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Originally Posted by gracielove  I think some Yorkies think they have a job to do when they are outside. Many of them are still very prey oriented. Yorkies were bred to kill vermin so when they start smelling the outside animals they get very focused on those scents. Gracie is kind of like that. When we are on the walk she is so consumed with smelling everything. In the backyard she loves checking out all the scents. She does respond if I call her but she would prefer if I just ignore her and let her do her thing for a while. I guess she likes to pretend she is a real hunter for a while.
I don't think your girl is ashamed of you. She probably thinks she is protecting you!  |
Gracielove is absolutely right. They are so distracted by their urges and genetics outside they forget all but a strong leader. You will eventually become stronger in her eyes than her genetic programming or instincts. That is how herding dogs are said by many to have come to herd and not kill livestock - a strong leader who trained those with less strong prey drive to redirect their stalk and kill instincts. I don't know if it's true but I've heard and read a number of herders say that.
Little bitty Tibbe has a very strong prey drive and it took me a long, long time but he looks to me and stays around me mostly when outside now but used to, all he wanted was to run off and go bark at squirrels and things, look for activity, other people & dogs. He still runs off to the edge of the property or across the field but he checks with me pretty frequently, looking back over his shoulder expecting direction. If he's gone too far, I'll give a "tik tik" kind of noise with my tongue or say "stop" and he slows down, stops, tail, head & ears up. He's so happy and okay with it, comes bounding to me so thrilled with life when I do recall him, I don't think he minds the change.
If he acted depressed or sad, unhappy, I'd have to rethink the whole concept. I want a happy, fulfilled dog outside not a cowed or overdisciplined one that acts scared to make a move! I hate dogs trained like that! But obviously dogs don't mind hierarchy as they are still pack animals and apparently love a leader directing them - the happier dogs do seem to be those that have a strong,
loving leader and far less of those seem to wind up in shelters and AC. And Tibbe is praised OT when he comes running from afar! Maybe that's one reason he's happy to do it. Every thing I teach him is made fun, kept loving and he's always set up to win. So he's proud and happy to be on my team outside.