on it !!please help!!! I love him my my patience is wearing thin!!!

[Jaybay]

Has your pup been neutered yet?  It's possible that much of the peeing is due to marking his territory.  Among many other good health reasons for neutering, territorial marking is also reduced.  If your dog pees when you leave the house, that may be due to separation anxiety.

What kind of schedule does you dog have during the day?  What potty training techniques did you try? Does he get regular exercise?  Had any obedience training yet?  Does he have "accidents" at night or only during the day?  There are so many reasons this kind of behavior can develop.  A little more information might help us better help you and your pup.  :-)

[Army_wife_desperate101]

when it comes to potty training them, theyre kinda like children, they have to be set on a schedule, i have raised and bread my chihuahuas, now and i did keep the 2 first litters, which the 1st litter i gave all to family, and now my parents love them, because they eat a certain time, the go potty a certain time, the sleep a certain time, they love it!

I would wake up about 7 am to get ready, by 8 they would go to the bathroom, then come inside and eat, and run around for an hour and a half then take the outside for 2 hours and then they would play, come inside sleep till they woke up, then toke them outside, and fed them, and repeated my cycle till 9pm and then send them to bed.

as they get older they tend to hold theyre pee so, until he's older then 6 months, just be patient with him, i know its hard, but like i tell my friends, if you think 1 dog is hard try 8 ;)

[Army_wife_desperate101]

oh btw, NEVER EVER EVER let your dog see your cleaning after him, because then they think its your job to clean after them.

[Jmeva]

Hi there!

Small dogs are notorious for being hard at potty training - and I've experienced your pain!

First of all - cease the pee pads! It's only teaching your pup that using the bathroom inside is OK. He will continue to pee on rugs, or anything that resembles a pee pad.

Taking your dog outside to use the bathroom, even without a full set of vaccines, should be ok - UNLESS the area is highly travelled by other dogs, which would have been your vet's major concern. If you have a private yard that hasn't been exposed to other dogs, it's no issue. Temperature isn't an issue if you don't leave your dog out for long periods. Take your dog out as often as possible, at 6 months every 2-3 hours is probably best.

I highly suggest crate training. My dog *loves* her crate. If you start early and make it a positive experience, the dog will start to think of it as his/her "den" or safe place. You do not use it as punishment, only as containment when you're not able to keep an eye on your pooch. Give treats when he gets in his crate without a problem, and give him a nice blanket that he can snuggle with. Most dogs will not use the bathroom where they sleep, which is the point of the crate - because it's a confined area where your dog can not just leave the area of the mess. The crate should be big enough for your dog to stand up and spin around - not TOO large, or else it will be ineffective because your dog can just go lay on the opposite side from his "potty" spot.

When you are home, you have to keep a close eye on your dog and take him out as soon as you see him sniffing. When he pees/poos outside, throw a party! Seriously! Praise the mess out of him! He'll get the picture.

The key is consistency and praise. Any dog can be potty trained, some just take more time and effort. Neutering will help as well, at the age your vet recommends, but really the sooner the better. Good luck!

[babycries]

Thankyou! he walks in his crate with no problem, sometimes we will be watchng tv and he will just go in it and lay down..he has all his vaccines now so i take him out now .. I wake up about 8 am , and let him use the wee wee pad, but i started taking him outside, i live in the city unfortunately and when i take him out the school kids are walking and distract him from going. They want to touch him and play with him.. He is neuter already.And I put food in his bowl afterwards but he munches at it all day and then eats the rest before bed time. Maybe change his feeding time? And the wee wee pads may have to go. They are expensive anyway.lol..Ok im going to try your ideas! thankyou to all. And petsmart has obedience classes.. I think it maybe time..

thankyou!!

[Jmeva]

Yeah, you may want to change his feeding schedule a little to give him time to digest everything before bedtime and to avoid night-time accidents.

It also helps to have a feeding schedule - feed him twice a day, and pick the bowl up after a certain amount of time (even if he's not done all the way). He'll eventually get on schedule with it, and then you can know when to expect him to use the bathroom.

Obedience classes are great in general. It really helps with socialization too! You guys will enjoy them, I'm sure! Have fun.

[kacey76]

I agree with Jmeva ... crate training is the easiest way to house break and keep it small enough so he can't potty on one end and sleep on the other.  Our dogs love their crates.  Food schedule and potty schedules are a must too!  Takes time, but he'll get it.  I feel your pain!!!