How Do I Potty Train a Toy Yorkie Dog?

Ranging in size from 4 to 7 pounds, the tiny Yorkshire Terrier, affectionately referred to as a "Yorkie," is one of the most popular breeds, according to the American Kennel Club. These little members of the Toy Group, have long, luxurious blue-and-tan coats and adapt well to any environment. Yorkies have an energetic, inquisitive personality and require limited exercise due to their small size, which makes potty training easier on the owner. Train your Yorkie to eliminate outside of your home at any age to avoid smelly accidents, keeping both you and your dog happy.

Things You'll Need

  • Leash
  • Dog treats
  • Enzymatic cleaner
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Instructions

    • 1

      Walk your Yorkie on a leash to the location where you want it to eliminate. Choose a quiet spot, away from traffic and loud noises, which may frighten the small dog.

    • 2

      Wait up to five minutes for the dog to eliminate. When it does eliminate in the location you have chosen, give it a treat and verbal praise. If it does not eliminate, bring it back indoors for 15 to 30 minutes, supervising it closely, so that it does not eliminate indoors. Bring the dog back outside and reward it if it eliminates. Repeat the process until the dog eliminates outside.

    • 3

      Watch your Yorkie for signs it needs to eliminate while indoors, such as pacing, circling or sniffing, and bring it outside immediately to go potty. Interrupt your dog if you see it having an accident with loud clapping to distract it, and carry the Yorkie outside to allow it to go potty properly; then reward it with praise and a treat.

    • 4

      Feed your Yorkie at set times during the day and take it out to eliminate five times each day, or more for puppies. Yorkies are small dogs that have little bladders, which require more frequent emptying than other breeds, according to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. Take your Yorkie out in the morning, afternoon, evening and before bed to prevent accidents. Yorkies do not require a lot of exercise, so you can keep walks to eliminate outdoors short.

    • 5

      Confine the Yorkie to a small room when you cannot supervise it if it has frequent accidents and suffers from separation anxiety. A dog will usually not eliminate in the area that it sleeps in, such as a small room. When it eliminates outdoors, allow it freedom from its confinement area for 15 to 20 minutes, slowly allowing more freedom as it demonstrates that it will not eliminate inside.

    • 6

      Clean up accidents quickly using an enzymatic cleaner to prevent the Yorkie from being drawn back to the area to eliminate.