Potty Training Small Breed Puppies: A Step-by-Step Guide to Housebreaking Maltese, Yorkies, Poodles, and Shih Tzus
Potty training a small breed puppy can be a daunting task, but it’s an essential part of raising a well-behaved, house-trained dog. Breeds like Maltese, Yorkies, Poodles, and Shih Tzus, while adorable, often present specific challenges when it comes to housebreaking. Their tiny size, delicate nature, and tendency to get cold quickly make consistent potty training crucial.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll cover step-by-step potty training methods that are specifically designed for small breeds. Whether you’ve just brought home your new puppy or you’ve been struggling with potty training for weeks, this article will help you lay the groundwork for a successful and happy puppy-raising experience.
Why Potty Training Small Breeds is Different
Small breed puppies like Maltese, Yorkies, Poodles, and Shih Tzus differ from their larger counterparts in several ways, which can affect how quickly they pick up potty training. Understanding these differences is crucial for tailoring a training plan that works for your pup.
Smaller Bladders Mean More Frequent Trips
Small breeds have much smaller bladders, meaning they need to relieve themselves more frequently than larger dogs. This requires more bathroom breaks and a higher level of patience from owners.
Tiny Bodies, Quick to Get Cold
Small breeds tend to feel cold quickly, especially in cooler climates. This can make them reluctant to go outside, especially for potty breaks. Ensuring that your puppy is comfortable during their potty outings is key.
Stubborn Yet Smart
Many small breeds, particularly the Shih Tzu and Yorkie, are known for their stubborn streaks. However, they are also intelligent and can learn quickly if trained with positive reinforcement. Patience is vital.
Steps to Potty Train Your Small Breed Puppy
Let’s walk through a proven approach to successfully potty train your small breed puppy, focusing on consistency, praise, and a bit of planning.
1. Establish a Regular Routine
Routine is everything when it comes to potty training. Puppies thrive on consistency, and the more structured your schedule, the quicker your small breed puppy will learn.
- Morning Routine: Take your puppy outside as soon as they wake up. Puppies generally need to relieve themselves immediately after waking, so this is a great time to reinforce good behavior.
- Mealtime Routine: Feed your puppy on a strict schedule, and take them outside 10-15 minutes after each meal. The digestive process is predictable, and you’ll likely notice they need to go after eating.
- Evening Routine: Take them out one last time before bed to minimize overnight accidents.
2. Choose a Designated Potty Area
Small breed puppies, especially sensitive ones like Maltese, do well when they understand exactly where they should go potty. Choose a designated potty spot in your yard or use pee pads inside.
- Outdoor Spot: Always take your puppy to the same place outside to do their business. The consistent smells will help trigger their understanding that this is the “potty spot.”
- Indoor Pee Pads: If you live in an apartment or it’s difficult to get outside frequently, start by using pee pads indoors. Slowly transition them closer to the door, then outside.
3. Use Positive Reinforcement
Puppies respond best to positive reinforcement—this is especially true for small breeds. Whenever your puppy successfully goes potty in the right spot, shower them with praise, a treat, or playtime.
- Verbal Praise: Use a happy and excited tone to let your puppy know they did a great job.
- Treats: Small treats can be highly effective but make sure they’re suitable for small breeds.
- Clicker Training: Some owners prefer clicker training as it offers a precise way to communicate with your puppy that they’ve done well.
4. Crate Training: A Powerful Tool for Potty Training
Crate training can be extremely beneficial, especially for small breeds. Dogs naturally avoid soiling their sleeping area, and crate training uses this instinct to your advantage.
- Crate Size: Make sure the crate is appropriately sized. Your puppy should have enough room to stand and turn around, but not so much that they can eliminate in one corner and sleep in another.
- Using the Crate: Put your puppy in their crate for short periods when you’re not actively supervising them. After letting them out, immediately take them to their designated potty spot.
For more detailed information on crate training and why it’s effective, check out this guide from the AKC on how to potty train a puppy: AKC Potty Training Guide.
5. Watch for Potty Cues
Learning to recognize your puppy’s potty cues is essential. Each puppy is different, but common signs that your dog needs to go include:
- Sniffing around
- Circling a spot
- Whining or scratching at the door
- Pacing back and forth
As soon as you see these cues, act fast! Quickly take your puppy to their designated potty area to reinforce the behavior.
6. Be Patient and Consistent
Potty training takes time—especially with small breeds. Accidents will happen, but consistency is key. Never punish your puppy for having an accident. Instead, calmly clean it up and recommit to the training process.
If you catch them in the act, gently interrupt them and quickly guide them to the correct potty spot. Over time, they’ll learn that going outside or on the pee pad brings positive results.
Common Potty Training Challenges and How to Overcome Them
Even with the best intentions, you may run into a few hiccups while potty training your Maltese, Yorkie, Poodle, or Shih Tzu. Let’s address some common challenges and ways to overcome them.
1. Accidents Inside the House
No matter how diligent you are, accidents are part of the potty training process. When accidents happen, it’s important to clean up thoroughly to remove any lingering smells that might encourage your puppy to go in the same spot again. Use enzymatic cleaners for the best results.
2. Nighttime Accidents
Small breed puppies have small bladders, which makes it hard for them to hold it through the night. In the beginning, expect to get up at least once during the night to let your puppy out. Over time, they’ll be able to go longer without needing to potty.
3. Reluctance to Go Outside
As mentioned earlier, small breed puppies can be sensitive to the cold or wet ground. In such cases, invest in puppy sweaters or booties during colder months to make your puppy more comfortable.
For owners of Maltese puppies, who are particularly prone to being finicky about going outside, here’s a great resource on how to potty train a Maltese: Dogster Potty Training for Maltese.
Advanced Tips for Small Breed Potty Training Success
Once your puppy starts getting the hang of potty training, you can introduce more advanced techniques to make the process even smoother.
1. Leash Training for Potty Breaks
Leash training your puppy during potty breaks can help reinforce that outside time is for going potty, not playing. Keep them on a leash and walk them to the potty spot, rewarding them only after they’ve done their business.
2. Gradual Freedom
Once your puppy is reliably potty trained, start giving them more freedom around the house. Begin by allowing them access to one room at a time. This teaches them to associate the entire home as a place where they shouldn’t potty, rather than just their crate.
3. Setbacks Are Normal
Even a well-trained puppy may have occasional accidents, especially when adjusting to new environments. Don’t panic if this happens! Simply reinforce the training and get back to a routine.
For even more potty training advice tailored to small breeds, visit this helpful guide: Discover Hubpages Small Breed Potty Training.
Conclusion: Patience and Persistence Pay Off
Potty training a small breed puppy may seem overwhelming, but with consistency, positive reinforcement, and patience, you’ll get there. Every puppy is unique, so don’t be discouraged if progress seems slow at first. Celebrate the small wins, stay consistent with your routine, and soon your Maltese, Yorkie, Poodle, or Shih Tzu will be a potty-trained pro.
For those still looking for the perfect small breed puppy, check out the adorable puppies available at Prettiest Puppies, or reach out to us directly here.
FAQs
1. How long does it take to potty train a small breed puppy?
It typically takes several weeks to a few months to potty train small breeds, depending on consistency, routine, and the puppy’s temperament.
2. What if my small breed puppy refuses to go outside in cold weather?
Consider using a sweater or booties for your puppy to make them more comfortable during cold or wet conditions.
3. Should I use puppy pee pads or take my puppy outside?
Both options work, but transitioning to outdoor potty training is often the goal. Pee pads are great for apartments or during harsh