The Yorkshire Terrier is one of the most popular dog breeds in the world.The Yorkie is a first-rate watchdog despite its size.Yorkshire Terriers must be trained in basic commands or they will become uncontrollable pets.If you want to train a Yorkie, you'll find an eager student that grasps most of the basic commands quickly.
Step 1: You should get to know the breed.
Yorkshire terriers are small dogs and originated from working dogs.They have the temperament of a big dog in a small dog's body and can be strong willed.Yorkshire terriers have a lot of intelligence.Some are quick learners while others are slow.By how quickly your Yorkie picks up basic commands, you will find out if you have a quick learner.Don't worry if your Yorkie is a slow learner.You need to be patient and expect to repeat the same exercises many times.
Step 2: The harness should be lightweight.
If you want to attach the leash to your dog's collar, you should use a lightweight harness, because Yorkies are so small.In order to keep identification tags on your dog, you need to use a lightweight collar, and you should be able to insert a finger or two between the collar and the dog's neck to make it not too tight.
Step 3: Positive reinforcement has many benefits.
Reward-based training works well for dogs.The principle behind this is that a good behavior is immediately rewarded with praise and a treat, which makes the dog associate the behavior with the reward.In order to continue receiving the reward, the dog will want to repeat the behavior.Don't over feed when using treats to reward behavior.Extra calories from the treats do not make your dog overweight if you cut back on the amount of meals you give.As your dog masters a behavior or command, you can cut back on treats.Give your Yorkie a treat every fourth or fifth time, instead of every single time.If you still praise the obedient, this won't weaken the training.
Step 4: Consider using clicker training.
Clicker training is a good way to reward good behavior.This involves using a small device that makes a clicking noise to mark the exact moment.By training your dog to associate a click with praise and a treat, you can mark good behavior with the clicker and give the reward.The click noise makes it easier for your Yorkie to understand good behavior.You can find more information on clicker training in How to Clicker Train Your Dog.
Step 5: Don't punish your Yorkie.
Negative attention is not an effective deterrent for dogs.Giving your dog a scolding is rewarding it with attention in its eyes.If you ignore bad behavior, your dog will bore it and stop repeating it.
Step 6: Don't reward your Yorkie for bad behaviors.
While ignoring bad behavior is the most effective method for most behaviors, this won't stop your Yorkie from chewing on your favorite pair of shoes.Try to distract the dog without paying attention to the bad behavior.You could accidentally kick your dog's favorite chew toy and say "Oops" to draw attention to it.Pick up your dog and the toy and put them in a different room away from the inappropriate object.If you can, you should put Yorkie-proof areas of your home to which your dog can access.Yorkies can get into trouble if they can't reach very high.Don't forget the effectiveness of baby gates for a small dog and keep dangling cords, houseplants, clothes, and food out of reach.
Step 7: Consider using a crate for training.
Like other dog breeds, Yorkies are den animals and take to comfortable crates as safe places.Since dogs try to hold their bladders in order not to go in their dens proper crate training is important when house training your Yorkie.Don't force your Yorkie into the crate or use it as a timeout spot.When the crate is enjoyable for your dog, crate training works.How to crate train your dog or puppy explains the steps involved in crate training.
Step 8: Stay consistent with training.
Set clear boundaries about what the dog can and can't do.If you don't allow your Yorkie to jump up onto the sofa, then this must be the rule at all times.It will only confuse your pup if you allow the dog up intermittently.
Step 9: Negative markers can be used.
You can let your Yorkie know that he or she is about to make a mistake by making a noise in a disapproving tone, which is called a negative marker.A negative marker is never punished.The dog can change and make the right decision if it knows how to behave.The "stay" command is an example.The information that standing is incorrect is provided by a brief disapproving "uh uh" if your dog stands from sit.
Step 10: When training Yorkies, keep sessions brief.
Yorkies have a short attention span.Train only once at a time.There are different lengths of training sessions for individuals.Little and often is best as a guide.You can spread the sessions out through the day.Every interaction with your dog is an opportunity for training.If you want to get your dog to sit, reward it with a meal.Your dog should have a good command of "sit" before you link "stay" to it.
Step 11: Your dog should be shown the correct spot to go.
Consistency is important when training your Yorkie.Pick a specific spot where you want your dog to pee to help him or her get to the bathroom.
Step 12: It's a good idea to take your Yorkie to the designated spot a lot.
The first few instances of your dog toileting in the correct spot will be a matter of location.Provide plenty of praise and a treat for the happy coincidence to help your dog understand that it is the correct behavior.For a puppy, this is as often as every twenty minutes when the dog hasn't been gone recently, as well as first thing in the morning, last thing at night, and after every meal.This can be after sleep and after meals for an adult dog.
Step 13: Do not punish your dog for accidents.
When it comes to house training, punishment is not an effective deterrent for your Yorkie.If you punish your dog, he will be wary of you and will try to find more hidden places in the house.Rub your dog's nose in the mess.This isn't an effective deterrent.Your dog won't understand why you're doing it.
Step 14: Make sure to clean any messes thoroughly.
Your dog will be drawn back to the messes you left when he smells them.To get rid of the smell that draws the dog back, use an enzymatic cleaner.The house-training process will be easier for both of you.
Step 15: Your dog has a crate.
If you crate train your Yorkie, make sure you use it for toilet training.Your Yorkie will be more likely to hold on and go in the yard if you have a crate.
Step 16: Look for signs from your dog.
Your Yorkie will want to obey when he or she learns that going in the correct place means a reward.It is not easy for your dog to tell you that it is time to leave.You have to offer your dog help in this arena by watching for telltale pacing, waiting by the door you use to take the dog out, and other things.The entire house-training process can be found at How to House Train a Puppy.
Step 17: It's best to minimize distraction initially.
A room at home or in the yard is a good place to start training.As your dog learns to respond to commands, be sure to vary the training spot.You don't want your Yorkie to think that "sit in front of the apple tree" is a specific command.Slowly introduce the commands to your dog in busy areas.Ensuring that your Yorkie will still obey the commands even when people and other dogs are around is the ultimate goal.The amount of time this takes depends on your dog's personality.Since the chances of losing focus will be high at first, you should have your dog on a leash.
Step 18: The Yorkie should be taught the "here" command.
When the dog is already moving toward you, you will have to help him or her out by using the here command.Give the reward if you use your clicker to mark the action.You can start to command "here" when your dog isn't moving towards you after you've created a strong association between the two things.If your dog does not obey, do not repeat the command.Wait until the dog comes towards you to issue it.When your dog is standing still or moving away, try again to issue the command.It can be difficult.Stay patient, don't punish, and always reward your Yorkie when he or she finally comes to you.
Step 19: The Yorkie should be taught to sit.
The treat should be placed in the corner of the room.Don't eat the treat if the dog sniffs it.The treat should be raised so that the dog's nose goes up and the bottom goes down.As his or her bottom hits the ground, click the clicker and give plenty of praise and a treat.Before raising the treat above your dog's head, add the "sit" command and repeat the exercise often.This process will be repeated many times before it is fully registered with your Yorkie.As he or she starts to respond to the command to sit, you can stop rewarding each individual instance and make the reward a bit less predictable, which will prevent overfeeding while still keeping your pup working toward the rewards.It's ideal to reward every fourth or fifth sit.
Step 20: You should teach your Yorkie to shake.
Put your dog in that position.Pick up one of your dog's legs at the elbow and place your hand around his or her wrist.Then offer praise and treats.If you are training for the clicker, remember to use it.Introduce a simple command like "shake" when your Yorkie begins to understand the trick.When your dog understands the expected behavior, repeat the action often.
Step 21: The Yorkie should be taught to roll over.
With your Yorkie in a prone position, take a treat and hold it next to the dog.Continue to bring the treat back around the dog as he or she turns toward it.Your Yorkie will roll when he or she follows the treat with his or her head.If you use clicker training, make sure you click and give plenty of praise and a treat.As your dog begins to understand the trick, introduce a simple command as you do it, such as "roll." Initially, you may want to keep the hand not holding the treat on your Yorkie's rump to prevent the dog from standing up.
Step 22: You can teach your Yorkie other commands.
After your Yorkie masters basic, important ones, you can use the same training process for additional commands.Find ways to make happy coincidences of the behavior while marking it with your clicker and giving plenty of praise and a treat.You can apply your desired command to the behavior after many repetition.Remember to be patient.It still takes time for your Yorkie to learn.You can find more information at How to teach your dog basic commands.