puppy constantly has poop accidents in basement

by Jenny C
(Idaho Falls, ID )

I am babysitting a 4 month old Yorkie puppy for a while. When my brother dropped her off, he said just to leave her food and water out. However, I've read that you are supposed to provide food and water only at certain times of the day. I take her outside to pee every 1-2 hours and she pees almost on command. However, the poop thing is another story.

She might poop at the same time as she pees but more often than not, she's running downstairs to poop. This happens several times a day. I just clean it up and don't scold her for it. Is that correct behavior on my part? How can I get her to poop outside.

Moreover, how do I teach her to let me know when she needs to go outside?



Hi Jenny
If this were your puppy I would strongly advise you to get a crate and crate train her, this is the simplest and quickest way to housebreak a pup, and eliminates most of the opportunities for her to have an 'accident' indoors.

But, as this is a pup you are just sitting for you may not be able to justify the expense of a crate, perhaps you could ask your brother to pay for one as you're actually helping him out by housebreaking her?

If you can get a crate, follow the advice on my Crate Training A Puppy page. If not, then at least confine this puppy to a small area, perhaps with a 'litter box' or pee-pee pads. That way she won't be able to run all over the house, or down to the basement and do her business.

If you catch her in the act of pooping indoors, immediately scoop her up telling her "NO" firmly. Take her outside immediately and stay with her. Use her 'potty command' word and praise her if she finishes up outside. If you don't actually 'catch her in the act', there's no point in scolding her after the fact, just clean up and move on. But be sure to supervise her more closely so this can't happen.

I would also recommend that you read my Potty Training page for more information, tips and advice on housebreaking.

Best of luck.