training tips?

[disorientlove]

Before I get a yorkie, I'm hoping I'll know somewhat how to train it. I've heard that yorkies can be somewhat hard to train, but sometimes listen more if you start the training when they're young. Also, I know my mother might make me get rid of a yorkie if it stayed horribly misbehaved.

I really don't want that to happen. So, any tips? Advice? Or books? General warnings and things not to do that might make my yorkie misbehave even further?

[alaskayorkie]

Smart girl doing the research before you get the pup! I'd highly recommend an obedience school. You can start with a puppy class almost right away, then advance to adult classes later if you want. Check your area for schools.

I'm sure there are some good books people here will recommend. I'll leave that to the experts.

Good luck. And Yorkies aren't hard to train if you do it right. They're smart!

[FirstYorkie]

Disorient,

Before you decide on a Yorkie there a couple of things you need to know. *Some* Yorkies can be difficult to housebreak. *Some* Yorkies (probably a majority, even) can be yappers - ie they love to bark. If these are things that your mom won't not be able to tolerate, you might want to consider another breed or wait until you are on your own. Save yourself the heartache of having to rehome a dog that you love!

If you are going to get a dog - any dog - I highly recommend that you spend time reading on this website:
http://www.clickersolutions.com/arti....htm#behaviors

[disorientlove]

Barking will be no problem. I have a beagle who barks at nearly everything, and a cat who meows mostly to hear herself, lol. And honestly, I doubt my mum would make me get rid of the dog, but I know she would be horribly annoyed, hence why I'm wanting to find out as many tips and little facts on the dog that mostly owners have discovered.

[disorientlove]

And thank you for the site. I do know how to train dogs, but I read somewhere that yorkies can sometimes be stubborn. I really don't know if there are certain ways that yorkies don't like, that's mainly what I'm asking.

[Erin]

Originally Posted by disorientlove

And thank you for the site. I do know how to train dogs, but I read somewhere that yorkies can sometimes be stubborn. I really don't know if there are certain ways that yorkies don't like, that's mainly what I'm asking.

Yorkies are terriers so I think they get labelled as stubborn because once they start using their noses their ears stop working. You have to train their focus. They are also VERY smart so you might think they are stubborn because they will outsmart you! This means you must be very, very consistent and you can't really fool them. Loki was a PIA to housetrain but it turned out that was because he had a bladder problem that has now improved drastically with medicine and he is totally trained - we even trained him to ring his bell to go out. Even though he is a bigger Yorkie (10lbs) he still has to go out often - anywhere from every half hour to every 4 hours, depending on his activity level. He does well in his car seat so we end up taking him with us everywhere and skip things like restaurants and movies. We crate him when he does need to stay home.

We started with puppy class (all positive reinforcement - like clicker) and liked it so much we continued. Loki has so much energy we needed to focus it and he learned quickly so we just kept with it. We also take Loki to daycare on Fridays with the trainer so that he will be less crazy and hyper for the weekends. We also send him because he has some "big dog" issues he needs to work out (like figuring out they aren't going to eat him). He does well off leash in this environment and I constantly work with him on leash. I only bring this up because it's a typical terrier/small dog issue and you might need to take a few classes or read some books if you end up with a dog with this type of temperment too.

We also had some digestive issues and dealt with diarrhea for the first few months on and off. Finally a great food (Canidae) and temporarily limiting all his treats fixed the problem. But we went through so much with that and it made housetraining much more difficult until it was all solved. Yorkies can have very sensitive stomachs.

I woudn't recommend Yorkies (or any terrier) for 1st time dog owners. They truly can be a challenge. Since you've had experience and are willing to the training, you will probably be fine! Like you, I did my homework first and sort of knew what to expect. I think people just expect them to be little angels and then they act like typical terriers and they freak out. A lot of patience and a LOT of training and you'll be fine!

[TJCHRISYORK]

I have already posted on the other 2 does your dog do tricks threads so my hand is tired, but whoever told you tht about yorkies is making a generalized comment, Tyson is 12weeks old and he was started at Petsmart 2weeks ago at 10weeks which is the earliest they can start and he has caught onto everything.....he is inside pee padpotty trained,,,,,,,,,,,,,,its all about how much time you spend with them,how you reward them, positive reinforscement and doing wht you are told with the whole potty training thing, even when I just knew I was gonna give up all of a sudden he just clicked and we have not had a accident in 9days and my Ty is only 12weeks, take time with your puppy,me and my fiance made a commitment to ourselves and our pup, no need to get a puppy when you have no time for one, tht is very selfish, itsounds like you are alot like us trying to do your homework, before he comes home, this forum has saved ny a** a mant of times and I am sure Tyson is happy it is around also, he is the smartest dog I have ever had, we have no kids yet and he is our only pet and we give time to him everyday.......and I only think tht is fair, I could get a lot of nasty write backs for saying this, its pretty much common knowledge tht a puppy taked a lot of time and work and energy, getting up early, in the middle of the night and it real;ly makes me mad when I see some of these posts tht say they cant get the dog to do this or tht and in the next sentence they tell you they are in the crate half the day and night, I understand we have to work, I'm a nurse I work too and I also knew I was getting a puppy and made time and took 2 days off to get him used to things and then my fiance did the same.......but thts my soapbox, you are doing the right thing and after your mom has tht puppy in the house for 24hours you will be lucky she doesnt put you out and keep the pup................no one can not like a puppy yorkie, if they dont make you happy and put a smile on your face....issues.......and you will do just fine with your pup, you already sound like a good mom.................good luck,,,just keep posting

CHRISTINE and TYSON

[Erin]

Yeah the hardest part about housetraining a Yorkie is that they are so small that they have to go 4 times as often as a larger dog. It's the exact same PROCESS it's just more difficult and frustrating because they pee every 15 mins!! I think a lot of people do give up BUT if you don't let it get to you it does get better! And it's impossible not to love them