[yorkietalkjilly]

Find a food treat your Yorkie cannot resist for the first few days of training, then hopefully you can switch to a lesser-valued treat. I just train using Tibbe's regular dry kibble that I've mixed in with miniature Milk Bones so that the kibble smells of Milk Bone and comes from the same box. Tibbe takes either just as happily. Or if your dog is toy oriented, use a highly-loved squeaky toy or ball - whatever your Yorkie will want to have as a reward for coming to you.

In an upbeat voice, clap your hands, act very happy and say, "Time for training!" as if you just won a thousand dollars - nothing bombastic but certainly pleased as punch to convey to your dog that what's about to happen is going to be fun for the dog. Your attitude will set the stage and make it seem like a fun game about to happen.

Now, sit in front of your Yorkie with the reward in your hand and, in a happy, pleasant, very upbeat voice, say, "Fido, come(insert name of your dog here)!", making your voice happy-sounding and not heavy, loud or commanding as so many tend to do when teaching their dog training commands; and issue your command with a smile on your lips and in your voice. The very act of smiling makes your voice sound more upbeat and sends a positive message to your little one that this activity is fun and interesting.

The moment your dog comes toward you, treat immediately with food/toy and praise with a genuine, happy, loving voice and give a light praise pat or scratch to the chest, back/side of the each, side of cheek or neck, side of shoulder or wherever your dog seems to enjoy being lightly, lovingly scratched or petted. Don't pat your dog on the top of the head as most dogs don't like it or find it dominating/threatening and try to avoid the front of the throat as Yorkies often have sensitive tracheae. You want to convey to your dog that you are VERY proud of him for what he just did!

Re-position him before you, take a new treat from the box and repeat the same command in the exact same happy tone of voice and once again instantly reward and praise/pet.

Repeat this same action 10 - 15 times - just sitting in front of your Yorkie and having him take a couple of steps to move toward you for which he gets an instantaneous food reward, a light, loving scratch/pet/touch and your proud pleasure expressed with your happy "Good Fido!"

Repeat this short, very pleasant lesson 3 - 5 times a day as you don't want to overfeed your dog. I do this first lesson for a whole 7 day week - just teaching the dog that 'training', which is happily announced the same with each training session, is falling down easy, lots of fun and instantly rewarding for both of you - a lesson he will never forget as training becomes more sophisticated and involved. This first lesson will set the stage for his whole training program and a good first, easy-as-pie week is a great start as long as you say positive and keep it fun and fulfilling for him.

After the first week, gradually move a few feet from your dog and repeat all of the above, only increasing your distance once the dog has rock-solid, no failures, learned to come instantly and happily with each command given. If he slacks off, seems disinterested or fails to come, dial back to basics until the dog is coming readily with a happy response. After that first week, gradually increase your distance from your dog as tolerated until you are satisfied he is fully trained to come readily each and every time he's called.

Just remember, announce each training session as if the dog were getting to go to a party and keep the sessions upbeat, positive and short and well-rewarded with both the treat and your praise. Do not punish mistakes or loss of interest - rather step up your part with heartfelt enthusiasm/praise and genuine interest in each accomplishment and cut back on the number of repetitions, maybe finding a better-loved treat/reward.

As long as your dog gets the idea that doing what you request is always a win for him if he readily does it, he'll happily learn how to work with you and enjoy every moment of it, as will you. You'll feed off his accomplishments and each other's pleasure! Touching and interacting lovingly and positively however briefly with your dog during training produces oxytocin in both of your brains and both human and canines respond extremely favorably to its release. It's kind of addicting in a very positive way to each species and your dog will learn to love to work to feel it. There's nothing like seeing a happy puppy full of pride in what he's just accomplished with you and enjoying the fun of your teamwork!