Some people just love small dogs. They just can’t resist the overloaded cuteness but the fact that small dogs are hard to potty train makes these people reluctant to adopt them. However, this list of the easiest small dogs to potty train may really help them to fulfill their wish.
Are all small dogs hard to potty train?
It is usually said that small dogs are hard to potty train because of their small body and bladder size. They need to go to the toilet more often and that increases the risk of having an accident in the wrong place which then urges the dog to pee on that wrong place again.
This cycle of accidents and then peeing there again makes house training difficult.
Are all small dogs hard to potty train? The good news is that all small dogs are not hard to potty train. Because some of them are so much intelligent that they understand quickly that what they are supposed to do and some dogs are so eager to please the owner that they try their best to get the job done perfectly.
What makes a dog easy to potty train?
To be very honest, every dog should be easy to potty train if he is trained using the right method and tools.
It’s up to the trainer.
Consistent schedule, regular bathroom trips that are on time, consistency, patience, and the use of the right tools will make potty training a puppy easier.
While on the other hand, the large size and strong muscles of the dog, his intelligence, willingness to please the trainer, and his response towards the positive reinforcement will make him easy to potty train.
Easiest small dogs to potty train?
Some small dogs that are easy to potty train are listed here.
1- Papillon:
Papillons are highly intelligent dogs and they are very good family dogs. They are also naturally willing to please the owner.
Because of being intelligent and obedient, they understand and follow the commands quickly which makes them easier to potty train.
2- Maltese:
Are Maltese easy to potty train? Maltese is on the list of clean dogs. They love to stay in a clean environment.
While at the same time this dog breed is affectionate and intelligent. So these qualities make a Maltese easy to potty train.
3- Cockapoo:
Cockapoo is a designer dog. He is given this name because of his looks. This dog breed is very intelligent.
The great learning skills of this dog breed make them easier to potty train.
4- Miniature Schnauzer:
A miniature Schnauzer is a happy and intelligent dog. This dog breed is also known for the factor of obedience.
These qualities make this dog breed easy.
5- Shiba Inu:
This dog breed is a neat and clean one and this factor makes their potty training easy.
They are not so obedient but when it comes to saving their house from soiling, they respond well.
Having a consistent routine is key with this dog breed.
6- Havanese:
Havanese are highly trainable dogs and they respond really well to positive reinforcement.
By using the right method and treating the dog with a “treat”, praise, or a play session can work like wonders.
7- Tibetan Spaniel:
This dog breed is a very loyal one. They are very eager to please their owner as they were bred for hunting or guarding.
Their intelligence and quick learning make them highly trainable.
Other small dogs that might be hard or easy to potty train!
Some other small dogs have mixed qualities. They may be hard or easy to potty train, it depends upon if the trainer really understands the breed he is going to train and if he is using the right method.
1- Shih Tzu:
Shih Tzu is a very intelligent but quite stubborn dog breed. They can be hard to potty train if the trainer is not in his heart!
The person who is potty training a Shih Tzu should have a strong bonding with his dog and should be enough patient with him. Then he can easily potty train him.
It’s best to start potty training these dogs earlier.
2- Bichon Frise:
Bichon Frise are stubborn dogs and they love to live independently. But at the same time, this dog breed loves to become the center of attention. They really enjoy the praises and play sessions.
By taking advantage of this nature, you can potty train a bichon frise easily.
Read more: How to stop a dog peeing for attention?
3- Poodle:
This dog breed is very intelligent and adaptive. The quick learning ability of this dog breed makes them easy to potty train but their cuteness comes into the way.
Many dog owners become very lenient with them. If the trainer is consistent and patient enough, these dogs can be housebroken easily.
What makes some small dogs easy to potty train?
Although, it is tough for the small dogs to hold their bladder for a long period of time so they need to go to relieve themselves many times a day. But some small dogs become easier to potty train because of these factors.
1- Intelligence:
Some dogs are very intelligent that they start understanding quickly that what they are supposed to do. And this is one of the most important parts of a puppy’s potty training.
When he will get it, he is more likely to follow it.
2- Eagerness to please the owner:
As compared to the dogs who love to live independently, the dogs who are willing to please the owner are easier to potty train.
3- Natural desire to stay clean:
Dogs, usually, do not soil their home where they go to sleep unless they are exposed to very bad potty habits (like the dogs raised in a puppy mill).
But some dog breeds are cleaner than others. And if you choose a small dog that is a breed that loves to live clean, it will be easier to potty train him.
4- Origin of the dog:
When adopting a small dog, make sure to adopt him from a quality breeder if you are looking for an easier small dog to potty train.
Dogs who are born and raised (for a few weeks) in a puppy mill or a pet shop are exposed to very bad bathroom habits in the earlier days of their lives, it will be harder to potty train them.
However, quality breeders work for setting good potty habits from the beginning so these dogs will be easier to potty train.
5- Right method of the trainer:
No matter how hard or easy a small dog is to potty train, but if the trainer will not use the right method of potty training, he will mess up with the things.
Find here the step-by-step perfect method of potty training that will help you succeed in no time.
6- Use of the right tools:
The use of the right tools is very important in potty training.
- Use a properly sized crate for your dog. He should not find a spare space to pee.
- Use a good enzyme cleaner that really kills that dog’s urine smell. If your puppy had an accident somewhere, clean with a good enzyme cleaner so that your dog doesn’t go there again.
- Find out everything you need to have in hand before starting to potty train, here.
Small breed dogs potty training tips:
If you are going to housetrain a small breed dog, these tips will be helpful.
- Use a small-sized crate that is enough for your small dog to sit, stand and turn around.
This Midwest home for pets icrate is available in a small size that should be good for your small dog.
This is by far the best seller on Amazon and we also recommend this crate because of its quality, durability, and size options. - Take a small dog to pee right after he drinks or eat. Due to the small size of the body and bladder, these dogs need to go urgently.
- One person should always be there for a small dog to take him to the potty.
- Try carrying the puppy outside to pee when he wakes up. Here are a few answers to the questions people ask about carrying the puppy out to pee.
- Find out here what is the best enzyme cleaner to use for dog urine.
Conclusion – Easiest small dogs to potty train:
Some small dogs are easier to potty train as compared to other small dogs because of their intelligence and willingness to please the owner.
However, it also depends upon the trainer. If he is using the right method, it will be easier for both, the trainer and the trainee (the dog).
Here’s a quick list of the easiest small dogs to potty train.
- Papillon
- Maltese
- Cockapoo
- Miniature Schnauzer
- Shiba Inu
- Havanese
- Tibetan Spaniel
- Shih Tzu
- Bichon Frise
- Poodle
