Cannot train Yorkie

Question
I have a Yorkie who is a year old and she still is not house trained. We got her in the winter and I couldn't bear to see her shake outside so I paper trained her inside for 5 months. We have moved 3 times since getting her and will be at our current place for good. We have been here for 4 months and I think she was confused on where to go for a while. I am trying to get her trained outside. She does well if she is crated and taken directly outside. But once inside she'll pee wherever and generally, because she is so small, where no one is looking and we find it dried up way after the fact. I don't want to train her to bark at the door to go out because of her yippy nature. She whines when she wants to go out but often just plays and comes back inside to pee. I take her to the same spot each time. I have tried to tie her to me but she is so small she pees behind my back. I take her #2 outside and I praise her for going outside immensly. I take her directly in after going. But she still pees wherever. She has a great demeanor and tries hard to please but I can't communicate this too her. There are also 3 different people taking her out at different times during the day. I have taken her to the vet and she doesn't have a kidney problems. I don't punish her for mistakes I only praise her success. I am getting worried it will get cold again before I can get her trained and I will lose any progress we have slowly made. Help! I feel like getting her trained is a full time job for both of us.

Answer
Dear McKenzie

It's impossible to diagnose behavioral problems by email but I can give you a starting point. Yes it is concerning that your Yorkie is not trained.  But lets not look at this one behavior that could have been inadvertently rewarded when he was younger.  Rather lets  consider the relationship you have with your dog. based on your statement "She has a great demeanor and tries hard to please but I can't communicate this too her."

I will give you the best source, I know of, to help you answer your  question. You need to be aware of the three main causes of dog behavior problems in order to help him. They are improper training, improper relationship and lack of training. All three may be at work here.

You will need to undo what the previous training has done with reprogramming. Dr. Meisterfeld's book Jelly Bean versus Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde explains rage type behavior  and the detrimental effects of improper training techniques. Too retrain him I recommend the book Psychological Dog Training by C.W. Meisterfeld. Check with your local library for the books or do a C.W. Meisterfeld search on the web.

I don't know where you live but unless its below freezing you can take outside.

James Webster