housebreaking yorkie poo

Question
I got my puppy when she was 3 months old, she is now 4 months. We started potty training as soon as we got her. We keep her in her crate in our bathroom and her pad is in there too, She will go on the pad but only when she is in the bathroom, when we let her out into our kitchen she will pee where ever. I catch in the act and pick her up and put her on the pad, but she still doesn't get it. what should be my next tactic?


Answer

Hi Donna,

Prevention is a very important point when working on house training. Until your puppy is more reliable, you need to supervise her more.  She shouldn't ever be out of your sight, which "allows" her to have an accident. Keep your puppy on her leash in the house, and either hold the leash or tie it to your belt loop. The moment your puppy looks as though she's thinking about relieving herself, whisk her outside or to her indoor potty area. Praise her lavishly when she goes to the bathroom where you want her to go. When you can't have your puppy tied to you, she needs to be crated.

Don't wait for your puppy to show the signs that she needs to go to the bathroom, there are specific times you should just take her outside as a means of prevention. This sets your puppy up for success, rather than another accident in the house.  Be sure to take your puppy outside to relieve herself about 20 minutes after meals and right after active play. Housetraining pads are a convenience for you, but a dog needs the mental stimulation and exercise that they get on leashed walks. Small dogs especially, are often deprived of the outdoor exercise they need, as their owners suffer from the mistaken information that they don't need to go outside, as larger dogs do. All dogs, (no matter the breed!) benefit from mental stimulation and exercise, and develop all sorts of training and behavioral issues if they are deprived of it.

Be sure to clean the areas of your home where your puppy has soiled with an enzymatic cleaner, such as Nature's Miracle or Simple Solution. These products remove the odors more effectively than the traditional vinegar and water, so your puppy won't be attracted back to the spot.

Best of luck,

Patti