A small hypoallergenic dog that is easy to housebreak is not impossible to find. What you do need to be aware of is that as a general rule, smaller dogs can be harder to housebreak because they have smaller bladders so they need to go more often than you might think. Also, if you live in a place with a colder climate, it can be a deterrent for them to go outside. That being said, it is not impossible to housebreak a small dog.
Best Small Hypoallergenic Dogs That Are Easy To Housebreak
Poodle: Your options for a small Poodle are Mini and Toy. They are a smart breed and want to please their owners. They do well very well in training! They easily recognize patterns, so establishing when their potty time is will greatly benefit you (and your floors!) The smaller the Poodle, the harder it may be to housebreak (such as a toy) but again, not impossible, you just need to be on top of him and when he eats and wakes up.
Yorkshire Terrier: These are very smart and trainable dogs. The bonus is they are hypoallergenic! They are not difficult to housebreak either. Spend lots of time with your Yorkie puppy and take him out often. First thing in the morning, after eating and playing and before bed. If he is not crated (meaning you are home) he should be going out more often, but as a general statement, small dogs can hold their bladder for about as many months as they are old. If he is 4 months old, he can only hold it for 4 hours, so be sure you have a way to let him out if you are going to have to be away.
West Highland White Terrier: I had a Westie once, she was a good dog and not hard to housebreak. She was crate trained, so as soon as I opened her door, we went outside. We established a routine and eventually she did not need to be crated at night, unless she went in there on her own. She had a few accidents in the house early on while we were both learning, but she quickly learned that her bathroom was the outdoors. Routine is essential when housebreaking.
Norfolk Terrier: A wonderful addition to your family, these small hypoallergenic dogs are fearless, trainable and intelligent. They also get along well with both other dogs and cats. He does not require excessive exercise, daily walks and playful play is good for him. The Norfolk Terrier is not difficult to housebreak, if you stay on top of him. Follow a routine with him, take him out at the same times daily and he will quickly learn that he needs to go outdoors.
No matter the dog, housebreaking is about routine and watching your dog. He needs to go out after eating, sleeping, and playing. Until he learns and is able to tell you when he needs to go out, you will need to take him out, show him where to go and just be patient. Generally, you want him to use the same spot all the time. Keep him on a leash as well. If you just let him out into the backyard, you won’t know if he has done his business or not.
Have you housebroken a small dog? What sort of things did you find helpful or difficult in your experience? Do you think there are other small hypoallergenic dogs we should add to this list? Share your stories with us!
