We know that small breed dogs are truly genuine and that their tiny frame often houses a great personality that blends perfectly and fairly with sweetness, affection, and intelligence.
This is the case of the Yorkshire terrier, a breed originally from Great Britain, which, far from being conceived as a breed of hunters to control certain pests, was conceived to be petted and pampered, which has led to multiple prejudices towards the dogs of this breed, who often lack adequate education.
Key Takeaways
| Aspect | Insight |
|---|---|
| Temperament | Yorkies are energetic, intelligent, territorial but sweet and affectionate, making excellent family pets. |
| Training Importance | Training and setting clear boundaries is crucial to ensure well-behaved Yorkies. |
| Positive Reinforcement | Employing positive reinforcement techniques for training is essential for successful Yorkie upbringing. |
| Continuous Training | Training should be continuous, from puppyhood through adulthood, to maintain a balanced temperament. |
Do you have a Yorkie, or are you thinking of taking in one of them? Then you should know that training is of great importance for this dog. In this article, we give you several tips for raising a Yorkshire Terrier.
The Temperament of the Yorkshire Terrier
Some varieties of Yorkshire do not weigh even 1 kilo in their adulthood. Still, despite this, they are always characterized by having a marked and genuine temperament, of which we can highlight the following features:
- It is a dog full of energy that manifests by jumping, barking, shaking continuously …, etc. The owner must help channel this energy productively to avoid having a hysterical and anxious dog.
- Its nature is neither submissive nor obedient since it possesses a strong territorial instinct.
- It is a brilliant dog with an excellent memory, so it can learn quickly.
- It is sweet and affectionate; it is even considered a prototype of a lap dog. However, it is also very demanding with its owner, needing his contact and presence continuously.
- Their extraordinary auditory system makes them one of the best watchdogs, as do many small breeds.
- It is a home and family dog, so much so that it perceives any change in routine; despite this, you must recognize that most are not patient dogs with children.
- The Yorkshire terrier needs toys, as it loves to play, and its nature is very cheerful.
- They get along well with other pets as long as guidelines for coexistence are established.
You can easily balance their character. However, for this, he needs daily walks.
As we can see, his temperament is very marked and adorable, but this requires that we know how to raise a Yorkshire correctly.
Funny Yorkshire Terrier dog running towards the camera in the grass full of dandelions in the backyard.
The Yorkshire is a dog, not a little child.
One of the main problems we find when talking about the Yorkshire Terrier training is precisely their sweetness, affection, and truly adorable expression, which, together with its tiny size, make this dog an ideal pet pamper and pamper.
Many of the behavioral problems of this breed are given by the owners’ attitude, who treat their pets as if they were small children when they are dogs that we harm on numerous occasions by wanting to humanize them.
To discipline a Yorkshire Terrier and stand firm against its adorable expression, we must be clear about the following:
It is a capricious dog, so to educate it, it is necessary not to spoil it.
We must not pamper them excessively; he needs affection, but not as much as a baby may need.
We must not give in to them when he asks us for love, but we must give it to them when they deserve it.
Due to the characteristics of Yorkshire, meeting these premises can be difficult, but it is necessary.
Positive Reinforcement
All dogs need to learn through positive reinforcement, which we could sum up as follows: don’t scold for mistakes and reward for successes.
Positive reinforcement consists of rewarding our dog with affectionate words or canine treats (or all these stimuli in parallel) when he has appropriately executed order.
On the contrary, to train a Yorkshire Terrier, you should not hit them (obviously), and you should not yell at them since this will put them in a state of stress and anxiety that will not allow them good learning.
What is very important is that you show yourself as an unbending owner who can dominate the situation and maintains his position. For example, if you want your pet not to get on the sofa, do not let them perform this action under any circumstances. If you allow them to exceed that limit one day, he will likely do it again even if you do not consent to it.
Remember, with a Yorkshire, it is important to clearly mark the limits and not give in once established.
Walking the Yorkshire
To start your pet on his daily walks, you must get used to it progressively; in this way, you can fully enjoy the walks since you will educate the Yorkshire.
First, you must get them used to using the collar, putting it on from the first stages so that he can feel comfortable with it, and only when he has become accustomed to noticing the collar will we proceed to place the leash and take them out for a walk.
Let the dog move freely on the leash so that he experiences the sensation; then, you should teach them the basic command “come.”
To avoid unwanted jerks during the walk, you must teach them to walk next to you, so you should keep his head close to your leg.
Avoid Dangerous Ingestions
It is essential to train your Yorkshire to avoid any accidental ingestion that could harm them since they are very active and energetic dogs. Their eagerness to discover their environment can damage many objects, or what is worse, damage themselves.
To do this, you must work with edible treats, which you will leave on the ground to teach the order “leave it,” in this way, the dog will learn to keep its distance from the possible objects that it could find.
Never Stop Training Your Yorkie
We believe that Yorkshire education is a process that takes place only during the puppy stage. Still, it would help if you also reinforced its behavior during the adult stage to maintain the balance of its temperament.
The Yorkshire is a very familiar dog, so if you are willing to take one of them, we recommend that you inform yourself as much as possible about separation anxiety. Finally, we complement all the information that we have given you with various training tricks. Canine.
Final Thoughts
Raising a Yorkshire Terrier successfully involves understanding their specific breed needs. Implementing yorkie obedience training early on is key for good behavior. Also, considering their grooming needs, including using the right yorkie hair care techniques, is essential for their well-being. Additionally, exploring yorkie toy selections can aid in providing mental and physical stimulation.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I control my Yorkie’s barking?
Training, positive reinforcement, and ensuring your Yorkie is well-exercised and mentally stimulated can help control excessive barking.
How to make walks enjoyable for my Yorkie?
Gradual leash training, teaching basic commands like “come”, and ensuring a comfortable collar or harness can make walks enjoyable.
How to ensure my Yorkie’s safety during walks?
Training your Yorkie to avoid dangerous ingestions and to stay close by during walks can ensure their safety.
As a lifelong dog lover, I fell in love with Yorkies for their spunky personalities, intelligence, and unwavering loyalty.
As a dedicated Yorkie owner, I have spent years learning about the breed and how to provide the best possible care for them. From finding the proper diet to exercise, and so much more! I take every aspect of my Yorkie’s life seriously.
In addition to being a loving dog parent, I’m an avid blogger, sharing my experiences and insights on all things Yorkie-related. From training tips to grooming advice, Yorkieclothing.com is a go-to resource for other Yorkie owners worldwide.
