Yorkshire Terrier Training Guide
This popular breed, with its beautiful silky coat, is a favorite with families and can be excellent for those with apartments and smaller homes.
However, just because the Yorkshire Terrier is in the toy dog class, with short legs, does not mean your pet can get by without some training and exercise.
How to Train Yorkshire Terrier
As with any purebred dog, the best place to start is with a top-quality breeder, one who will only offer the healthy, well-socialized puppies. Young dogs from good breeders will be energetic, active, and curious, but at the same time, these dogs will be comfortable around humans and other dogs because the breeder makes sure that his system produces such puppies. This will get the new owner off to a great start with a Yorkshire Terrier puppy.
Yorkshire Terriers can be a bit difficult to housebreak and some owners report that even after the pet is part of the family for several years, there are times when the dog will not go outside. There is a stubborn streak in some terriers so new owners should be prepared for this, at least to the point of expecting it to happen and not overreacting when it does.
Puppies often take about six months to get used to the housebreaking expectations and Yorkshire Terriers, being willful, may take a little longer. A good place to start would be to set off a puppy zone that is meant for use by the pet when you are not at home.
We recommend crate training as a way to house train your Yorkie. This training method is the safe area the Yorkshire Terrier will go to, even when you are not around. Dogs naturally want to keep their “den” clean and gradually introducing the crate as your pet’s home and safe area can accomplish this.
Having such an area or room in the home will eliminate bigger housebreaking problems. The key to housetraining a new puppy is to prevent the “accidents” rather than punishment after the fact. Some trainers and experienced owners report that constant supervision is necessary and getting in tune with the pet’s habits are necessary.
Nevertheless, the new owner should not look at the crate as a means of punishment for the dog. In fact, it is good to leave the door open so the pet can move in and out when it wants, without being forced.
It is also important to keep food and water close, while enticing the pet into the crate using a soft blanket for sleeping and with treats placed near the back of the crate. Your Yorkie should never be left in the crate for long periods, especially when you are away from home. In addition, the Yorkie should not be left outside for a long time.
Contrary to some opinions, Yorkshire Terriers can be very good pets when it comes to obedience and training. Of course, reaching this level will take patience and some consistent attention from the owner.
Most experts will tell you that the breed can be a bit stubborn, so firm and consistent direction is needed. The Yorkshire Terrier generally carries itself with some energy and is quite friendly. They will be active, even indoors, but will be fine without a large yard. Some open area is recommended for play and for trotting about the yard to get exercise.
Given these simple guidelines, you should be able to enjoy your time with the Yorkshire Terrier.
Read More About Yorkshire Terrier
- Yorkshire Terrier Breed Information
- Yorkshire Terrier : 10 Most Common Questions
- Yorkshire Terrier Health Guide
- Owning A Yorkshire Terrier : Breeder Recommendations
