Short answer: To potty train a small breed puppy, take them outside every one to two hours (and right after they sleep, eat, drink, or play), use a properly sized crate between breaks, and reward with a treat and praise the instant they finish going in the correct spot. Small breeds have tiny bladders and fast metabolisms, so they need more frequent breaks than big dogs — but with a consistent schedule most puppies are largely reliable within four to six months.
I'm Preston Smith, co-founder of Bully Sticks Central. Below is the same routine we recommend to customers raising Chihuahuas, Yorkies, Dachshunds, Cocker Spaniels, and other small breeds. It's simple, it works, and it doesn't rely on punishment.
Why is potty training a small breed puppy harder?
Small breed puppies physically can't "hold it" as long as larger dogs. A rough rule of thumb from veterinarians: a puppy can hold their bladder about one hour for every month of age, plus one. So a two-month-old can manage roughly three hours at most — often less for a toy breed. Their quick metabolism also means what goes in comes out sooner, so more frequent trips outside aren't optional, they're the whole game.
The good news is that small dogs are eager to please and respond quickly to reward-based training. Consistency matters far more than intensity.
How often should I take my puppy out?
Take a small breed puppy outside on this schedule:
- Every one to two hours during the day while they're very young
- Immediately after waking from any nap
- Within a few minutes of eating or drinking
- After every play session
- Right before bed, and once overnight for the first several weeks
Always take them to the same spot. Their own scent is a signal that tells the puppy it's time to go, which speeds up the whole process.
What's the best potty training method?
Four things do most of the work:
- Build a routine. Feed, play, and potty at consistent times so your puppy's body gets predictable. Predictable in means predictable out.
- Use a crate. Puppies naturally avoid soiling where they sleep. A crate just big enough to stand, turn around, and lie down in becomes a reliable "hold it" zone between breaks. Never use it as punishment.
- Reward immediately. The treat and praise have to come the moment they finish, outside, so they connect the reward to the right action. Even a few seconds late and the lesson blurs.
- Clean accidents with an enzyme cleaner. Regular cleaners leave a scent only your dog can smell, which draws them back to the same spot. Enzyme cleaners break it down completely.
What should I use as a potty training reward?
Reward-based training only works if the reward actually motivates your puppy — and for small breeds, size and quality matter. We're big believers in single-ingredient chews and treats: 100% natural, 100% real meat, fully digestible, with no rawhide and nothing artificial. For quick training rewards you want something small and soft that your puppy can eat in one bite so you can get right back to the routine.
Bully sticks are a favorite for the longer-lasting "good job" reward after a successful outing. They're single-ingredient, ethically sourced from grass-fed American and Argentinean farms, and 100% high-quality guaranteed. If you're raising a young dog, our guide to bully sticks for puppies covers safe sizing and supervision, and our complete bully sticks guide explains why they're one of the safest long-lasting chews for small breeds.
How do I handle nighttime and accidents?
Limit water in the last hour or two before bed and take your puppy out right before you turn in. Expect to get up once overnight for the first several weeks — their bladder simply isn't big enough yet to make it to morning.
When accidents happen, and they will, don't punish. Punishment teaches a puppy to hide where they go, not to hold it. Clean it up calmly with an enzyme cleaner and get back on schedule. If accidents are frequent, sudden, or paired with signs of discomfort, check with your veterinarian to rule out a urinary tract infection or other health issue.
How long does potty training take?
Most small breed puppies are largely house-trained within four to six months, though some take up to a year to be fully reliable. Toy breeds sometimes take a little longer simply because of how small their bladders are. Stay consistent, keep rewarding the wins, and don't measure your puppy against anyone else's timeline.
For more on training rewards and safe chews, browse our single-ingredient chews guide. Every treat we make is 100% natural, fully digestible, no rawhide — the kind of reward you can feel good about handing your puppy all day long.
Sources: American Kennel Club — How to Potty Train a Puppy; VCA Animal Hospitals — House Training Dogs and Puppies.
This post was last updated at August 6, 2026 23:21
