next step in housebreaking? - YorkieTalk.com Forums

Allan · 10-11-2005, 06:07 AM

Zack is about 4 and 1/2 months old. We have had for about 6 weeks and are paper training him. When he is in his pen, he always goes on the paper. When we take him out, sometimes he will go through the pen door and use the paper, and sometimes not... When I put him in our bed, he never goes there. In fact, he slept with us for around 8 hours the other night, and when I woke up, I put him in his pen and he went to the bathroom immediately. OVer the past week or so, it has become clear that he holds it in (at least while he is in our bed with us).

So, the question is what do we do next? We live in a 1 bedroom apt and I would like to let Zack roam free (if he is ready). His pad is in a small hallway between the bedroom, bathroom and living room. should I just pen off a larger area and see if he will still use the pad? If he does, should I then increase the area every couple of days? Is that the best way to do it?

thanks,
Allan

yorkieagility · 10-11-2005, 07:08 AM

I'm glad he is doing very well with his potty training. My advice is to do as you are doing right now and DO NOT CHANGE ANYTHING IN HIS ROUTINE. My opinion it is too soon to give him all that freedom.

Allan · 10-11-2005, 07:15 AM

Thanks. When do you think it would be ok to give him more room to roam? I don't mean to let him have the entire apt, but maybe let him have an area 10 by 15 or so.

Toby's Human · 10-11-2005, 08:34 AM

HI allan,
We are living in a small 1 bedroom house right now as well, and I personally let Toby out to play. All we do is shut all the doors and he has the living room and walk-in-kitchen to roam free in.....BUT we watch him like a hawk too. So you kinda have to judge for yourself. If you think you watch him like you should and that he wouldn't have any accidents, or if he did you would be able to catch him in the act and put him on the pad. Then maybe you could try giving him a little more freedom. If he take advantage and starts peeing and pooping everywhere, I wouldn't give him any free space at all. Remember every accident is 1 step back from him being trained. You might try getting that scent stuff that you put on the pads so he will know that is where he is supposed to go too, Or leaving pee or poo on the pad to let him know to go there. My Toby is TRAINING to go outside, but will use the pads if we don't realize he has to go. Good luck.

yorkieagility · 10-12-2005, 11:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Allan

Thanks. When do you think it would be ok to give him more room to roam? I don't mean to let him have the entire apt, but maybe let him have an area 10 by 15 or so.

That's a tricky question. Sometimes it absolutely fine other time it throws everything off. Use your best judgement.

10-11-2005, 06:07 AM	#1
Allan Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: NYC Posts: 75	next step in housebreaking? Zack is about 4 and 1/2 months old. We have had for about 6 weeks and are paper training him. When he is in his pen, he always goes on the paper. When we take him out, sometimes he will go through the pen door and use the paper, and sometimes not... When I put him in our bed, he never goes there. In fact, he slept with us for around 8 hours the other night, and when I woke up, I put him in his pen and he went to the bathroom immediately. OVer the past week or so, it has become clear that he holds it in (at least while he is in our bed with us). So, the question is what do we do next? We live in a 1 bedroom apt and I would like to let Zack roam free (if he is ready). His pad is in a small hallway between the bedroom, bathroom and living room. should I just pen off a larger area and see if he will still use the pad? If he does, should I then increase the area every couple of days? Is that the best way to do it? thanks, Allan

10-11-2005, 08:34 AM	#4
Toby's Human YT Addict Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 335	HI allan, We are living in a small 1 bedroom house right now as well, and I personally let Toby out to play. All we do is shut all the doors and he has the living room and walk-in-kitchen to roam free in.....BUT we watch him like a hawk too. So you kinda have to judge for yourself. If you think you watch him like you should and that he wouldn't have any accidents, or if he did you would be able to catch him in the act and put him on the pad. Then maybe you could try giving him a little more freedom. If he take advantage and starts peeing and pooping everywhere, I wouldn't give him any free space at all. Remember every accident is 1 step back from him being trained. You might try getting that scent stuff that you put on the pads so he will know that is where he is supposed to go too, Or leaving pee or poo on the pad to let him know to go there. My Toby is TRAINING to go outside, but will use the pads if we don't realize he has to go. Good luck. __________________ Ashley Toby

10-11-2005, 07:08 AM	#2
yorkieagility YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: House Of York Posts: 1,079	I'm glad he is doing very well with his potty training. My advice is to do as you are doing right now and DO NOT CHANGE ANYTHING IN HIS ROUTINE. My opinion it is too soon to give him all that freedom.

10-11-2005, 07:15 AM	#3
Allan Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: NYC Posts: 75	Thanks. When do you think it would be ok to give him more room to roam? I don't mean to let him have the entire apt, but maybe let him have an area 10 by 15 or so.