Won't focus on me if distracted - Good Treats?!
 

Hi! So I am new to this, but I recently got my first yorkie, her name is Lexie, in November. She is now just a little over four months old, and I love her!!

We are currently in puppy school, and doing clicker training - and I am slightly discouraged becasuse when it comes down to it, if there is any other dogs around or really anything else exciting going on, she could care less about treats and me. When at home, and not distracted she will focus on me most of the time when I am training her, and is glad to get some form of treat.

I know Yorkies are adventerous, I have read quite a few books, but it was hard to see all the other dogs start to focus on their owners when they had food, and Lexie could have cared less. She just wanted off her leash and to go play with all the other dogs and not me.

Does any one have any kind of recommendation for yorkies of treats they just love!? I have tried baked chicken, turkey peices, wellness jerky treats, and some other varieties of soft treats. All of these she will eat, but I thought maybe if I could find a treat that is amazing (and still not bad for her) that she couldn't resist then I might become more intresting than the other dogs and she will begin to focus on me even when there are other exciting things going on as well.

Thanks :)

Well, I know that my little ones LUV Yorkie Yummies from "Chattiesmom".

Another thing, are you feeding her before class? Our instructor told us to not feed a full meal prior to class, this way they will still be a little hungry. This worked for us.

With Hot Rod, I had to use fish as he filled up really quickly. Maggie is a little different, she is a vacuum and will eat everything. lol

Maybe string cheese? Mom to Hot Rod is right about not feeding beforehand either.

Have you asked the class teacher? It may simply be that she is less food motivated - she might work better for praise or a favorite toy.

One thing I have read is that you are always competing with the environment for your dog's attention. Also keep in mind that dogs tend to compartmentalize a lot. So "Sit while at home alone with Mommy" is an entirely different proposition than "Sit in a strange place with tons of cool stuff going on around me."

Also, maybe try exercising her before class so she has a little less raw energy.

Thanks for the advice. I try and take Lexie for a walk every day, or at least every other, but maybe on the day of puppy class it can be a little bit longer.

As for food, I did stop feeding her four hours before, but maybe I should stop even earlier. I am just nervous about hypoglycemia - I have read alot about puppies who don't get enough food and then suffer from this.

I will also try string cheese, and maybe fish too and see how that goes!

As for yorkie yummies, where would I find those? Do you have to order them online, or can you find them at petsmart?

Thanks again!

I have 3 that sit on the treadmill (hoping it will go...) cuz it "makes" Cheerios, and green beans appear!
Truelove though, even they don't work around distractions. Hunger works!

Cindy, Chattiesmom is a YT member. here is a link to her website:

FoxyPups - Yorkie Yummies - Yorkie treats