Potty Training Tips & Tricks
by Doll Face Pups — Proven methods from years of experience with Yorkies
Potty training a Yorkie doesn't have to be a nightmare. These six steps — built from years of hands-on experience — will have your puppy communicating with you faster than you ever thought possible.
Get Your Dog on a Feeding Schedule
Get your dog eating on a schedule. Most people leave the food out to free feed — this will really screw your potty training, because you will literally never know when your dog is going to need to go. Feed your puppy at the same time morning and evening, every day. If you have a really small Yorkie — one that is supposed to be less than 4 lbs full grown — you may want to feed 3 times a day to avoid any hypoglycemia issues.
Hand feeding will also help to build a really strong bond with your Yorkie. Food is everything to them. They will understand that you are in charge, and be grateful to you if they receive their nourishment right from your hand.
Don't Leave Food & Water in the Kennel Overnight
This is probably the biggest mistake I made and that most people make when they get a puppy. Our instinct is to make sure that cute little baby has everything they need at any possible moment. But if you leave food in the kennel, you may not know how much they ate through the night, and they will be peeing and pooping in the kennel during the night.
Dogs do not need to have food and water in their kennel all night — unless your yorkie is super tiny, your breeder prescribes it, or they have had a hypoglycemic episode.
Communication Through Treats
Food is the most important thing to them — and it's a great way for you to communicate. Give them a treat as soon as they finish peeing or pooping where they're supposed to. I like to get the treat out of my little pocket, and believe me, they know what the little bag means.
Tell them over and over "go potties" and gesture away from them on the grass. As soon as they start to go, say "good job" and bend down to give them the treat. You will be amazed at how quickly you establish communication your dog UNDERSTANDS — I'm talking 2 days later they don't even need to sniff around to find a spot, they get right to business for that treat.
Timing Is Everything
The best times to take them potty:
• Right after they wake up — every single time
• After they eat
• After a bath (I don't know why, but every time you give them a bath they will need to pee right after!)
• Right before bed
The treats are key — they may not need to pee, but a treat will make them empty whatever they have. This will save you from having to get up too early or multiple times in the night.
Where Should the Puppy Be at Night and During the Day?
They go in a really tiny kennel at night with no food or water. If they just ate and went potty before bed — they don't need it in there. When you wake up in the morning, if there is any pee or poo in the kennel — don't get upset. Just take them out with your treat bag and give them a treat after they pee.
During the day: they don't EVER run around anywhere on the ground, couch or bed unattended. Either you or someone else is holding them — or they are in that little kennel. When playtime is over, they go back in the kennel. Doing this for months cements the habit. Your sweet Yorkie will have a happy life outside of a kennel and be free to give loves to all in the house, anywhere, at any time.
Going Potty Outside — Use a Playpen
Use a puppy playpen and place it in the yard where you want them to go. Spray the grass, then put them in. They will get bored fast and go pee — this will help you avoid staying outside for 45 minutes, only to come inside and have them pee on the floor. Be ready with a good treat like chicken breast to reward them when they do potty in the pen outside.
"Your sweet Yorkie will have a happy life outside of a kennel and be free to give loves to all in the house, anywhere, at any time. Thanks for reading, and good luck 🩷"
— Janet, Doll Face Pups