Start with a consistent schedule and a designated potty spot

Yorkies are small dogs with small bladders, so they need to go outside more often than larger breeds—typically every two to three hours for puppies, and every four to six hours for adults. The fastest way to potty train a Yorkie is to take them out on a fixed schedule: first thing in the morning, after meals (within 15 to 30 minutes), after playtime, before bedtime, and at midday if possible. Pick one outdoor spot and take your Yorkie there every time. Dogs naturally want to eliminate where they smell their own scent, so using the same patch of grass or concrete builds the habit quickly.

Keep a written schedule for the first two weeks so you do not miss a time slot. Yorkies are creatures of habit, and consistency matters more than any other single factor. If you work during the day, arrange for a dog walker or ask a family member to let your Yorkie out at midday—missing that window regularly will slow progress by weeks.

Key Takeaways

  • Take your Yorkie outside every two to three hours if a puppy, or every four to six hours if an adult, and always use the same outdoor spot so the dog recognizes the scent.
  • Reward with praise and a small treat when ready after your Yorkie finishes eliminating outside, before you come back indoors.
  • Confine your Yorkie to a small crate or pen when you cannot watch them, because dogs avoid soiling their sleeping area and this prevents accidents that set back training.
  • Clean indoor accidents with an enzymatic cleaner, not ammonia-based products, because ammonia smells like urine and can encourage your dog to use that spot again.
  • Expect the process to take 4 to 6 months for reliable results, and 12 months or longer for a Yorkie to be completely trustworthy indoors without supervision.

Reward when ready after your Yorkie eliminates outside

The moment your Yorkie finishes urinating or defecating outside, say "Good potty" in an upbeat voice and give a small treat—a piece of chicken, a training biscuit, or a single kibble works well. The reward must come within seconds, while your dog still connects the act with the praise. If you wait until you are back indoors, your Yorkie will not understand what earned the treat.

Use the same phrase every time so your dog learns the words. After a few weeks, many Yorkies will squat or sniff when they hear "potty time" because they have learned the routine. Keep treats small; a Yorkie weighs 4 to 7 pounds, so a piece the size of a pea is enough. Overfeeding treats during training can cause weight gain and digestive upset in a small dog.

Confine your Yorkie when you cannot supervise

A crate or small pen is your most powerful training tool. Dogs naturally avoid soiling the space where they sleep and eat, so confining your Yorkie to a crate when you cannot watch them prevents accidents that would otherwise teach bad habits. A crate should be just large enough for your Yorkie to stand, turn around, and lie down—if it is too big, your dog may eliminate in one corner and sleep in another.

Start by leaving the crate door open during the day so your Yorkie gets used to it as a safe space, not a punishment. Feed meals inside the crate. At night, put your Yorkie in the crate before bed. Most puppies can hold their bladder for one hour per month of age, plus one—so a three-month-old Yorkie can typically hold it for four hours. An adult Yorkie can usually hold it for six to eight hours, but that does not mean you should make them wait that long during the day. Take your dog out when ready after removing them from the crate.

Clean accidents with enzymatic cleaner, not ammonia

Accidents will happen, especially in the first month. The way you clean them matters. Do not use ammonia-based cleaners like Windex or most window sprays—ammonia smells like urine to dogs, and using it can actually encourage your Yorkie to eliminate in that same spot again. Instead, use an enzymatic cleaner like Nature's Miracle, Rocco & Roxie, or Rockin' Green. These products break down the uric acid in urine so the scent disappears completely.

Soak the spot thoroughly, let it sit for 10 to 15 minutes, and then blot it up. Do this even if the spot looks dry; urine soaks into carpet backing and padding where you cannot see it. If your Yorkie keeps using the same indoor spot, it is almost always because the enzymatic cleaner was not used or the spot was not fully saturated. Never punish your dog for an accident—it teaches fear, not bladder control, and will make training slower.

Recognize signs your Yorkie needs to go outside

Before your Yorkie can ask to go out, you need to learn the signals. Most Yorkies sniff the ground, circle, whine, bark, or go to the door when they need to eliminate. Some pace or suddenly stop playing. Watch your dog closely during the first two weeks and you will start to see a pattern. The moment you notice these signs, take your Yorkie outside when ready—do not wait for the scheduled time.

If your Yorkie goes to the door and you let them out, praise and reward just as you would on a scheduled trip. This teaches your dog that going to the door gets results. Some Yorkies learn to ring a bell hung on the door handle to signal they need to go out; this is a bonus behavior, not a requirement, but it can develop naturally if you praise your dog for touching the door.

Handle setbacks and regression calmly

Most Yorkies have occasional accidents even after months of training. Illness, stress, a change in routine, or a new person in the home can cause regression. If your Yorkie suddenly starts having accidents after being reliable, take them to a veterinarian to rule out a urinary tract infection or other medical issue. UTIs are common in small dogs and cause frequent, urgent urination.

If your vet finds no medical problem, go back to basics: return to a strict schedule, increase outdoor trips, and confine your Yorkie more often. Do not assume your dog has forgotten—assume something in their environment has changed. Yorkies are sensitive dogs, and anxiety can trigger accidents. Stay patient; a setback does not erase the progress you have made.

Understand the timeline and set realistic expectations

Potty training a Yorkie takes longer than training a larger breed, partly because of their small bladder size and partly because Yorkies are stubborn. Most Yorkies show reliable daytime control within 4 to 6 months of consistent training. Nighttime dryness often takes longer—many Yorkies are not reliably dry at night until 8 to 12 months old, and some take up to 18 months. This is normal and does not mean training has failed.

A Yorkie may be accident-free for weeks and then have a setback. This is part of the process. By 12 months, most Yorkies trained with consistency will be trustworthy indoors without a crate during the day, though some may still need a crate at night or when left alone for long periods. If your Yorkie is still having frequent accidents after 12 months, consult a veterinarian and a professional dog trainer to rule out medical or behavioral issues.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I potty train a Yorkie using pee pads instead of outdoor training?

Pee pads teach your Yorkie that indoor elimination is acceptable, which makes the transition to outdoor-only training harder later. If you must use pee pads temporarily—for example, if you live in a high-rise with no quick outdoor access—place them in one consistent spot and treat them like an outdoor potty area: reward after use and clean with enzymatic cleaner. Most trainers recommend skipping pee pads and going straight to outdoor training if possible.

How do I stop my Yorkie from eliminating in the crate at night?

A Yorkie eliminating in the crate usually means the crate is too large, your dog is too young to hold their bladder that long, or there is a medical issue. Make sure the crate is snug but not cramped. Take your Yorkie out when ready before bedtime and again first thing in the morning. If your puppy is under four months old, expect nighttime accidents—their bladder is not mature enough yet. If accidents continue after six months, see a veterinarian.

What should I do if my Yorkie has an accident while I am home and watching?

Interrupt gently by saying "outside" and when ready take your dog to the designated potty spot. Do not scold or show anger. If your Yorkie finishes eliminating outside, reward. If they do not, bring them back in and try again in 15 minutes. Punishment teaches fear, not control. The accident happened because you missed a signal or the schedule was off—adjust your routine, not your tone.

Is my Yorkie too old to potty train?

Adult Yorkies can be trained at any age, though it may take longer if they have spent months or years eliminating indoors. Use the same methods: a strict schedule, crate confinement, enzymatic cleaning, and when ready rewards. An adult dog may learn faster than a puppy because they have better bladder control. Expect 2 to 4 months for noticeable progress, and up to 6 months for reliability.

Should I use a bell or buzzer to train my Yorkie to signal when they need to go out?

Teaching a Yorkie to ring a bell is optional and works best after basic outdoor training is solid. Hang a bell on the door handle and ring it yourself every time you take your dog out, then reward. Some Yorkies learn to touch it with their nose within weeks; others never do. It is a nice-to-have skill, not essential for successful potty training. Focus on the schedule and crate training first.