Best Pee Pads for Potty Training a Yorkie

Let's talk about the part of Yorkie ownership nobody posts on Instagram. Potty training. It's the thing most new owners are not quite prepared for, because Yorkies are small, their bladders are smaller, and they need to go approximately every 20 minutes for the first several months of their life. In bad weather. In the dark. Before coffee.

Pee pads don't solve the training process, but they give you a designated place to win and they make the whole thing a lot less miserable.

Why Yorkies Are Harder to Potty Train

It's mostly a size issue. Tiny body, tiny bladder, very little ability to hold it. A Yorkie puppy might need to go every 30-60 minutes, which means any slip in consistency quickly becomes a mess. The breed also has a reputation for stubbornness, though we'd call it having strong opinions. Either way, the answer is more structure, not less.

Pee pads work best as a tool within a consistent training plan, not instead of one. Give your Yorkie a designated spot, take them there at predictable times, and reward immediately when they get it right.

What to Look For

  • High absorbency so the surface stays dry. A Yorkie standing in wet is a Yorkie who's going to step off the pad immediately.

  • Odor control. Important in any living space, especially a smaller one.

  • Non-slip backing. A pad that slides when your dog steps on it is going to become a problem fast.

  • The right size. Standard 22" x 22" is fine for most Yorkies. Size up if your dog tends to go near the edge.

  • Attractant scent. Some pads are treated to signal "this is the right spot." Especially helpful for puppies who don't know what pads are for yet.

Our Top Picks

[PRODUCT 1 NAME] | [ADD LINK]

Best overall pee pad for Yorkies and small dogs. [Add 2-3 sentences: size, number of absorbent layers, odor control, whether there's an attractant, packaging options.]

[PRODUCT 2 NAME] | [ADD LINK]

Best value option that still actually works. [Add 2-3 sentences: how they compare to the top pick, any tradeoffs in thickness or odor control, whether they stay put.]

[PRODUCT 3 NAME: Washable Pad] | [ADD LINK]

The reusable option for people who do not want to be buying pads forever. Wash, dry, reuse. [Add 2-3 sentences: how many you'd need, how well they hold up, cost comparison over time.]

[PRODUCT 4 NAME: Pee Pad Tray or Holder] | [ADD LINK]

Holds the pad in place and, critically, stops your dog from shredding it (because some Yorkies absolutely will). [Add 2-3 sentences: sizing, compatibility with standard pads, how easy it is to clean.]

The Training Part

Put the pad in one consistent spot, not three spots in different rooms. Bring your dog to it at the high-probability moments: right after waking up, right after eating, right after play, and before bed.

When they use it, praise immediately, before they've walked away. Timing is everything in dog training.

If your eventual goal is fully outdoor training, move the pad closer to the door a little at a time over several weeks. Take your time. Rushing this step is how you lose the progress you already made.

The Bottom Line

Pee pads are not magic and they are not a substitute for consistency. But in the right setup they take a chaotic early period and make it manageable. These picks make the least mess and stay where you put them.

Affiliate links help support Team Yorkie at no extra cost to you. We only recommend products we've researched and would use ourselves.

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