Housebreaking a Yorkie Who Does Not Like Dew on The Grass - YorkieTalk.com Forums

lizzieg · 08-05-2010, 02:45 AM

Please help! I'm trying to avoid puppy pads at all costs unless I am forced to leave her for a long period of time (like when I return to work and school). But this is something that Khloe does not 'dig', even with repetitive exposure, and it will be something that we will need to find a remedy for even when I start back to work. Khloe is very young and already, for the most part, housebroken. But our mornings are rough. I can not control dew. And she absolutely will not take care of business outside with the dew on the grass. I would even be fine with her eliminating on the driveway, but she doesn't seem to prefer that either. I've tried feeding, crating for ten minutes, then taking her outside; no success. I've tried feeding, sitting outside for an hour to see if she would finally give in; no success. I've ran out of ideas, so I'm wondering if anyone has something well that works. Many thanks!

bonniejc · 08-05-2010, 02:49 AM

At first I think you are going to have to carry her out there to go. I know we don't like to go out there either. But I think that is the only way to do.

lizzieg · 08-05-2010, 03:09 AM

I carry her out, for the most part. Rarely will she let me know she has to go, so housebroken may be have been an overstatement; I guess I just know when she has to go, and always carry her out (after she wakes up from a nap, after eating, and after being crated). But she is super stubborn in the mornings. She will literally just stand in the driveway and look at the grass. And our mornings will only get more hectic with school starting back.

Ute White · 08-05-2010, 03:47 AM

Merlin does not like the dew either and marches like a stork through the grass. I just pick him up and set him down on the grass, I know it's mean. I have him on a leash so he can't run back without doing his business first.
I also saw fake grass pads at our Canadian Tire, maybe that would work better for your little one?

Debbier2010 · 08-05-2010, 04:02 AM

I have a 5 year old that still won't go when it's wet outside.... And I have tried everything.

vwill · 08-05-2010, 04:20 AM

I feel your pain! When I read this post, it reminded me of my first yorkie . To avoid the wet grass, he used to go out and shimmy his fat little tummy UNDER our Weber grill, run all the way around the perimeter of the yard, LEAP into the grass, pee, LEAP back, run back along the perimeter, back under the grill and back into the house.

I have one 3-year old right now that WILL NOT go out if the grass is wet. The other three suck it up, but not Charlie. We ended up getting a Porch Potty for our patio. That really helped our situation.

lizzieg · 08-05-2010, 02:25 PM

Thank you all for your advice. It's a rainy day here in Charlotte, and now it's not just dew problems; it's flat out nasty outside. A porch potty or the grass described above both are great suggestions. If you guys have products that you would recommend, please share so I won't go out and buy something without user ratings. I bought puppy pads for emergency use only (rainy days, days we must be gone for awhile and she has to be gated up in the kitchen), and she has yet to use the one we put down. She is still young, but I'm starting young in hopes for her to be well housebroken when I go back to work.

baby yorkie · 08-05-2010, 05:45 PM

I used a puppy pen (superyard xt) outside to potty train my two baby yorkies. I would put them in it and told them to potty and wouldn't take them out until they did. (Sometimes, I've been known to walk around the pen to get them moving.) If it took a long time, I just took them out, watched them closely, and put them back in when I felt they needed to go. I cut the grass shorter on one side of the yard so it's easier for our small ones. I no longer use the pen because they know what potty means and where they should go. Ally hates the dew, but will reluctantly go out there when I tell her to potty. Tia looks at me as if I were crazy and just trotts out there to potty. Ally will not go out in the rain, but I have taken both out with a big umbrella (one at a time) and they will go potty. They will potty on command now. Can't wait 'till hurricanes hit us and we have to work thru that!!!!!

MDKaren · 08-05-2010, 05:59 PM

We use paper in our garage. This started when we had a 2 pound yorke and a blizzard came through. We could not get out any door let alone get the dog out. In desperation we tried the paper. We always go out that door to go all the way outside so to him it was still "out". It worked! We decided we were on to something so that is how we trained our yorkie we have now from the get go. Quite handy late at night, during rain and this past winter when we had 7 feet of snow! He still goes when we walk or if we go out in the yard. Out is out!

lizzieg · 08-08-2010, 06:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MDKaren

We use paper in our garage. This started when we had a 2 pound yorke and a blizzard came through. We could not get out any door let alone get the dog out. In desperation we tried the paper. We always go out that door to go all the way outside so to him it was still "out". It worked! We decided we were on to something so that is how we trained our yorkie we have now from the get go. Quite handy late at night, during rain and this past winter when we had 7 feet of snow! He still goes when we walk or if we go out in the yard. Out is out!

I like the paper idea. We spend a portion of our time in the mountains of NC during winter, and there, they get the equivalent amount of snow that NY gets in an average winter. I have to start thinking of winter. She won't like the snow at all. And even though I want her to handle her biz outside so badly, sometimes you have to do what you have to do. Thanks for bringing up future situations that I will be faced with also. (:

deonk1 · 08-11-2010, 06:00 AM

I use a grid... it's homemade, but it's like the WizDog and UGODog, there are some mixed feelings on these products, as they are expensive, but a homemade system isn't it costs $20 tops There is a thread on here talking about them that I explained some of the pros and cons. I think it was called WizDog or UGODog.

Good luck!

MochaBoyMom · 08-11-2010, 10:32 AM

This happened to my baby as well. I put puppy pad on the wet grass and place him on top of there. After multiple times he gave in. Then I walk him back to the house so his feet will get wet if he wants to go back. After a few weeks I remove the puppy pad and he's ok with wet grass. I think he got used to getting his feet wet.

You can also try putting PJ and shoes on her.

lizzieg · 08-12-2010, 06:43 AM

I have combined a little of what everyone has said (except the artificial grass because I'm eagerly waiting on it to come in the mail). She is doing much better with everyone's help. On day one, she pouted on me when I put her in the XL play yard fence that I bought for her, so all she focused on was whining and pawing at the sides for me to get her out. On day two, the fiance' stepped in and told me to not be so soft, and to 'give her some privacy, for crying out loud'. So I did, and peeking around the corner, I saw her go. Yayy! Also, I did 'tough love' and carried her to the middle of our back yard, where she had to walk through the dewy grass to get out of it, and that worked also. I'm sure the right puppy pads will work; so far she hasn't used a puppy pad. I avoid them as much as possible so I didn't buy good ones b/c I didn't see any other purpose for them than for her to go inside the house. Again, you guys are all awesome! Thank you so much; I was a newbie, and didn't know how to search threads quite yet when I posted this, but I'm learning and I sincerely appreciate all of your responses. Smoother mornings are in the making thanks to you all!!!

lizzieg · 08-12-2010, 06:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by deonk1

I use a grid... it's homemade, but it's like the WizDog and UGODog, there are some mixed feelings on these products, as they are expensive, but a homemade system isn't it costs $20 tops There is a thread on here talking about them that I explained some of the pros and cons. I think it was called WizDog or UGODog.

Good luck!

Thank you, I'm just now seeing this post. I will look up the products and try to make a safe homemade version. Dew, rain, and hearing people sneeze are her biggest peeves. (:

Rhetts_mama · 08-12-2010, 07:21 AM

Rhett hates wet grass, too. Right now I am picking him up to put him on it.

Have you considered using booties so her feet don't get wet?

08-05-2010, 02:45 AM	#1
lizzieg YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 537	Housebreaking a Yorkie Who Does Not Like Dew on The Grass Please help! I'm trying to avoid puppy pads at all costs unless I am forced to leave her for a long period of time (like when I return to work and school). But this is something that Khloe does not 'dig', even with repetitive exposure, and it will be something that we will need to find a remedy for even when I start back to work. Khloe is very young and already, for the most part, housebroken. But our mornings are rough. I can not control dew. And she absolutely will not take care of business outside with the dew on the grass. I would even be fine with her eliminating on the driveway, but she doesn't seem to prefer that either. I've tried feeding, crating for ten minutes, then taking her outside; no success. I've tried feeding, sitting outside for an hour to see if she would finally give in; no success. I've ran out of ideas, so I'm wondering if anyone has something well that works. Many thanks!

08-05-2010, 03:47 AM	#4
Ute White Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Brockville, On, Canada Posts: 246	Merlin does not like the dew either and marches like a stork through the grass. I just pick him up and set him down on the grass, I know it's mean. I have him on a leash so he can't run back without doing his business first. I also saw fake grass pads at our Canadian Tire, maybe that would work better for your little one? __________________ I hope to be the kind of person my dog thinks I am

08-05-2010, 04:02 AM	#5
Debbier2010 Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Minneola,Florida Posts: 200	I have a 5 year old that still won't go when it's wet outside.... And I have tried everything. __________________ There is no psychiatrist in the world like a yorkie licking your face.

08-05-2010, 02:25 PM	#7
lizzieg YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 537	Thank you all for your advice. It's a rainy day here in Charlotte, and now it's not just dew problems; it's flat out nasty outside. A porch potty or the grass described above both are great suggestions. If you guys have products that you would recommend, please share so I won't go out and buy something without user ratings. I bought puppy pads for emergency use only (rainy days, days we must be gone for awhile and she has to be gated up in the kitchen), and she has yet to use the one we put down. She is still young, but I'm starting young in hopes for her to be well housebroken when I go back to work. __________________ "It is much easier to show compassion to animals. They are never wicked." ~Haile Selassie

08-11-2010, 06:00 AM	#11
deonk1 YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Winnipeg, MB, Canada Posts: 1,795	I use a grid... it's homemade, but it's like the WizDog and UGODog, there are some mixed feelings on these products, as they are expensive, but a homemade system isn't it costs $20 tops There is a thread on here talking about them that I explained some of the pros and cons. I think it was called WizDog or UGODog. Good luck! __________________ Kendra Harley, you were the light in my life, rest peacefully my love!

08-05-2010, 02:49 AM	#2
bonniejc YorkieTalk Newbie! Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: New Hampton Posts: 8 Blog Entries: 2	At first I think you are going to have to carry her out there to go. I know we don't like to go out there either. But I think that is the only way to do.

08-05-2010, 03:09 AM	#3
lizzieg YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 537	I carry her out, for the most part. Rarely will she let me know she has to go, so housebroken may be have been an overstatement; I guess I just know when she has to go, and always carry her out (after she wakes up from a nap, after eating, and after being crated). But she is super stubborn in the mornings. She will literally just stand in the driveway and look at the grass. And our mornings will only get more hectic with school starting back.

08-05-2010, 04:20 AM	#6
vwill No Longer a Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: California Posts: 421	I feel your pain! When I read this post, it reminded me of my first yorkie . To avoid the wet grass, he used to go out and shimmy his fat little tummy UNDER our Weber grill, run all the way around the perimeter of the yard, LEAP into the grass, pee, LEAP back, run back along the perimeter, back under the grill and back into the house. I have one 3-year old right now that WILL NOT go out if the grass is wet. The other three suck it up, but not Charlie. We ended up getting a Porch Potty for our patio. That really helped our situation.

08-05-2010, 05:45 PM	#8
baby yorkie YT 500 Club Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: USA Posts: 947	I used a puppy pen (superyard xt) outside to potty train my two baby yorkies. I would put them in it and told them to potty and wouldn't take them out until they did. (Sometimes, I've been known to walk around the pen to get them moving.) If it took a long time, I just took them out, watched them closely, and put them back in when I felt they needed to go. I cut the grass shorter on one side of the yard so it's easier for our small ones. I no longer use the pen because they know what potty means and where they should go. Ally hates the dew, but will reluctantly go out there when I tell her to potty. Tia looks at me as if I were crazy and just trotts out there to potty. Ally will not go out in the rain, but I have taken both out with a big umbrella (one at a time) and they will go potty. They will potty on command now. Can't wait 'till hurricanes hit us and we have to work thru that!!!!!

08-05-2010, 05:59 PM	#9
MDKaren Yorkie Yakker Join Date: May 2010 Location: Conway SC Posts: 36	We use paper in our garage. This started when we had a 2 pound yorke and a blizzard came through. We could not get out any door let alone get the dog out. In desperation we tried the paper. We always go out that door to go all the way outside so to him it was still "out". It worked! We decided we were on to something so that is how we trained our yorkie we have now from the get go. Quite handy late at night, during rain and this past winter when we had 7 feet of snow! He still goes when we walk or if we go out in the yard. Out is out!

08-11-2010, 10:32 AM	#12
MochaBoyMom Donating YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Southern California Posts: 611	This happened to my baby as well. I put puppy pad on the wet grass and place him on top of there. After multiple times he gave in. Then I walk him back to the house so his feet will get wet if he wants to go back. After a few weeks I remove the puppy pad and he's ok with wet grass. I think he got used to getting his feet wet. You can also try putting PJ and shoes on her. Last edited by MochaBoyMom; 08-11-2010 at 10:33 AM.

08-12-2010, 06:43 AM	#13
lizzieg YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 537	Thank you all for your responses! (: I have combined a little of what everyone has said (except the artificial grass because I'm eagerly waiting on it to come in the mail). She is doing much better with everyone's help. On day one, she pouted on me when I put her in the XL play yard fence that I bought for her, so all she focused on was whining and pawing at the sides for me to get her out. On day two, the fiance' stepped in and told me to not be so soft, and to 'give her some privacy, for crying out loud'. So I did, and peeking around the corner, I saw her go. Yayy! Also, I did 'tough love' and carried her to the middle of our back yard, where she had to walk through the dewy grass to get out of it, and that worked also. I'm sure the right puppy pads will work; so far she hasn't used a puppy pad. I avoid them as much as possible so I didn't buy good ones b/c I didn't see any other purpose for them than for her to go inside the house. Again, you guys are all awesome! Thank you so much; I was a newbie, and didn't know how to search threads quite yet when I posted this, but I'm learning and I sincerely appreciate all of your responses. Smoother mornings are in the making thanks to you all!!! __________________ "It is much easier to show compassion to animals. They are never wicked." ~Haile Selassie

08-12-2010, 07:21 AM	#15
Rhetts_mama Donating YT 4000 Club Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Georgia Posts: 5,959 Blog Entries: 1	Rhett hates wet grass, too. Right now I am picking him up to put him on it. Have you considered using booties so her feet don't get wet? __________________ Don't get your knickers in a knot. Nothing is solved and it just makes you walk funny.