Isn't it miraculous.....

[Higgin's Mom]

Isn't it miraculous what a training expert can do with your Yorkie??!!! We just had a special visit from a lady we met online at our travel trailer forum ("Deb from Maine"). She does obedience trial work and earthdog trials with her Border Terrier. She uses clicker training techniques. Well, let me tell you that Mr. Higgins fell completely in LOVE with her! He would anything she taught him!!!! My jaw fell open!!!! We have a smart dog!!!! We are the dumb ones...

So now she has me all excited about the AWTA (American Working Terrier Association) and doing some obedience work! She was VERY impressed with Higgins and his energy and willingness and enthusiasm at working. I'm just bursting with pride here. But I also know that now I have to GO TO WORK to teach myself how to train him

Bettyeanne, you just tell Patrick that Mr. Higgins will have the right manners to escort Miss Prissy Paws in February. And we'll have our own agility and obedience trials on sites 373 and 375!

[fasteddie]

Congrats! We need to train Yoda in some areas still. I met a lady with a 9 year old Yorkie at the post office today, and the lady said that her Dakota still peed all over the place! Perhaps female Yorkies are just more, uhh, territorial? Or harder to train?

[bettyeanne]

Originally Posted by Higgin's Mom

Isn't it miraculous what a training expert can do with your Yorkie??!!! We just had a special visit from a lady we met online at our travel trailer forum ("Deb from Maine"). She does obedience trial work and earthdog trials with her Border Terrier. She uses clicker training techniques. Well, let me tell you that Mr. Higgins fell completely in LOVE with her! He would anything she taught him!!!! My jaw fell open!!!! We have a smart dog!!!! We are the dumb ones...

So now she has me all excited about the AWTA (American Working Terrier Association) and doing some obedience work! She was VERY impressed with Higgins and his energy and willingness and enthusiasm at working. I'm just bursting with pride here. But I also know that now I have to GO TO WORK to teach myself how to train him

Bettyeanne, you just tell Patrick that Mr. Higgins will have the right manners to escort Miss Prissy Paws in February. And we'll have our own agility and obedience trials on sites 373 and 375!

YEAHHHHHH!!!!!! CONGRATS ... I knew that Higgins was smart ... he's a Yorkie!! Can't wait until February to see what all he has learned! Hopefully I will have the small things built by then and we can set up a little course ... Higgins can teach Toto a thing or two! I got a feeling he will have a little shadow that will look a lot like Miss Prissy Paws anyway!! I bought a book and the clickers while we were in Missouri but we haven't gotten around to starting the training! I'll have to find it and read up on it so I'll know what you're talking about!

Toto sends sloppy puppy kisses to Higgins!!!

[Luvmypupster]

I took an obiedience class with a sheltie I had a few years back and I learned very quickly that it was harder for me to learn than my dog. I had to be trained on how to work with and train a dog. My dog caught on quicker than I did. It was like he already knew it and just need someone to show me what to do for him

[yorkipower]

Originally Posted by bettyeanne

YEAHHHHHH!!!!!! CONGRATS ... I knew that Higgins was smart ... he's a Yorkie!! Can't wait until February to see what all he has learned! Hopefully I will have the small things built by then and we can set up a little course ... Higgins can teach Toto a thing or two! I got a feeling he will have a little shadow that will look a lot like Miss Prissy Paws anyway!! I bought a book and the clickers while we were in Missouri but we haven't gotten around to starting the training! I'll have to find it and read up on it so I'll know what you're talking about!

Toto sends sloppy puppy kisses to Higgins!!!

So are you doing Earthdog yet? How is it going?

Here's something I found from the BBC on Yorkies as workingdogs:
While a popular image of a Yorkshire Terrier - or 'Yorkie' - is that of a pampered, well-groomed dog proudly parading at a dog show, the reality is somewhat different.

From Rat Catcher to Show Dog

The ancestors of Yorkies were small, fierce terriers, bred and used as rat catchers down mines. They were small enough to fit in miners' pockets and down rodent holes, yet big enough to take on the hunting of rabbits, badgers and foxes.

Ancestry

It was the onset of the Industrial Revolution that brought many people to Yorkshire in the 1730s; people came seeking work in the coal mines, textile mills and factories. Some came from as far as Scotland, bringing with them their dogs, mostly Clydesdale or Paisley Terriers1 - working dogs that were used for catching rodents and small mammals. Although there is no documented evidence, it is believed these terriers were crossbred with various other terriers, such as the English Black and Tan Toy Terrier, Skye Terrier and possibly the Maltese Terrier.

Huddersfield Ben

One of the most famous Yorkie ancestors was 'Huddersfield Ben' (1865-1871). He was a popular stud dog and a champion in rat catching contests. He was just as comfortable in the show ring (where he won over 70 prizes) as he was hunting and chasing rats (both down the mines and in contests).

Ben is reputed to have been the foundation sire of the Yorkshire Terrier breed, and had immense influence in setting the Yorkshire Terrier breed type. Ben was bred by Mr W Eastwood of Huddersfield, and owned by Mrs MA Foster of Bradford. He first entered the show ring in 1869, in Manchester, and was later shown at many venues including London's Crystal Palace. Sadly, Ben only lived for six years; he passed away after being run over by a carriage. The breed lived on, however, and Mrs Foster continued to show and win prizes for her Yorkies over the next 35 years.

Officially a Breed

The breed was given its official name in 1870. Prior to that, they had been known as Broken-haired Scotch Terriers. It has been alleged that the name was changed after reporter Angus Sutherland wrote in an article for The Field, in regards to a show at Westmoreland, stating 'They ought no longer to be called Scotch Terriers, but Yorkshire Terriers for having been so improved there.'

A year after the founding of the British Kennel Club, Yorkshire terriers were registered in the club's stud book in 1874. However, they were initially referred to as both Broken Haired Scottish Terriers and Yorkshire Terriers. It was not until 1886 that the Kennel Club officially recognized the Yorkshire Terrier as an individual breed. Interestingly, this British breed had first been recognized by the American Kennel Club the year prior.

Subsequently, the first Yorkshire Terrier breed club was formed in 1898 with the purpose of producing a Breed Standard to ensure standardisation. Records were kept in a stud book of show-winning dogs and their puppies, thereby making it possible to trace the breed lines. Information recorded before this is rather vague.

It took many years of selective breeding from the rough terriers of that era to produce today's elegant pampered pet dog. Those early breeders would be astonished at the present popularity of the line they were developing.

The Yorkie of Today

It's difficult to believe that before the 1930s, the Yorkshire Terrier usually weighed around 30 lbs, rather than the three to seven pounds of today's Kennel Club Standard for the Yorkshire Terrier. However, as the popularity of the Yorkie has expanded, the breed has started to become larger again; most of today's family pet Yorkies are somewhat bigger than the Breed Standard. In large part due to their size, Yorkshire Terriers are actually classified as toy dogs rather than terriers by the Kennel Club.

Yorkies have an inquisitive, mischievous streak, and are always ready for a game and some fun, which can make owning one an amusing experience. Beyond the world of dog shows, Yorkies have also made a name for themselves in agility trials and flyball competitions, which are more athletic in nature.

The Yorkshire Terrier is considered one of the most popular dog breeds throughout the world. Only 300 were registered with the British Kennel Club in 1932, and by 1957 that had risen to 2313. The number continued to grow, and by the 1970s Yorkies were the most popular breed of dog in Britain. The Yorkie's popularity in Britain reached its peak in 1990, when there were a staggering 22,665 registered with the British Kennel club. After this, the numbers started to decline. However, with 12,343 registrations in 1994, the Yorkshire Terrier was still listed as the seventh most popular breed.

This popularity has clearly continued into the 21st Century, as is evident by the amount of Yorkies seen running round parks and woods. On the other hand, the downside is that many are not truly purebred Yorkshire Terriers, but are delightful dogs with the Yorkie's characteristics.

Characteristics

The Yorkie may be small, but it is a terrier, with the requisite hunting instincts and behaviour traits. It has a loud bark, which is out of proportion to its size, and may account for their reputation for being 'yappy' dogs. However, like any other dog, they can be trained to cease barking on command.

Yorkies are sociable dogs, with a friendly disposition towards both humans and other dogs. They are not cowards, though, and will stand their ground and fiercely defend their territory when the need is perceived.

While the Yorkie is not necessarily the fastidious eater some believe, quality of food is preferable to quantity just as with any smaller dog. The Yorkshire Terrier also enjoys exercise, but is just as happy running around the garden as a run in the countryside. There, using the terrier instinct, it will chase prey - whether invisible or real.

[Ringo]

Ringo and I started clicker training last Monday. He learned to sit in like 3 minutes. It took me longer to understand how it all works. Yep, I'm the dumb one.

Yorkies are VERY smart.

[Esme's Mommy]

Originally Posted by Ringo

Ringo and I started clicker training last Monday. He learned to sit in like 3 minutes. It took me longer to understand how it all works. Yep, I'm the dumb one.

Yorkies are VERY smart.

I have heard about this clicker training, but I don't know what it is?? Can anyone PLEASE explain!

[yorkipower]

Hi!
I’ve put up other posts on clicker training in the past, so please browse through my past posts in addition to reading this. Also please check out my website under “links” for more information on clicker training. I have a separate page for clicker training as well.

Here’s a crash course. Clicker training is the dog version of training that animal behaviorist and marine mammal trainers have been using for years. When you see those trainers at SeaWorld blowing their whistles, what they are really doing is clicker training.

We really have Pavlov and his dog though to thank for all this and Karen Pryor for bringing the development of these early concepts into the world of dog training. With that intro – it’s actually pretty simple.

A clicker is a “conditioned reinforcer.” What that means is, you teach your dog to associate the sound of the click as a sign that something good is about to happen. The knowledge that something good is about to happen, “reinforces” the behavior that earned the click.

Here’s how it works (try this at home kids! Lol):

One of the easiest “early clicker” training exercises for dog and owner is teaching the hand bump. To begin:
1) If you have a clicker (you can get one at many pet shops, I sell one on my website, or you can go to the source – Karen Pryor’s own site). If you don’t many other things can be used instead – the click of a pen cap, a bell, a whistle. Just find something you can hold easily, makes a consistent sound, and that can be turned on and off quickly and efficiently.
2) Take some EXTRA special goodies such as dime sized slices of hotdog or small cubes of cheddar cheese and hold these pieces in the hand closest to your dog. A “bait bag” is recommended as you do not want to be fumbling with the goodies. The faster you can hand over the rewards, the faster this is going to work.
3) You are going to first “warm up” your clicker. Snap your clicker and not even as second later, hand over a small piece of goody. Do it again and again and again. Remember Pavlov’s dog? Well, here’s the part that we are borrowing from him. We want your dog to associate the clicker with the goodies the way Pavlov’s dog associated the bell with goodies.
a. Here’s a caveat –some dogs, especially small dogs, are noise sensitive or shy and may spook at the sound of the clicker. There a number of clickers on the market now that self-modulating but you can also muffle the sounds with a towel, put the clicker in your pocket or behind your back. Until you get your dog over her fear of the clicker, you will have to stay at the “warm up” phase for awhile. My last puppy needed me to stand on the back porch, chucking pieces of hotdog to her from at least 10 feet away before she learned that that the clicker was something good and not be feared!
4) Now here’s where clicker training takes a step further than Pavlov. Once your dog understands that the clicker means all things great and beautiful in the world, NOW you can use it to “reinforce” behaviors you want to recreate. As soon as your dog hears that “snap” she will wonder “OK, what was I doing when I heard that snap? Let me see if I can make my human do that again! Hmm .. . if I put my paw here will I get the snap? No? How about this? AH ha! There it is! These silly humans, its’ so easy to train them!”
5) Now you are ready to teach you hand touch. The reason this is a really good beginning exercise is that you can’t go wrong with it, it doesn’t require any special equipment. Plus, it’s a very simple movement with little in the way of “variations” which could confuse a dog (for example, the “sit” can be done in a number of different ways, butt down first, rolled into, from the down up, hips underneath, hips to the side. The more complicated the movement or gesture, the more elements need to be broken down into their simplest forms. The hand touch is so simple, one movement and your dog has got it). So here goes – put your hand out in front of your dog, palm facing towards her nose. If she is like most normal dogs, she will lean forward and sniff your palm. As soon as her nose makes contact with your skin “Click” and hand over the goodies. If she is that rare breed of dog that won’t lean forward and sniff your palm, you may have to “shape” the sniffing behavior in small increments. In other words, the slightest movement she gives you towards your hand you will click and reward. Then you will wait until she gives you slightly more movement and then more movement and so on until she finally touches your hand.
6) Once she has figured out that touching your palm earns her a click you can have fun with this my moving around the room and placing your hand in different directions. I’d begin by putting my hand at either side of her head to see if she turns to touch my hand. If she does that, I’d stand up and step a few feet away from her and show her my palm and see if she will come over. Soon enough, she will begin to follow you (hey, did you notice what a great way this is to teach the “come” command?). In agility, we use this exercise to teach dogs to follow our hands when we give directions on course.
7) When you think she really understands what is being asked, unlike traditional training where you would have used the command as you were teaching the exercise, only NOW do you add a command “touch.” Before you show her your palm and before you click, you say touch, she then touches and you click
8) The final stages of clicker training are “random reinforcement” – in which you do not reward every good performance but randomly select performances to click and ones not to click so that your dog isn’t dependant on rewards and the clicker to do the trick you are asking and then “proofing” where you add distractions and alternative choices to see if your dog truly understands the command and the behavior that is being requested
There are many great clicker books out there. For beginners I really like “Quick Clicks.” You can get this books from http://www.dogwise.com

[milliecorrales]

I have two male yorkies that are around a year, they are three weeks apart in age. Garrett will not do anything as far as tricks, Benni will learn it in 15 minutes flat and never forget it. SO far he comes when he is called, sits on command, dances, gives me five, hits a dougle pawed salute while in the air, lays down, rolls over and plays dead. The last three he learned just this week. He also goes and "finds the cat" when I tell him to. If there is a treat involved, I swear he would walk on water! Now Garrett on the other hand only knows to come when called, to sit, and go find the cat. He will sit there and look at Benni performing some little trick and you can almost hear him, say - you're a dummy dog, I will get a treat, and I don't have to do anything!!! So I sometimes wonder who actually is the smartest LOL