If you own a yorkshire terrier, you probably know they’re not the easiest dogs to house train. How to stop yorkies peeing in the house is probably the most common problem yorkie owners face.
If you are working on housebreaking a yorkshire terrier, let’s start here… As much as you don’t want to hear this, I’ve seen people do everything right to house train a yorkie, but the yorkie never fully catches on. However, that is not the norm. I would guess that one out of a thousand yorkies will always have accidents inside. Just about every yorkie can be taught to not pee or poop in your house. You just need to use the right techniques.
One other thing to remember… your yorkie will never pee or poop in your house just to aggravate you. As much as you might think they’re trying to annoy you, and as much as you get to know their personality, they really don’t purposely pee or poop inside for some sort of practical joke.
How do you housebreak a yorkie?
First, you need to be consistent with outside potty times. Don’t expect your your yorkie to not pee or poop inside if you only take your yorkie outside 2 or 3 times each day. Set a schedule and stick to it.
Obviously, your yorkie will need to go outside as soon as she wakes up. Obviously, you should take your dog out before bedtime. Between waking up and bedtime, take your yorkshire terrier out at least every 2 hours. As your yorkie begins to catch on, the time may be increased a bit, but use your own judgement.
When you are outside with your your yorkie, praise him when he pees or poops. Give him some type of treat as a reward. Let him know that outside is the place to go. When you are inside and you catch your yorkie in the act of relieving himself, say a firm “No!” and immediately take him outside.
Another very effective housebreaking method for yorkies (and all types of dogs) is crate training. Read our article about crate training. We have an excellent crate training eBook for immediate download (only $7.00). The Crate Training Made Easy eBook will teach you everything you need to know in about 30 minutes of reading.
Here’s a big mistake people make when trying to house break your yorkie… rubbing the dog’s nose in his mess. That does absolutely no good. Abusing your dog like that will never bring about anything positive. As angry as you might get, you should never take out your anger on your tiny yorkshire terrier.
If your yorkie is only peeing or pooping in one area in your home, it’s possible that the odor of previous urine or poop spots are still attracting your dog. Make sure the area is cleaned thoroughly to remove all traces of odor. Read our article about stopping a cat urinating or pooping on furniture or carpet. These techniques work on yorkies also.
One final note… if your yorkie seems to have a lack of control over his bowels, it may be some type of medical condition which your veterinarian needs to diagnose. If your training techniques don’t work, consider visiting a vet.
Above all, be patient and be consistent when housebreaking your yorshire terrier. They are intelligent animals and can be trained. You can do it, and so can your yorkie.
Tags: crate training yorkie, house train a yorkie, house training yorkie, yorkie peeing, yorkie pooping, yorkshire terrier training
August 16th, 2009 at 7:47 am
I need to know if ANYTHING is going to help me with my yorkie. I am the third owner and I am sure this is why no one wanted to keep him. First, let me tell you what I have been trying after already talking to a dog trainer.
I got a yorkie that is 1 yr.old, and I can NOT get him to quit peeing. He is worse now than he was when I got him 2 months ago. Now, he is even peeing in his crate. this is what I do. I feed and water him in the morning, then take his food and water away. He goes outside, pees and poops. (He knows to go outside and do his business each time I take him out).Then during the course of the day, he will pee whenever I take him out to ”pee pee”. However, some days, especially if I walk out of the house, even to go to the mailbox, he will pee in the floor. I put his food & water down for supper for a few minutes, then take it away. At night I take him out the last time around 11:00, and he will pee in his crate sometimes by 5 am. I started crating him when I leave & at night. I only give him a treat outside as SOON as he finishes peeing or pooping and praise him.He is the perfect pet except for this peeing issue.. I can not continue like this. I can not give him to anyone knowing this problem he has. He is not a stupid dog because I have trained him to sit,, stay,, roll over, etc. I have always trained dogs that I had so this is not new to me. I don’t know anything else to do short of putting him down and God , I love him so much , it is killing me. We just went on a 20 day trip, took him and thought for sure being with him 24/7 I could get this problem fixed.But, it is not getting better and I am torn up about it.
I don’t want to spend money on different ” cures” without KNOWING there is something out there that actually works. PLEASE let me know as soon as possible if there IS hope and if you have a miracle answer. I am up at 5 a.m. writing this because he has just peed in his crate. I have been in tears already over this. I can’t stand the thoughts of getting rid of him, but I can not handle this any longer.
December 28th, 2009 at 2:13 am
thx alot that really helps!!!!!!!!!
March 3rd, 2010 at 3:10 am
This was a very interesting article. I recently bought a yorkie pup, her name is Mona, from a breeder, who was adamant about not using crates, even while potty training. After days of reading articles and debating whether or not the crate thing was a good idea, I finally gave into the concept.
It has been a few weeks, now, and after adopting the crate training method, I am starting to see unprecedented results. Before, she would pee on my brother’s bed all of the time, even though I would take her outside to relieve herself. Although, it hasn’t been an easy journey, I am satisfied with the overall results. Getting my Mona used to peeing and pooping outside took a LOT of work and patience. I would definitely recommend ALL of the techniques mentioned above in the article because the advice has helped tremendously in teaching Mona the joys of tinkling outside. I hope others are able to read this article, and be consistent, patient and loving to their puppy so that the techniques come to fruition. BEST OF LUCK!
March 29th, 2010 at 9:47 am
I just recently purchased a yorkie, 16 weeks old. I thought since i have a young child using the wee wee pads as a potty training method would be best especially for when its not so good weather outside. Well the wee wee pads are in the bathroom, i will go in their with Jazzy have her sit on the wee wee pads and ill sit on the toilet to watch her and not move so she knwos i do not want to play, I will be in the bathroom for 20 minutes and she will not go, thinking okay well maybe she doesnt need to go yet, will open the door out she runs to pee or poop on my carpet. I do keep her in the crate when im not home or during bed times just because I rather not walk home to pee and poop through out the house. Any suggestions ??
March 30th, 2010 at 1:32 pm
My yorkie turned one today and he is still not potty trained. I bought him when he was 3 months old. Do you still believe that it’s possible to housebreak my dog.
April 21st, 2010 at 5:22 pm
I am in the same boat as Jelicia but my pup, Prince, will be one next month but I’ve had him since he was 5 weeks. He is still peeing and pooping in the house. When we take him outside he wants to do everything but use the bathroom. I’ve tried staying out until he does it but that can take up to 30 minutes or more and I’ve tried limiting time outside but with the same result with both methods…him coming in the house and pooping. He will do great for a couple weeks and then it’s back to the same stuff. It’s very, VERY frustrating and for this being my first puppy, it’s not making me want another. I am determine not to give up on him so I will try to make my schedule a little more rigid.
May 11th, 2010 at 4:00 pm
Believe or not… My “Daniel” is 14 years old this year. I have been mopping and picking up his poop for 14 years. I know he doesn’t mean to… just cannot hold it. Things get worse as he got older….
But he sure does love his yumyum after going outside and used bathroom!