How to Potty Train a Yorkie Puppy

Yorkies are high-energy dogs, which can make potty training difficult. Yorkshire Terrier owners can benefit from crate training to exercise more control over their dog during the potty training phase. Crate training is neither a harsh, nor unusual method of potty training. It merely allows owners to prevent potty training mishaps.

Things You'll Need

  • Dog crate
  • Dog exercise pen
  • Newspaper
  • Water
  • Dog food
  • Dog treats
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Instructions

    • 1

      Purchase a crate that allows your puppy to stand up and walk around inside. However, avoid selecting a crate large enough for your dog to have room for a separate toilet area.

    • 2

      Place the crate in a common area in your home. Put a towel or bed, toys and treats inside the crate for your dog's comfort. This provides an incentive for the dog to go into the crate and stay inside it.

    • 3

      Take your Yorkie out of the crate every 45 minutes to one hour for bathroom breaks. Guide the puppy through the same door to the same location for each bathroom break. This engages your dog's instincts and trains it to potty where you want to at certain times. Praise your Yorkie with treats every time the dog follows procedure correctly.

    • 4

      Slowly begin to let your puppy outside of the crate for play time. Observe your puppy's body language and mannerisms whenever outside the crate to gauge when it has to relieve itself. Watch out for moments when your dog circles around and sniffs. This typically indicates a dog that is anxious to go to the restroom. Let your puppy relieve itself as soon as it wakes up in the morning or from naps or after meals and play sessions.

    • 5

      Do not let your Yorkshire Terrier out of your sight during the potty training phase; any moment could lead to an accident. Yorkshire Terriers are rambunctious dogs and even a couple of minutes of unsupervised time outside of the crate could leave you with a huge mess.

    • 6

      Place your puppy in an exercise pen during extended periods of time when you are away. Cover the floor with newspaper inside the pen and leave water, food and toys to make your puppy comfortable. Your puppy will have no other option than to potty on the newspaper when you are gone. After a few weeks, only place a few squares of newspaper in the exercise pen. Your dog will continue to potty on the squares of newspaper, as opposed to random spots on the floor. During the hours you are home, carry on with the crate training method.