Housebreaking Yorkie puppy

Question
I have 4 month old male Yorkie puppy which we got from a great breeder at 12 weeks of age.  He was neutered at 10 wks of age..  He is being housebroken using a crate and it seems to be going fairly well except for one item.  We take him out on a 3 hr schedule and he usually pees when we take him out.  We praise him, love him up and give him a treat immediately.  The problem being he will come in the house and usually go again within 15?20 min.  He will be playing with our other dog and will suddenly squate and pee.  We shout NO and take him out immediately but by then its too late.  Tpdate I caught him bunching up to do #2 and we took him outside.  We waited with him and telling him to go potty for 45 min.  Within 5 min he pooped in my kitchen.  Whichwas really my fault because now I realize I should have crated him for a while instead of letting run around.  ANYTHING you can suggest would be really appreciated.  We are at our wits end and husband is suggesting we send him back to breeder.

Answer

Hi Carol,

Most puppies gain better control over bladder and bowel functions by 4 months of age. This isn't cast in stone though. It might be that your puppy is a bit of a late bloomer. In puppies, active play is one of the things that stimulates the urge to "go", which is why your puppy is peeing when he plays with your other dog. Some puppies aren't fully house trained until they're six months to a year old. Until your puppy is reliably house trained, he shouldn't ever have the free-run of your home.

Yorkies can be very difficult house train because they are smart and can be stubborn. If you aren't consistent with training (having accidents in your home), it can take a much longer time to train this breed. All it takes is time, patience, and consistency, and your puppy can be trained.

If your puppy doesn't do all that you think he needs to do when you take him outside, when you get back to your home put him right in his crate, and about 20 minutes later take him outside again. Preventing accidents indoors is the most challenging part of house training. To avoid this, you need to constantly supervise your puppy, or crate him during those times when you simply can't. I know this house training period is a demanding one for you and your family, but it will pass.

Be sure you're cleaning the areas in your home where the accidents have happened, so your puppy isn't attracted back to re-mark those spots. Use an enzymatic cleaner such as Nature's Miracle or Simple Solution.

You didn't say if you feed your puppy at a scheduled mealtime or if you're "free-feeding" him. Feed your puppy at scheduled meal times, and take your puppy outdoors to eliminate after each feeding time. What goes in at a certain time, comes out at a certain time.

Do not walk your puppy endlessly. Take your leashed puppy to your selected location outside and stand there until you get the results you want, then praise your puppy as you've been doing. Don't let up on the praise or treats until your puppy is fully trained. While your puppy is sniffing tell him to "go potty" (use whatever cue phrase you'd like, but always use the same phrase), speak to your puppy in a happy tone, repeating the same cue phrase after your puppy goes to the bathroom, to encourage him to "go" again. If  you want to take your puppy for a walk for exercise, do it immediately after a successful housebreaking trip, not before or during.

I hope I've been a help.
Best of luck,

Patti