The Yorkshire Terrier, which is most commonly referred to as a “Yorkie”, is a dog breed that has been popular among many small dog lovers worldwide. Yorkies are often called one of the most adorable “miniature” dog breeds, due to their tiny facial features and characteristic silky coats. They have a reputation for being a very brave dog breed, which is in direct contrast to their small size. However, when understanding how to train a Yorkie efficiently, you need to have a more detailed knowledge of the particular traits of this unique breed. Yorkies are usually bred as either as show dogs, or as a lovable household companion. Here is some information about Yorkie training which will help you find the best method to use when training your Yorkie.
How to Train a Yorkie Puppy
Training a Yorkie puppy requires that you have a lot of patience, since some Yorkie puppies may be easily distracted during initial training. Yorkie puppies may also get tired quickly during training sessions, due to their small size. It’s best to begin Yorkie training as soon as you can, since the earlier you train, the better your chances of success. Yorkie puppies are already learning much about the world around them, and will be easier to train at a young age.
Since Yorkie puppies will retain their puppy teeth (in most cases), try to understand your Yorkie’s discomfort if they are experiencing dental problems. Some ill-tempered Yorkies are only grumpy because they are in pain, which can make training very difficult. This is especially true with Yorkie Puppies.
Begin by teaching your Yorkie puppy his or her name, since this is the first step in most basic training programs. Repeat the name while keeping your Yorkie puppy’s attention with a treat or interesting toy, since paying attention is difficult for the curious nature of a Yorkie puppy. Once your Yorkie puppy understands the sound of their name (and that paying attention to you produces rewards), you will have a much easier time training in some of the more complicated commands. The first command you should focus on is the “Come” or “Here” command, which is sometimes referred to as your “Recall” command. This command is what gives you control over your Yorkie’s behavior while attempting to instruct in some of the more complicated training commands.
How to Crate Train a Yorkie
Crate training a Yorkie can either be fairly simple, or a bit difficult. It seems that this is dependent a bit on how well a Yorkie is socialized, as well as how they are able to deal with being in an enclosed space. Since some Yorkies are prone to developing separation anxiety, try to choose an area for your Yorkie’s crate that is in a room where there are constantly other people or animals present. This will help your Yorkie to better deal with feelings of anxiety, loneliness or claustrophobia that may surface while confined to a crate.
Yorkies are generally referred to as a miniature breed, and remain small during their adult lives. Choose a small crate that is big enough for your Yorkie to sleep in, but not too large so that they are able to walk around. Place bedding material in the bottom of the crate, as well as some toys or treats to capture your Yorkie’s attention.
How to House Train a Yorkie
Yorkies can be difficult to house train, especially if they display anxious or fearful behavior while in your home. Be gentle with your Yorkie, allowing them time to become accustomed to being in your home. However, it’s also best if you begin house training as soon as possible, since this can make life much easier, both for you and your Yorkie. Young Yorkies don’t have fully developed kidneys, so it’s important to be aware of your Yorkie’s behavior. In most cases, a Yorkie is able to be fully potty trained by the time they are five or six months old. Before this time, however, it’s important that you are patient with your Yorkie puppy.
Yorkie Training Tips
Yorkies are a “bold” breed, and may get into dangerous situations if not closely supervised. Yorkies may not be able to interact well with other dogs, especially dogs that are quite a bit larger than they are. The instinct of a Yorkie is to protect their owner, despite their small size. If you have any other dogs, be sure to be gentle about introducing them to your Yorkie. Yorkies are very loyal, and will be easy to train as long as you use a training program that incorporates positive reinforcement. You can give treats to your Yorkie, but be sure not to overfeed them. Yorkies can become overweight, especially due to their ability to become tired after periods of vigorous activity.
5 Responses to “Yorkie Training – How to train a Yorkie”
Hi there, I am fostering an adult female yorkie, approx 2 years old, and am having some confusion about how to train her. I have only had her for two nights now and I am not sure what I should start with. I bought her a little bed to sleep in outside of her crate and a little blanket to put in the crate. And her crate is more of a carrying case and not like a crate that I have used before, will this still work for when I leave the house for long periods of time? So far she wants nothing to do with the current crate,as I tried to put her in it last night and she freaked. She has had a few accidents in the house which I believe are factors of a new routine and environment. But I am not sure what to do with her while I am in class and at work. Also, I am not sure if I want her to be in the crate at night while she sleeps, just in her own bed would be ideal. Already she has become very attached and won’t leave my side and wants to sleep with me and my boyfriend but we are both tossers and the bed is small enough as it is. Is this possible?
Its helpful but my yorkie is not listening. She just wants the treat. What should i do?
Hi i was wondering if you could give a little more idvice on the crate training i have a yorkie and he hates his crate. any ideas?
Hello jenny, Crate training your Yorkshire terrier is neither punishment nor cruel. The crates provide the Yorkies with a safe place to retreat to and curl up, adjust to new surroundings, sleep, a place to escape confusion, and give the dog a sense of security when left home alone. To many Yorkies, a crate is their own indoor house. For a Yorkie owner, confining their puppy to a crate is a great housetraining aid that gives them peace of mind when sleeping or away. The owner knows their puppy cannot destroy or chew anything such as the furniture, form destructive habits, hurt itself, or end up in a dangerous situation, which could injure the Yorkie puppy. It also helps to speed up housebreaking the puppy. You should never use a crate for punishment or as a replacement for human companionship but as a place for your Yorkshire terrier to feel safe and secure.
A wire dog crate provides your Yorkie with maximum security, ventilation, and portability. Many fold down or collapse so they are easy to store and their openness makes them easy to clean. Purchase a crate that is large enough for your Yorkie puppy to turn around, stand up, lie down and stretch out when fully grown or approximately one and a half times the size of an adult Yorkshire terrier. If the crate is too large, your puppy may pick one corner to use as a toilet area and sleep in the other corner. There are crate partitions available that you move as the puppy grows. Put some washable, soft bedding in the bottom of the crate to make it comfortable and warm. Never punish your puppy if it eliminates in its crate as accidents do happen occasionally. Remember that young puppies have very small bladder capacities. Never put your puppy in the crate with a dog collar on, as there is always a possibility of it catching on the cage and choking or trapping your pet.
Your Yorkie puppy should rest or sleep in its crate from the start and will naturally begin to seek safety and security there when he wants to be alone or is sleepy. Put the crate in an area such as the kitchen, family room, or bedroom, where the puppy is not completely isolated from the family. When introducing the puppy to its new crate or ‘home’, take it slowly and never force your Yorkie into it, as this could frighten the dog. Instead, try either tossing a treat or toy into the crate to get the puppy used to going inside or try coaxing it with bits of food. The puppy may be hesitant at first but keep encouraging him and be sure to make a fuss and praise him when he does go into the crate. It will not be long before your Yorkie puppy is comfortable walking in and out. Next, start putting your Yorkie puppy into the crate for a very short length of time and leave the room. Slowly increase the length of time but be sure to give him a few safe toys to play with and water. Keep your puppy crated all night and do not feed or give them water late in the evening. Some people move the crate to their bedroom at night, so the puppy is not lonely and they hear him if he needs to go out. If your puppy starts getting restless or whimpering during the night, take him outside to go potty.
Start very slowly – first leave the crate so if she wants to go in and rest, then that would be great. Then toss her favorite treat in there so she goes in to retrieve it. She may run out right after but then she will associate the crate with a treat (positive reinforcement).
When she falls asleep, slowly move her into the crate and if she does not wake up, then great. If she does, then offer her a treat while she’s in there. Once she finishes eating it, she may want to go out so just let her out.
After awhile, she may go in there by herself. But if she does not, put her in the crate with a treat, her favorite toy and put it under the dinning room table while you are sitting down to eat your dinner and stick your feet in the slot so she feels that she is right next to you