hiyall

[SOOSMOM]

I am the proud mama of a 4 yr old Yorkie and 2.5 yr old Yorkie/Shitzu cross. I just adopted the 2.5 yr old in Sept. and am having difficulites with house breaking. She spent the first 2 yrs. of life in a puppie mill as a breeder and in a rabbit hut in FL. So mistakes are certainly understandable, but I am nearly bezerk and not having much success. I can't bear to be too hard on her, given her past and we are developing a real relationship - she is very sweet and I know she would do anything for me - can't seem to make her understand : can anyone help me???/

[LabLuver22]

First, rule out any medical problems. Since she's spent a good deal of her life in a puppy mill, it's very possible that she might have some sort of medical condition.

If she's in good health and it's just a matter of her not understanding, keep her on a leash at all times in the house. Take her out about every 2 hours, and after she eats, drinks, sleeps, and plays. Usually you can tell when she's about to go--she may start sniffing the ground or, of course, squatting. If she displays these signs, take her outside immediately. If she starts to go, correct her and get her outside as fast as you can. She may finish outside, in which case you would praise her, or she may have emptied out already, in which case you would vow to watch her more carefully the next time.

Anytime she does her business outside, praise, praise, praise her! It may help speed up the learning process if you use a specific command when she's about to eliminate.

[SOOSMOM]

thank yu- will try harder

[flyndog]

Soosmom, you are a saint! "Dirty Dog Syndrome" is common in animals used to puppy mill conditions. Try and remember the poor girl is emotionally disturbed. She probably lived all of her life in those horrific conditions. I don't want to discourage you, but you should know it will likely take a very long time to train her. She may never be 100% reliable. You're in for the long haul on this one. If she soils her crate it's because she doesn't know any other way to live. Crating for housesoiling won't work in that case and you will just have to monitor her, with a leash as Labluvver advised. Keep the leash clipped to you if possible so that you always know where she is. Ignore and do not punish for accidents. Put her on a strict feeding schedule and keep a log (no pun intended) of when she has to eliminate. After a few of days you should have her routine figured out and you will have a better chance of getting her outside before she goes inside. Good luck! Like I said, you're a saint for getting this poor girl out of those deplorable conditions.
Kit

[SOOSMOM]

thanks for your reply - some of the difficulty is I work all day and hubby is home but not reliable. I cannot crate her after 2 years in a puppy mill (rabbit hut) I am thinking about ripping up carpeting (old anyway) and going with pergo - any advise??

She is doing better than when I got her and that is largly due to wanting to copy my male yorkie - she tries so hard she even lifts her leg to pee --- silly little girl!! And I certainly can't pretend I'm suprised - her foster mom had some trouble too.

[sheltiepups]

welcome to the forums! about the ripping up your carpet.. I say go for it, its soo much easier to clean up accidents on it. but if you don't get to the mess right away, it still might seep though to the floor and start to smell.. just make sure you get it cleaned up as soon as you can.

GOod luck!

[flyndog]

Soosmom, I'm glad to hear she is improving for you, and learning the ropes from your other dog! Maybe she's not a true "Dirty Dog". I think ripping up carpet is a great idea. I'm afraid I don't know what "pergo" is. So, your DH isn't up for being attached umbilically to a dog?

[SOOSMOM]

what mean DH??

[flyndog]

Sorry. Short for "Dear Husband"