It’s time to decide what long-term potty habits you want for your Yorkie.
Some families prefer outdoor-only training. Others love the convenience of puppy pads. Many of our Heritage Hill Yorkie families successfully teach their dogs to use both. ( this is what I personally do 🙋🏽♀️)
There is no one “right” answer.
~If your goal is outdoor potty training, don’t rush the process.
Your puppy has already learned that pottying on the pad is correct. Now you’re simply teaching them a new location.
A gradual transition works best.
Step 1: Reduce the Pad Area
If you’ve been using multiple pads, slowly reduce them until your puppy is consistently using a single pad.
Step 2: Move the Pad Toward the Door
Every few days, move the pad a little closer to the door you’ll use for potty breaks.
Your puppy will begin associating the door with bathroom time.
Step 3: Move the Pad Outside
Place the pad directly outside in the location where you’d ultimately like your puppy to potty.
Continue using your potty cue and rewarding success. ( dance parties are my personal fav! 💃🏽 😅🐾)
Step 4: Remove the Pad
Once your Yorkie is confidently using the outdoor location, remove the pad and continue rewarding them for using the grass or designated potty area.
Choosing an Outdoor Potty Spot
Consistency matters.
Using one dedicated area helps:
• Reduce distractions
• Build familiarity
• Speed up learning
• Create a predictable routine
Many puppies learn much faster when they aren’t wandering all over the yard trying to decide where to go.
~The Benefits of Teaching Both
Many Yorkie owners are surprised to learn that teaching both methods can work extremely well.
Dual training offers flexibility for:
• Bad weather
• Extreme heat or cold
• Travel
• Apartment living
• Long workdays
• Senior dogs later in life
The key is consistency.
Use the same potty cue and reward system whether your puppy uses a pad or goes outside.
Most Yorkies quickly learn that both locations are acceptable.
If your puppy is still having accidents…
You may feel like you’re doing everything right and still dealing with occasional accidents.
That’s normal. Remember, your Yorkie is learning a life skill that takes time, repetition, and maturity.
Even puppies that seem to “get it” one week may have setbacks the next. Again normal!
~One day you’ll realize something remarkable:
🏆 You haven’t cleaned up an accident in weeks.
🏆 Your puppy heads to the door on their own.
🏆 Or they confidently walk to their potty pad without being asked.
The constant reminders, supervision, and scheduling will gradually become unnecessary.
What feels like hard work today will eventually become second nature for both you and your dog.
If you’re in the middle of potty training right now, take heart. Practice makes progress! 🎈🎈
🙌 Every successful potty trip matters.
🙌 Every accident handled calmly matters.
🙌 Every time you stick to the routine, you’re building habits that will last for years.
🙌 Potty training isn’t about having a perfect puppy overnight. It’s about patiently guiding your puppy toward success one day at a time.
✅ Stay consistent.
✅ Stay patient.
✅ Celebrate the small victories.
And remember…your Yorkie wants to succeed just as much as you want them to. 🎉🐶
The families and puppies that succeed aren’t the most experienced or “ they just got lucky”. It’s the families that stay consistent and never give up!
Also, just like in all of life “comparison is the thief of joy!” Just because aunt Susie’s puppy never had one mistake from 10 weeks on doesn’t mean that your puppy will follow the same trajectory. That’s OK every family is unique. Focus on your own puppy, celebrate every small victory and don’t compare! 😇
You’ve got this. And so does your puppy. 🐾❤️
Our Featured Puppy of the Week “Biscuit.”
Meet our most handsome little man “Biscuit.” He is a stunning Chocolate Parti Boy and he has the most charming eyes. 👀❤️ He is charting 6 lbs adult weight. He is ready to pack his bags 🧳 and settle into his new family. We can fly him ✈️ to you or you can come to Kansas City and we can meet you at the airport. Text me at 816.694.1742 for more information. Summertime is the best time to potty train a pup!
I hope everyone is enjoying their summer. It goes by way too fast. ☀️⛱️
With lots of love,
Kortni
Read the Full Potty Training Series:
1. The Set Up
2. Consistency
4. To Outdoor or Pad Train?