Refuse to Train!!

[j3ntan]

Lola is 5 months and she refuses to train! We are almost complete with our Petsmart Puppy School and she does not even SIT on command. We have Finals in two days and she has embarrassed me in practically every class. She would rather play than eat her treats. She is super picky with treats and it doesn't matter if she's starving or full, she will only do "homework" or practice when she feels like it. And even then she'll give a growl to show her impatience! She is such a little diva!! What should I do with her?? She knows sit, down, rollover, wait, and leave it but she'll only do it if and when she feels the treats are worth it. She's even refused freeze dried ice cream for dogs! Please Help!!!!

[BLowry]

Correct me if I'm wrong....all you loooooong time Yorkie owners.....but, I from what I have read Yorkies have a mind of their own and will pretty much do what they want when they want....Sadie is 1 1/2 yrs old...I can get her to sit and stay...but not for long...I still give her her treat!! She's so cute I just don't care lol!

[dizpatch]

Welcome to the world of a Yorkie, run on Yorkie time & operated on Yorkie time.

Gotta luv em.

[JeanieK]

Originally Posted by j3ntan

Lola is 5 months and she refuses to train! We are almost complete with our Petsmart Puppy School and she does not even SIT on command. We have Finals in two days and she has embarrassed me in practically every class. She would rather play than eat her treats. She is super picky with treats and it doesn't matter if she's starving or full, she will only do "homework" or practice when she feels like it. And even then she'll give a growl to show her impatience! She is such a little diva!! What should I do with her?? She knows sit, down, rollover, wait, and leave it but she'll only do it if and when she feels the treats are worth it. She's even refused freeze dried ice cream for dogs! Please Help!!!!

Get rid of the treats and have her work for praise alone.

If they will only work for treats they won't be too reliable.

The author of the Training book that I just got does not believe in treat rewards. I'm so happy becase I don't believe in them either. they get so they know if you have a treat in your hand or not, and won't work unless you do.

This book has you work with the small breeds on a table or counter. And when they do it lavish on the praise.

She might just be a bit immature. I'm sure if she knows the commands, and you make working fun, she will eventually work better. Right now their attention is like that of a 2 year old, and we all know how well they listen. Ya, that's right. only when they want to.

[j3ntan]

Thanks for the input everyone!!

[Dougal&Little]

Does your dog like toys? The best reward might be a little game of tug of war with a toy! Are her treats something completely different. IE not her kibble? Something super tasty that she ONLY gets when you're doing training.

And the training has to be fun. Keep training sessions short. Get her to sit twice in a row and leave it at that for 1/2 an hour then get her to sit again a couple of times. I find myself "nagging" if my two don't do something and they just get frustrated with me and I have to stop.

Yorkies aren't untrainable but terriers do take a little more patience . You see people that are used to collies and the like and they just don't understand the terrier mentality.

Best of luck with the training. A little basic obedience makes for a much better relationship between you and your little pooch.

[yorkieangel]

LOL... Well I sure can't help you..... My Pearl can't even SIT

If you say SIT she FREEZES like a statue That is her one and only accomplishment and she is almost 1. That's it ... she can FREEZE if you say SIT

[Timmy]

Having two made me realize how different they are even though they are the same breed. Timmy can sit, lay & give me paw and Mimi just sits...thats as far as she has gone. Timmy is 5 months old and Mimi is 4 months old so there is not a big age difference but I know that they are different in there own way so I take is slower with her.
Timmy is now learning how to roll over...he tries to roll over but he can't get himself to do it yet...he does look funny trying.

Just hand in there....it will happen sooner or later.

[Erin]

Just give it time, I promise it will get better. I don't think she is being stubborn. Does she have a crate? Put her in it for a few minutes, then take her out and try doing some tricks. If she refuses, then put her back in the crate for a while and try again. Just be calm and make it no big deal. Basically, don't give her any attention unless she is working on what you want. And keep the sessions short so she doesn't get bored.

Also, try using "life rewards" Ask her to sit before pouring water or setting down her food. If she starts to get up, lift the bowl. Don't set it down unless her butt is on the ground. Or hand feed her each piece while asking her to sit. When you go for a walk, ask her to sit while you put her leash on, sit while you open the door, etc. Ask her to sit before you give her a toy. Only pet her if she sits. Don't do anything unless she sits!

As far as treats, they should be used as a reward, not a bribe. It's not like "Oh look what I have but you have to sit first" If she will work for praise, that's fine. My little guy doesn't always like to be petted - food is a big motivator for him so we use treats a lot. But I ask for the behavior, THEN we go and get the treat. Other times we use life rewards, like I have him sit beside me when I stop at intersections, etc. on our walk. When he sits, the walk continues. This doesn't require food - the walk is a reward. But if all I did was pet him he'd be like, yeah OK whatever lady. You have to do what works for your dog. Would you work as hard if you never got paid?

If you are still trying to find a good treat, try Zukes Mini Naturals, or simply try chicken or cheese :-)

[Jaxon's mom]

I think it just takes time and patience. I took Jaxon to basic obedience and was ready to quit! He wouldn't listen and just wanted to socialize with the other dogs. I was pleasantly surprised when we had 'graduation' night and he did all the commands.

Just work on things for a few minutes each day. I'm sure she'll come around eventually. Yorkies are so stubborn!

[AprilLove]

Just keep at it and keep the training sessions short, like no more than 5 minutes or so once or more times a day. Their attention span as pups is not that long and I think playing is all they think about! I really believe that each dog is individual as far as how they do with training. My Maltese is almost 11 years old and knows sit, nite nite, and go potty. Ha ha, that may be my fault cause she is so cute, I never really forced the basic commands on her. On the other hand, of the 4 dogs I have had, AprilLove (Yorkie) has been the quickest to catch on to commands and training. She is so eager to learn that she knows our training time each day (after I get home from work and all the doggies have done their business) and comes and sits at my feet and gives a little wuf wuf to say "let's get schooling, Mommy! ) It is so cute and I am so proud of her. 5 minutes a day is all I do. She is a week over 7 months and knows, sit, down, stay, come, rollover, up (standing on hind legs), shake, up and walk (on 2 hind legs) jump over, look at me (in my eyes), go get it, bring it, drop it, go potty, nite nite, (go to bedroom) bring toy, ring the bell, and a few more. Not bragging (well maybe a ittle cause I luv her so much!), but just saying patience and consistency and all of a sudden they get it and it is so rewarding for them and you. It will get better, when they lose interest, just cut the session short and come back to it. Good luck and the suggestions on using toys or tug o war or similar as rewarding are great ideas. Not all doggies go for the treats, but love to play as a reward.