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Originally Posted by Zabuza  Thanks for all the welcomes! I have been reading over all the suggestions and training methods. They have been very helpful. A question:can a Yorkie safely wear a collar? and how do u get him used to it-or a harness. When that is accomplished-how do u get him used to a leash? When I take him Kuzco out for potty training he is beginning to stray.I don't want him hurt and for potty training i have to keep him on task. Seems like collars and leashes is the first step? Thx! |
It is not recommended for a Yorkie to wear a typical collar. They have a very delicate trachea area. I have a break away cat collar on Gracie but it is only there so she has ID tags on at all times. She wears a harness for walks.
A harness that does not touch the neck area is best for small dogs. If your pup is jumpy about it let him see and smell it first. Put it on the floor and let him get comfortable with the idea of it. Try having him wear it inside at first. Some little ones are not happy with the idea but once they associate the idea of the harness with going outside they usually start to love even the sight of it.
Healthy treats are great motivators for a Yorkie. Giving a small treat after you put the harness on him will also help him associate the harness with something he loves.
You can do the same process with the leash if he seems to object to the idea. Let him drag it around inside and give him lots of encouragement and some treats for being so good. If he is the nervous or suspicious type just take it slowly with lots of encouragement and small treats. He will eventually associate both the harness and the leash with things he likes.