"Yorkies are not like other dogs"

[Lovetodream88]

Originally Posted by Britster

Great responses.... definitely an interesting topic. I really don't mean that every dog is going to love being active, or whatever, etc... obviously each breed is going to have unique individuals, etc. I've met some lazy Border Collies for example.

I mainly mean, I think we should look at -- Animal first, then Dog, then Breed, then Individual.

Yes, certain breeds are different than others, but dogs are dogs. Some may require slightly different approaches to socialization, training and exercise, but they're all dogs and behave as dogs do. They are all fundamentally the same creatures.

I just think sometimes certain people put their breed on a pedastool, and almost have a "mightier than thou" attitude about their breed, as if they are sooo different than ALL other dogs. I think is what I'm getting at.

I dont do that with yorkies as a breed I do that with Callie just being Callie lol

[concretegurl]

Elvis would beg to differ...hes more like a cat.

Lol
I love my mini schnauzer and schnorkie who acts very yorkie...

I see where many yorkies act like dogs however I see some breed inherent behaviors that are very prelude to jstification to say they are very unique from any other breed.

I beleive they arent like other breeds, however this is not true fr every yorkie.

Honestly their want for center or attention and constant lap dog idealistic chaacters I thinkl leads tat thonking.

I totally see the differences but it is hard to list because whole other breeds do stuff yorkies seem to critically think and pu effort behind theirchoices.


Whoever said Oz cat dogs and poodles were the smartest missed the cat like psychology of a yorkie they do t if they want and hey are quite capable of training people at tim

[gracielove]

Originally Posted by yorkietalkjilly

I haven't yet found a breed yet that is so enjoyable - but part of it is just purely visual and part is attitude. I love the overall look of the perky, happy Yorkie and I just love the "attitude" of the dog! Tibbe will definitely just tell you like it is if he doesn't agree with something you want him to do. He is soooooo cute doing his tricks and things sometimes. I will want him to roll over a fourth or fifth time in a row and he will growl all through the last rollover!!! He just grunts when his sturdy little body hits the ground and then grrrrrr's all through the rolling over!!! Then he jumps up and snorts about 40 times and gives me the eye! Scotty and Jilly were very similar in their 'tudes. No other breed seems to have the sassback of a Yorkie nor quite the stink eye if you are on their bad side for some reason. And all of that in a tiny, perfect, short, square little package is too much! I think they are the cutest thing on 4 feet!

While I agree with Brit that a dog is a dog but there are so many differences in their traits and indeed certain breeds were created for specific purposes. That sassback you mention is so very descriptive of the Yorkie spirit. It's that sassback and spunky spirit that makes them so challenging and endearing. I guess some people find it annoying but I love it. I guess their desire to talk back is one of the things that make them so childlike to us. Not in a soft gooey way but a high spirited intelligent way. It took a while for Gracie and I to strike a balance in how we dealt with that spirit. She is still sassy and high spirited but she does have good manners......most of the time...... as long as I do what she says!

[tinalove]

Yorkies are not like other dogs. I have a bichon frise and I can tell you yorkies are not like any other dog I have experienced. They are definitely a unique breed.

[yorkietalkjilly]

Originally Posted by gracielove

While I agree with Brit that a dog is a dog but there are so many differences in their traits and indeed certain breeds were created for specific purposes. That sassback you mention is so very descriptive of the Yorkie spirit. It's that sassback and spunky spirit that makes them so challenging and endearing. I guess some people find it annoying but I love it. I guess their desire to talk back is one of the things that make them so childlike to us. Not in a soft gooey way but a high spirited intelligent way. It took a while for Gracie and I to strike a balance in how we dealt with that spirit. She is still sassy and high spirited but she does have good manners......most of the time...... as long as I do what she says!

Gracie sounds so like Tibbe. I find that little spirit to sassback to somebody 10 times taller than he is and outweighing him by 115 lbs. is amazing! What I love about the Yorkie is they have the attitude and the intelligence to know when to shed the 'tude and just do what they must. Then the little attitude comes right back as if to say, "see, I did it so I still win"! Once I found that combination of small size, fearlessness, playfulness, intelligence and attitude in a loyal companion that loves without question such as the Yorkie has wrapped up in one little package, I was sold on this breed and never looked back.

[shelimcallister]

I am guilty of meeting a dog of a particular breed and associating that dog's characteristics with the entire breed, which is not fair..I know. Recently, I met a Corgi that was out of control and I admit that I immediately thought, "Why in the heck would the Queen have so many of these?". I am also guilty of thinking my dogs are superior to other breeds.

I think that training is more to do with commitment, time, and a desire to have an obedient dog. For example, my grandmother got a Westie when my grandfather passed and she babies him. Even though he is a pretty good dog in spite of her making minimal effort to train him, she enjoys opening the door 900 times a day to apese his indecisiveness. I think it works for her.

I can see that a lot of you are very good at training and have done extensive research, etc. which is awesome and I really wish I was more dedicated to training. I do my best and read about it as much as possible but it is not super important to me to be by the books. However, it is important to me to have a dog that is respectful, well socialized, etc. and I think that Max MUST be VERY exeptional because I haven't done too much and he's very good in my opinion.

I think went off topic, but the point I was getting to was that its all in one's perception. I guess everyone has the right to raise their children or animals any way they want. Interesting topic.

[navillusc]

Originally Posted by shelimcallister

...I really wish I was more dedicated to training. I do my best and read about it as much as possible but it is not super important to me to be by the books. However, it is important to me to have a dog that is respectful, well socialized, etc. and I think that Max MUST be VERY exeptional because I haven't done too much and he's very good in my opinion. ...

Shelly, training can be done multiple ways, but the easiest way to 'train' (dogs and people, too...lol) is by repetition...repetition...repetition...lol I know that sounds dumb, but if you take a dog...any dog...and EVERY time it sits down you say "SIT" as or just after it sits, then "GOOD" to praise it, it will associate the action with the command...add a hand signal, and you have multiple cues and eventually, when the dog is standing, walking, running, etc., and you say "SIT", the dog will 'automatically' sit. Training ourselves to be repetitive in issuing the commands is perhaps as difficult, since we must learn to issue the 'command' with the repetitive precision we want the animal to receive and demonstrate...and we get in a hurry...and we forget...and we multitask...and we get tired and just don't do it "this time"...and...! lol (Why do you think we make certain purchases...repetitive advertising...programming ! )

If you have time to do daily training, you will be focused on TRAINING the dog, but if you just get in the HABIT of saying the same things over and over for the actions you want the dog to perform, you will find you have a fairly well trained ('programmed') dog in no time with little effort...and YOU will be trained, too, and ready for that sudden need for a specific action.

That Max is "very good" at it without you consciously "training" him may be BECAUSE you have been 'subconsciously' training (programming) him all this time, in which case, give yourself a round of applause!

[yorkietalkjilly]

Originally Posted by navillusc

Shelly, training can be done multiple ways, but the easiest way to 'train' (dogs and people, too...lol) is by repetition...repetition...repetition...lol I know that sounds dumb, but if you take a dog...any dog...and EVERY time it sits down you say "SIT" as or just after it sits, then "GOOD" to praise it, it will associate the action with the command...add a hand signal, and you have multiple cues and eventually, when the dog is standing, walking, running, etc., and you say "SIT", the dog will 'automatically' sit. Training ourselves to be repetitive in issuing the commands is perhaps as difficult, since we must learn to issue the 'command' with the repetitive precision we want the animal to receive and demonstrate...and we get in a hurry...and we forget...and we multitask...and we get tired and just don't do it "this time"...and...! lol (Why do you think we make certain purchases...repetitive advertising...programming ! )

If you have time to do daily training, you will be focused on TRAINING the dog, but if you just get in the HABIT of saying the same things over and over for the actions you want the dog to perform, you will find you have a fairly well trained ('programmed') dog in no time with little effort...and YOU will be trained, too, and ready for that sudden need for a specific action.

That Max is "very good" at it without you consciously "training" him may be BECAUSE you have been 'subconsciously' training (programming) him all this time, in which case, give yourself a round of applause!

So true. I always say training a dog is like learning a new dance routine for the drillteam or dance theater. You just do the same thing over and over and over until it comes by rote - don't even think about what to do.

[BiewerYorkie]

My two Chihuahuas are not really stubborn. My two Japanese Chins are horribly bull headed, particularily my Female, Yoshi. Both of them will stand still like statues and stare straight ahead if they don't want to listen. Chins were bred for ONE thing only, companionship and they seem to know it. These two are experts at "selective hearing".


My terrier/x is ok, minds quite well. Now Zachary, my Biewer Yorkie, is kind of inbetween. He is not quite 6 months old so we will see how he will end up in another 6 months.

Louise

[morkie mom]

When I first heard about my morkie Teddie, all I could think of was my MIL's morkie who ran wild, grab food off peoples plates, and was out of control. We were told that Teddie needed some training. I was so nervous. But when Teddie came to live with us, he was great! He was calm , listen and obeyed. He was well behaved. We have had him now just a little over a month. And has been the greatest addition to our family.

[navillusc]

Originally Posted by yorkietalkjilly

So true. I always say training a dog is like learning a new dance routine for the drillteam or dance theater. You just do the same thing over and over and over until it comes by rote - don't even think about what to do.

Absolutely! I call it 'brain training"...I've also heard it called "muscle training"...but the end result is the same...you and your body know exactly what to do, and do it, and often your mind wanders off...somewhere...else...

I did have a Shep/Lab mix who in her older years seemed to be losing her hearing and sometimes did not respond to commands. No biggie, right? She was trained with hand signals, too. So, one day, standing directly in front of her I told her to "SIT" and issued the corresponding hand signal, and...I KID YOU NOT!!!...she whipped that head up and out of the way, nose up in the air off at an angle where she could not see ME any more. So I waited until she was again looking at me and repeated the command and signal. Again, up and away that head went!!! She KNEW EXACTLY what she was doing...she did NOT WANT to "SIT" so she became as "blind" as she was "deaf" in an instant. DH and I nearly killed ourselves with laughter, and she remained standing!

[IheartROME]

I totally love this thread, because I LOVE all dogs, mutts, purebreads, sizes, and colors.ect! I am just a dog lover all around! I just prefer a yorkie you know but ive seen people tell me I couldn't bring my dog to their house because small dogs pee every sooooo not true! My dog is completely house broken. My brother has a staffordshire pittbull & goes potty & hs allowed but my 6bls trained yorkie cant come people are so wierd thank goodness for YT

[Christinee]

I think all dogs are awesome. The most important thing to any breed is to make their humans happy and proud of them. All the rest is up to the owner... training, etc...
Although, I'm sure yorkies as with any small breeds, their little bladders do make it harder to make sure there are never any accidents in a house versus a big dog who could hold it longer.
But it's just like your kid. I'm sure everyone thinks their kid is a golden child even though on of their friends parents may think your child is a pain in the rear. LOL

[yorkietalkjilly]

Originally Posted by navillusc

Absolutely! I call it 'brain training"...I've also heard it called "muscle training"...but the end result is the same...you and your body know exactly what to do, and do it, and often your mind wanders off...somewhere...else...

I did have a Shep/Lab mix who in her older years seemed to be losing her hearing and sometimes did not respond to commands. No biggie, right? She was trained with hand signals, too. So, one day, standing directly in front of her I told her to "SIT" and issued the corresponding hand signal, and...I KID YOU NOT!!!...she whipped that head up and out of the way, nose up in the air off at an angle where she could not see ME any more. So I waited until she was again looking at me and repeated the command and signal. Again, up and away that head went!!! She KNEW EXACTLY what she was doing...she did NOT WANT to "SIT" so she became as "blind" as she was "deaf" in an instant. DH and I nearly killed ourselves with laughter, and she remained standing!

Oh, how cute! I just love dog stories! She was going to do what she wanted to do and show a little independent streak that meant to show that's one girl who knew her own mind! I just love a dog that minds and obeys and all that. But nothing cuter in my mind that one that will stand up for itself from time to time and say - "Not this time, mom!" Slays me when they decide to do their own thing. Poor little things do what we say for years and years and once in a while, they just gotta be a dog and say "Enough!". Gotta love it.

[SophieNoel]

Interesting thread. I had heard/read that yorkies were different than other dogs prior to bringing Timmy home. Its been only 3 mos or so, but in my experience with other breeds, i have to say that he is very different than the other dogs I've had.
There is little difference between my Cavalier's personalities and my Goldens personalities. Timmy on the other hand is night and day by comparison. My Timmy is stubborn, demanding and bossy. :-P Yet I adore him immensely. I find his quirks quite entertaining. I've never had a dog before that would stand by his empty water dish and loudly demand that I fill it. Immediately. My cavaliers sit and stare at me quietly wagging their tails til they get my attention. Both are equally sweet and loving, but very different. With Timmy, I often feel as though I have another baby in the house. lol