How to Potty Train a Teacup Yorkshire Terrier

A teacup Yorkshire terrier is a dog that has been bred to be particularly small. It's not an official version of the breed and can not be registered separately with the American Kennel Club; the Yorkshire terrier breed is classified as a "toy breed" which should weigh no more than seven pounds. Smaller dogs are harder to potty train because of their small bladders, and a teacup-sized puppy is going to be a little harder than other small breeds. Your teacup Yorkshire terrier can be house-trained as long as you are consistent, allow for a slower training process and use an appropriate training method. Dr. Mark Stickney, Director of General Surgery Services at the Texas A&M University College of Veterinary Medicine &Biomedical Sciences, advises that crate training is the most effective method to train any puppy.

Things You'll Need

  • Crate
  • Leash
  • Collar
  • Training treats
  • Enzyme cleaner
  • Potty pads (optional)
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Instructions

    • 1
      Wire crates are generally better for house-training a puppy.

      Find a wire crate that is big enough for your puppy to stand up, turn around, sit up straight and stretch out completely to lie down. If the crate is too big, the puppy will use one end as a potty. Wire crates are usually better for potty training because they have better ventilation and the puppy is secure but not so isolated.

    • 2
      Carry your pup directly outside to the potty.

      Carry the puppy outdoors for potty breaks, putting the leash on as you go. A puppy is too small to walk all the way outside on its own without risking an accident. The puppy usually need to go potty after eating, drinking, playing, sleeping or napping. Yes, that means the puppy needs to go potty almost all the time. An eight-week-old puppy can only wait between one and three hours no matter what it's been doing, and a teacup Yorkie is going to be on the lower end of that range.

    • 3

      Make a schedule for the puppy's meals and potty breaks and stick to it rigorously. Your puppy cannot hold it until you are ready; it needs to go out on a strict, frequent schedule or it will have unavoidable accidents. Keep the puppy in the crate when you cannot supervise it closely, as you would put a baby in a playpen when the phone rings. When you've seen that the puppy has done its business, allow it to play free in the house with constant supervision.

    • 4

      Give the puppy quiet praise and a tiny training treat while it is in the process of going potty. Do not wait until it has finished to offer the treat and praise. The puppy has to be rewarded while in the act in order to make an immediate connection between what it's doing and the reward. Even if you have a fenced yard, never leave the pup outside alone. If you aren't there to give praise and a treat, the pup will not be learning and you will not be certain if the pup really went potty.

    • 5

      Clean any accidents immediately with an enzyme cleaner formulated to eliminate pet stains and odors. Follow the directions precisely for the best results.