Yorkie House Training - YourDogsWorld Blog

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This breed is actually more easy to house train than some other types of breeds. In general, the Yorkie aims to please.

However, in order to have quick success, you’ll need to be prepared. This involves having the right things in place in order for housebreaking to work.

In addition, you’ll want to have a clear understanding of all of the guidelines. If you are not following the rules, neither can your Yorkshire Terrier.

This section will show you exactly how to house train a Yorkie with step-by-step tips and advice.

Indoor Vs Outdoor House Training

Prior to delving into the specific details, it might be beneficial for you to possess a basic comprehension of the necessary prerequisites and actions required for the successful implementation of housebreaking. Consequently, we will subsequently proceed to discuss the particulars.

1. Realistic expectations. Yorkie puppies do not have full control over bladder and bowel muscles. These will develop as the pup grows. So, needs can only be held for so long. In general, a 2-month old can go about 2 hours, a 3-month old for 3 hours, and so on.

This does not mean that your 3-month old puppy will pee and then not pee again for another 3 hours. It just means that this is the maximum time that should lapse between taking the pup out.

For the best and fastest results, we highly recommend housebreaking a Yorkie to eliminate outdoors. It is canine instinct to sniff around outside and choose ‘just the right spot’. And, going to the bathroom outside is much easier for a dog than trying to hit the mark on pee pads set up indoors.

This said, if you do choose the indoor method of setting up pee pads, do follow all of the same advice here. The main difference will be that the ‘designated area’ will be the pee pads instead of a bathroom area outside.

Step #1 Choose the Bathroom Area

When considering this, it is essential to select a specific location as the designated bathroom area. The following points highlight its significance:

A huge part of housebreaking a Yorkie is that the pup will be brought to this area by you. This means that you will not just open the door and let your Yorkie outside. Not only is this very dangerous, but it brings the learning opportunities down to zero.

The area should be easily accessible in all seasons and in all weather. What seems to work well in the summer may be hard to reach in the winter. We will also cover some things you can do to make heading outside more tolerable.

This should be at least 10 feet away from any family areas, such as the barbecue, outdoor eating spot, etc.

Step #2 Have Supervision & Containment Methods in Place

During the housebreaking phase, your Yorkie should always be supervised or kept in one spot. Not doing this is the downfall of many housebreaking attempts. An owner sees that their Yorkie is rather close by, they turn to tidy up the room… or prepare lunch, and the puppy pees right in the middle of the living room.

Or, the puppy is playing with his toys, so the owner looks through the mail and makes a call, and the puppy leaves a poo behind the sofa.

1) Tethered supervision. If you cannot give your Yorkie your undivided attention but

can
keep him by your side as you are doing other things, keep your Yorkie tethered to you via a harness and a short 6-foot leash. Note that the harness is vital;
do not use a collar
as this can cause neck injury. In addition, the leash should be short; 6 feet (9 at the most) and lightweight (those made of climbing rope are incredibly durable but light, and work well).

Any time that your Yorkie makes a motion to pee or poo, you will immediately pick him up and bring him to the designated area. And you will carry him if you must (a great benefit of having such a tiny toy breed).

2) Playpen. For any times that you cannot keep your Yorkie right by your side or for any times that you are not home, you’ll need to keep your Yorkie in one specific spot.

Step #3 Be Prepared to Give Praise & Reward

Praise and reward are significant aspects of house training as they serve as the most effective way for dogs to learn and stay motivated in their efforts.

Once a dog carries out a particular action enough times, it becomes automatic; at that time, reward will not be a ‘must’; however, it does help to reinforce good behavior.

The praise. Choose a certain word or phrase that you will always use. This should be something that you do not mind calling out in public. Just saying ‘bathroom’ is perfectly fine; though, ‘pitty-potty’ or another like term will work as well.

You will say this each time you bring your Yorkie to the designated bathroom area (Let’s go pitty-potty) and immediately after your dog has done the deed (Good pitty potty, good dog!).

The reward. Special treats should be at the ready, in a zipped sandwich bag, and placed near the exit door that leads to the bathroom area. You’ll want to be able to grab and pocket these as you are taking your Yorkie out.

As you offer praise, palm a treat and allow your Yorkie to mouth it.

The type of treat that you choose as reward for housebreaking plays a big role.

Step #4 The Actual House Training Rules

After completing the necessary preparations and ensuring everything is in order for your efforts to succeed, it is now the right moment to carry out the training. Below are 8 instructions to adhere to:

1. Take your Yorkie to the same designated area every single time. Stand in the center of that area, and allow your Yorkie to choose the exact spot within the diameter.

2.
Do not hesitate with praise and reward as soon as your Yorkie urinates or has a bowel movement. Say, ‘Good, pee-poo!’ (or your chosen phrase) with lots of enthusiasm (as if your pup just did the most magnificent thing in the world), while handing over the special training reward treat.

3.
Bring your Yorkie there before each walk. Allowing a dog to pee or poo while out for his daily walks is a missed opportunity for teaching housebreaking.

4. Be patient. Dogs can take anywhere from 1 to 15 minutes to relax bowel muscles. Bring a chair if you must, but do give your Yorkie enough time.

5.
Bring your Yorkie outside often enough. This should be:

Right after your pup wakes up
About 20 minutes after each meal
Right after you arrive back home, if you’ve been out
Every so-many hours depending on age (3 hours for a 3-month-old, 4 hours for a 4-month old, etc.)
Right before bed

6. Bring your Yorkie out any time that he/she makes a motion to pee or poo. Your Yorkie should right in your sights, be tethered to you, or in his playpen. As soon as you see a leg lift or a squat,
give a loud hand clap to interrupt and bring your pup right out, even if you must carry him.

7. Time meals. Most Yorkshire Terriers do well with 3 meals per day, 2 to 3 snacks, and with the last meal or snack about 2 hours before bedtime.

But, if your Yorkie is waking up and having a bowel movement super early, you may want to try adjusting dinnertime. This may lead to a bowel movement later in the evening before bed, as opposed to 4 or 5 AM.

8. React appropriately at night. Most young puppies will bark intermittently throughout the night and it will be important to try and ascertain if the
barking at night
is for attention or because there is a bathroom need.

Most very young puppies do not yet know to alert you to needs, so the majority of vocalization will be to gain your attention.

Since you do not want to your puppy to learn that he’s allowed to wake you up 100 times, unless you highly suspect that he needs to poo or pee, barking should be ignored and the pup will learn to self-sooth.

If you do bring him out, you will want to strongly convey that this is a serious time and not one for play. Keep lights low and do not speak at all unless it is to offer praise for urinating or eliminating in the designated area.

Step #4 Toilet training your dog

Whether you are acquiring a puppy or an adult dog, it is essential to understand the proper way of house training in order to care for your dog responsibly. Toilet training plays a crucial role in teaching puppies fundamental life skills and strengthening the bond between you and your pet.

Until they reach around 12 months of age, dogs do not possess full bladder capacity.

If you are toilet training an adult dog that hasn’t received proper training before, the process will follow the same stages, but it might require more time.

To ensure successful toilet training, it is important to provide your dog with ample opportunities to go and actively supervise them, allowing them to do so in the appropriate location.

Remove them at the following times: when they wake up, after every meal, after playtime, before bed, before you leave them, when you come back, and every 45 minutes.

Signs your dog needs to toilet

These include: –

Fidgeting,
Sniffing around,
Beginning to circle before squatting.

Toilet training steps

When you notice the indications that your dog is considering using the bathroom:

Take them to the correct place so that you can reward them when they go. Try to take them to the same place each time.
When they begin to toilet, use a verbal cue they can associate with the correct behaviour eg. ‘toilet’.
When they’ve finished, reward them immediately, every time, with lots of praise, treats and play.
Before going back inside, walk your dog around or play for a bit. This way they don’t learn that going to the toilet ends time outside, which could mean that they hold onto the last minute before going.
If you notice your dog about to go in the wrong place, interrupt them but in a way that doesn’t punish them, e.g. calling their name. Take them calmly towards the correct place and give them lots of praise when they toilet there. Don’t shout, otherwise your dog may learn that it’s only safe to go when you’re not around.

What to do if there’s an accident

Never punish your dog if you find an accident after the event or as it’s happening. Your dog may become scared and confused as they won’t associate the punishment with the accident.
Simply clean the area using a warm solution of biological washing powder and rinse with water. This should remove the smell and reduce the chance of your dog using this area again.
There are different reasons for toileting indoors, e.g. health or lack of training so if you’re concerned, always seek advice from your vet.

Toilet train your dog by consistently taking them outside and providing praise when they successfully go, so eventually, they will start asking to go outside.

My dog is toilet trained but wees and poos when left alone

If your dog is having accidents indoors while being separated from you, it could indicate that they are struggling to handle being alone.

We have compiled some suggestions to assist you in determining your dog’s emotions when they are alone and in addressing this prevalent separation-related behavior.