Let’s be honest about something most new dog owners don’t discover until it’s too late. Those adorable little pups you see in Instagram photos and puppy store windows? Some of them come with a dirty little secret that nobody talks about at dinner parties. While you’re picturing cozy cuddles and sweet companionship, what you might actually get is months of cleaning accidents off your carpet at two in the morning.
Small dog breeds have earned quite the reputation when it comes to housebreaking challenges. It’s not that they’re less intelligent than their larger cousins. The reality is far more complicated, involving biology, behavior, and honestly, a bit of human error mixed in. Some tiny breeds are naturally stubborn, while others simply have bladders the size of walnuts. Ready to find out which petite pups might turn your beautiful home into an obstacle course of puppy pads and enzymatic cleaners?
1. Shih Tzu: The Charming Rebel
The Shih Tzu takes the number one spot on the list of difficult dogs to potty train. These fluffy little aristocrats have mastered the art of looking innocent while completely ignoring your best training efforts. The breed tends to charm his owner into letting him have his own way, which creates a perfect storm for housebreaking disasters.
Their stubbornness isn’t malicious, though. These dogs are charming and amusing, but training them can be frustrating, as these little dogs love to have their own way. What makes things even trickier is their sensitivity to weather conditions. Rain or cold temperatures? Forget it. Your Shih Tzu will stage a protest worthy of a labor union before stepping one paw outside.
2. Yorkshire Terrier: The Stubborn Sweetheart
Yorkshire terriers can be tough to potty train and are especially difficult to convince to go outside to do their business when it’s wet or cold out. These feisty little dogs pack enormous personality into a tiny frame, which unfortunately includes a hefty dose of independence.
Yorkies may have a stubborn streak when it comes to housebreaking, requiring owners to maintain unwavering consistency. Small dogs are harder to house train because they have smaller bladders, higher relative metabolisms, less bowel control and they tend to be more difficult to monitor. The challenge multiplies when you realize how easily these tiny dogs can sneak behind furniture to do their business undetected.
3. Pomeranian: The Tiny Troublemaker
Pomeranians may ignore your best efforts at potty training, despite being described as alert and highly intelligent. These fluffy clouds of attitude have personalities that far exceed their diminutive size. Their personalities can make them hard to train, and when you combine that with extra small bladders that can’t hold it for long, it makes training even harder.
What’s particularly frustrating about Pomeranians is their selective obedience. They’ll learn tricks and commands when it suits them, showing off their intelligence. Potty training, however? That’s apparently beneath their royal status. Consistency becomes your only weapon against these adorable dictators.
4. Chihuahua: The Defiant Diva
Here’s the thing about Chihuahuas. Chihuahuas are known for urinating whenever and wherever they feel like it because they know that they’ll get away with it. These pint-sized pups have figured out something crucial: when you’re small enough to fit in a purse, the rules somehow don’t apply the same way.
Chihuahuas can also be challenging to potty train because they hate going outside when it’s too cold or wet out. Their tiny bodies lose heat quickly, making them genuinely uncomfortable in less-than-perfect weather. These feisty little pups are renowned for peeing whenever and wherever they want to, purely because they know they’ll probably get away with it, and they also hate getting cold and wet.
5. Bichon Frise: The Independent Spirit
Bichons have a reputation for being difficult to housebreak, though in every other respect they are very easy to train. This paradox confuses many owners who watch their Bichons master complex tricks while still having accidents in the house. The breed is fiercely independent and tends to be picky about going outside when it’s rainy or cold out.
Their fluffy white coats might suggest they’re delicate souls needing protection, which is partly true. These dogs genuinely dislike unpleasant weather conditions, viewing rain as a personal affront. Patience and positive reinforcement are essential, though even then, some Bichons maintain a lifelong selective approach to where they do their business.
6. Jack Russell Terrier: The Distracted Dynamo
The Jack Russell Terrier is a small dog breed that struggles to potty train on a timeline, with high energy levels and short attention span most likely to blame. These dogs aren’t being deliberately difficult. Their brains are simply wired for constant motion and excitement, making the concept of routine bathroom breaks feel impossibly dull.
The Jack Russell is not only stubborn but also fiercely independent, and anyone who has owned one will know how tricky the dog is to train in the art of anything. They’d rather chase a squirrel, investigate a sound, or invent a new game than stop for something as mundane as eliminating outdoors. Their intelligence works against you here, as they’re smart enough to know what you want but independent enough not to care.
7. Dachshund: The Stubborn Sausage
Dachshunds can be a stubborn breed, and they tend to get defensive when they are pushed to do something they don’t want to do. These low-riding pups were originally bred to hunt badgers in underground tunnels, which required serious determination and independence. That same tenacity makes housebreaking feel like negotiating with a tiny, furry lawyer.
Dachshunds are often ranked the hardest breed to potty train, closely followed by Jack Russell Terriers and Basset Hounds, with their small bladders, stubborn streak, and dislike for cold or wet weather making accidents common. Rain sends them into protest mode, and their long bodies positioned close to cold, wet ground make their reluctance somewhat understandable. Still doesn’t make cleaning up any easier, though.
8. Pekingese: The Imperial Holdout
It can take a while for a Pekingese to get to grips with where to toilet, and as a very petite breed too, they may need to go more frequently than larger breeds. These ancient Chinese breeds were literally bred to be companions for royalty, which might explain their rather entitled approach to housebreaking rules. They seem genuinely puzzled by the concept that certain areas are off-limits.
Pekingese puppies, as small toy dogs, are known to need frequent toileting breaks due to their petite size, and their training is often overlooked because of their size and cute appearance. Their lower ranking in canine intelligence studies doesn’t help matters, requiring patient, consistent training with frequent outdoor opportunities. Expect this process to take considerably longer than with more eager-to-please breeds.
9. Beagle: The Scent-Obsessed Wanderer
Beagles present a unique challenge in the housebreaking department. Beagles don’t rank very highly on the canine intelligence spectrum for working ability, and they tend to be excitable dogs with a short attention span that tend to get easily distracted. Take them outside for a bathroom break, and suddenly every blade of grass needs thorough investigation.
Beagles are working dogs and scent hounds, which means these pups are very easily distracted and have a somewhat short attention span, and they can also have a rather selective memory when it comes to learning. Their noses run their lives, leading them on olfactory adventures when they should be focusing on the task at hand. Training requires incredible patience and possibly treats that smell more interesting than whatever distraction caught their attention.
10. Brussels Griffon: The Sensitive Companion
Brussels Griffons have a high degree of intelligence and bond strongly with their owners, which makes them easy to train, however, as with many toy breeds, housebreaking may take some extra time and effort. This contradiction frustrates many owners who struggle to understand why their smart, devoted companion keeps having accidents.
The Brussels Griffon has a reputation for bonding very strongly with their owners, but as with many toy dog breeds, potty training can take more time and effort. Their small size means their bladders simply cannot hold much, requiring more frequent trips outside than larger breeds. Their sensitive nature also means harsh corrections backfire spectacularly, requiring a gentle, positive approach that extends the training timeline considerably.
Conclusion
Housebreaking small dogs isn’t impossible, just significantly more challenging than most people anticipate. Potty training smaller dogs can be difficult, but not impossible, and some small breed dogs take longer to be completely housebroken than other types of dogs, though with patience and perseverance, even the smallest of dogs can be housebroken. The key lies in understanding that these challenges stem from genuine physical and behavioral factors, not stupidity or spite.
Whether it’s tiny bladders, stubborn personalities, weather sensitivity, or easily distracted minds, each of these breeds requires a customized approach and realistic expectations. Success depends on consistency, patience, and accepting that some dogs may take six months or longer to fully grasp the concept. The reward for your perseverance? A loving companion who finally understands where the bathroom belongs.
Did your breed make the list? What’s been your biggest housebreaking challenge?
