On average, house training your puppy can take four to six months of hard work, dedication, and heavy-duty carpet cleaners. However, not all dogs master the art of doing their business outside within a set timeline. Some breeds are especially stubborn or confused by their new set of house rules—and a recent study suggests that smaller dogs are hardest to potty train. Adam Christman, DVM, a veterinarian and content creator, shared in a recent TikTok post that five small breeds stand out for being the least compliant with housebreaking rules. Read on to learn the most difficult dogs to potty train.
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5 | Bichon Frise
Shutterstock / OlgaOvcharenkoThanks to their fluffy, soft, and snowy white coat, Bichon Frises have a reputation for being an especially hygienic and manicured breed. However, Christman says that despite their "adorable" and refined look, they're known to have the rather unhygienic habit of having frequent accidents in the home.
"Bichons have a reputation for being difficult to housebreak. In every other respect, however, they are very easy to train," explains the American Kennel Club (AKC). "They respond very well to training based on positive rewards, rather than harsh or negative methods. A Bichon needs to be with his family, and undesirable behaviors are likely to result if he is regularly left alone for long periods of time."
4 | Jack Russell Terrier
Javier Brosch / ShutterstockThe Jack Russell Terrier is another small dog breed that struggles to potty train on a timeline—and Christman says that its high energy levels and short attention span are most likely to blame.
"These dogs at number four tend to have the attention span of a toddler. They're most easily distracted at school," the vet says.
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3 | Dachshund
Liliya Kulianionak/ShutterstockAccording to the AKC, Dachshunds can also be a challenge to train. "They love to give and receive affection and do best with positive, reward-based training. They are sensitive and will not react well to harsh commands or punishment," their experts note.
Christman agrees that house training can be a challenge for Dachshunds. "These dogs are stubborn. It takes about a year for them to be potty trained," he says. "They melt my soul but they ruin your floors."
2 | Pomeranian
iStockThe AKC describes Pomeranians as "alert" and "highly intelligent," noting that they "excel in activities like agility, rally, and obedience, or working as therapy dogs." However, they also warn that "housebreaking can be a challenge, so consistency and patience are key."
Christman confirms that Pomeranians may ignore your best efforts at potty training, putting the breed second on his list. Despite being cute, your average Pom will "tinkle in your lap and drop some nuggets in your purse," he says.
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1 | Shih Tzu
iStockTaking the number one spot on Christman's list of difficult dogs to potty train is the beloved toy breed, the Shih Tzu. "This is their reaction to you potty training them: 'NO,'" Christman says comically in his post, looking away and feigning disinterest.
The AKC says that though it may take longer to house-train a Shih Tzu, you should be able to make progress with patience and positive reinforcement.
"Training a Shih Tzu can be both an amusing and a frustrating experience," says the organization. "The breed tends to charm his owner into letting him have his own way, which can result in a chubby, less than completely housebroken pet who is difficult to groom."
To see the best results, you should use praise and rewards rather than harsh corrections to reinforce good behavior, the AKC suggests.
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