Hello Everyone,
I just "adopted" my parents' 5 year old Yorkie who has been trained to go outdoors. Since I am out of the home for 8+ hours some days, I wanted to retrain him to go potty on the wee wee pad. He now goes on the wee wee pad (slightly reluctantly at times) when I prompt him i.e. "Jake, do you want to go out?" So, I'm very excited that I've been able to get him to understand that the wee-wee pad is a good thing through positive reinforcement-(treats, jumping up and down with glee). I've hit a wall in that I haven't figured out how to get him to go "out" on his own when I'm not home. So, leaving home alone during the day while I'm at work is still a problem. He holds it in all day and then goes on the pad, but it still takes my prompting him. How do I get him to go to the wee wee pad on his own?
Question- I know that you stated that you work 8+hours a day. But if the dog can hold it that long, why try to teach it to go in the house when you are gone? That is just more clean up and work for you. I would think that most people would be thrilled to have a dog that can hold it for 8 hours and not have to worry about coming home to a mess even if it was on the wee pads.
"Tis better to stay quite and thought a fool than to speak up and remove all doubt."
I hear what you're saying, but....
8 hours is if I leave for work late and come home early - so a full work day is more like 11 hours (door to door). So, I wind up feeling terribly guilty, and I worry that it's not good for him to hold it in for so long. He's a Yorkie w/ a little bladder. Am I wrong?
You may want to try one of those doggy litter boxes. I've seen them in the big pet stores.
To get the dog used to it, you could try setting the box outside and get him used to using it there. Those puppy training pads may help with that. They often are pre-scented with the appropriate smell. Eventually, you could move it inside.
It's generally not a good idea to have the dog ever get the idea that inside is ok. However, when you work, it may not be avoided. If the dog has an 'ok' place to use, then it's a whole lot less stress on all concerned.
To get the dog understand that the pad is ok will take a bit of time. Keep having him use the pad and praising. Eventually, he will get the idea. Remember, you are trying to overcome a lifetime of conditioning.
A friend of mine, had a somewhat irregular work schedule. She spread plastic on a corner of the basement and put down piddle pads. The dog soon learned, "If I have to go, this is an ok place to go." She never soiled any other part of the house. So, it is possible.
Thanks All! I will just keep reinforcing the positive behavior, and eventually (hopefully) he'll start using the pads on his own. Maybe I'll try the doggie litter box...b/c I think he really doesn't like seeing his #2 on the pad. Thanks Again!
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