Small dogs need the same routine as larger breeds, but with adjustments for their size and metabolism
Small dogs are not harder to potty train than large dogs, but they do have different physical needs. A Chihuahua or toy poodle has a smaller bladder and faster metabolism, which means they need to go outside more often—typically every two to three hours for puppies, and every four to six hours for adults. The core training method stays the same: establish a schedule, take your dog out frequently, reward success when ready, and manage the space where accidents happen. The main difference is that small dogs can hold less, so your schedule has to be tighter.
Small dogs also have a practical advantage: accidents are smaller and easier to clean, and they can use indoor potty pads or a designated bathroom area if outdoor access is limited. This flexibility can actually make training faster if you set it up correctly from the start.
Key Takeaways
- Small dogs need to go outside every two to three hours as puppies and every four to six hours as adults, so a strict schedule is more important than with larger breeds.
- Take your dog out when ready after waking, after eating, after playing, and before bed—these are the times they are most likely to need to go.
- Reward your dog within seconds of finishing outside, using treats, praise, or play so they connect the act with the reward.
- Confine your dog to a small space (crate, pen, or room) when you cannot watch them, because dogs naturally avoid soiling where they sleep.
- Accidents will happen; clean them with enzymatic cleaner so your dog does not smell their own urine and return to the same spot.
Set up a realistic schedule based on your dog's age and bladder capacity
A puppy under four months old cannot physically hold their bladder for more than two hours, so a schedule of every two hours is not optional—it is a biological fact. A puppy between four and six months can usually hold it for three to four hours. An adult small dog (over one year) can typically hold it for four to six hours, though some can manage eight hours if trained to do so.
Write down the times your dog eats, sleeps, and plays, then build your potty schedule around those events. Most small dogs need to go out within 15 to 30 minutes after eating, within 5 to 10 minutes after waking from a nap, and within 10 to 15 minutes after active play. If you work during the day, a dog walker or pet sitter who visits midday is not a luxury—it is part of the training plan for a young dog.
If you cannot be home during the day, a dog walker who comes at lunch and mid-afternoon is the fastest way to train a small puppy. Without that break, you are fighting against the dog's biology, and training will take much longer.
Take your dog outside at the right times and stay until they go
The five critical times to take your dog outside are: first thing in the morning, after every meal, after playtime, after naps, and right before bed. These are the moments when a small dog's body is most likely to need to eliminate. If you miss these windows, you are waiting for an accident instead of preventing one.
When you take your dog outside, go to the same spot each time. Dogs develop a preference for where they eliminate, and the scent from previous visits signals to them that this is the bathroom area. Stay outside with your dog until they go—do not assume they will come back in and go later. Small dogs can get distracted by smells, other dogs, or people, so you may need to wait 10 to 15 minutes. If nothing happens after 15 minutes, bring them back inside, put them in their crate or confined space for 15 minutes, then try again.
Use a straightforward verbal cue like "go potty" or "do your business" while they are eliminating. After a few weeks, saying the cue before they go will help them understand what you are asking for.
Reward success when ready so your dog makes the connection
The moment your dog finishes going outside, give a reward. This reward must come within one to three seconds, or your dog will not connect it to the act of eliminating. The reward can be a small treat (a piece of kibble works fine), enthusiastic praise, a quick play session, or a combination of all three.
Small dogs often respond well to high-value treats—something they do not get at other times, like a tiny piece of chicken or cheese. Use these only for potty training, so the reward stays special. After a few months of consistent success, you can phase out treats and rely on praise alone, but in the early weeks, a tangible reward is much more effective.
Never reward your dog for going inside, even if you are trying to be encouraging. If your dog has an accident indoors and you reward them for finishing, you are teaching them that going inside is acceptable. Wait until they go outside to reward.
Confine your dog to a small space when you cannot supervise
Dogs have a natural instinct not to soil where they sleep and eat. A crate, pen, or small room becomes a tool for training because your dog will hold their bladder rather than go in that space. This is not cruel—it is how dogs naturally behave. A crate should be just large enough for your dog to stand, turn around, and lie down. If it is too large, your dog can eliminate in one corner and sleep in another.
For a small dog, a crate 18 to 24 inches long is usually appropriate. Introduce the crate gradually by leaving the door open, tossing treats inside, and letting your dog explore. Once your dog is comfortable, you can close the door for short periods while you are home and watching. Never use the crate as punishment.
When you cannot watch your dog—during work, errands, or sleep—confine them to the crate or a small pen with a potty pad. This prevents accidents from happening in places you cannot monitor and reinforces the habit of holding their bladder until they are taken outside.
Clean accidents with enzymatic cleaner to remove the scent
When your dog has an accident inside, do not punish them. Punishment teaches fear, not bladder control. Instead, clean the spot thoroughly with an enzymatic cleaner—a product that breaks down the urine itself, not just the smell. Brands like Nature's Miracle or Rocco & Roxie are designed for this purpose. Regular household cleaners mask the smell to human noses but leave the scent that dogs can detect, which signals to your dog that this spot is a bathroom.
If your dog keeps having accidents in the same spot, they are likely smelling their own urine and returning to that location. Enzymatic cleaner solves this problem. After cleaning, let the area dry completely before your dog has access to it again.
If you catch your dog in the act of having an accident, interrupt them with a calm "no" or "outside," then when ready take them outside to finish. Do not yell or show anger—your dog will only learn to hide when they need to go, not to go outside.
Adjust your approach if your dog regresses or has frequent accidents
Regression—going back to having accidents after weeks of success—usually signals one of three things: a change in routine, a medical issue, or insufficient outdoor time. If you recently changed your schedule, your dog's feeding time, or your dog's living space, go back to a stricter schedule for a few weeks until they readjust.
If your dog suddenly starts having accidents after being reliably trained, a veterinary visit is worth considering. Urinary tract infections, digestive upset, or other health issues can cause sudden changes in bathroom habits. Your veterinarian can rule out medical causes.
If accidents are frequent and ongoing, the most common cause is that your dog is not being taken outside often enough. Small dogs genuinely cannot hold their bladder as long as larger breeds. If you are on a four-hour schedule and your dog is still having accidents, move to a three-hour schedule and see if that solves it.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it usually take to potty train a small dog?
Most small dogs show consistent results within four to six weeks if you follow a strict schedule and reward every success. Full reliability—meaning your dog rarely or never has accidents—typically takes three to six months. Puppies under four months may take longer because their bladder control is still developing.
Can I use potty pads instead of taking my dog outside?
Potty pads teach your dog that going inside is acceptable, which can confuse them about where the bathroom actually is. If you must use pads, use them as a temporary bridge while you build outdoor habits, then phase them out. Outdoor training is faster and clearer for your dog.
What should I do if my dog is afraid to go outside?
Start by spending time outside together without the pressure to eliminate. Let your dog explore, sniff, and get comfortable with the environment. Once they are relaxed, take them out at times when they are most likely to need to go (after eating or waking). Praise and reward any outdoor bathroom success, no matter how small.
Is crate training necessary for potty training a small dog?
A crate is not the only option, but confinement of some kind is very helpful. A small pen, a blocked-off room, or a playpen works the same way. The goal is to create a space small enough that your dog will not want to soil it, which reinforces the habit of holding their bladder until they are taken outside.
Why does my small dog still have accidents even though we go outside regularly?
Small dogs have smaller bladders and may need more frequent trips than you expect. Try increasing outdoor visits to every two to three hours, even for adults. Also check that you are using enzymatic cleaner on all accident spots—if your dog smells urine, they will return to that location.