How do I teach a yorkie to play - YorkieTalk.com Forums

Sebastian Bach · 06-01-2009, 08:29 PM

I just rescued the sweetest, best-est yorkie boy about a month ago...(he is my true love). He is sweet and affectionate, but has no clue how to play or bark. I have bought him pretty much every type of toy I can think of, but he just doesn't know what to do with them. He is only 1-1/2 so I figured he should be bouncing off the walls with energy.

For the next 2 weeks I am watching my sis-in-laws cockapoo who is pretty playful, and I was hoping she could help get him involved in playing, but he just looks at her like she is crazy, and a few times it has scared him and he has run off.

Would love suggestions or advice.

Kayla_Rocky · 06-01-2009, 08:44 PM

hey there

when i first got my boy i always played with him in a large area (fenced in!!), either indoors or outdoors (which he loves the most) where he could run around freely.
it might sound silly, but dogs respond quite well when you use almost like a baby talk and speak to them in a high pitched voice in order to excite them and transmit your playfulness to the dog.
i have also learned from experience that dogs like it when you get on the floor with them so you are on their level when you are playing with them.

i hope this helps! its possible that he came from a home where the owners did not play with him too much. glad to hear you rescued him!!

Sebastian Bach · 06-01-2009, 10:03 PM

I guess I mainly just having trouble as it seems that puppies are just naturally inclined to play and usually don't need any help, but the things I would normally do to engage a dog/puppy in play seem to frighten my little guy. He has definitely not been played with, and may have even been dealt with pretty harshly for normal puppy antics of barking and jumping. It seems these things just scare him to death. I know there are a lot of YT moms/dads who are involved with rescue dogs...I would love to hear how you dealt with similar issues.

QuickSilver · 06-02-2009, 05:56 AM

Bless you for rescuing this little one! It sounds like he is in dire need of a loving home.

I have not been in your situation specifically, but I do know that some dogs simply don't like to play. If he was punished for puppy antics, it may take a long time, a year or more, before he is comfortable doing these things again.

Have you tried taking him to a park where he can explore a bit? I haven't met a dog who could resist chasing a ball thrown outside.

JoeyP · 06-05-2009, 07:33 AM

Yeah, it sounds like this little guy didn't have much in the way of good old fashioned love and attention

I'll bet if you just keep loving him and paying attention to his needs he'll start playing and having fun

ARCHIE · 06-05-2009, 08:15 AM

Bless you for rescueing him. His past must have been in a crate or just
ignored by his owner's.
Give him time to get acquainted with his new surroundings.
He needs to trust you. Sit on the floor each day and roll a ball
or squeek a toy. Have little treats and gently talk to him. Spend
one on one time together. He'll come around on his terms.
Some Yorkies don't play at all but I think that's not the norm.
Yorkies for the most part are full of energy. It will happen.
Be patient and loving, which I am sure you are.
All in good time.
Also as they get older they do play less and just like to be with you.

good luck to you,

Marilize · 06-08-2009, 04:04 AM

Well done for rescuing a little one.

I just want to add a practical tip:
If your doggie is food motivated (meaning that he likes treats and will do something to get them), you can try a treat ball. By putting the treats inside, he has to roll the ball to get the treats out. In this way, he will positively associate the toy with something good.
When you get the ball, fill it with treats and show it to your baby. Roll it around so that he sees that the treats come out. Do this only once, you want him to do it himself.
If he doesn't take to the ball in a few minutes, leave it with him for a little while and then take it away.
To help him take to it the next time, maybe skip breakfast so that he is hungry and fill the ball with his food, but make it yummy. Some peanut butter or cheese spread works well.

Hope this helps.

Ps. Both of mine are crazy about their toys and they play with themselves, together or with me. If they aren't sleeping, they are playing with their toys.

06-01-2009, 08:29 PM	#1
Sebastian Bach Yorkie Yakker Join Date: May 2009 Location: Tennessee Posts: 26	How do I teach a yorkie to play I just rescued the sweetest, best-est yorkie boy about a month ago...(he is my true love). He is sweet and affectionate, but has no clue how to play or bark. I have bought him pretty much every type of toy I can think of, but he just doesn't know what to do with them. He is only 1-1/2 so I figured he should be bouncing off the walls with energy. For the next 2 weeks I am watching my sis-in-laws cockapoo who is pretty playful, and I was hoping she could help get him involved in playing, but he just looks at her like she is crazy, and a few times it has scared him and he has run off. Would love suggestions or advice.

06-05-2009, 07:33 AM	#5
JoeyP YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Miami, FL,USA Posts: 875	Yeah, it sounds like this little guy didn't have much in the way of good old fashioned love and attention I'll bet if you just keep loving him and paying attention to his needs he'll start playing and having fun __________________ Mike and Zach's Dadd

06-05-2009, 08:15 AM	#6
ARCHIE Owned by "Buddy" Donating Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: NEW YORK Posts: 14,523	Bless you for rescueing him. His past must have been in a crate or just ignored by his owner's. Give him time to get acquainted with his new surroundings. He needs to trust you. Sit on the floor each day and roll a ball or squeek a toy. Have little treats and gently talk to him. Spend one on one time together. He'll come around on his terms. Some Yorkies don't play at all but I think that's not the norm. Yorkies for the most part are full of energy. It will happen. Be patient and loving, which I am sure you are. All in good time. Also as they get older they do play less and just like to be with you. good luck to you, __________________ :Carol Buddy: ~MEMBER OF THE S.R.C. AND TEAPOT CLUB~

06-08-2009, 04:04 AM	#7
Marilize YT Addict Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Cape town, South Africa Posts: 437	Well done for rescuing a little one. I just want to add a practical tip: If your doggie is food motivated (meaning that he likes treats and will do something to get them), you can try a treat ball. By putting the treats inside, he has to roll the ball to get the treats out. In this way, he will positively associate the toy with something good. When you get the ball, fill it with treats and show it to your baby. Roll it around so that he sees that the treats come out. Do this only once, you want him to do it himself. If he doesn't take to the ball in a few minutes, leave it with him for a little while and then take it away. To help him take to it the next time, maybe skip breakfast so that he is hungry and fill the ball with his food, but make it yummy. Some peanut butter or cheese spread works well. Hope this helps. Ps. Both of mine are crazy about their toys and they play with themselves, together or with me. If they aren't sleeping, they are playing with their toys. __________________ Cash & June their Mommy

06-01-2009, 08:44 PM	#2
Kayla_Rocky YorkieTalk Newbie! Join Date: May 2009 Location: Oradell, NJ Posts: 8	hey there when i first got my boy i always played with him in a large area (fenced in!!), either indoors or outdoors (which he loves the most) where he could run around freely. it might sound silly, but dogs respond quite well when you use almost like a baby talk and speak to them in a high pitched voice in order to excite them and transmit your playfulness to the dog. i have also learned from experience that dogs like it when you get on the floor with them so you are on their level when you are playing with them. i hope this helps! its possible that he came from a home where the owners did not play with him too much. glad to hear you rescued him!!

06-01-2009, 10:03 PM	#3
Sebastian Bach Yorkie Yakker Join Date: May 2009 Location: Tennessee Posts: 26	I guess I mainly just having trouble as it seems that puppies are just naturally inclined to play and usually don't need any help, but the things I would normally do to engage a dog/puppy in play seem to frighten my little guy. He has definitely not been played with, and may have even been dealt with pretty harshly for normal puppy antics of barking and jumping. It seems these things just scare him to death. I know there are a lot of YT moms/dads who are involved with rescue dogs...I would love to hear how you dealt with similar issues.

06-02-2009, 05:56 AM	#4
QuickSilver Thor's Human Donating Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: San Francisco, CA Posts: 2,993 Blog Entries: 21	Bless you for rescuing this little one! It sounds like he is in dire need of a loving home. I have not been in your situation specifically, but I do know that some dogs simply don't like to play. If he was punished for puppy antics, it may take a long time, a year or more, before he is comfortable doing these things again. Have you tried taking him to a park where he can explore a bit? I haven't met a dog who could resist chasing a ball thrown outside.