Start with a consistent schedule and a designated potty spot
Yorkies learn fastest when they go outside at the same times every day. Take your Yorkie out first thing in the morning, after meals (usually 15 to 30 minutes later), after naps, before bedtime, and several times during the day—at least every two to three hours for puppies under four months old. Pick one outdoor spot and always take your dog there; the scent will remind them what that location is for.
The reason timing matters: a puppy's bladder is small and they cannot hold urine for long. A three-month-old Yorkie can typically hold it for about three hours. A six-month-old can manage four to five hours. Adult Yorkies (over one year) can usually wait six to eight hours, but they still do better with regular breaks. Sticking to a schedule removes the guesswork from both your dog's body and your training.
When your Yorkie goes to the bathroom outside, praise them when ready and give a small treat. Use the same phrase each time—"go potty" or "do your business"—so they learn to associate the words with the action. This positive connection is what makes the training stick.
Key Takeaways
- Take your Yorkie outside on a fixed schedule: first thing in the morning, after meals, after naps, and before bed, plus several times throughout the day.
- Always use the same outdoor spot so your dog's scent reminds them what that location is for.
- Praise and treat your Yorkie when ready after they go to the bathroom outside, using the same command phrase every time.
- Yorkies have small bladders; puppies under four months need to go out every two to three hours, and accidents are normal until six months of age.
- Confine your Yorkie to a small space (crate or pen) when you cannot watch them, because dogs naturally avoid soiling where they sleep.
Use a crate or pen to prevent accidents when you are not watching
Yorkies are small enough to fit in a crate, and this is one of your most powerful training tools. Dogs have a natural instinct not to soil the space where they sleep and eat. A crate that is just large enough for your Yorkie to stand, turn around, and lie down will encourage them to hold it until you let them out.
The crate should never be used as punishment. It is a safe space. When you cannot actively supervise your Yorkie—during work, errands, or sleep—confine them to the crate or a small pen with puppy pads. The moment you let them out, take them directly to their potty spot outside. This teaches them that being let out of the crate means it is time to go to the bathroom.
Do not leave a puppy in a crate for longer than they can physically hold their bladder. A four-month-old Yorkie should not be crated for more than four hours at a time. If you work full days, hire a dog walker or ask a neighbor to let your puppy out midday.
Recognize the signs your Yorkie needs to go outside
Before your Yorkie has full control, they will show you signals that they need to go. Common signs include sniffing the ground, circling, whining, scratching at the door, or suddenly leaving the room. Some Yorkies will sit by the door or stare at you. Watch for these behaviors and rush your dog outside when ready.
If you catch your Yorkie mid-accident indoors, do not yell or punish them. Calmly pick them up, take them outside to their potty spot, and praise if they finish there. Punishment teaches fear, not bladder control. Your dog will not understand why you are angry, and fear can actually make training harder because they may hide to go to the bathroom.
Accidents will happen. Yorkies are not reliably housetrained until around four to six months old, and some take longer. Clean accidents thoroughly with an enzymatic cleaner (one made for pet urine) so the scent does not draw your dog back to that spot.
Handle nighttime training separately from daytime training
Nighttime dryness is a physical milestone, not a training one. Most Yorkies cannot stay dry through the night until they are at least four to six months old, and some need to be eight months or older. Your puppy is not being stubborn—their bladder straightforward is not developed enough yet.
Until your Yorkie can make it through the night dry, use puppy pads in the crate or pen, or take them out for a bathroom break in the middle of the night. Set an alarm for six to eight hours after bedtime and take your dog outside. As your Yorkie gets older, gradually push back that middle-of-the-night break. Once your dog wakes up dry for a week straight, you can remove the puppy pads and try a full night without a break.
Some Yorkies regress during teething (around three to six months) or when stressed. This is normal. Return to more frequent outdoor breaks and do not assume your dog has forgotten their training.
Manage common mistakes that slow down training
The biggest mistake is punishing accidents after the fact. If you find a puddle an hour after it happened, your Yorkie will not connect the punishment to the accident. They will only learn to fear you or to hide when they need to go. Punishment never teaches a puppy where the correct spot is.
Another common error is giving too much freedom too fast. Do not let your untrained Yorkie roam the whole house unsupervised. Confine them to one room or use a baby gate to block off areas. The smaller the space they can access, the easier it is to catch them before an accident and redirect them outside.
Inconsistency also derails training. If one family member takes the dog out on a schedule and another does not, your Yorkie will be confused. Everyone in the household needs to follow the same routine and use the same command words. Write the schedule on the refrigerator and stick to it.
Transition from puppy pads to outdoor-only potty breaks
Some owners use puppy pads indoors as a stepping stone. If you do, place them in a consistent spot and take your Yorkie to them on the same schedule you would use for outdoor breaks. The risk is that your dog may think any soft surface (like a rug or blanket) is acceptable for going to the bathroom.
To transition away from pads, gradually move them closer to the door over several weeks, then outside. Once your Yorkie is reliably using the outdoor spot, stop putting pads down. If you skip the pads entirely and go straight to outdoor breaks, training often moves faster because there is no confusion about where the correct spot is.
By four to six months, most Yorkies can go without pads during the day if you maintain a consistent schedule. Nighttime pads may stay in place longer, depending on your individual dog's development.
Adjust your routine as your Yorkie matures
A puppy needs to go out every two to three hours. By six months, you can stretch this to four to five hours. By one year, most Yorkies can wait six to eight hours between breaks. However, adult dogs still do better with at least three to four outdoor breaks per day—morning, midday, evening, and before bed.
Even a fully trained adult Yorkie may have an occasional accident if their routine changes suddenly, if they are stressed, or if they develop a urinary tract infection. If your adult dog suddenly starts having accidents after months of being reliable, contact your veterinarian to rule out a medical issue.
Some Yorkies are naturally faster learners than others. Genetics, temperament, and consistency all play a role. A Yorkie trained with a strict schedule and when ready rewards may be reliable by four months. Another may need six months or longer. Both are normal.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it usually take to potty train a Yorkie?
Most Yorkies show reliable daytime control by four to six months with consistent training. Nighttime dryness often takes longer—six months to a year. Some individual dogs need more time. Consistency matters more than speed; a dog trained with a solid routine will be more reliable than one trained haphazardly.
What should I do if my Yorkie keeps having accidents in the same spot?
Clean that spot thoroughly with an enzymatic cleaner made for pet urine. The scent of old urine draws dogs back to the same place. If the spot is on carpet, soak the area and let the cleaner sit for the time recommended on the bottle. You may also need to block access to that spot temporarily while training is still in progress.
Can I train a Yorkie to use a litter box or indoor potty instead of going outside?
Yes, some Yorkies can be trained to use a litter box or an indoor potty pad system. The training method is the same: take your dog to the box on a schedule, praise when they use it, and confine them when unsupervised. However, outdoor training is usually faster because the scent of the outdoor spot reinforces the behavior more strongly.
Is my Yorkie too old to potty train?
No. Adult Yorkies can learn, though it may take longer than training a puppy. Use the same methods: a consistent schedule, confinement when unsupervised, when ready praise for correct behavior, and enzymatic cleaner for accidents. An adult dog may have learned bad habits, so patience and consistency are especially important.
What if my Yorkie is afraid to go outside?
Some Yorkies are nervous about new environments, loud noises, or unfamiliar people. Start by taking your dog to a quiet, familiar outdoor spot. Stay with them, keep the visit short, and praise any brave behavior. Gradually expose them to busier areas as confidence builds. Never force them or punish fear. If anxiety is severe, talk to your veterinarian about whether a short-term calming aid might help during the training phase.