Crate Training Yorkshire Terrier: A Step-by-Step Guide for Beginners

By Caleb Morgan

Crate training a Yorkshire Terrier takes patience, but it is very doable with a calm, consistent plan. In this guide, you will learn how to pick the right size crate for a small dog, introduce your Yorkie so the crate feels like a safe den, build up alone time in short steps, and handle the nighttime fuss that trips up so many new owners. By the end, your Yorkie should walk into the crate willingly and settle without drama.

Yorkies are small, alert, and often very attached to their people. Those traits make them wonderful companions, but they can also make crate training feel harder than it does with a sturdier breed. Many Yorkie owners find that the dog is not really “difficult.” The puppy simply has not yet learned that the crate is a quiet place where good things happen. Break the process into small wins, and most small dogs adjust well.

Why Crate Training Matters for a Yorkshire Terrier

A crate gives your Yorkie a predictable den-like space. It helps with housetraining because most dogs avoid soiling where they sleep. It also keeps a tiny puppy out of trouble when you cannot supervise, away from electrical cords, dropped medications, and the hazards of a busy kitchen. Crates are useful for car rides, vet visits, and quiet time when guests arrive.

Yorkies also face some specific challenges. Their small body size means they can get chilled more easily, and they often have a strong attachment to a single person. Good crate training should never be used as punishment or as a substitute for daily companionship. A crate is a tool, and it works best when your Yorkie also gets exercise, play, and social time.

Choosing the Right Crate Size for a Yorkie

Size is one of the most important factors. A crate that is too large can let a puppy use one corner as a bathroom and the other as a bed, which undermines housetraining. A crate that is too small is uncomfortable and can cause stress. For detailed steps, see How to Measure Your Dog for a Crate and Sizing a Crate for an Adult Dog.

As a general rule for an adult Yorkie, the crate should be long enough for your dog to stand, turn around, and lie down stretched out, but not much larger than that. Measure your dog from nose to base of tail, and measure height from the floor to the top of the head while standing. Add a few inches to each measurement for comfort. Many Yorkie owners end up with a crate in the 18 to 24 inch range, though the exact size depends on the individual dog.

Puppies and Growing Room

Puppies grow quickly, but a large crate in the early weeks can cause housetraining setbacks. A divider panel lets you shrink the space and expand it as your puppy grows. See Crate Divider Panels: Letting a Crate Grow for how these work. Avoid making the space so large that the puppy can eliminate in one corner and sleep in another.

Choosing a Crate Style

Wire crates offer good airflow and visibility, which many Yorkies find less intimidating than a closed box. Plastic crates feel more den-like and suit travel. Soft-sided crates are lightweight but are not a good choice for a dog that chews or tries to escape. Compare your options in Dog Crate Types Compared: Wire, Plastic, Soft, Heavy-Duty and Dog Crate Materials Compared: Wire, Plastic, Fabric.

Gear You Will Need Before You Start

Gather your supplies before the first session so you are not scrambling mid-training. A simple setup goes a long way.

• A crate sized for your adult Yorkie or fitted with a divider for a puppy
• A washable mat or thin bedding that is easy to clean
• A soft blanket or towel that smells like home
• Small, high-value treats such as freeze-dried liver or tiny training bits
• A safe chew item that stays inside the crate
• A water bowl that attaches to the wire or sits flat and will not tip
• A timer or clock for tracking alone time

For more on making the space appealing, read Making a Dog Crate Comfortable and Safe and Crate Mats and Bedding: When to Add Them.

Step-by-Step Crate Training Plan

Work through these stages at your Yorkie’s pace. If your dog shows stress, go back a step and keep sessions shorter. A general overview of the process is available in How to Crate Train a Dog: A Humane Step-by-Step Plan.

1. Make the crate a good place. Leave the door open, put a few treats inside, and let your Yorkie walk in and out freely. Feed meals near or inside the crate so it becomes associated with good things.
2. Add the door closing briefly. While your dog is eating a meal inside, close the door for a few seconds, then open it before any fuss starts. Gradually increase the time while your dog is calm.
3. Build up alone time. Once your dog stays relaxed with the door closed for several minutes, step a few feet away. Return before your dog gets anxious, and reward calm behavior.
4. Extend the duration. Increase the time in small increments over days or weeks. Many small puppies can manage short naps in the crate within the first week or two, but full-length absences take longer.
5. Practice leaving the room. Move out of sight, wait briefly, and return. Gradually increase the distance and time.
6. Introduce a routine. Use the crate for naps, meals, and short rest periods throughout the day so your Yorkie learns it is a normal part of life, not only a sign you are leaving.

Sample Weekly Progression

Treat these numbers as a rough guide. A confident adult Yorkie may move through stages in days, while a nervous puppy may need several weeks at one stage. Progress is measured by calm behavior, not by the calendar.

Handling Crying and Nighttime Settling

Whining is common, especially in the first few nights. Before responding, ask whether your Yorkie needs a potty break, water, or a bit of comfort. Then follow a calm routine. The details are covered in Crate Training at Night: A Calm Routine.

If your puppy needs to go out during the night, keep trips quiet and brief. Use dim light, skip play, and return your Yorkie to the crate right away. Avoid letting the dog out every time it whines, or it will learn that crying works. For puppies, a predictable schedule of potty breaks is usually more effective than guessing.

Positive Reinforcement and Patience

Rewards should be immediate, frequent, and tied to calm behavior. Toss a treat in, praise quietly when your dog settles, and keep your own energy low when leaving or returning. Excessive excitement at departures and arrivals can make a Yorkie anxious. More detail on this approach is in Positive Crate Training: Rewards and Patience.

Common Mistakes

• Using a crate that is far too large, which encourages accidents
• Moving too fast and skipping stages when the dog is still anxious
• Letting the dog out the moment it cries, which teaches crying as a tool
• Using the crate as punishment
• Leaving water or food bowls that spill or tip, which can soak bedding
• Using a soft crate for a dog that chews or tries to escape
• Leaving a puppy in the crate for longer than it can reasonably hold its bladder

A longer list of pitfalls appears in Common Crate Training Mistakes to Avoid. For bowls, see Water and Food Bowls in the Crate: What to Know.

Tips for Success

• Keep sessions short and end on a calm moment
• Use the same cue word each time, such as “crate” or “bed”
• Exercise and play before alone time so your Yorkie is ready to rest
• Keep the crate in a quiet area of the home where your Yorkie still feels included
• Clean the crate regularly; guidance is in Cleaning a Dog Crate: Supplies and Safe Steps
• Plan for travel by reviewing Travel Dog Crates: Car and Air Travel Rules before trips

Do not place the crate near heaters, in direct sun, or where a curious puppy can reach cords. If your Yorkie is showing extreme distress, or if the crate training seems to cause panic, consult your veterinarian or a certified professional dog trainer for help.

Recommended gear

Crate-friendly accessories can make the early weeks smoother. Choose options that are sturdy, easy to clean, and sized correctly for a small dog.

• Divider panel for a wire crate: Lets you size the space for a growing puppy, which helps with housetraining. View on Amazon
• Washable crate mat: Gives a comfortable, easy-to-clean surface that holds up to frequent accidents. View on Amazon
• Crate-safe water bowl: A bowl that attaches to the crate wall so it stays upright and spill-resistant. View on Amazon

FAQ

How long does it take to crate train a Yorkshire Terrier?

Many Yorkies accept the crate for short periods within a week or two of consistent practice. Overnight comfort and longer absences often take several weeks. Progress depends on age, past experience, and how much you practice.

Is it cruel to crate train a Yorkie?

Crate training is humane when done gradually, with rewards, appropriate time limits, and plenty of companionship outside the crate. It becomes a problem when it is used as punishment or when dogs are left confined for too long.

How long can a Yorkie puppy stay in a crate?

A general guideline is about one hour per month of age, with a practical maximum of several hours during the day and breaks for potty and play. Very young puppies need more frequent breaks. Your veterinarian can advise for your specific puppy.

My Yorkie cries in the crate. What should I do?

First rule out bathroom needs, thirst, or discomfort. Then reduce the duration of your absences and reward quiet moments. Avoid letting your dog out during fussing, as this can reinforce the behavior.

Should I cover the crate at night?

Some Yorkies settle better with a covered crate because it feels more den-like. Make sure there is airflow and that the cover does not block ventilation. See Dog Crate Covers: Den Feel, Airflow and Safety for details.

Can I use a soft-sided crate for my Yorkie?

Soft crates can work for calm adult dogs that do not chew or escape. They are generally not recommended for puppies or dogs still learning. Review Soft-Sided Dog Crates: Where They Fit before choosing one.

What if my Yorkie refuses to go into the crate at all?

Go back to the earliest step, where the crate is simply a place for treats and meals with the door open. Progress only when your dog walks in calmly. If refusal continues, a professional trainer or veterinarian can help rule out pain or anxiety.

Conclusion

Crate training a Yorkshire Terrier comes down to the right size, gradual steps, rewards for calm behavior, and a predictable routine. Start with positive associations, build up alone time slowly, and handle nighttime needs with care. With consistent practice, your Yorkie can learn that the crate is a safe, comfortable place to rest.

About Caleb Morgan

Caleb Morgan is part of our editorial team and reviews and edits our dogs & puppies guides, checking product details against manufacturer specifications and owner feedback.