Yorkies need more frequent bathroom breaks than larger dogs because of their small bladder size
A Yorkie's bladder is tiny—roughly the size of a walnut—so they physically cannot hold urine as long as bigger dogs can. This is not a behavior problem; it is anatomy. A young Yorkie (under 6 months) may need to go outside every 1 to 2 hours while awake, and once at night. An adult Yorkie (over 1 year) can usually hold it for 4 to 6 hours, but many owners find that 3 to 4 hours is more realistic for reliable results. This means potty training a Yorkie takes longer than training a larger breed—expect 4 to 6 months of consistent work, not 8 to 12 weeks.
The small size that makes Yorkies appealing also makes accidents easier to miss. A puddle on a dark floor or under furniture goes unnoticed, and the dog never learns that the spot is wrong. You will need to watch your Yorkie closely and clean accidents thoroughly with enzymatic cleaner so the scent does not draw them back to the same spot.
Key Takeaways
- Yorkies need outdoor bathroom breaks every 1 to 2 hours as puppies and every 3 to 4 hours as adults because their bladders are very small.
- Take your Yorkie outside 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 Yorkie with praise and a small treat the moment they finish going outside, before you come back in.
- Clean all accidents with enzymatic cleaner and supervise your Yorkie constantly indoors; use a crate or pen when you cannot watch them.
- Yorkies often respond well to a designated potty spot and a consistent command like "go potty," which can speed up the process.
Establish a strict schedule tied to your Yorkie's natural bathroom times
The fastest way to potty train a Yorkie is to take them outside before they have an accident, not after. This means going out on a schedule, not waiting for signs. Take your Yorkie outside first thing in the morning, after every meal (usually 15 to 30 minutes later), after playtime, after naps, and before bed. Write down the times for the first week so you can see the pattern—most Yorkies develop a rhythm quickly.
During the day, set a timer for every 2 hours if your Yorkie is under 6 months old. Do not wait for them to ask. Carry them outside (do not let them wander the house first, or they may go indoors). Use the same door each time and the same outdoor spot if possible. This repetition teaches them where the bathroom is.
At night, a young Yorkie may still need one bathroom break. Some owners use puppy pads near the crate for this, while others set an alarm for 3 a.m. the first few weeks. By 4 to 6 months, most Yorkies can sleep through the night without an accident.
Reward when ready and consistently when your Yorkie goes outside
The moment your Yorkie finishes urinating or defecating outside, praise them enthusiastically and give a small treat. Do this before you come back inside. The reward must happen within seconds, or the dog will not connect it to the bathroom behavior. Use a high-pitched, happy voice—Yorkies respond well to excitement.
Choose a small, soft treat that your Yorkie loves but does not get any other time. A pea-sized piece of chicken, cheese, or a commercial training treat works well. The treat should be small because you will be giving many of them throughout the day, and you do not want to overfeed.
Never punish accidents. If you come home to a puddle, do not yell or rub the dog's nose in it. This teaches fear, not bladder control. straightforward clean it up with enzymatic cleaner and move on. Punishment makes Yorkies anxious and can actually slow training.
Supervise constantly and use a crate or pen when you cannot watch
Yorkies are small enough to have an accident in a corner you do not see. Keep your Yorkie in the same room as you at all times, or use a baby gate to limit their space. Watch for sniffing, circling, or whining—these are signs they need to go out. If you see these signs, pick up your Yorkie and carry them outside when ready.
When you cannot supervise—while you sleep, while you work, or while you shower—put your Yorkie in a crate or a small pen with puppy pads. Dogs naturally avoid soiling their sleeping area, so a properly sized crate (large enough to stand and turn around, but not so large they can go in one corner and sleep in another) encourages bladder control. A pen with puppy pads gives them a designated bathroom spot if they cannot hold it.
Do not leave your Yorkie unsupervised in a larger room or the whole house. This is where most accidents happen, and the dog learns that indoors is an acceptable bathroom.
Use enzymatic cleaner on all accidents to remove the scent
Regular household cleaners do not break down urine completely. Your Yorkie's nose is thousands of times more sensitive than yours, and they can smell urine residue you cannot. If the spot still smells like a bathroom to them, they will go there again. Use an enzymatic cleaner like Nature's Miracle, Rocco & Roxie, or Rockin' Green—these contain enzymes that actually break down the uric acid in urine.
Spray the enzymatic cleaner on the accident spot, let it sit for 10 to 15 minutes, and then blot it up. Do not rinse when ready; the enzymes need time to work. For old stains, soak the area and let it sit for several hours or overnight. This step is not optional if you want to avoid repeat accidents in the same spot.
Teach a command like "go potty" to speed up the process
Once your Yorkie is going outside regularly, you can add a verbal cue. Every time they start to go, say "go potty" in a calm, neutral voice. After a few weeks of repetition, your Yorkie will begin to associate the command with the action. Eventually, you can say "go potty" and they will go on cue, which is useful when you are in a hurry or traveling.
This command also helps you know when your Yorkie has finished. Once they go, you can come back inside instead of standing outside wondering if they are done. This makes the routine faster and more predictable.
Know when to call a veterinarian about persistent accidents
If your Yorkie is over 6 months old and still having frequent accidents despite a consistent schedule and supervision, a veterinary visit is necessary. Urinary tract infections, incontinence, diabetes, and other medical conditions can cause accidents that training alone will not fix. A vet can rule out these issues with a urinalysis and physical exam.
Some Yorkies also have a genetic predisposition to incontinence, particularly females. If a vet confirms this, medication can help. Do not assume your Yorkie is stubborn or untrained if accidents continue after months of consistent effort—medical causes are common in small breeds.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it usually take to potty train a Yorkie?
Most Yorkies take 4 to 6 months of consistent training to be reliably housetrained. Some take longer. The small bladder size means you cannot rush the process—your Yorkie's body straightforward cannot hold urine as long as a larger dog's can. Consistency matters more than speed.
Can I use puppy pads instead of taking my Yorkie outside?
Puppy pads teach your Yorkie that indoors is an acceptable bathroom, which makes outdoor training harder later. If you must use them, use them only in a crate or pen, and still take your Yorkie outside on a schedule. The goal is outdoor bathroom habits, not pad habits.
What should I do if my Yorkie has an accident while I am home?
Do not punish. straightforward interrupt gently if you catch them mid-accident, carry them outside to finish, reward them for finishing outside, and then clean the indoor spot with enzymatic cleaner. Punishment teaches fear, not control. Focus on preventing accidents by watching closely and taking them out more often.
Is it normal for a Yorkie to regress after being housetrained?
Yes. Stress, a move, a new pet, or a change in routine can cause a housetrained Yorkie to have accidents. Go back to the basics: more frequent outdoor breaks, closer supervision, and enzymatic cleaner on accidents. Regression usually resolves within a few weeks if you return to the routine that worked before.
Do male and female Yorkies train differently?
Female Yorkies sometimes develop incontinence as they age, which is not a training issue. Males typically train at the same pace as females. If either sex has persistent accidents after 6 months of training, see a veterinarian to rule out medical causes.