Yorkies need more frequent bathroom breaks than larger dogs, and they learn fastest with a consistent schedule and when ready reward

Yorkshire Terriers are small enough to hold their bladder for only two to three hours at a time, even as adults. This means potty training a Yorkie takes longer than training a larger breed — not because they are less intelligent, but because their physical capacity is smaller. The core method is the same: take your Yorkie outside on a fixed schedule, reward heavily when they go in the right place, and confine them to a small space when you cannot watch them. Most Yorkies are reliably housetrained between four and six months old, though some take longer.

The breed's small size also means accidents are easier to miss and harder to clean thoroughly, which can create a scent marker that draws them back to the same spot. This makes cleanup and prevention more critical than with larger dogs.

Key Takeaways

  • Take your Yorkie outside every two to three hours, when ready after waking, after eating, after playtime, and before bed — this schedule matters more than any other training tool.
  • Reward with high-value treats (small pieces of chicken or cheese) the moment your Yorkie finishes going outside, so they connect the outdoor location with the reward.
  • Use enzymatic cleaner on all accidents indoors to remove the scent completely; regular cleaners leave a trace that draws them back to the same spot.
  • Confine your Yorkie to a crate or small pen when you cannot supervise, because dogs naturally avoid soiling their sleeping area and this prevents unsupervised accidents.
  • Expect setbacks during teething (around four to six months) and during stressful changes; these are normal and do not mean training has failed.

Set a bathroom schedule and stick to it

Yorkies do best with a schedule you can actually follow. Take your dog outside at the same times every day: first thing in the morning, after each meal (usually 15 to 30 minutes later), after playtime, after naps, and before bed. Most Yorkies need to go out five to eight times per day as puppies. Write down the times you choose and keep to them for at least two weeks before adjusting.

The reason schedule matters more than anything else is that it removes guesswork. Your Yorkie's bladder fills on a predictable timeline. If you take them out before it gets full, they will go outside. If you wait until they are desperate, they may have an accident before you reach the door. A Yorkie puppy can typically hold it for one hour per month of age, plus one — so a two-month-old can hold it for about three hours. Adult Yorkies can usually hold it for four to six hours, but two to three hours is safer for training.

Choose a designated potty spot in your yard and always take your Yorkie to that same place. The scent builds up and signals to them that this is where they are supposed to go. Use a command like "go potty" or "do your business" every time, said in a calm, matter-of-fact voice. Do not make it exciting or they will want to play instead of focusing on the task.

Reward when ready and generously

The moment your Yorkie finishes going outside, give a small, high-value treat and praise. "High-value" means something they love more than their regular kibble — small pieces of cooked chicken, cheese, or a commercial training treat. The treat must come within two to three seconds of them finishing, or they will not connect it to the action. Timing is everything.

Use treats that are small enough that your Yorkie can eat them in one bite and get back outside for another round if needed. A Yorkie weighs only four to seven pounds, so a piece the size of a pea is enough. If you give large treats, you are overfeeding and may cause digestive upset.

Praise matters too, but treats work faster with puppies. Say "yes!" or "good potty!" in a happy tone while giving the treat. Over time, many Yorkies will go outside just for the praise and the routine, but in the early weeks, the treat is what makes the connection clear.

Clean accidents completely with enzymatic cleaner

When your Yorkie has an accident indoors, the cleanup method matters as much as the correction. Regular household cleaners remove the visible stain but leave behind urine compounds that dogs can smell. Your Yorkie will return to that spot because it smells like a bathroom to them. Use an enzymatic cleaner — a product that contains enzymes designed to break down urine compounds at the molecular level. Brands like Nature's Miracle, Rocco & Roxie, and Sunny & Honey are widely available at pet stores and online.

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 rinse it away when ready — the enzymes need time to work. If the spot has soaked into carpet or wood, you may need to explore the cleaner multiple times or soak the area more thoroughly.

Do not use ammonia-based cleaners. Urine contains ammonia, so ammonia cleaners can actually reinforce the scent and make the spot more attractive as a bathroom. Avoid vinegar for the same reason — it is acidic like urine and can have the same effect.

Use a crate or pen to prevent unsupervised accidents

When you cannot watch your Yorkie — during work, sleep, or when you are busy — confine them to a small space. A crate or a small pen works because dogs have a natural instinct not to soil where they sleep. A Yorkie crate should be small enough that they cannot go to the bathroom in one corner and sleep in another; typically 18 to 24 inches long is right for the breed.

Make the crate comfortable with a soft bed or blanket, but do not put pee pads inside. Pee pads teach your Yorkie that it is acceptable to go to the bathroom indoors, which works against your goal. The crate should be a safe, comfortable space, not a punishment. Leave the door open during the day so your Yorkie can nap there voluntarily.

If you must be away for longer than your Yorkie can hold it, use a small pen (a playpen or gated area) with a crate on one end and a pee pad on the far other end. This gives them a place to go if they cannot hold it, while still encouraging them to use the crate as their sleeping space. As training progresses, you can remove the pee pad.

Expect setbacks and do not punish accidents

Most Yorkies have setbacks around four to six months old during teething, when they are distracted and their bladder control is less reliable. Stress, changes in routine, a new person in the home, or a move can also trigger accidents. These setbacks do not mean training has failed — they are normal. Stay consistent with your schedule and rewards, and the training will resume.

Do not punish your Yorkie for accidents. Rubbing their nose in it, yelling, or hitting teaches them to hide and go to the bathroom in secret places, not to go outside. If you catch them in the act, calmly interrupt them (a gentle "uh-uh" or "no"), take them outside when ready, and reward if they finish outside. If you find an accident after the fact, clean it with enzymatic cleaner and move on. Your Yorkie will not understand the punishment and will only become anxious.

If accidents become frequent after a period of success, consider a vet visit. Urinary tract infections, digestive issues, or other health problems can cause sudden regression. A vet can rule out medical causes before you assume it is a training issue.

Adjust the schedule as your Yorkie matures

As your Yorkie gets older, their bladder capacity increases and you can gradually extend the time between bathroom breaks. Most adult Yorkies can go four to six hours between outings, though many owners still take them out three to four times daily for comfort and exercise. By one year old, most Yorkies are reliably housetrained and can follow an adult schedule.

Some Yorkies remain prone to accidents if left alone for very long periods. This is not a training failure — it is a physical reality of the breed's small size. If your Yorkie has an accident after eight hours alone, that is normal. A dog walker, pet sitter, or doggy daycare can help if you work long hours.

Watch for changes in bathroom habits as your Yorkie ages. Older Yorkies may need more frequent breaks due to declining bladder control. If your housetrained adult Yorkie suddenly starts having accidents, a vet visit is worth the cost to rule out diabetes, kidney disease, or other age-related issues.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I use pee pads to potty train a Yorkie?

Pee pads teach your Yorkie that going to the bathroom indoors is acceptable, which works against outdoor training. If you must use them because you work long hours, use them in a separate pen away from the crate, and plan to phase them out as your Yorkie matures. Most trainers recommend skipping pee pads entirely and using a crate plus a dog walker instead.

How long does it take to potty train a Yorkie?

Most Yorkies are reliably housetrained between four and six months old with consistent training. Some take longer, especially if training is inconsistent or if the dog experiences stress. Consistency matters more than speed — a Yorkie trained slowly with a reliable schedule will be more reliable than one trained quickly with an irregular one.

What if my Yorkie is older and still having accidents?

Older Yorkies can learn, but it takes longer and requires the same consistency as puppies. Start with a vet visit to rule out medical issues like urinary tract infections or incontinence. Then follow the same schedule and reward system. Patience and consistency matter more with adult dogs than with puppies.

Can I potty train a Yorkie in an apartment without a yard?

Yes, but it requires more frequent trips outside. Take your Yorkie to a designated spot on the street or in a nearby park at the same times each day. The principle is the same — a consistent location and schedule, plus when ready reward. Some apartment dwellers use a balcony with a pee pad as an intermediate step, though this can slow progress toward full outdoor training.

Why does my Yorkie keep going in the same spot indoors?

The spot still smells like a bathroom to your dog, even if you cannot smell it. Use an enzymatic cleaner and let it sit for the full recommended time. If the spot is in carpet or on wood that has absorbed urine, you may need to explore the cleaner multiple times or consider replacing the carpet or refinishing the wood if accidents keep happening there.