terriers can be harder to train because they are smart -- they like to know what's in it for them! You need to work out what will motivate your dog: treats, toys, praise. All dogs are different. I use a mixture.
You don't have to take a lot of time to train. May be just during the ads on tv a couple of times in a night.
Classes are good because you can always learn something from the trainer or other people training their dogs.
I love clicker training and would recommend it to any terrier owner -- others don't like it -- but I find that it works for really smart dogs like yorkies because when you're "shaping" a behaviour you're really asking the dog to think and work out what you want.
My two do agility and so they go through tunnels and chutes and over jumps and weave in and out of poles. They can touch a little mat with their nose or chin. they go up all sorts of ramps (some really steep) and do the dog walk. They're just learning to do the teeter. Dixie was terrified by it but we're working on it.
There are a few people that do obedience with their yorkie but I found that Dougal got bored and wandered off half way through the two minute down stay, so I figured it wasn't for us. Even now if there are other more exciting smells I have trouble keeping him focused at agility.
On top of the basic commands Dixie does the cutest little wave and Dougal shakes paws with you. I taught Dougal to walk on his hind legs and Dixie to dance but I've given those up to save their little backs. I'm also teaching Dixie "quiet" to stop her barking like a loon at every dog she meets -- so far mixed results.
Don't forget you are "training" your dog everytime you interact with them. So be consistent. Try to use the same word all the time if you want them to do something. |