If you're new here, you may want to subscribe to my RSS feed. Thanks for visiting!

Potty training Yorkshire Terriers is easy if you use the schedule-based method! Just be careful to manage your expectations since Yorkie housetraining will take from several weeks to a few months of consistent effort on your part until the training has “sunk in.”

A schedule-based system, where you take your Yorkie out at the same time every day, will really work. And it helps to realize that your Yorkie is like most people in that when they awake, they normally go to the bathroom right away.

So, the first thing on your schedule should be to take your Yorkshire Terrier out as soon as you’re up in the morning, without any delay. Your dog has been holding it all night so give him a potty trip outside right away!

Keep the first potty break short, and then bring him inside for breakfast. Let your Yorkshire Terrier eat breakfast while you’re getting dressed and ready for the day. By the time you finish your coffee and breakfast, you can take the Yorkie out for a potty break.

The thinking here is that if the Yorkie had some time to eat and for the food settle, it will be ready for potty before going into the crate or the room where you keep him during the day. And keep in mind that if you have a puppy, you will need to schedule a mid-morning and mid-afternoon break as well.

If you’re at work all day, you need to arrange for a family member or friend to handle those breaks for you. Ensure that whoever does this follows the routine you have created precisely. Ideally, the potty breaks should be short, about 5 to 10 minutes, and should not be confused with play time. You want the Yorkshire Terrier to understand and know the difference between potty and play.

Try to maintain the same housetraining schedule for dinner. So, take your Yorkshire Terrier out the minute you get back. Establish a schedule to feed the Yorkshire Terrier at the same time each day, and try to not go more than thirty minutes off your schedule.

The best practice is to feed your Yorkie early in the night so that your dog has time for the food to digest and get ready for a potty break before sleep. Be sure to follow the same schedule the next day!

As you’re housetraining your Yorkshire Terrier, keep notes of the times. You can even create a simple checklist to post on the refrigerator. Then anyone who feeds the Yorkie or takes him for potty breaks can make note of the time. This is helpful in noticing what the Yorkshire Terrier’s natural elimination patterns are.

When your Yorkshire Terrier completes his potty break, remember to give him praise and affection. You can offer a Yorkie biscuit, but it’s not necessary. He’s just as happy with your approval. Instead of the old training methods that punish a Yorkshire Terrier for making a mess in the house, you take the more effective positive approach to show him approval for getting the job done during a scheduled potty break.

Yorkies love to please you and will do almost anything to win your affection. So don’t be upset if there’s a potty mistake. If you’re late and miss his potty break outside, simply clean it up and get back on track without scolding him. Housetraining Yorkshire Terriers is a lot easier if you stick to this schedule-based method combined with positive reinforcement!

Tags: Dogs

Popularity: 18% [?]

Share This