A crate used correctly for house training becomes the dogs own private retreat or den. The puppy will seek out the crate when it wants to rest undisturbed or to feel safe.
A crate’s success as a housebreaking tool is simple, puppies will not soil their sleeping area if they can possibly avoid it. But remember that a puppy needs time to play and has a small bladder. Use the crate when you can’t watch your puppy, but don’t overuse it.
Crates come in many different styles and sizes. Choose one that will be large enough for your Yorkie to lay down, stand up, and turn around easily in. If you plan on traveling with your Yorkie buy a plastic one with ventilation slits on all four sides.
Put the crate in a room close to other family members to lessen the puppy’s anxieties. Move the crate at night to the bedroom so the puppy will feel like a member of the family and so you can hear the puppy if it needs to go out at night or whine. Give her a treat when you put her in a crate. For the first few times the puppy goes in the crate she may cry or whine. But remember to remove the collar before placing it in the cage. Give her a treat when you put her in the crate, close the door, then leave the room but remain close by. At the first bark, whine, or howl intervene with a sharp “NO”. Your puppy should associate the reprimand with its actions and stop. It may take 4-5 times, but it will eventually settle down and be quite. Never take the puppy out before she settles down or she will think all she has to do is keep making noise until you take her out.
Once the puppy is quiet, keep it in the crate for 30-45 minutes. If it begins to cry, take it outside to do its business. After it does its business praise the puppy and give it a small treat, take it back inside and allow it supervised free time outside the crate. If she starts chewing on something other than her toys, respond with a sharp “NO”, take the object away and replace with a chew toy.
After 15-20 minutes of playtime, put the puppy back into the crate for a nap. Correct the puppy if she cries. Your puppy learns through association, so consistency should help it accept being in the crate after a few times. After about an hour, take the puppy out again and repeat the process.
Your puppy will need to eliminate directly on waking and shortly after eating or playing. Also, a very young pup will not be able to hold itself all night. You will need to take it outside during the night.
Put the puppy on her leash immediately after letting her out of her crate. Rush the puppy to the door or carry her out so she can avoid an accident, Watch to make sure she does her business before letting her back inside.
Gradually increase the time your puppy is allowed out of the crate after she does her business. Always supervise the puppy until she becomes reliable. But even then always watch her to prevent the unexpected.