Hard to Train-- Help!!! - YorkieTalk.com Forums

oneswtplee · 04-30-2007, 10:49 AM

I have a yorkie pup she's about 5 months. I'm trying so hard to train her but she is so picky with her treats! Her personalty isn't like any dogs I've seen. She's really aggressive and growls alot. Not only that, she bites non-stop. I understand she's teething as a pup right now but I just dont want it to escalade. Any suggestions? As for pottying I've tried to use puppy pads for the potty training process but she's not understanding it so I've switched over to a puppy litter box and I'm praying and hoping she'll learn to use it. Any potty training tips? Whenever she does do anything good such as come when I call her, I praise her and stuff but she doesn't seem to get excited. As a mentioned she's really picky with treats so the whole basic training, sit, down, come.. etc.. is really hard right now. What should I do?

Suzy · 04-30-2007, 01:38 PM

Sounds like you have a stubborn little girl on your hands! First, I would find something that DOES motivate her. This might be treats, toys, a clicker, or certain words/tone of voice you praise her in. I would try different kinds of treats if she's not liking the ones you're giving her. Ask friends and neighbors what kind of treats they give, and ask for a few to try them before you buy. I did that with a bunch of friends, and we all found our dogs preferred different things than what we had. Also, try people food-anything from small bits of cheese, frozen green peas, little pieces of hot dogs or boiled chicken, tiny chunks of bananas, spaghetti noodles, lettuce, WHATEVER-as long as it seems kind of healthy. I'd also watch how much food you're feeding her before you try to train her. You might try training her BEFORE her mealtime so she's more apt to want the treats. She's not going to work for food if she's got a full belly!

As I'm sure you know, this breed is difficult to potty train. Stick with it. She'll get potty trained eventually. Consistency is key, and so is being firm on how you train her. Maybe you could try one of those "pee here" sprays from any of the pet stores. That might help! Our Milli is about the same age, and she is better potty trained outside than inside-is it an option to train her to go outside?

Good luck!

oneswtplee · 04-30-2007, 08:05 PM

HI there! Thank you so much for your helpful tips! I tried some other type of treat and Butters my baby loved it. I was so shocked and amazed. She learned quickly! She now knows how to sit and she knows down. I'm so excited about all this. I was actually in search of a dog trainer but after this I think I've second thought that. Thanks again for your helpful response, its most appreciated! Can't wait to train her some more! Hopefully the potty training will be easier too!

Suzy · 05-01-2007, 06:21 AM

You're very welcome! I'm glad something worked. Sounds like your little one is pretty smart if she learned sit and down in one day! It's amazing how quickly they can learn when they want to and when we can find just the right thing to motivate them. We got new treats, and Milli learned to shake in about 5 minutes!

Emma is to the point where she'll "work" for toys to be thrown for her to fetch. This is better since we're not using food all the time, and it helps her train and exercise at the same time. Once the tricks are mastered with treats, try it with favorite toys, and alternate with treats until she'll work for toys too!

Sweetums · 05-01-2007, 01:16 PM

Our little girl will do anything for a little dab of liverwurst. I read that professional dog trainers use this.

04-30-2007, 10:49 AM	#1
oneswtplee Yorkie Talker Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: wa Posts: 24	Hard to Train-- Help!!! I have a yorkie pup she's about 5 months. I'm trying so hard to train her but she is so picky with her treats! Her personalty isn't like any dogs I've seen. She's really aggressive and growls alot. Not only that, she bites non-stop. I understand she's teething as a pup right now but I just dont want it to escalade. Any suggestions? As for pottying I've tried to use puppy pads for the potty training process but she's not understanding it so I've switched over to a puppy litter box and I'm praying and hoping she'll learn to use it. Any potty training tips? Whenever she does do anything good such as come when I call her, I praise her and stuff but she doesn't seem to get excited. As a mentioned she's really picky with treats so the whole basic training, sit, down, come.. etc.. is really hard right now. What should I do?

04-30-2007, 01:38 PM	#2
Suzy 2 Pups=Double Trouble! Donating Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Iowa Posts: 5,527	Sounds like you have a stubborn little girl on your hands! First, I would find something that DOES motivate her. This might be treats, toys, a clicker, or certain words/tone of voice you praise her in. I would try different kinds of treats if she's not liking the ones you're giving her. Ask friends and neighbors what kind of treats they give, and ask for a few to try them before you buy. I did that with a bunch of friends, and we all found our dogs preferred different things than what we had. Also, try people food-anything from small bits of cheese, frozen green peas, little pieces of hot dogs or boiled chicken, tiny chunks of bananas, spaghetti noodles, lettuce, WHATEVER-as long as it seems kind of healthy. I'd also watch how much food you're feeding her before you try to train her. You might try training her BEFORE her mealtime so she's more apt to want the treats. She's not going to work for food if she's got a full belly! As I'm sure you know, this breed is difficult to potty train. Stick with it. She'll get potty trained eventually. Consistency is key, and so is being firm on how you train her. Maybe you could try one of those "pee here" sprays from any of the pet stores. That might help! Our Milli is about the same age, and she is better potty trained outside than inside-is it an option to train her to go outside? Good luck! __________________ Suzy Emma & Milli What's better than loving a yorkie? Loving two yorkies! Milli 's Remi!

04-30-2007, 08:05 PM	#3
oneswtplee Yorkie Talker Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: wa Posts: 24	Yeah Success! HI there! Thank you so much for your helpful tips! I tried some other type of treat and Butters my baby loved it. I was so shocked and amazed. She learned quickly! She now knows how to sit and she knows down. I'm so excited about all this. I was actually in search of a dog trainer but after this I think I've second thought that. Thanks again for your helpful response, its most appreciated! Can't wait to train her some more! Hopefully the potty training will be easier too!

05-01-2007, 06:21 AM	#4
Suzy 2 Pups=Double Trouble! Donating Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Iowa Posts: 5,527	You're very welcome! I'm glad something worked. Sounds like your little one is pretty smart if she learned sit and down in one day! It's amazing how quickly they can learn when they want to and when we can find just the right thing to motivate them. We got new treats, and Milli learned to shake in about 5 minutes! Emma is to the point where she'll "work" for toys to be thrown for her to fetch. This is better since we're not using food all the time, and it helps her train and exercise at the same time. Once the tricks are mastered with treats, try it with favorite toys, and alternate with treats until she'll work for toys too! __________________ Suzy Emma & Milli What's better than loving a yorkie? Loving two yorkies! Milli 's Remi!

05-01-2007, 01:16 PM	#5
Sweetums Donating Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Kirkland WA Posts: 420	Our little girl will do anything for a little dab of liverwurst. I read that professional dog trainers use this.