Toilet training is an essential part of any dog’s upbringing. They need to know where to go so that they can evacuate safely without breaking the rules of the home.
There are different schools of thought on the best way to train dogs. This is especially true when determining how to potty train a Yorkie.
Yorkie puppies are a challenge when it comes to training. However, with the right approach, you can ensure that these little dogs know the rules.
[thrive_text_block color=”blue” headline=””]In this guide to potty training a Yorkie we will look at some of the important problems that owners will have to deal with when housebreaking this breed. [/thrive_text_block]
We will deal with the problem in two key sections:
First we will look at the indoor house training, with information on the best tricks and tools to use to make sure that they find an appropriate spot and stick to it.
Then we will talk about the alternative of Yorkie potty training outdoors.
Here we will look at why this is seen as the better option in many household and the important training tools to succeed. We will also talk about other helpful resources, tips and issues that you may encounter in this journey.
By the end, hopefully there will be a strong enough pros and cons list for you to decide on the best method for your dog.
Table of Contents
Are Yorkies hard to potty train?
This is one of the first questions that Yorkie owners tend to ask when getting these dogs for the first time.
They have something of a reputation for being difficult to handle because they have that stubborn temperament blended with good intelligence. They can learn new things pretty well, but they often don’t want to change their habits and comply.
[thrive_text_block color=”note” headline=””] It can take as much as six months to fully house-train Yorkie pup, but you will see gradual progress if you are patient and consistent. [/thrive_text_block]
If you are looking into how to potty train a Yorkie mix, you might find that you have a slightly easier ride depending on the temperament and intelligence of the other parent breed. There is a chance that they won’t be quite so stubborn as a pure Yorkshire Terrier.
House training a yorkie using indoor methods
Yorkie pups that are left at home during the day probably need indoor training methods more than outdoor ones so that their mess is contained and easy to deal with.
[thrive_text_block color=”red” headline=””]You need to be sure that they will pee and poop in the same spot each time, so that they have a clear idea of where their bathroom is. This is made a little easier when crate training a baby Yorkie and providing a potty training Yorkies litter box. [/thrive_text_block]
Crates provide a safe den-like space for pups to counter the issues of separation anxiety.
They also mean that your pup won’t wander around the home leaving little “presents” for you. A nearby pen with a designated potty area – like a litter box or pad – is a great way of giving them a separate space.
They will not want to go to the bathroom in their den, so this encourages them to move to a suitable spot and associate it with their business. Be aware that puppies can usually only tolerate two to three hours in a crate.
Image Source: modernpuppies.com
How to potty train a yorkie on puppy pads
Many owners would agree that the best tool that you can use in this indoor training mention is a puppy pad, such as the All-Absorb Training Pads 22-inch By 23-inch.
[easyazon_infoblock align=”center” identifier=”B00EI673B6″ locale=”US” nw=”y” tag=”howtotrainy03-20″]These pads are absorbent alternatives to putting down newspaper. Puppies can be taught to go on these safe surfaces in a specific area of the home and there will be minimal mess to deal with.
Start by placing a few pads down in the corner of the pen and encourage them to use them.
As your pup gets the idea, reduce the number of pads so there is one spot to go to. With time, they will associate the pad with their bathroom.
Potty training yorkies using outdoor methods
There are many people that believe that the indoor method is flawed when learning how to house train a Yorkie puppy.
The stubborn nature of these pets, that was such a problem in getting them to learn this new routine, could mean that the method backfires. Once these pets learn to go in their spot in the crate, they may not be able to go outside.
[thrive_leads id=’7777′]Outdoor training means that it is easier for dogs to do their business in a more appropriate place. It does require a lot of patience and the right strategy, but it pays off.
Again, you need a good area to work with that is separate from other activities – like the pen and the crate.
Find a patch of grass where they don’t tend to play and make sure they only go there to go to the bathroom.
It helps to let the pup pick the best spot first by sniffing the grass. Keep them on a leash to stop them wandering too far. Make sure to take them back there each time for consistency.
Consistency is important with both of these methods
Just like the indoor method, it is important to learn how to potty train a Yorkie puppy step by step.
[thrive_text_block color=”note” headline=””]Don’t rush the method expecting fast results because it can take a while for these stubborn dogs to comply. They are smart enough to get the message with the right encouragement and a slow, steady progression. [/thrive_text_block]However, you have to be patience and gradual in your steps. That is why it is important to create a strong Yorkie potty training schedule.
✓ Puppies need to be taken to the appropriate place to do their business at least every two hours.
✓ All Yorkies should go outside first thing in the morning, before bed, after meals and after play.
You also need to make sure to use positive reinforcement on either method. It is much better to praise your dog with kind words and treats than to punish them for getting it wrong.
If they get it right and go in the right spot, tell them they did well and provide a treat. If you catch them about to go in the wrong place, attract their attention, give them a warning and take them to the correct place. They will slowly make a positive association.
Dealing with important Yorkie potty training issues
Learning how to house train a Yorkie requires more than this step by step guide and a few clever tricks in positive reinforcement.
There are other issues and obstacles that you need to be aware of in order to make sure that your pup has the best possible experience.
Let’s take a look at some of these Yorkie potty training problems and their solutions.
The first is the problem of age appropriate house training :
A Yorkie pup can only hold on for a certain amount of time. If you force them to hold it and don’t appreciate this limitation there will be accidents and they will be your fault, not the dog’s. The length increases with age and is all relative.
Potty training 3 months old Yorkie dogs means you can only wait 3 hours. An adult Yorkie can only hold on for a maximum of 8 hours.
Many owners also talk about the problem of puppies relieving themselves indoors as soon as they were brought back inside:
This isn’t a sign of bad behavior. The dog is not trying to act up and doing it on purpose.
You are training your dog to go in the right place. You cannot expect them to also evacuate on command every time. Their urge to go may not be quite so strong as you think.
They need a little time to settle in their “bathroom”, get comfortable and let nature takes its course in their time. You can’t force them to get faster. You just have to wait it out with them until they are done.
Rain or shine, you need to be stood patiently holding the leash. This leads us to the issue of outdoor Yorkie potty training winter conditions.
What do you do when you are trying to teach the outdoor method in a cold, wet January? The answer is simple. You put on a coat, hold an umbrella over the two of you and wait it out.
Image Source: Pixabay
Then there is the problem of marking around the house:
This isn’t necessarily a sign of Yorkie potty training regression. Yorkies often feel the urge to mark their territory.
Unfortunately this means urinating in areas that are nowhere near their special pads. This is an instinctive trait that is part of Yorkie ownership.
[thrive_text_block color=”note” headline=””]A common reason for this behavior is hormonal. Therefore, dogs that have been neutered or spayed are much like likely to exhibit this sort of behavior. [/thrive_text_block]Even if your dog isn’t prone to marking and is trying their best to go in the right places, there can still be accidents.
It is important to know how to handle accidents in the home in a way that is productive. It is understandable to be annoyed that they have made such a mess in a bedroom or on a prized rug, but you can’t take that anger out on the dog.
If you catch them in the act, don’t punish them at the spot. Simply take them to the place that they were meant to go. This will help them to make the connection between the place and the action.
You also want to deal with the mess in the best way possible so that your Yorkie pup doesn’t form any further connection between the wrong spot and a suitable toilet.
If the area smells like a puppy toilet, they will be encouraged to use it. This means you need to clean and deodorize it fast. If your pup has had an accident on a towel or piece of clothing, consider placing that towel on the puppy pad to strengthen the connection.
Where else can you go for Yorkie potty training help if you are still having problems?
Potty training a Yorkie puppy is undeniably difficult and it helps to get advice from people that are aware of the behavioral traits and needs of the breed.
Talk to other owners to see how they coped and if they had any specific problems to deal with.
You can also talk to a vet if you are worried that the training isn’t progressing well. Their advice can be particularly helpful if your dog is marking or there is any sign of a medical issue. They can perform a health check, neuter misbehaving dogs and provide advice on top products.
[thrive_text_block color=”blue” headline=””]Another great aid is Doggy Dan the Online Dog Trainer. This online guide will surely help you potty train Yorkie pups because the author is so highly-respected by dog owners across the world. [/thrive_text_block]He has created helpful step-by-step guides on a range of behavior issues and training methods. His easy-to-follow resource is sure to provide help to even the most stubborn Yorkie.
The benefit of it being online is that you can also work at your own pace. There is no pressure to progress at the level of another dog.
House training a Yorkie dog is hard work, but it is important to find the best method for your household
Hopefully this guide on how to potty train a Yorkie has given you enough of a basis on the different styles of training to help you find the right route.
[thrive_text_block color=”note” headline=””]There are pros and cons to opting for either the indoor or outdoor approach. The important thing to remember is that whichever you choose, you need the right tools to carry it out and the patience to see it through. [/thrive_text_block]There will be setbacks and times when the message doesn’t seem to be getting through, but that is when these Yorkie potty training tips will help.
Go easy on yourself, and your pet, and take the time to do things right. These dogs may be stubborn, but they will learn.
Featured Image: Pixabay
