Start with a consistent schedule and designated outdoor spot

Small dogs learn fastest when they go outside at the same times every day. Take your dog out first thing in the morning, after meals (usually 15 to 30 minutes later), after naps, before bedtime, and several times during the day—most small dogs need to go out 8 to 12 times daily when they are young. Pick one outdoor spot and always take your dog there; the scent will remind them what that place is for.

The schedule matters more than the location itself. Your dog's bladder fills on a predictable cycle, so if you take them out at 7 a.m., noon, 3 p.m., and 8 p.m., they will start to anticipate those times. Write down when your dog goes to the bathroom for the first week or two—this shows you their natural rhythm and helps you catch accidents before they happen.

Key Takeaways

  • Take your small dog outside on a fixed schedule—at least 8 times daily for puppies—and always to the same spot so they associate that place with bathroom breaks.
  • Reward your dog when ready after they finish going outside, before you come back in, so they connect the outdoor spot with praise and treats.
  • Confine your dog to a small space (crate, pen, or room) when you cannot watch them, because dogs naturally avoid soiling where they sleep.
  • Clean accidents with enzymatic cleaner, not ammonia-based products, so your dog does not smell old urine and return to the same spot.
  • Expect setbacks during teething, illness, or stress—small dogs can take 4 to 6 months or longer to be reliably housetrained.

Reward when ready after your dog finishes outdoors

The moment your dog finishes urinating or defecating outside, give praise and a small treat—within seconds, not after you come back inside. Your dog needs to connect the act of going in that spot with the reward. If you wait until you are back in the house, your dog may think they are being rewarded for coming inside, not for going to the bathroom outside.

Use a word or phrase consistently, such as "go potty" or "do your business," so your dog learns to associate that command with the action. Say it as you take them out, and repeat it while they are sniffing and circling. Once they go, use the same excited tone every time: "Yes! Good potty!" This repetition builds the connection faster than silence or delayed praise.

Confine your dog when you cannot supervise

Dogs naturally avoid soiling the space where they sleep and eat. Use a crate, pen, or small room to confine your dog when you cannot watch them—during work hours, at night, or when you step out. The space should be large enough for your dog to stand, turn around, and lie down comfortably, but not so large that they can potty in one corner and sleep in another.

A crate teaches your dog to hold their bladder because the confined space triggers their instinct not to soil their den. When you let your dog out of the crate, take them when ready to the outdoor spot. If your dog has an accident in the crate, do not punish them; instead, clean it thoroughly and make sure you are taking them out more often. Accidents in the crate usually mean the schedule is too long for your dog's bladder capacity.

Clean accidents with enzymatic cleaner, not ammonia

When your dog has an accident indoors, clean it with an enzymatic cleaner—a product that breaks down the urine proteins, not just the smell. Ammonia-based cleaners and vinegar smell like urine to dogs, so they can actually encourage your dog to use that spot again. Enzymatic cleaners are sold at pet stores and online under names like Nature's Miracle, Rocco & Roxie, or Rockin' Green.

Spray the enzymatic cleaner on the spot, let it sit for the time the label recommends (usually 10 to 15 minutes), and then blot it up. Do not use a steam cleaner first, because heat can set the urine into the fibers. If you clean with the wrong product, your dog will smell the old urine even after the spot looks clean, and they will return to that spot repeatedly.

Recognize common mistakes that slow progress

Punishing your dog for accidents—yelling, rubbing their nose in it, or swatting them—teaches your dog to fear you, not to go outside. Your dog cannot connect a punishment that happens minutes after an accident to the act itself. If you see your dog having an accident, calmly interrupt them, take them outside when ready, and reward if they finish there. If you find an accident after the fact, clean it and move on.

Another common mistake is taking your dog out but not staying outside long enough. Small dogs sometimes need 5 to 10 minutes of sniffing and walking before they go. If you take them out for 30 seconds and come back in, they may go inside 10 minutes later. Stay outside until your dog goes, then reward right away.

Changing your schedule or routine also causes setbacks. If your dog is used to going out at 7 a.m. and you suddenly go out at 9 a.m., they may have an accident. Consistency is more important than perfection—a predictable schedule at slightly inconvenient times works better than an irregular one that fits your schedule better.

Understand that small dogs take longer than large breeds

Small dogs often take 4 to 6 months to housetrain reliably, and some take longer. This is not because they are less intelligent; it is because their bladders are smaller and they mature more slowly than large breeds. A Chihuahua or Pomeranian may not have full bladder control until 5 or 6 months old, even with perfect training.

Teething, illness, stress, and changes in routine can cause temporary setbacks even after your dog seemed housetrained. If your dog suddenly has accidents after weeks of success, check for a urinary tract infection or other health issue by visiting a veterinarian. If health is not the issue, return to the basic schedule and crate confinement until your dog is back on track.

Adjust the schedule as your dog matures

A young puppy may need to go out 10 to 12 times daily. By 3 to 4 months old, most small dogs can hold it for 3 to 4 hours. By 6 months, they may manage 4 to 6 hours. Adult small dogs (over 1 year) typically need to go out 4 to 6 times daily. Watch your dog's actual pattern rather than following a rigid rule—if your dog consistently goes 5 hours between accidents, you can space outings 4 hours apart to stay ahead of accidents.

Once your dog is reliably housetrained during the day, nighttime training may take longer. Many small dogs do not have full nighttime control until 4 to 6 months old or older. Use a crate at night and take your dog out right before bed and first thing in the morning. If your dog is having nighttime accidents, limit water intake 2 to 3 hours before bed, but always provide water during the day.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it usually take to housetrain a small dog?

Most small dogs show progress within 4 to 6 weeks with a consistent schedule, but full reliability—no accidents for several months—usually takes 4 to 6 months or longer. Some small dogs take up to a year. The timeline depends on your dog's age, the consistency of your schedule, and how quickly your individual dog matures.

What should I do if my small dog keeps having accidents in the same spot?

Use an enzymatic cleaner on that spot, because your dog is smelling old urine and returning there. If enzymatic cleaner does not work, block your dog's access to that area for a few weeks while you focus on the outdoor schedule. Once your dog is reliably going outside, you can gradually allow access to that room again.

Can I housetrain a small dog without a crate?

A crate makes housetraining faster because it uses your dog's natural instinct not to soil their sleeping area. Without a crate, you need to watch your dog constantly and take them out very frequently—every 1 to 2 hours. A pen or small room can work instead of a crate if your dog has space to stand and turn around but not enough to potty in one corner and sleep in another.

Is my small dog housetrained if they have not had an accident in two weeks?

Two weeks without accidents is a good sign, but not a may provide. Most trainers consider a dog reliably housetrained after 2 to 3 months without accidents. Small dogs can have setbacks during teething, illness, or stress, so continue the schedule and crate confinement until your dog is older and has gone much longer without mistakes.

Should I use puppy pads to housetrain my small dog?

Puppy pads can confuse your dog about where it is acceptable to go to the bathroom indoors. If you use pads, your dog may think any soft surface (rugs, blankets, clothing) is acceptable. Most trainers recommend skipping pads and going straight to outdoor training with a consistent schedule and crate confinement instead.