Are you tired of constantly cleaning up after your Yorkie puppy? Do you dread the thought of taking them outside for yet another unsuccessful potty break?
Well, fear not, because potty training your Yorkie can be a successful and stress-free experience.
But where do you start?
It can be overwhelming to know what steps to take, but with patience and consistency, you can train your Yorkie to do their business outside.
In this article, we will guide you through the process of setting up successful potty breaks and provide tips to speed up house training your furry friend.
So, grab some treats and let’s get started on this exciting journey toward a potty-trained pup!
Supplies You Will Need
Here is a small list of supplies that you should have when preparing to potty train your Yorkie puppy:
- Collar or harness
- Hands-free 3-4 foot non-retractable leash
- 15-foot non-retractable leash
- Two dog litter boxes
- Puppy pads
- Tasty small-sized treats
- Carpet cleaner for pet stains
- Mops and floor cleaner
- Lots of love!
How to Potty Train a Yorkie Puppy
To potty train your Yorkie puppy, you’ll need to be patient and consistent.
Here are some different ways you can have your Yorkie trained in no time:
Tethered
By keeping your furry friend close to you with a leash, you can prevent them from wandering off and ensure they stay within your sight. This technique is called tethering and is an effective way to potty train your Yorkie puppy.
Tethering involves attaching your pup’s leash to your waist or a nearby object while you supervise them. This way, you can keep an eye on your pup and catch them before they have an accident. Tethering also helps to establish a routine for your pup.
By keeping them close to you, you can take them outside at regular intervals, such as after meals, naps, and playtime.
Consistency is very important when it comes to potty training, and tethering can help you create a schedule that works for both you and your pup.
Also, crate training can be used in conjunction with tethering to help your pup learn to hold their bladder and bowels for longer periods of time.
Confined
When you need to step away from your furry friend, confining them to a designated area with a baby gate or playpen can give you peace of mind knowing they’re safe and secure.
This method is particularly effective during potty training, as you can place puppy pads in the confined area and encourage your Yorkie to use them. Make sure to place food, water, and toys in the designated space to keep your pup occupied while you’re away.
It’s important to note that confining your Yorkie for too long can lead to anxiety and behavioral issues. Gradually increase the amount of time your pup spends in the confined area, starting with short periods and gradually working up to longer stretches.
Crated
Yorkie puppy crate training can be a gradual process, and it’s important to start with short periods of time and gradually increase the duration.
Here are a few tips to help you crate train your Yorkie puppy:
- Make the crate comfortable: Add a soft blanket or bed and a few toys to the crate so your puppy feels comfortable and secure.
- Use positive reinforcement: Offer treats and praise your puppy when they enter the crate voluntarily. This will help them associate the crate with positive experiences.
Another important aspect of crate training is to never use the crate as a form of punishment. This can create negative associations and make the crate a place your puppy does not want to be.
Gradually increasing the time your puppy spends in the crate will help them feel comfortable and secure, and will make the training process easier for both you and your furry friend.
Outdoors
This is an essential step in the potty training process for your Yorkie puppy. Take them outside on a leash and show them where they should do their business.
Create a bathroom schedule and stick to it to help them get into a routine. Praise them when they go in the right spot and give them a treat as a reward. This will reinforce positive behavior and help them learn quickly.
To better keep track of your Yorkie’s progress, it is helpful to create a potty training chart. Use a 3 column and 5 row table to record the time of day, if they went potty, and if there were any accidents.
This will help you identify patterns and adjust your bathroom schedule accordingly. Remember to be patient and consistent throughout the potty training process.
With time and dedication, your Yorkie puppy will learn to do their business outside and become a well-trained companion.
Supervision
To ensure the success of your furry companion’s bathroom habits, it’s imperative that you closely monitor them and provide constant supervision.
Yorkie puppies are notorious for getting into mischief and having accidents, so it’s important to keep a watchful eye on them at all times. If you notice your pup sniffing around or circling in one spot, take them outside immediately for a potty break.
While you’re training your Yorkie to go potty outdoors, it’s a good idea to have some puppy pads on hand as a backup. If you can’t take your pup outside for any reason, place them on the puppy pads and encourage them to use it as their potty area.
However, be aware that using puppy pads too often can make it harder to train your pup to go outside.
Setting Up Successful Potty Breaks
Here are some ways to make your Yorkie’s potty training a success:
Take Your Puppy Outside Every 30 Minutes
Yorkie puppies have tiny bladders and can’t hold their pee for long, so taking them outside every 30 minutes ensures they have a chance to relieve themselves.
It’s important to establish a routine for potty breaks, so your puppy knows when it’s time to go outside. Try to take them out at the same times each day, such as after meals, naps, and playtime.
If you’re unable to take your puppy outside every half hour, you can use puppy pads as a temporary solution. Place the pads in a designated area of your home and encourage your puppy to use them when they need to go potty.
However, as already mentioned, using puppy pads may prolong the house training process and confuse your puppy about where they should go potty. It’s best to rely on outdoor potty breaks as much as possible to set your puppy up for success in the long run.
Wait 5 Minutes While Watching Your Puppy
Now that you’ve taken your Yorkie puppy outside every 30 minutes, the next step in the potty training process is to wait while watching your puppy. This step is crucial in helping your puppy understand that outside is the appropriate place to go potty.
Here are some things to keep in mind while waiting:
- Be patient and consistent. It may take some time for your puppy to understand that outside is the place to go potty. Be patient and consistent with your routine to help your puppy learn.
- Observe your puppy. Look for signs that your puppy needs to go potty, such as sniffing around or circling.
- Praise your puppy. When your puppy goes potty outside, give them lots of praise and treats. This will help reinforce the behavior and encourage your puppy to continue going outside.
- Don’t punish your puppy. Punishing your puppy for accidents inside the house will only confuse them and make potty training more difficult. Instead, focus on positive reinforcement and consistency in your routine.
While waiting for your puppy, you may want to engage in some playtime or training exercises to help keep your puppy entertained and focused.
Remember, the key to successful potty training is consistency in your routine and patience with your puppy as they learn. With time and practice, your Yorkie puppy will become a potty training pro!
Praise or Offer a Treat If Your Puppy Uses the Bathroom
When your furry Yorkie successfully relieves themselves in the designated outdoor area, make sure to give them plenty of praise and maybe even a treat to show them that they’re doing a great job and encourage them to keep up the good work.
Positive reinforcement is an important step when it comes to potty training your puppy. You want to create a positive association between going potty outside and being rewarded with verbal praise or a small treat.
It’s important to note that treats should only be given sparingly and in small amounts. You don’t want to overfeed your puppy or create a dependency on treats for going potty outside.
Verbal praise is just as effective and should be given every time your puppy successfully goes potty in the designated area. Over time, your puppy will begin to understand that going potty outside is a good thing and something to be celebrated.
Reward With Off-Leash Time
You can give your furry friend some off-leash playtime as a reward for successfully using the designated outdoor area for their business.
This is an excellent way to reinforce positive behaviors and encourage your Yorkie puppy to continue using the designated spot.
Off-leash time is an essential aspect of puppy potty training, as it allows your furry friend to stretch their legs, burn off some energy, and explore their surroundings.
To make the most out of off-leash time, you can try the following tips:
- Play fetch: Yorkies are known for their high energy levels, and playing fetch is a great way to channel that energy in a positive way. You can use a ball, a frisbee, or any other toy that your furry friend enjoys.
- Practice obedience training: Off-leash time is an excellent opportunity to work on your Yorkie puppy’s obedience training. You can practice commands such as sit, stay, and come, and reward your furry friend with treats or praise for good behavior.
Remember that off-leash time is a reward for positive behaviors, so it’s essential to make sure that your furry friend is following your commands and using the designated outdoor area before you allow them to play off-leash.
Tips To Speed Up House Training Your Yorkie
The following tips can help fast track your potty training efforts:
Keep Track of Your Puppies Potty Habits
It’s important to monitor your furry friend’s schedule and habits to establish a routine that works for both of you. Keep a close eye on your Yorkie puppy’s potty habits, including when they typically need to go, how often they go, and where they prefer to do their business.
This will help you determine when to take them outside or to their designated potty area, and can also help you avoid accidents in the house. To make monitoring your puppy’s potty habits easier, consider using puppy pads or a designated potty area.
This will help your puppy learn where they should be doing their business and can also make clean-up easier for you.
Keep in mind that puppies have smaller bladders (1) and may need to go more frequently than adult dogs, so be patient and consistent with your training.
Take Them Potty During the Habitual Times Also
In addition to taking your Yorkie puppy outside every 30 minutes, it is also important to take them potty during the times that you notice they normally go. For example, if your puppy usually goes to the bathroom after eating or drinking, take them outside right after they eat or drink. If your puppy usually goes to the bathroom after waking up from a nap, take them outside right after they wake up.
By taking your puppy potty during the times that they are most likely to need to go, you can help them learn to associate going to the bathroom outside with a specific time and place. This will make it easier for them to hold it until they are outside.
Here are some of the most common times when puppies need to go to the bathroom:
- After waking up from a nap
- After eating or drinking
- After playing
- After being excited or stressed
- Before bed
If you are consistent with taking your puppy potty during these times, they will eventually learn to go to the bathroom outside on their own.
Get Your Puppy on a Feeding Schedule
Getting your furry friend on a regular feeding schedule is like building a foundation for a strong house; it sets the groundwork for successful potty training and overall health.
For a Yorkie puppy, it’s best to feed them at the same time every day, making sure to avoid feeding them too close to bedtime. This will help establish a routine for their digestive system, making it easier for you to predict when they’ll need to go potty.
When it comes to potty training your Yorkie puppy, it’s important to remember that accidents will happen. However, one way to minimize these accidents is by using puppy pads.
Make sure to place them in a designated area and encourage your puppy to use them. Consistency is key, so make sure to praise them when they use the pads and redirect them if they try to go elsewhere.
With a regular feeding schedule and proper use of puppy pads, potty training your Yorkie puppy will be a breeze.
Clean Up Accidents Thoroughly
When accidents happen with your Yorkie puppy, it’s important to clean up thoroughly to prevent any lingering smells. Puppies have accidents, and it’s part of the potty training process.
You’ll want to get your hands on some enzymatic cleaner, which is a cleaning solution that breaks down the urine and feces enzymes. This will help prevent your puppy from smelling the spot and returning to it for future accidents.
It’s also a good idea to have puppy pads on hand. Puppy pads are designed to help train your puppy to go potty in a designated area. If your puppy has an accident, quickly pick them up and place them on the puppy pad.
Praise them for going potty in the right spot. Over time, your puppy will learn that the puppy pad is where they should go potty, making the cleaning process easier for you.
As you continue to potty train your Yorkie, remember to be patient and consistent. Accidents will happen, but with proper cleaning and the use of puppy pads, you can help your furry friend learn to go potty in the right spot.
Conclusion
Congratulations! You now know how to potty train your Yorkie puppy! Remember to be patient and consistent in your training approach.
Setting up successful potty breaks is key to your Yorkie’s success, so make sure to establish a routine and stick to it. Consistency is key!
With these tips and tricks, you can speed up the process of house training your Yorkie. But remember, every puppy is different and may learn at their own pace. Don’t get discouraged if there are setbacks or accidents along the way.
Keep up with the training, and soon enough, your Yorkie will be fully potty trained. So, are you ready to start potty training your Yorkie puppy?
Have a little patience and consistency, and you can successfully train your furry friend and enjoy a clean and happy home. Are you up for the challenge?