One of the biggest misconceptions about potty training is that puppies have accidents because they’re stubborn or “just don’t get it.”
In reality, most accidents happen because puppies are given too much freedom too soon.
Before we ever talk about schedules, treats, or potty cues, we need to create an environment that sets your Yorkie puppy up for success.
Why Yorkies Need a Different Approach
Yorkies are incredibly intelligent, but they are also very small.
A young Yorkie puppy has a tiny bladder, a fast metabolism, and often very little warning before they need to go. If they have access to an entire house, they’ll simply choose the closest convenient spot when nature calls. Good potty training isn’t just about correcting mistakes—it’s about preventing them.
The Importance of Limiting Freedom
If your puppy is constantly having accidents, the answer usually isn’t more correction. It’s less freedom.
When you can’t actively supervise your puppy, they should be in:
A playpen ( I personally love iris pens. Here’s a link to them https://a.co/d/0cAwYr9D )
A puppy-safe room
A crate for very short periods when appropriate
Think of it this way: every accident your puppy has teaches them that eliminating inside the home is acceptable. Our goal is to dramatically reduce opportunities for mistakes while increasing opportunities for success.
Creating the Ideal Potty Area
Whether you plan to use puppy pads long-term or transition outdoors, consistency is important.
Place potty pads:
Away from food and water bowls
Away from beds and blankets
In an easily accessible location
In the same spot every day
Leave a potty on the pad when acceptable ( I know it sounds super gross… But if they can smell the potty and know that they got rewarded for it, it will encourage them to keep going in the same spot)
For very young puppies, don’t be afraid to use multiple pads initially. Covering a larger area increases the chances your puppy lands in the correct location while learning.
As they become more reliable, you can gradually reduce the number of pads.
Supervision Is Training
When your puppy is out of their playpen, someone should be watching them.
A puppy roaming freely through the house is not learning independence—it’s learning where to hide accidents.
Watch for common signs that your Yorkie needs to potty:
Sudden sniffing
Circling
Wandering away from play
Squatting
Becoming distracted during activity
The sooner you recognize these signs, the easier potty training becomes.
Set Realistic Expectations
One of the quickest ways to become frustrated is expecting too much too soon.
Most Yorkie puppies need months—not days—to become fully reliable. I could ask the question every day “will my puppy come home potty trained”. My answer is always the same… Although we will start encouraging potty training your puppy by no means will be completely trained by the time he or she comes home.
Progress isn’t measured by perfection. It’s measured by fewer accidents, more successful potty trips, and a growing understanding of where they’re supposed to go. As I’ve been quoting to my kids for 25 years… “Practice makes progress” 😘🙌🏼 Celebrate the small victories.
Common Mistakes New Owners Make
Here are the mistakes we see most often:
❌ Giving too much freedom too soon
❌ Moving potty pads around frequently
❌ Expecting a puppy to “tell you” when they need to go
❌ Leaving a puppy unsupervised for long periods
❌ Punishing accidents after they’ve happened
Remember, your puppy is learning. The environment you create today will determine how quickly they succeed tomorrow.
Looking Ahead
Now that you’ve created a setup that encourages success, it’s time to establish a routine.
In Part 2, we’ll cover the exact potty schedule we recommend for Yorkie puppies, including when to take them to the potty area and how often they should go throughout the day.
A good setup prevents accidents. A good routine creates habits. Together, they build a reliably potty-trained Yorkie.
At Heritage Hill Yorkies, we believe consistency, patience, and realistic expectations are the foundation of successful potty training. Your puppy wants to succeed—we simply need to show them how. 🐾
And just to be honest… accidents are a burden…. But all blessings are burdens. And these little babies are definitely a blessing!!! ❤️❤️
Our featured puppy of the week
Meet our little Traditional Female named Olive 🫒. She will be ready to go to her family in 3 weeks. She has a beautiful little compact body. She has rich dark coloring and won’t fade to silver. She is a poster puppy! 🐶📸 Text me at 816.694.1742 for more information about her.
As summer unfolds, we are soaking up every moment with our family, our dogs, and the simple joys that make this season special. Thank you for being part of the Heritage Hill Yorkies family— until next time, with love from Kortni and Heritage Hill Yorkies.💕🐾