potty training problem

[sarnichur]

a friend of mine called me this morning on the verge of flipping out. she is trying to potty train her 5 month old yorkie. The problem is he goes outside and he poops, but he doesn't pee. When he comes in from being outside he pees all over her carpet. There are times when he'll pee outside, but comes inside and pees on the carpet even though he's just gone. She said he pees when he gets excited too...I told her that was normal for a puppy and he'll grow out of it. She's tried everything. She's done the treats and the praises. She doesn't know how to discipline him when he goes in the house. She seems to think he knows he's doing a bad thing because when he pees he crouches down and folds his ears back. I said I would find out what you guys thought because I've gotten good advice from here before. She's just trying to figure out what to do about it. She's run out of ideas.

[Dax]

I have one word for your friend – CRATE. It is the only way to break this cycle and never too late to crate train.

After he poops outside – place him in his crate (Sized just big enough that he can lay down in). Wait 20 minutes – go back outside. If he pees – praise and play with him. If he doesn’t pee – back into the crate. He will get the idea very quickly as long as his mommy is firm in this for at least one month.

PS tell your friend to join us here...

[Rip's Girl]

DITTO DITTO DITTO to what DaxAriel's Toy suggested. The crate is a wonderful house training tool, it makes things so much easier.

Also.. All puppies crouch to pee until they are sexually mature and start hiking their leg. And, the reason he puts his ears back, probably, is because he sees that she is upset or angry at him, not because he knows that peeing on the rug is a bad thing.
If she catches him in the act, she should pick him up, tell him "NO", carry him outside and tell him "go potty". (or whatever word she wants to use) If he goes, LOTS of fun and praise and play. If he doesn't, like Dax suggested, back into the crate for 15-20 minutes and then try again. If you know he has to go, but he won't go outside, that is when you put him in the crate.
Don't give him the opportunity to pee inside, basically.

[sarnichur]

she actually took him to obedience classes and the teacher suggested that. she's is still attempting to use that method but it's not working either. he will actuall walk from the back door to his crate and pee while he's walking or she'll pick him up and he'll pee on her. she uses the phrase "maverick go potty" to let him know he needs to go. he's really good about going poop (sorry kinda gross), but he just doesn't want to pee outside.

[Dax]

More tips for your friend:
If he is doing this consistently then the pattern of bad behavior is set in – she’ll have to work harder to break him of it. If it’s only once in a while – she needs to find the cue (time, circumstance) that is initiating this. When she picks him up – turn him over on his back that way if he pees it’s on himself first. (legs in air like cuddling a baby). If he pees on himself – wash him in the sink. (in all likelihood he tolerates bathing but doesn’t love it)

It’s become a battle of wills – she must win. Don’t let him walk back to his crate – carry him. Don’t let him walk to the door- carry him. After he poops – he can’t come back inside until he pees. Stand there and listen to him cry & whine if need be – but wait him out. Under no circumstances is he allowed on any carpet unless he’s just finished going outside. Don’t dump him outside but accompany him every single time.

She can try putting down an old piece of carpet on the grass (preferably one that he’s gone on). She can try using noise makers to startle him out of going. A loud clap, jar of pennies, etc. She must use her imagination for things the dog doesn’t like – ie. Spray in face with a water bottle.

Sounds like he’s being a terrier and running the show – this is his way of establishing control. Stop babying him. Just remember - if it is humane and done consistently – it is good training. She must show him that it is in his best interest to comply 100% of the time. He is after all an inside dog. Who would want an inside dog that can’t be housebroken?