Any good tips on how to house train a puppy??

Question

Im getting a 7 week old yorkie on the 17th and need some advice on taking good care of her.....Its my first puppy so Im really excited...

Answer 1

Here's what we did with our 8 week old pup.

#1 - buy a crate with an adjustable panel so you can alter the size of the crate as your puppy grows. Begin getting her used to the crate immediately. Start by leaving the door open and placing small treats inside. When she goes in, praise her and give her treats. Continue this process incrementally having her stay inside for longer periods, then with the door closed etc. It also helped us by having our pup stay in the crate overnight, at first with the crate next to our bed and gradually moving it into the living room, moving it a foot or two away each night. Make sure there is only enough room for her to stand, turn around and lie down. She will learn to hold it in as she won't want to go where she sleeps.

#2 - any time she goes potty outside praise her big time and give her treats. She'll associate the happiness and treats with going outside vs. getting nothing when she goes inside.

#3 - Since we wanted to enjoy our puppy and not have him in the crate all the time we put puppy pads in a specific spot and any time he had to go or had an accident we led him to the pads. He learned quickly that if he must go in the house it's on the pads. Eventually, after a month or so, we weened him off the pads so he could only go outside.

#4 - We hung a small bell in our front hallway. Any time we are about to put his leash on we'd make him touch the bell, give him a treat and then we'd go for a walk. After about 3 days (12-18 walks) he started ringing the bell on his own when he wanted out.

#5 - never scold your pup for having an accident, especially if you don't catch her in the act. Just clean it up and move on. But if you do catch her having an accident, firmly tell her NO, pick her up, hit the bell with her paw/nose and take her outside.

#6 - even if she shows no signs of needing to go out take her out A) after she drinks water B) after she eats C) when she wakes from a nap D) when she's finished playing - THIS IS A MUST. You'll learn this quickly as you see her waltz away from you after doing one of the above and peeing right in front of you. Beat her to it and take her out. The more she remembers going outside the more she forgets that she ever did or could go inside.

#7 - Reduce water intake before bedtime. We take the water away roughly 2 hrs before bedtime. Give her a walk an hour before bedtime and another right before and she should get through the nigh, in her crate, with little issue. And of course, first thing in the morning take her outside. Don't let her out of the crate while you get dressed, put your shoes on etc as she'll wander waiting for you and pee where she pleases. Just get up, get dressed, open the crate, ring the bell, leash the dog and out you go.

#8 - Be patient. If she doesn't go at first when you take her out. Wait 10 minutes with her. If still nothing, go back inside, and take her out again 20 minutes later. Continue this until she goes. She'll learn that that's what you want her to do and soon enough will go as soon as you get out there vs. wandering around and then peeing when she gets back inside.

All of these methods worked for us. Our pup is now 15 weeks and doing well.

Good luck

Answer 2

There are a few things you should look into doing. First get a book about yorkies so you know the tendecies of the breed. Also there is a book potty training for dummies that goes through step by step the procedure of potty training.

You sould purchase a crate that is big enough for the dog to turn around in and lay down in.

Feed the puppy on a schedule. 10-15 min to eat then pick the food up till the next feeding. It will keep the dog's weight in control and help with potty training. About 30 min - 1 hour after eating (sometimes a lot sooner) the puppy will need to go potty.

Look for excessive sniffing, back arching, circling in a certain spot, running to a certain spot. These are the signs that the puppy needs to go. Tell the dog to sit, click the leash on and use a code word for going outside to go potty. "Outside" - to go potty and maybe "Walk" for just a regular walk. That way the puppy will eventually learn that he's goin gout to take care of business and not play.

While the puppy is going potty repeat go potty over and over. Now you're training the puppy to go on command. Reward the dog heavily with lots of treats and praise for going outside.

There are going to be accidents in the house - you'll be upset, angry, horrified - but don't beat, spank or rub the dog's nose in it. In fact don't even scold the puppy. That will teach the puppy to fear you and teach it mistrust. Just clean up the mess w/ things like Nature's Miracle or Simple Solution. These items break down the enzymes preventing accidents in the same spot.

Boundery is also a deterent preventing the dog from going indoors anyway. You can find these things at petsmart or petco.

ALSO- if you catch the puppy IN THE ACT of squatting, make a loud noise to startle the puppy. He'll stop pottying, grab him and take him outside.

...Little dogs don'g like going outside in the rain or the cold. Be prepared.

You could look into litter training the dog..but then you deal w/ the potty inside.

Good Luck and Congrats.

Answer 3

A properly sized crate with crate training is good way to start but also the biggest mistake people do with housebreaking is letting the pup run loose and than they can't figure out how to catch the puppy messing in the house. So, get your pup a body harness and a 5 foot leash. Whenever the dog is indoors and not in a crate tie the leash to the end of your waist belt...that way the puppy is always near by. When you notice the pup start to signal/circle/sniff whatever to indicate it has to go..walk the dog immediately to the approved potty area, give the command word and lots of praise when it goes. Immediately upon completion treat the dog (make sure you keep them in your pocket yo have handy). When the pup is practically trying to drag you outside because it's got to to than you can untie the leash from you waist. I would leave it dragging behind the pup for another couple of weeks after that to make sure it's doing the right thing though..and grabbing a leash is easier than grabbing a pup when it starts to have an accident. And get yourself a good biological cleaner, something that says it breaks down enzymes not your everyday household cleaner. Whenever there is a mess from the pup like it goes potty indoors or vomits use the enzyme cleaner to clean it up so nothing is left behind that will make the dog want to re-dirty a previously dirtied spot.

Watch the pups food and water intake. Remember, for one month of life the pup has about an hour of hold time on their bladder, etc. I do not recommend free feeding your pup as you won't be able to monitor how much it eats or when. This can easily lead to overeating and needing to go potty when you least expect it.

Good luck and enjoy your new & first pup!!

Answer 4

crate training works really well. You buy a create big enough for the the (when they get older) to stand up and turn around with no problems. Make sure you have that dog on a schedule food and water so you know when to expect to go outside. But back to the crate, when you leave the house take the dog out, then put her in the crate, she also needs to know that going in the crate doesnt mean she's been bad or that you are leaving cause then she'll hate it. when you get home make sure you take her right outside. Put the crate somewhere where she can see everything. My crates are in the living room (i live in an apartment there arent to many choices of where to put it) if you need more information, or mine was too all over for you, then get some books and talk to people.

Answer 5

Crate training is probably the best with a new puppy. Just make sure you get one small enough. Make sure you take the dog out often to teach him/her to go outside. Tate the dog out often. Remember, not only is it a puppy and has to go more often than an adult dog, but it is a small dog and can't hold it long. Praise the dog when it does what it is supposed to do. Make sure you also have some play time with the dog. There are many books and websites you can read or go to about house training a puppy and using a crate. Yorkies are wonderful dogs, but sometimes can be stubborn...so be firm and consistent with your training..dogs need rules and someone to teach them the rules.

Answer 6

Hi, I understand that you are looking for some advice or resources to help fully train your dog or fix behavior problems. If a professional dog trainer is not an option at this time, or if you want to trt training your dog on your own (a great way to bond), I'd suggest you https://bitly.im/aL2ko

A friend recommened it to me a few years ago, and I was amazed how quickly it worked, which is why I recommend it to others. The dog training academy also has as an excellent home training course.

Answer 7

Crate training is the very best way. It is easy and the dogs usually adjust to it well - it is their own private little den where they can feel safe. And they usually housebreak very fast this way. It worked out great for me. Here's how:

http://www.perfectpaws.com/crt.html

Answer 8

I really recommend Puppies for Dummies. It's a really good reference. Be forewarned though, toy breed dogs are very difficult to housebreak.

Answer 9

IM NOT SURE THE BEST WAY BUT I HOUSE TRAINED MY DOG ON NEWSPAPERS. WHEN THE PUPPY PEES TAKE HIM BACK TO NEWSPAPER EACH TIME, IT'S GOING TO TAKE PLENTY OF TIME AND PATIENCE SO GOOD LUCK BUT DON'T GIVE UP CAUSE IT TAKES AWHILE.

Answer 10

consistancy. take him out frequently and scold him when he does not "go" outside (you can use and old gatorade bottle with a few coins in it and just shake it at him/her - they don't like the loud noise). consistancy. there are some techiques with a towel, but i never used those and don't think they are that good. consistancy. did I mention consistancy? good luck with the dog, dog.