Welcoming Sophie

[dmv3113]

Later today, we will be welcoming Sophie into our home. Sophie is a four pound, not quite two-year-old sweet heart (mostly) and she is our granddog, so we've known her since tinyhood.
Our daughter and family are moving into a new home and new school starts tomorrow and their schedules are so full, they can't be consistent and so Sophie is NOT potty trained. . I am determined we can help her become the little angel she is destined to be. We have kept her before during family vacations. We have two dogs already, so I'm a bit concerned about the dynamic. Sophie has shown aggression to my Cotton de Tuilliere. She also runs up and over the furniture and leaves scratches on my wood tables. So say a little prayer for us as we undertake this quasi rescue. She is really smart and maybe some of her peeing in the house has been to punish her family for not giving her the attention she needs. ???
I'm going to use the techniques in the seven day potty training book and hope for a miracle. I also think I will "wear her" for part of the day to give her more time with me (while she can't be sneaking off to pee.)
Anyway, I thought I'd come here for advice and support and to share our progress.
~dmv

[kreuer]

It sounds like you are dedicated to helping this little girl be the best yorkie she can be. I'm sure it will not be easy, but with time I'm sure she will do great. Congrats and welcome to YT!!

[barneysmommmy]

Awww! What a great granddog mom you are! It's wonderful that you are already planning ways to address some of the potential problems. I loved the 7 day book. I used it for Anna--7 year old rescue from bad situation. Although it took much longer than 7 days, it works quite well. Anna still has relapses. But each time we give her a refresher course she gets back on track. Can't wait to see pictures of sweet Sophie along with the rest of your gang.

[kmarla]

Congratulations on welcoming your little grand dog permanently in to your home. Because she isn't housetrained reliably, I would roll up and put away any area rugs you have out, including door mats. If you have wall-to-wall carpet I would watch her like a hawk. Our little Yorkie just seemed to make a beeline to any carpet and squat. Keeping her on a short leash beside you indoors should help a lot until she catches on. Confining her to an x-pen until she's trustworthy when you can't be with her is a great idea. Having the other dogs to follow will also help out in the long term. Our little Yorkie had to go out much more frequently than our other two dogs, about every couple hours to pee. I wish you all the best and hopefully she'll catch on very quickly.

[dmv3113]

Thanks for the welcome and for the encouragement and advice already! I feel supported in this endeavor and more determined than ever that Sophie should find success and a happy home here.
Great site!
~dmv

[Faboosh]

That's really awesome of you to take Sophie on full time! More than anything, she needs consistency from you, so being with her full time will help her master potty training a lot quicker.

Since she's 2, I'm sure she at least has an idea of how the potty training is going to work. If she's going to potty outside only and no pads/patch, then be 100% consistent with it and start her on a schedule. At her age, maybe start with every 1 hour, take her outside and tell her to potty. It's a good way to gauge how often she needs to go eventually.

Keep her confined, if not in an x-pen, then in 1 room, when you're not with her. Keep your doormats and rugs off the floor for the time being.

Good luck with your granddogger, Sophie and keep us posted on her progress!!

[dmv3113]

Sigh, ---Just got word that 'get ready for school' activities have gotten out of hand and too crazy for a visit, so must wait one more day for my new "baby". (Love the term "granddogger".) Time to pick up my rugs and review plans for the training schedule.
~dmv