How do you potty train a 5-year-old Yorkie?

[PhillipV]

Hello to all.

In May, we have rescued a 5 y.o. Yorkshire Terrier who was never house trained.

Now our two other dogs (5 y.o. yellow lab & 3 y.o. yorkie) are starting to have "accidents" in the house. I guess they're thinking, "hey, if he can do it... we can do it"

How can we train the little guy without using a crate? We think his previous owner kept him in his crate most of the time as punishment. So, he won't go near a crate.

Sorry for being so long-winded, but we really need help.

Thanks, and have a Grand Day!!
Phillip

 

[clarabelle]

Tethering? You get a long leash -clip one end to your belt loop and the other to the dog. Let the dog follow you around as you do your chores, watch TV etc... most dogs like to go off on their own to go so when you see him sniffing etc... you can take him out.

When he goes outside praise him like crazy and give him a treat reserved just for housebreaking (teeny tiny bits of boiled chicken or something like that -really little)

Or clicker training. There are some websites and books with explanations -but basically you keep the little clicker in your pocket. Spend some time with the dog giving a treat (again tiny) and clicking, treat- click over and over again.
Then when he goes outside -click him.

also if you are not cleaning his accidents with an enzyme cleaner -make sure you are.

 

[PBB]

Phillip,

Congrats on rescuing this yorkie ! More people should do this !

I am certainly not a Yorkie expert but I know how we trained our golden retriever as a puppy. We purchased a jingle bell and tied it to a piece of yarn or string and then tied it to the doorknob of the door we knew we would always take him out to relieve himself. Every time we took him out we would make him sit at the door and we would ring the jingle bell. Then we would open the door step out and then bring him out on our command. It took about a week of doing this EVERYTIME for him to realize that when it was time for him to go relieve himself he needed to ring the bell and sit at the door and wait on us. We learned very quickly if he hit the bell like a tether ball then get to the door quickly because he has to go very bad, LOL....

If you watch the dog whisperer on National Geographic Channel (google Cesar Milan) it is very important for you to be the first out of the door rather than the dog because of the dominant/submissive relationship. This is especially important with a rescue dog. I think this is a little of what you are going through right now to be honest. I think the dog is trying to be controlling and you have to tell him what to do. Also, for accidents we always used a spray bottle with a 50/50 mixture of white vinegar and water. Don't scrub just absorb the stain. The dogs won't go back to the spot and dirt doesn't go back to as well.

We taught our Golden this 11 years ago and he just did it about an hour ago so it still works ! I wish you the best of luck and congratulations again !

Patrick

 

[Karel]

How can we train the little guy without using a crate? We think his previous owner kept him in his crate most of the time as punishment. So, he won't go near a crate.

How incredibly sad.