Outside or puppy pads?

[MILOBRI]

Is your yorkie trained to let you know when they need to go out, or to go on a puppy pad? We just got 2 yorkies - a male and a female and they are both puppy pad trained already, and it seems very convenient as I don't have to take them out in these frigid cold temperatures every couple of hours. But I wonder if I should be training them to alert me when they need to go. I'm also not sure when I can put the puppy pads so they're not right out in the open for when we have guests coming over, etc.


Also, the male that we got is 8 years old and he is marking EVERYTHING. I cannot have him out without a diaper on because he lifts his leg every minute or so at something. I asked the previous owner about this and she said that he only did that when the female was in heat. She's not in heat right now though, and he's still doing it. Any suggestions about this? He's a great dog, but I've got to get him to stop doing this or he'll be in diapers forever.

[Auntjen]

Guess my obvious question is why aren't they spayed n altered? If they are breeding dogs I woul use a belly band. I find it difficult to train both pad training and outdoor training without using a pad outdoors as well. I think altering my male would be my 1 st step plus the female to avoid female infections that might result in her death. I'd not let that male loose in my home he would be tethered to me at all times till he was trained. Keep in mind he is marking his brand new territory ... Your house.

[gracielove]

It is not unusual for an unaltered male to mark especially if he has been used for breeding. I would think the breeder was not telling you the whole story. Many males used for breeding are kept caged so they cannot breed a female that is not supposed to be bred and also because of the marking problem.

Having him neutered may help but it will take a few months for the hormones he has in his body to finally dissipate. It is going to take some training and frequent walks outside to teach him not to mark inside.

If they are going on the pads as you want them to it may be a good time to start to move the pads to the place you want them to be. Do not just move them all at once. Move them only a few inches at a time every few days. These dogs are creatures of habit and if they are trained to go in a particular area they will continue to go there even if you move the pad. It takes a very time and moving in small increments to get a potty place moved to a new area. If your female is still a pup she may not be ready for you to move the pads.

When the weather is better you can start taking them out at regular times to potty outside. Usually taking them for a walk works best because they love the walk and they love finding the scent of other animals to pee on. Male dogs love trees and telephone poles to mark. If you take them out at the same time several times a day they will soon start telling you when it is time to go out.

A belly band may be more comfortable and sanitary for your male until you get him trained. I hope you decide to get them both altered. Breeding these dogs should be left to the professionals. C-sections are quite common and complications are not something you want to be faced with.

[Deb1]

Welcome fellow Iowan! I have one that is pad trained and 2 that go outside. My male was 1 1/2 years when we got him and not neutered. He humped everything and marked! We had him neutered right away and the humping stopped after a while, but he still marks if I don't watch him closely! Belly bands are great! As far as potty pads vs outside.....that depends on you and them. If they like the snow and don't mind the cold, it is good to get fresh air and exercise. My little girl that is pad trained is not quite 3 pounds and doesn't like the cold! It is nice with the weather so cold. She does potty outside on nice days or if we are away from home. I guess you would say she is both trained inside and out.

I agree to have them neutered/spayed which will solve some of the problems of marking and keeping them apart when she is in heat!

Please post some pictures of your newest family members!

[Britster]

Neutering the male at this point may or may not help. How old is he? Either way, if it's a big problem, I would look into getting them both fixed.

I don't really LIKE potty pads, but admit they'd be nice during the really cold weather we've been having. Jackson never took to them anyway (I had them out as a pup). I just think they're gross to have around the house, they've always grossed me out (when the dogs actually use them constantly to poop/pee). I know some that just leave it out for emergencies, or working long hours, etc. I guess that's why I don't have cats either, LOL, I don't do litter boxes.

If I was going to be working long hours, I would maybe leave a pad out or something. OR, have some sort of separate area (maybe like a little fenced in area in your house or something, with some sort of ex-pen), so that they still have to bark or let you know they have to go when you're home. That's just me personally. I find dogs who are potty pad trained seem to think rugs, etc, are also okay to pee on. It's hard for them to differentiate. I just don't think I've ever heard of a dog 100% potty trained to pee pads without ever having accidents. It's just not something I want to deal with.