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 tendency to become tired after periods of vigorous activity.
