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Zack Keithy, our author, is a certified veterinarian technician (UC Blue Ash) for over 6 years (contact him here). The articles written here are based on his expertise and experience, combined with a review by our expert vet reviewers including Dr M. Tarantino. Learn more about us here.
So, you just got yourself a little, cute, bundle of joy, didn’t you? A Yorkie puppy! They’re incredibly tiny, irresistibly cute, and, to some extent, can seem like a mini whirlwind of energy and noise.
It’s understandable. Possibly, you are experiencing an emotional cocktail consisting of supreme happiness and a hint of confusion about how to handle it.
Just as I’m guessing, the little things might already be happening in your household – puppies biting, peeing in the wrong place, and running around like crazy.
This guide is gonna set you and your puppy up the right way!
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Bringing Home Your Yorkie Puppy: First Steps
When you first bring your Yorkie puppy home, it’s a huge change for them. Everything is new and a little scary. Think about it from their tiny perspective.
They’ve just left their mom and littermates, and now they’re in a strange place with new smells and sounds. So, the first thing is to give them a safe, quiet space.
Setting Up Their Safe Space
This could be a small crate or a puppy playpen. Make it cozy with a soft blanket and a few safe toys. This isn’t just a place for them to sleep; it’s their den, their retreat.
It’s super important for potty training and helping them feel secure. And remember, keep their food and water separate from their sleep area.
Tip 1: Potty Training Like a Pro
This is probably the biggest headache for new puppy owners, isn’t it? Waking up to a little puddle or finding a surprise on the rug can be super frustrating. But here’s the thing: your Yorkie isn’t doing it to spite you.
They just don’t understand yet. And those little bladders are tiny!
The “Take Them Out Constantly” Method
The key here is consistency and frequency. You need to take your Yorkie puppy outside A LOT. I’m talking every 30-60 minutes when they’re awake, immediately after waking up, after playing, and after eating or drinking.
Go to the same spot every time. When they go, praise them calmly and give them a small, high-value treat. Don’t go crazy with the praise; just a calm “good potty!” works best.
What to Do About Accidents Inside
If you catch them in the act inside, calmly interrupt them with a gentle clap or “ahh-ahh” and immediately take them outside to their spot. If they finish outside, praise and treat.
If you find an accident after the fact, just clean it up thoroughly with an enzymatic cleaner. Don’t scold them; they won’t connect the scolding to something they did five minutes ago. It just makes them scared of you.
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Tip 2: Crate Training for Peace of Mind
I know some people feel bad about crates, but trust me, a crate can be a lifesaver. It gives your Yorkie a safe den, helps with potty training, and prevents them from getting into trouble when you can’t supervise.
It’s not a jail; it’s their room.
Making the Crate a Happy Place
Start by making the crate super inviting. Put soft bedding inside, maybe a safe chew toy, and leave the door open. Toss treats inside so they go in willingly.
Feed them meals in the crate with the door open at first, then gradually close the door for short periods while they eat. The goal is for them to associate the crate with good things.
Gradual Crate Time
Once they’re comfortable eating in it, start leaving them in the crate for short periods, like 5-10 minutes, while you’re still in the room. Gradually increase the time. Never use the crate as punishment.
If they cry, wait for a brief pause in the crying before letting them out. If you let them out when they’re screaming, they learn that screaming gets them what they want.
Tip 3: Stopping the Nipping and Biting
Oh, those sharp puppy teeth! Yorkies can be little piranhas when they’re puppies. It’s totally normal; they explore the world with their mouths and learn bite inhibition from their littermates.
Since you’re their new littermate, it’s your job to teach them what’s okay and what’s not.
The “Yelp and Ignore” Method
When your Yorkie puppy nips you too hard, give a high-pitched “ouch!” or “yip!” – something like what another puppy would do. Immediately withdraw your hand or whatever they bit, and turn away from them. Ignore them for 10-20 seconds.
This tells them, “Ouch! That hurt! Fun playtime is over.” If they come back for more nipping, get up and leave the room for a minute or two.
Redirecting to Appropriate Chews
Always have plenty of appropriate chew toys available. When your puppy starts to mouth you, gently redirect their attention to a toy. Praise them when they chew on the toy instead of you.
This teaches them what they *can* chew on. Remember, their little gums are hurting from teething, so safe chew toys are essential.
Tip 4: Early Socialization is Key
Yorkies, even though they’re small, can be prone to being a bit yappy or nervous around strangers or other dogs if they aren’t socialized properly. The critical socialization window for puppies is roughly from 3 to 16 weeks.
This means getting them safely exposed to lots of different sights, sounds, people, and experiences.
Safe Exposure is the Goal
Before your puppy has all their vaccinations, you need to be careful about where you take them. But you can still socialize them! Have friends and family (who are dog-savvy and calm) visit your home.
Let them gently handle your puppy, give treats, and offer praise. Expose your puppy to different sounds like vacuums, doorbells, and street noises (start quietly, then slowly increase volume).
Puppy Classes and Controlled Environments
Once your vet gives the OK, enroll your Yorkie in a puppy socialization class. These are fantastic for safe, supervised play with other puppies and exposure to different people.
Take them on short car rides, to quiet parks (carrying them at first), or even just sit on a bench and let them watch the world go by. The goal isn’t to overwhelm them, but to make new experiences positive.
Tip 5: Building a Foundation with Positive Reinforcement
This isn’t just a “tip”; it’s the whole philosophy behind successful dog training. Forget about scolding, yelling, or any kind of punishment. It just doesn’t work well, and it damages your bond with your dog.
We want to teach our Yorkie puppies what TO do, not just what NOT to do.
What is Positive Reinforcement?
It’s simple: when your puppy does something you like (like sitting, looking at you, or going potty outside), you immediately reward them. That reward could be a tiny, high-value treat, a quick game of tug, or some enthusiastic praise.
This makes them think, “Hey, when I do that, good things happen! I’ll do that again!”
Tiny Steps for Big Wins
Start with super easy stuff. When your puppy looks at you, say “yes!” and give a treat. When they sit for a second (even if they just plopped down), say “yes!” and treat. Keep training sessions short and fun – 3-5 minutes, a few times a day.
Yorkies are smart, but they have short attention spans as puppies. And always end on a positive note, even if it’s just rewarding them for looking at you.
Important Things to Remember
This journey with your Yorkie puppy is a marathon, not a sprint. There will be good days and frustrating days. You’ll feel like you’ve got it all figured out, and then they’ll have an accident right after you took them outside.
And that’s okay. We’ve all been there. Every single one of us.
Patience is Your Superpower
It’s easy to get frustrated, especially when you’re tired or cleaning up another mess. But remember that your puppy is learning a whole new world. They’re trying their best.
Take a deep breath. Walk away for a minute if you need to. Come back with a fresh perspective.
Consistency is Everything
If one person in the house allows jumping and another doesn’t, your puppy will be confused. Everyone needs to be on the same page with rules, commands, and rewards. This applies to potty breaks, feeding times, and training.
This helps your Yorkie understand what’s expected of them faster.
Celebrate the Little Victories
Did they go potty outside three times in a row? High five! Did they sit when you asked, even if it took a second? Awesome! These small wins add up and show you that you’re both making progress.
And those little victories are what build that amazing bond you’re looking for.
FAQ
How long does it take to potty train a Yorkie puppy?
It really varies. Some Yorkies can get the hang of it pretty quickly, in a few weeks, especially with consistent effort. For others, it might take a few months. Smaller breeds can sometimes take a bit longer because of their tiny bladders. Just keep at it, and don’t get discouraged.
My Yorkie puppy cries in the crate at night. What should I do?
It’s tough to hear them cry, I know. First, make sure they’ve gone potty right before bed and they’re comfortable. If they’re still crying, wait for a very brief pause in their crying (even a second or two) before you go to them. This teaches them that being quiet gets your attention. If they cry for extended periods, they might need a potty break, but try to keep it quick and boring, straight out and back to the crate without play.
When can I take my Yorkie puppy out to public places?
You should wait until your vet gives you the green light, which is usually after they’ve completed their full series of vaccinations (around 16 weeks old). This protects them from common puppy diseases. Until then, focus on safe socialization experiences at home or in very controlled environments, like puppy classes with vaccinated pups.
My Yorkie puppy is biting my ankles constantly. Help!
This is super common with puppies, especially little ones like Yorkies. Keep those sturdy chew toys handy. When they go for your ankles, yelp, stop moving, and redirect them to a toy. If they keep going for you, get up and leave the room for 30-60 seconds to signal that playtime ends when they bite too hard. Consistency is key here.
How do I teach my Yorkie puppy their name?
It’s pretty simple! Say their name in a happy voice, and immediately follow it with a high-value treat. Do this many times throughout the day, in different locations. Don’t use their name when you’re scolding them. Soon, they’ll associate their name with good things and look at you when they hear it.
