How to potty train a Yorkshire Terrier

Granted, small dogs like Yorkshire Terriers can only make small messes. But you'll pay the same carpet cleaning costs to do the room with urine stains whether it's made by a Yorkie or a Doberman. Small dogs need the same potty training basics as any dog.  You have to take into consideration that a Yorkshire Terrier equals a small bladder that won't hold as much (or for as long). So if you are late on your way home from work then you might wind up cleaning up an accident.

Living in an apartment or home without a big yard is no problem for the Yorkshire Terrier. These pets only need a small space to do their business which means that a flowerbed can work wonders.

Some people make fun of little dogs in their knit sweaters, but it's more than just a fashion statement. During the winter months in cold climates, the change from heated indoors to freezing outdoors is very harsh on a Yorkshire Terrier's body.

The sudden chill can also distract them from the potty business and cause them to run back inside. Once warm again, the urge hits and there's nowhere to go but the rug. You can make this easier on your Yorkshire Terrier by getting him a warm sweater for cold weather.

Some Yorkies will refuse to go out in bad weather unless they see you have a sweater for them to wear. This can be during the winter or even when it's raining.

Other options include having a box ready lined with newspaper in the garage for a backup potty spot during inclement weather. Be careful to only use this spot during emergencies so that your pup will continue using his regular potty spot.

If your dog usually goes outdoors or you walk him through parks frequently, always keep an eye on him. Look out for tall grass and bushes. You dog may want to sniff a certain spot and could potentially end up being bit by a snake.

Be sure to be courteous of your neighbors even if your dog has only made a small mess outside. Regardless of the size it is still dog poop that needs to be picked up promptly.

Not to mention that dog poop on their shoes may not be visible until it's tracked onto the carpet. That won't win you an invitation to the neighbor's next bar-b-q. It's your responsibility to clean up after your dog. Don't try to get out of it by arguing that it's so small it doesn't matter. It matters to anyone who doesn't own it.

Housetraining for Yorkshire Terriers is no different than it is for big dogs. You can start with crate training to help establish good behavior until a routine is set in place. Some little dogs are spoiled because they are so used to getting a lot of attention in the laps of their owners. Practice positive reinforcement so that your dog knows exactly what he needs to do to make you happy.