Training Your Yorkshire Terrier

Is your Yorkshire Terrier causing chaos instead of cuddles? These tiny pups may be cute, but training them can feel like herding cats. Yorkshire Terriers thrive on structure and positive reinforcement.

This guide will make puppy training simple, fun, and effective. Keep reading—you’ve got this!

Key Takeaways

• Start training your Yorkshire Terrier early (8-12 weeks) to build good habits like socialization, basic commands, and leash walking.
• Use positive reinforcement with treats like Cheerios or cheese to encourage obedience. Reward quiet and calm behaviors instead of loud or jumpy ones.
• Crate training and potty routines (12-16 weeks) need consistency. Take your puppy outside 15 minutes after meals and praise successful bathroom trips.
• Keep sessions short (10-15 minutes). Yorkies have tiny attention spans but respond well to fun, quick lessons paired with toys or playtime.
• Repeat commands often during daily activities. Consistency makes skills like sit, stay, recall, and leash manners stick better over time!

Key Training Milestones for Yorkshire Terriers

Training your Yorkie puppy is a big mission, but it’s full of small wins. Start early to shape their behavior and build good habits while they’re young.

Weeks 8-12: Socialization and Basic Commands

Yorkie puppies are full of energy and curiosity at this age. It’s the perfect time to teach them basic skills and help them adjust to new experiences.

1. Start socializing your Yorkshire Terrier early. Introduce them to gentle people, calm dogs, and different sounds like doorbells or vacuums.
2. Teach your Yorkie the sit command using treats such as Cheerios or shredded cheese. Always reward good behavior with praise or a treat.
3. Spend time bonding in their first week home. Avoid overwhelming your puppy with too many changes or visitors.
4. Practice walking on a leash daily with a harness for safety. Keep sessions short and fun to hold their attention.
5. Incorporate simple commands like stay and come into playtime routines. Repeat often until your Yorkie responds confidently every time.
6. Be patient with barking behaviors during this phase but use firm correction if needed. Reward quiet moments instead of loud ones.
7. Encourage calm interactions by discouraging jumping when greeting others. Redirect their focus with a toy or command.

Weeks 12-16: Crate Training and Potty Training

Building on the basics, this phase focuses on crates and bathroom habits. It’s time to lay a solid groundwork for your Yorkie puppy’s daily routine.

1. Choose a crate that fits your Yorkshire Terrier snugly. The space should be cozy but not cramped, giving them room to turn around.
2. Place treats inside the crate to make it inviting. This helps your Yorkie associate the space with positive feelings.
3. Keep the crate in a quiet spot but close enough to family activity. This lets your dog feel secure without being isolated.
4. Feed meals near or inside the crate at first. Gradually help your Yorkie get used to spending short periods of time inside.
5. For potty training, take your puppy outside 15 minutes after eating or drinking water. Consistency is key here!
6. Use designated bathroom spots outdoors for clarity and repetition in learning.
7. Praise every successful potty moment immediately using a cheerful voice or small treat.
8. During accidents indoors, avoid scolding as it may confuse your pup—calmly clean up and continue training as before.
9. A regular schedule works wonders; stick to specific times for eating, sleeping, and bathroom breaks.
10. Puppy pads can serve as backup solutions when outdoor trips aren’t possible due to weather or timing constraints.

These steps allow you to guide good habits while building trust with your Yorkshire Terrier!

Weeks 16-20: Reinforcing Leash Behavior and Recall

Yorkshire Terrier puppies learn fast but need practice to master leash and recall skills. Focus on making these sessions consistent, fun, and stress-free.

1. Start leash training indoors. Attach the leash to their collar and let them drag it around while supervised. This helps them adjust to its feel without resistance.
2. Practice loose-leash walking daily. Keep treats handy as rewards for staying close by your side. Short walks with frequent stops work best.
3. Use positive reinforcement every time they follow commands outdoors. Praise generously or offer small treats immediately after good behavior.
4. Call them back indoors for short recalls first. Say their name followed by “come” and reward them when they return quickly.
5. Gradually increase outdoor distractions during recall practice. Begin in quiet areas before moving to busier spaces like parks or sidewalks.
6. Never yank the leash or yell at your Yorkie during training sessions. This creates fear instead of trust and slows progress.
7. Introduce a grooming routine alongside training efforts between weeks 16-20, helping them build comfort being handled on walks after visiting the groomer regularly (bath, nail trims).

Essential Training Tips for Yorkies

Training your Yorkie can feel like herding cats, but don’t worry—it’s manageable with patience. Start small, celebrate wins, and keep their tiny tails wagging!

Use Positive Reinforcement

Praise your Yorkshire terrier for good behavior. Offer treats like Cheerios or small pieces of shredded cheese during puppy training. Yorkies love snacks, so use them to encourage obedience.

Reward-based methods work better than punishment and help build trust.

Celebrate small wins. For example, reward your yorkie puppy for sitting before meals or staying calm during crate training. This teaches positive habits while keeping dog training fun and uplifting for both you and your pup!

Keep Training Sessions Short and Fun

Yorkshire Terriers have short attention spans. Keep training sessions to 10-15 minutes. Frequent, quick lessons work better than long ones. Use toys or playtime as rewards during puppy training.

A game of fetch after learning a new dog command keeps your Yorkie excited for the next session.

A calm space helps your yorkie puppy focus and learn faster. Loud noises or distractions can confuse them easily. Positive reinforcement like treats, praise, or belly rubs boosts their confidence during obedience training.

Keep things lighthearted—it’s more fun for both you and your pup!

Teaching Basic Commands

Yorkies are smart, but they can also be stubborn. Start early, stay patient, and make learning a playful game.

Sit, Stay, and Lay Down

Training a Yorkshire Terrier to follow commands like “sit,” “stay,” and “lay down” takes patience and practice. Use these clear steps to teach your yorkie puppy and build good dog behavior.

1. Sit Command
   Hold a small treat close to your Yorkie’s nose. Slowly lift the treat upward, causing their head to follow while their bottom lowers. Once they sit, say “Sit” firmly, then reward them with the treat and affection. Practice daily for 5-10 minutes.
2. Stay Command
   After teaching “sit,” hold up your hand like a stop sign in front of them. Say “Stay” firmly while stepping back slowly. If they stay put, give them a treat after a few seconds. Gradually increase how long they must wait before getting rewarded.
3. Lay Down Command
   Start with your terrier in sitting position. Move a treat from their nose toward the floor while saying “Lay down.” When their elbows touch the ground, reward immediately with praise and treats. Keep sessions short, around 15 minutes.
4. Repeat Commands Often
   Dogs learn through repetition and consistency. Use these commands during everyday moments like mealtime or playtime for practice.
5. Addressing Barking During Training
   If your Yorkie barks or becomes distracted, pause training until they calm down. Avoid yelling; instead, redirect focus back to the command using positive reinforcement such as treats or petting.

Consistency helps commands stick better over time!

Addressing Barking and Jumping Behaviors

Yorkshire Terriers are small but energetic dogs. Their barking and jumping can be managed with smart techniques.

1. Play soft music to calm a barking Yorkie. Gentle tunes often distract them from triggers like noises outside or strangers.
2. Ignore your Yorkie’s barks if they want attention. Providing no reaction teaches them it doesn’t work.
3. Distract barking by introducing a toy or treat. Chew toys work well to shift their focus.
4. Reward quiet moments with treats or praise. They’ll associate silence with good outcomes.
5. Teach the “sit” command to control jumping behavior. It gives them an alternative action when excited.
6. Avoid shouting when they jump or bark excessively. Loud reactions might make things worse.
7. Use positive reinforcement instead of punishment for better dog behavior results.
8. Repeat training sessions daily, keeping them short and fun for your Yorkie puppy’s focus.
9. Seek help from a professional trainer if bad habits persist beyond 20 weeks of age for lasting improvement in dog commands and response skills!

Conclusion

Training a Yorkshire Terrier takes patience, love, and consistency. These little dogs are full of energy and smarts, making training both fun and rewarding. Keep sessions short to match their tiny attention spans.

Use treats, praise, and lots of positivity. Stick with it—you’ll soon have a well-behaved Yorkie that’s the star of your home!

FAQs

1. How do I start training my Yorkshire Terrier puppy?

Begin with simple commands like the “sit” command. Use positive reinforcement, such as treats and praise, to encourage good behavior during each session.

2. Is crate training helpful for a Yorkie puppy?

Yes, crate training helps your Yorkie feel safe and secure. It also teaches them where to rest and aids in housebreaking.

3. What if my Yorkie’s behavior is hard to manage?

If you’re struggling with dog behavior issues, consider working with a professional dog trainer who understands Yorkshire Terriers’ needs.

4. Can I train my Yorkie without hiring help?

Absolutely! Many owners successfully train their dogs at home using patience and consistency. You can even find helpful guides or tools on websites like amazon.com for extra support.