Yorkie Potty Training part 3: Margin for mistakes
So we talked about how to create the right environment and how to establish a routine. Those two steps alone will prevent many if not most accidents.
But let’s be honest—every puppy has accidents.
The difference between successful potty training and ongoing frustration isn’t whether accidents happen. It’s how we respond when they do.
Reward Success Like It Matters
Your Yorkie is always learning and ALWAYS wants to please you!
Every time they successfully use their potty pad or designated outdoor area, you have an opportunity to reinforce that behavior.
The most effective rewards are:
• Treats
• Praise (My personal favorite. We throw some serious dance parties around here 💃🏽)
• Affection
• Attention
The reward should happen immediately after your puppy finishes. If you wait too long, they may not connect the reward to the potty behavior.
Think of yourself as saying:
“Yes! That’s exactly what I wanted!”
Why Timing Matters…
Imagine getting paid for a job two years after you completed it. You might appreciate the payment, but the connection wouldn’t be nearly as strong. 🤔💰
Puppies learn the same way.
The closer the reward is to the behavior, the faster the lesson sticks.
Within a few seconds is ideal.
What To Do When Accidents Happen🐾💩
When a puppy has an accident, they’re usually telling us one of three things:
• They weren’t supervised closely enough.
• They had too much freedom.
• They weren’t taken to the potty area soon enough.
Instead of becoming frustrated, use the accident as a clue about what needs adjusting.
If You Catch Them in the Act
Stay calm.
You can gently interrupt with a clap, a soft “oops,” or by quickly picking them up.
Then immediately move them to their potty pad or outdoor potty area.
If they finish there, praise them generously.
If You Find an Accident Later
Do absolutely nothing with the puppy.
No scolding.
No pointing.
No rubbing their nose in it.
💩 By the time you discover the accident, your Yorkie has no idea why you’re upset. 🚨
Instead:
• Clean the area thoroughly. 🫧
• Review what happened. 🤔
• Adjust your management or schedule. 📆
Then move on. ✅
Clean Like Your life Depends on It
Because it kinda does 😜
Dogs naturally return to areas that smell like previous bathroom spots.
Many household cleaners remove stains but leave behind odor molecules that dogs can still detect.
Use an enzyme-based cleaner designed specifically for pet accidents. These products break down the odor completely and help prevent repeat accidents in the same location. Here is a link for what we use to eliminate the urine odor.
Common Potty Training Setbacks
❌ ”My puppy was doing great and suddenly started having accidents.”
This often happens when freedom is increased too quickly.
Go back to closer supervision and a smaller area for a few days.
❌ “My puppy plays on the pad instead of using it.”
This is common with young puppies.
Keep potty trips calm and boring. Save exciting playtime for after they’ve successfully gone potty.
❌ “My puppy misses the pad by a few inches.”
Consider temporarily using a larger potty area and gradually reducing it as accuracy improves.
❌ “My puppy does great during the day but struggles at night.”
Young puppies simply have limited bladder capacity. Nighttime accidents often improve naturally as they mature.
Focus on Progress, Not Perfection ✅
Many owners become discouraged because they’re looking for a perfect puppy.
Instead, ask yourself:
• Are accidents becoming less frequent?
• Is my puppy using the correct potty area more often?
Is my puppy beginning to understand the routine?
If the answer is yes, you’re making progress. Practice makes progress!!!🐾
Potty training is rarely a straight line. There will be great days, frustrating days, and everything in between.
Stay consistent.
Looking Ahead
In Part 4, we’ll discuss outdoor potty training, transitioning from puppy pads to grass, and how many Yorkie families successfully teach their dogs to use both options.
For now, remember this:
A successful potty-trained Yorkie is made by walking a long road in the same direction.
At Heritage Hill Yorkies, we encourage families to celebrate every win. Your puppy isn’t trying to make mistakes—they’re trying to learn. And with patience and consistency, they absolutely will.
You’ve got this 🐶♥️
This season is a chocolate and chocolate parti palooza 🍫🍫🍫
Above is a variety of our past chocolate and chocolate parti pups. I just adore the little brown noses these pups have. We just welcomed 2 litters with these exact colors this week! They are so beautiful. 🤩 Text me at 816.694.1742 for availability. 💕
-Kortni