Potty Training an Older Puppy

I recently took in a 16 month old Yorkie. I love her to pieces, however I was told by my friend that this dog was puppy-pad trained. Occasionally she uses the pad but for the most part she goes wherever she wants. Is it possible to train one at this age? She really has no comprehension, just loves to play and kiss.

Sandy from Lima, Ohio

Answers:

Potty Training an Older Puppy

I am not an expert, but I took in an older dog and potty training was a real challenge, I had to be on top of things constantly. I set an alarm clock and every hour we went outside to potty. If she ate, no more than 5 minutes passed before we were outside or on the way out, I would take her front paw and scratch the door with it. I kept her leashed during her training. If I saw her even look like she was going to squat, I grabbed her up and leashed her, scratched the door, praised her and went outside. When she pottied in the floor it was no ones fault but my own for being slow on the draw. I was the one having to teach her so I had to take all the blame for any accidents. But we still took our trip outside, leash, scratch on door and outside, but no playing. Remember to praise, praise, praise, you will get farther with praise than you will with punishment because dogs want to please and will work hard to please, but punishment will hinder their progress.

Good luck, it worked for me, she now has a doggy door and takes herself out. And each time she comes in, I praise her. She was a year old when I got her and she's nearly 6 now, we had the doggy door put in early last summer and she learned to use it very quickly. Praise goes a long way.
Tina (01/07/2009)

By Tina Brown

Potty Training an Older Puppy

For one thing, teaching her it's okay inside on the pads or where ever makes it hard to teach them to always go outside. Dogs tend to have to go within 10 to 20 min, or sooner of eating, drinking, playing, or waking up. There are a lot of books that can help you, however yorkies do have notoriously small bladders so every other hour outside may help with things and put her food and water on a schedule.

I've heard to give ice cubes instead of water so you control their fluid intake, but my dogs eat them. Also canned or pre-moistened food has a tendency to be higher in salt, making the dog thirstier and there fore having to pee more. Get your hands on something from a kennel if you can to get rid of odor where she has peed before, as that is a scent cue to go there again. Cleaners with ammonia just make it smell more to them so avoid them. Nature's Miracle is good but if you can find nil-odor its amazing! (01/09/2009)

By stinger