Yourkie RE Training

Question
Hi Shelley

I have a 3 year old Yorkie that I am trying to RE train to doggy litter. I live in an apartment and during the day there isn't anyone here to take him out. He has been using a larger litter box with newspaper but I wanted something that would be more absorbent and easier to clean up. I've been working with him for 2 weeks now and it isn't working. I have him confined to a small area in the kichen with just enough room for his litter box, bed, and food. I haven't been letting him out of that area because every time I do he goes on the kitchen floor right in front of the litter box.

I know he is not afraid of the litter because he will get in there when I say "get in" but for some reason he just won't "go" in there.

Now he has gotten to the point where he does nothing but cry and today he wouldn't eat at all so I couldn't even monitor his "potty activities".

I am really getting frustrated with him. Any suggestions?

Answer
Hi,

Thank you for writing to me about your precious Yorkie.

The first thing I would recommend is taking your dog for a full physical workup with your vet.  Not eating is a signal that something is wrong and it should be addressed.

Secondly, the best way to get your dog to do what you want is with honey, not vinegar.   Right now, he sounds very unhappy with the current setup.  His perception of the situation is negative and that being said, you will not reach your goal as long as he is stressed out (which is also not good for his health).

Not knowing much about dog litter but having experience with puppy house breaking, I would suggest giving it a break and startng from scratch.  Once you get your pooch calmed down and happy again (he was doing very well with his housebreaking before) very slowly add the litter to his newspaper.  I mean something like a table spoon at a time.  Eventually you can transfer over but let it be a very slow process.

I hope that this works for you and your Yorkie.

Best,
Shelley Davis
www.bednbiscuit.com