Yorkies need more frequent bathroom breaks than larger breeds because of their small bladder size

A Yorkie puppy cannot physically hold urine for long periods. A general rule is that a puppy can hold it for one hour per month of age — so a two-month-old Yorkie needs a bathroom break every two to three hours, and a three-month-old every three to four hours. Yorkies stay small, so even as adults they need more frequent breaks than a 50-pound dog. This means your schedule, not just your puppy's willingness, determines how fast potty training moves.

The core method is the same for all puppies: take your Yorkie outside on a predictable schedule, reward when ready when they go in the right place, and confine them to a small space (a crate or pen) when you cannot watch them. Yorkies respond well to this routine because they are intelligent and eager to please, but their size means accidents happen faster and in smaller spaces — a puddle on a rug is straightforward to miss until it has been there for hours.

Key Takeaways

  • Take your Yorkie puppy outside first thing in the morning, after meals, after naps, after play, and before bedtime — at minimum six to eight times daily for a young puppy.
  • Reward with praise and a small treat the moment your puppy finishes going outside, before you come back in, so they connect the outdoor location with the reward.
  • Use a crate or small pen when you cannot supervise, because Yorkies naturally avoid soiling their sleeping area and will hold it until you let them out.
  • Expect setbacks and accidents; a Yorkie puppy under four months old is not physically capable of full control, and punishment teaches fear rather than learning.
  • Clean accidents thoroughly with an enzymatic cleaner so your puppy does not smell their own urine and return to the same spot.

Establish a predictable bathroom schedule tied to meals and sleep

Feed your Yorkie puppy at the same times each day — most breeders recommend three meals daily until four months old, then two meals daily. Take your puppy outside within 15 minutes of finishing a meal, because food moving through a small digestive system triggers the need to go within that window. This is the most reliable trigger you have.

Beyond meals, take your puppy out first thing when you wake up, after every nap (Yorkie puppies sleep frequently), after playtime, and before bedtime. Write down the times for a week so you see the pattern. Most young Yorkies need to go out six to eight times daily. As your puppy grows, the intervals lengthen — by six months, four to five times daily is often enough, though individual puppies vary.

Choose one outdoor spot and take your puppy there each time. The scent of previous bathroom visits triggers the urge to go. If you have a yard, pick a corner. If you use a street or park, return to the same area. Stay outside for 10 to 15 minutes; do not play or walk around, because that distracts your puppy from the task. Stand quietly and wait.

Reward the moment your puppy finishes, not before

The timing of the reward is everything. The when ready your puppy finishes urinating or defecating, say "yes" or "good" in an excited voice and give a small treat — something the size of a pea, because Yorkies are tiny and a large treat fills them up. Do this outside, before you come back inside. Your puppy must connect the outdoor location and the act of going with the reward, not the walk home or the door opening.

Use treats your puppy loves but does not get otherwise — small pieces of chicken, cheese, or a commercial training treat. Rotate between two or three options so novelty keeps the reward interesting. After a few weeks of consistent reward, many Yorkies will run to their spot and go on cue, because they have learned the sequence earns a reward.

Praise matters as much as the treat. Yorkies are social dogs and respond strongly to your enthusiasm. A flat "good job" does not register the same way as "yes, good girl, what a smart puppy" in a happy voice. The combination of tone, treat, and when ready timing creates the learning.

Confine your puppy to a small space when you cannot watch them

A crate is the most effective tool for potty training because puppies have a natural instinct not to soil where they sleep. Choose a crate sized so your Yorkie can stand, turn around, and lie down comfortably — not so large that they can pee in one corner and sleep in another. For a Yorkie, a small dog crate (usually 18 to 24 inches long) is appropriate.

Introduce the crate gradually. Leave the door open, toss treats inside, and let your puppy explore. Never force them in or use it as punishment. Once your puppy enters willingly, close the door for short periods while you are nearby. Gradually extend the time. A puppy confined to a crate will signal that they need to go out — usually by whining or scratching — because holding it becomes uncomfortable. When you hear that signal, take them outside when ready and reward.

Use the crate during times you cannot supervise: when you shower, when you leave the house, or at night. Most puppies can sleep through the night by four to five months old, but a two-month-old Yorkie may need a bathroom break at 2 or 3 a.m. If your puppy wakes and cries, take them out without playing or talking — keep it boring so they learn nighttime is for sleeping, not socializing.

Clean accidents thoroughly so your puppy does not return to the same spot

When an accident happens — and it will — do not punish or scold. Your puppy is not being stubborn; they are still learning bladder control. Punishment teaches fear of you, not understanding of where to go. straightforward clean it up and move on.

Use an enzymatic cleaner, not regular household cleaner. Enzymes break down the uric acid in urine, which is what your puppy smells. If you clean with vinegar or bleach but leave uric acid behind, your puppy will smell their own scent and return to that spot to go again. Enzymatic cleaners are sold at pet stores under names like Nature's Miracle or Rocco & Roxie. Follow the product instructions — usually spray, let sit for 10 minutes, and blot dry.

If you catch your puppy in the act, interrupt calmly (a straightforward "uh-uh" or "outside"), scoop them up, and take them to the outdoor spot. If they finish outside, reward. This teaches the location, not fear of you.

Recognize signs your puppy needs to go and respond quickly

Young Yorkie puppies cannot tell you in words, but they show signs: sniffing the ground, circling, whining, scratching at the door, or suddenly leaving the room. The more you watch, the faster you recognize your individual puppy's pattern. Some Yorkies sniff; others pace. Some whine; others just walk to the door. Learn your puppy's signal and respond within seconds.

If your puppy is playing and suddenly stops, that is often a sign. If they wake from a nap and when ready start sniffing, that is a sign. The window between the signal and the accident is often only 30 seconds for a very young puppy. Speed matters more than perfection — the more times you catch them in the act of going outside, the faster they learn.

Adjust expectations based on age and individual development

A Yorkie puppy under 12 weeks old is not physically capable of full bladder control. Accidents are normal and expected. By 16 weeks, most Yorkies can go three to four hours between breaks. By six months, four to five hours is typical. By one year, many Yorkies can hold it for six to eight hours, though they still prefer more frequent breaks.

Some puppies train faster than others. A puppy from a breeder who started early potty training may progress quicker than one from a shelter or pet store. Stress, illness, or a change in routine can cause temporary setbacks even in an older puppy. If your Yorkie was doing well and suddenly has accidents again, check for a urinary tract infection (a vet visit is warranted) or a change in schedule.

Yorkies are prone to submissive urination when scared or overstimulated. If your puppy pees when you raise your voice or when a visitor arrives, this is not a potty training failure — it is an emotional response. Stay calm, do not scold, and work on building confidence through positive interactions.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it usually take to potty train a Yorkie puppy?

Most Yorkie puppies show reliable daytime control by four to six months old, though nighttime control often takes longer. Some puppies are reliable by three months; others need eight months or more. Consistency matters more than speed — a puppy trained with a predictable schedule and when ready rewards usually progresses faster than one with an irregular routine.

Should I use puppy pads or train directly to going outside?

Puppy pads can confuse a Yorkie because they teach your puppy that going indoors is acceptable. If you must use pads (for example, if you live in a high-rise and cannot get outside quickly), place them in one consistent spot and treat them like the outdoor spot — reward when your puppy uses them. Most trainers recommend skipping pads and going directly outside, because it shortens the overall training timeline.

What if my Yorkie puppy refuses to go outside in cold or rainy weather?

Yorkies are small and feel temperature changes strongly. A rain jacket or sweater can help. Stay outside longer if needed — your puppy may need time to adjust before they relax enough to go. If weather is severe, a puppy pad in a designated indoor spot is better than forcing your puppy to hold it for hours. Once your puppy is older and has better bladder control, they usually adapt to weather.

Is crate training cruel?

No, when done correctly. A crate is a safe space, not a punishment. Puppies naturally seek enclosed spaces for security. Introduced gradually and never forced, a crate becomes a place your puppy chooses to rest. The key is never using it as punishment and always letting your puppy out to go to the bathroom on schedule.

What should I do if my Yorkie is still having accidents at six months old?

First, rule out a medical issue — a vet can check for urinary tract infection or other problems. If your puppy is healthy, review your schedule: are you taking them out frequently enough? Are you rewarding consistently? Are you cleaning accidents with enzymatic cleaner? Sometimes a puppy needs a return to basics — more frequent outdoor breaks and closer supervision — to restart the learning process.