Love for a pet is expressed not in the pet’s permissiveness, but in sensitive teaching of the rules of behavior. The role of training is great for any breed of dog, including the miniature Yorkshire terrier. For an owner who knows the peculiarities of handling a dog, the rules of upbringing and training, training a Yorkie will not be an incomprehensible task.
Yorkies are easy to train
Why is training needed?
No matter how much a dog loves a person, it is a wild animal, once domesticated by the ancestors of modern people. The instincts embedded in the genome of an animal are far from civilized. Dogs are hunters by nature. It is important in time, from puppyhood, to curb these instincts in order to avoid unpleasant consequences for the owner and his family, and to establish close relationships with the dog based on mutual understanding. An ill-mannered animal means damaged furniture, dissatisfaction with neighbors, serious injuries and bites. It is training that helps prevent this. But how to train a Yorkie at home?
How to train a puppy to wear a diaper
It is very important to train your Yorkie to go to the toilet in a diaper. He can learn this in childhood, when it is especially necessary. The fact is that these dogs cannot stand the cold, so walking with kids outside in winter is strictly not recommended. You can do this by following the following instructions:
- From the very beginning, it is worth removing all expensive carpeting and things that the dog could accidentally damage.
- The diaper or tray should be in a place that the dog can easily approach, but which will not be a passage; no one should disturb the dog.
- You can lay a diaper where the animal sleeps, since puppies of the smallest age do not know how to endure and pee immediately after waking up.
- More often, the puppy determines for himself the place where he will go to the toilet. This is where the tray should be placed.
- If the dog cannot decide on its own, use crumpled newspapers, which are spread in the intended places. They are gradually removed as the Yorkie decides on a place. Later, diapers are laid out in their place.
How to properly train a dog at home
It is permissible to punish a puppy only if he relieves himself in the wrong place.
Important! Winter walks are especially dangerous for small Yorkie boys, so it is important for them to be house trained.
Toilet with diaper for baby Yorkie
Peculiarities of raising representatives of the Yorkshire Terrier breed
Despite its diminutive size, the Yorkshire Terrier has almost all the qualities of its larger counterparts. Yorkies are curious, independent, active. Also, their character is determined by their devotion to the owner, next to whom he can spend all the time, literally following on his heels.
The Yorkshire Terrier is an indoor and decorative breed, “woven from contradictions.” A little hunter can endlessly frolic in nature, eat bugs out of curiosity and compete with large dogs. But, at the same time, Yorkies choose one owner and love to bask in their arms while their fur is brushed.
On a note! Yorkies need attention.
Recommendations for education
Given the contradictions of character, in raising a Yorkie you need to combine cunning tricks with trust. Recommendations based on features that the owner of a Yorkie should know about:
- It is worth starting training at the age of 1-2 months. By this time, the puppy should get used to the environment.
- A puppy must have an owner whom he has chosen himself.
- All communication between the owner and the Yorkie should be built on trust.
You need to communicate with the dog not only during training, but also during play, relaxation, walks, etc. And not only up to a year, but throughout the entire time.
One to two months
When purchasing a Yorkshire Terrier puppy, you must understand that care alone will not be enough. Preparing a place for the dog is not enough for the puppy to immediately understand where to sleep, where to eat, and where to go to the toilet. You need to raise your pet correctly - raise and train it daily. That is, tell him every day what he can do and what is prohibited.
In the period from one to two months, it is necessary to raise a puppy at home, since it is too early to take the dog outside. In the article “Care for the Yorkshire Terrier: Maintenance,” we talked about how an enclosure is perfect for a pet to live in. It will help you not only in teaching your baby cleanliness, but also in training.
As soon as the puppy appears in your house, immediately take it to a pre-set and equipped enclosure. From now on, start teaching the commands “Place” using a bed, “Toilet” using a tray, “Eat” using bowls and food.
With the help of the enclosure itself, you can develop tolerance in your pet - over time, he will learn to be calm about many things:
- to your absence;
- play games at a time convenient for you;
- to eating according to the schedule.
But the Yorkshire Terrier cannot be kept in a closed enclosure all the time. You need to open the door when you are at home and teach him his nickname and the “Come to me” command. These lessons are enough for a two month old puppy.
Remember that you cannot move on to teaching the next command until you have practiced the old one with your dog. But when teaching your Yorkshire Terrier another command, always repeat the material you have covered. Monotony and consistency are the main points in training an intelligent but stubborn dog of this breed.
Don’t forget about encouragement: each correctly performed action should be followed by praise or a treat in the form of a treat. For animals on a natural diet, this can be a piece of low-fat cheese, a carrot or a cracker. Fans of ready-made food should expect a tasty treat in the form of a small amount of this food.
You can learn about the feeding regime and diet of a dog of this breed from the article “Care for the Yorkshire Terrier: nutrition.”
It is best to teach all the puppy’s commands during play, so the baby will perform the actions you need with great pleasure.
Don't expect your little pet to learn everything right away; this takes time. Of course, some rigor will be required when raising and training, especially when practicing the commands “No”, “Fu”, “Place”, but hitting or shaking the baby is strictly prohibited. You can damage the puppy’s psyche and fragile bones.
Where to start raising a Yorkshire Terrier
Yorkie must be obedient
It is customary to begin training a dog of any breed so that the pet responds to its name and gets used to it. And immediately after this comes training in going to the toilet outside. How to raise a Yorkie puppy and teach him to understand his name? First of all, you should always call your Yorkie the same way, without changing the form of the nickname, without inflecting it or adding suffixes. For example, if the dog’s name is Zeus, there is no need to call him Zeusik.
You should always talk to your dog, both at home and on the street. This way the Yorkie will quickly get used to the owner’s voice and listen to his commands. Over time, the dog will not be able to do anything without the owner’s approval.
How to train a puppy to toilet outside
When it comes to toilet training, the process becomes more difficult and requires patience from the owner. While the puppy is very small, you can start with the toilet in a diaper.
On a note! To ensure that your baby understands the rules, it is better to limit the area where he can stay and play.
There are special enclosures for animals in pet stores, but you can also build them yourself. A diaper is spread on the prepared area. Feeling interested in a new thing, the puppy at first will not perceive its purpose and will relieve itself as usual - everywhere. Each time after the puppy has “got off,” the owner needs to move him to the diaper so that he associates its smell with the toilet. So, gradually, time after time, the Yorkie will go to the right place.
It's easier with a toilet outside. At 3-5 months you can take the diaper outside. Over time, it will no longer be needed, and the puppy will get used to the outdoor environment.
The most important thing at the beginning of training and training a dog is to build a trusting relationship with the animal and create a completely comfortable environment. Training a Yorkshire Terrier takes time and, most importantly, patience. If the owner is not sure that he has such qualities, it is better to turn to the services of a specialist - a dog handler. In addition to education, he will tell you how to teach your Yorkie commands.
Collar and leash training
Your Yorkie should be taught to wear a collar from an early age. A good collar does not have a strong odor, is ideal in size, and is made of hypoallergenic material.
Initially, it is better to wear it at home during play, and then let the dog rest. After the puppy has been running around calmly in a collar for several days in a row, you can try attaching a leash. But there is no need to rush outside. You need to let the puppy lead him. You don't need to pull hard on the leash, but it is important to let your puppy feel like he has limits.
Yorkie behavior on the street
For the small breed of Yorkshire terrier, the law does not require the mandatory wearing of a muzzle on the street. But if the owner notices the puppy's desire to bite, it is better to wear it.
Walking should be energy-intensive
Since the Yorkshire Terrier is an active dog, it needs an energy-consuming walk. You should not go outside and sit on a bench while the dog is walking on its own. You can take a ball from home with you or find a small stick on the street and teach your pet a lesson while playing.
Important! Before meeting passers-by and other dogs, it is necessary that the dog is already familiar with commands such as “fu” and “no”. In crowded places, it is better to attach a leash to the collar.
How to stop barking
First you need to find out the reason for the barking. Perhaps the dog is expressing concern or fear. Maybe she is reacting to unfamiliar sounds. To prevent problems, you need to watch your pet and stay close, stroking and calming, giving the animal a feeling of security. A pet surrounded by correctly expressed love will never cause problems to others.
How to stop biting
The cause of bites in puppyhood may be itching in the gums. To prevent the baby from biting everything, you should switch the puppy’s attention during play from fingers or clothes to rubber toys.
Every time the baby bites, you need to carefully unhook him and leave him in a place for conditional punishment. It could even be a corner of the room, but such that the puppy does not feel too cramped. He must be left alone in this place for the duration of the punishment, so that he understands that he has offended his owner.
What should be prohibited
Each owner has his own rules and habits at home. The main thing that you need to prohibit your Yorkie from is things related to damage to other people's people and property. You should not allow your pet to jump on people, bark at them on the street, chew other people's toys and mark flower beds and car wheels.
Step-by-step training of a Yorkie at home
The owner will have to be patient and stock up on dog treats. All training is based on the authority of the owner and reward for good behavior/following a command.
Yorkie and litter box
First of all, the puppy is trained to use the tray. This is a useful skill that allows you to relieve yourself at home in case of bad weather or if the owner cannot find time for a walk.
The puppy is shown a place and placed there after playing, eating and sleeping. When he relieves himself, he is sure to praise him and give him a treat.
If the puppy went somewhere else, he is scolded, but under no circumstances is he beaten. A raised tone and condemnation will be enough. A little trick is to soak a diaper or newspaper in urine and put it in the tray. He will feel “his” smell and decide to go to the toilet in the right place.
Yorkie training commands
The most necessary ones are “Come” and “Fu”. They are taught from 3 months of age. If desired, they also learn the standard “Sit”, “Lie down”, “Place”, but they are not so important. The main rules when teaching commands:
- Same wording.
- Reward for success.
- A pet must obey every family member.
How to start training
Training begins at an early age
All owners of Yorkie puppies have approximately the same questions in terms of training. Below are answers to basic questions:
- When to start training? Raise - from 1-2 months. Train - from 2-3 months.
- What will you need for training? A treat, a bag for him, a collar and leash, a lot of patience.
- How long to train? No more than 20-35 minutes.
Basic recommendations
Before starting training, you should either consult with a specialist or study as much information as possible on the issue.
Note! If you are unsure of your own abilities, it is better to entrust the matter to a professional trainer.
Basic commands for training a Yorkie
There is no particular difference between how to raise a boy or a girl Yorkie. A pet needs attention and patience, and the list of commands for all breeds is approximately the same.
"Sit" and "lie down"
Commands are useful in case of travel or moments of waiting. They will calm the dog down.
"To me"
A very important command that influences the upbringing of the pet. It's better to be one of the first to learn it.
"Place"
Useful when at home the dog climbs into places where it is absolutely not allowed.
"Ugh"
A universal command that can be used both at home and on the street.
"Near"
It also disciplines the dog’s behavior in public places.
"It is forbidden"
This command is also worth studying to prevent the dog from eating everything it finds on the street.
Behavior must be worthy of the breed
Features of education by month
In order for a dog to grow up obedient and smart, you need to start raising a Yorkie immediately after it arrives in the family.
1 to 2 months
The puppy is trained to use the toilet, a specially designated place in the apartment for sleeping and eating. It is best for the Yorkshire Terrier to be given a spacious enclosure in which it will remain while the owner is away. The puppy should be fed strictly according to the schedule.
2 to 3 months
They don’t go for walks with the baby yet; training takes place at home. It's time to start accustoming your Yorkie to a collar. You should be patient and give the puppy time to get used to the unusual equipment. Accustoming to the collar is combined with teaching the commands “Come to me” and “Nearby”.
4-6 months
The Yorkie is trained on walks and special grounds. It's time for the commands “sit” and “lie down”. In a playful way, using balls, they practice the actions “Fetch” and “Give”.
Most common mistakes
When training, you need to pay attention to important points. Should be avoided:
- excessive loads during training;
- punishment not immediately after the offense, but much later;
- ignorance of the character and characteristics of the breed;
- physical punishment;
- misunderstanding of the animal’s condition;
- lack of demands.
All the owner’s efforts and knowledge of how to teach a Yorkshire terrier commands will collectively bring only joy and love to the pet. Therefore, you should not neglect such an important component of raising a dog as training. Then the dog will not only be loved, but also obedient.
Common mistakes
Wanting to quickly finish training, owners of Yorkshire terriers begin training all possible commands at once. It is not right. The principle of step-by-step training works. You cannot begin the next stage of training until you have completed the previous one.
It is a serious mistake to punish a dog long after the offense or in a completely different place. The animal no longer remembers anything and does not understand why the owner scolds him. This turns into his resentment, anger, bad behavior and new offenses.
Permissiveness cannot be allowed. The owner patiently and persistently seeks to carry out the command, even if the pet is stubborn and cunning.
Training a dog yourself is a responsible, long process. Here you need to take into account the character, temperament, and age of the pet. And you cannot refuse upbringing and training, otherwise a cute puppy, whose offenses are forgiven, will turn into a problematic, uncontrollable dog.
