Things I didn't know about Yorkies... Until I got another breed

[GeorgiesMomma]

Originally Posted by yorkietalkjilly

Oh, you guessed right! He forgets all his training, his manners, that's he's my buddy and becomes "Chucky" instead of Tibbe!!! He takes every advantage he can get away with - most likely because he keeps me in stitches the whole time so who can be a leader when you're busting a gut?!?! His ears are back, fire-eyes walled, dog-laughing/panting, mouth wide open, butt in the air, dashing around fast, growling and barking "betcha can't catch me" - and crazy as a loon. Spastic and so funny. And he crosses every line - rips up paper, steals things, turns things over & runs away and devils Tex, the huge ABD, constantly. Tex just rolls his big eyes and looks at me as if to say, "he's nuts". He is! Tex just sends him.

That is too cute! Tibbe is happy to have a playmate. I am sure Tex is like our sweet Coco thinking "what's up with this guy?" LOL My husband and I always say Georgie is a child with fur LOL.

[yorkietalkjilly]

Originally Posted by GeorgiesMomma

That is too cute! Tibbe is happy to have a playmate. I am sure Tex is like our sweet Coco thinking "what's up with this guy?" LOL My husband and I always say Georgie is a child with fur LOL.

Tibbe loves his dog buddies, he does.

How's Georgie doing on his own now?

[GeorgiesMomma]

Originally Posted by yorkietalkjilly

Tibbe loves his dog buddies, he does.

How's Georgie doing on his own now?

I honestly think Georgie prefers to be the only furry child. He hadn't played with Coco in awhile because she was getting so old. My nieces will bring her dogs and Georgie just growls at her puppy

[yorkietalkjilly]

Oh, good. Practical as always, our Yorkies. We don't know what's in their hearts always but on the outside, they can be such little pragmatists.

[gracielove]

Originally Posted by Teresa Ford

Labs and Yorkies .. different oh yessss
In the 70s and 80s we bred, trained, showed and were involved with Labs. We even worked with service dog trainers for the blind and physically impaired. Asa breed I would feel safe in the general statement, Labs want to work forpeople. They thrive on praise and reward type training. Of course there arealways exceptions. I Do not think (forgive me this is not mean to startrebuttals) Labs are on the high end of intelligence. They would rather someoneelse be the rule maker and leader. Nor would I consider them independentthinkers or problem solvers. Well trained Labs are are amazing. Once they getpast the long puppy stage and reach maturity Labs make wonderful, faithful,companions. NOW Yorkies are a different sort of dog. I found that out when Istarted working with them in the 1980s. Some were treat motivated, some weren't.Smart ? You bet ! Not smart like German Shep. or Border Collies (Who I thinkare smartest dogs ever) Yorkies seem to know how to get what they want. I haveseen Yorkies change assertive behavior to begging and submissive to get whatthey want. Perhaps it is because they have spent so many centuries ascompanions and lived with people, in their home. I think Yorkies do what peoplewant them to, when it pleases them to do so. I think they understand trainingperfectly, but it is secondary to what they want. I am teasing a bit, butreally I think Yorkies are very human, they have so many of our finerbehaviors, like love, loyalty, and compassion. But they can also betemperamental, moody, selfish, possessive, and self important. I have enjoyedtraining them for almost 30 years. I never use a harsh tone, firm voice, butnot harsh. I also use a lot of praise and physical touch when working withYorkies. Physical comfort I think is far more important to Yorkies. Labs canbash into a garden wall while playing, or dive into icy water and barelynotice. Yorkies cringe when it rains or they have a knot in their fur. I thinktheir sense touch is very close to our own. I often have to remind people tolet Yorkies walk. They tend to carry them way too much. Yorkies can becomewonderful, well trained companions as well as any Lab.
I kind of think about it like this, a Lab is like a not so bright child may bea joy to parent, and so easy to love. They obey the rules and seldom cause aproblem. When they are an adult they will be hard working, kind and fit intosociety perfectly.
Yorkies are like, an independent, intelligent, and creative child. They maydrive you crazy and challenge your authority. They study human behavior andknow how to get people to work for them. As a teenager they may do somedangerous and experimental things. When they mature they still retain theirchild like curiosity and fun nature. As adults they really listen and careabout the WHY of everything. They are never boring, and you love having long conversationswith them, because they do understand the delicate, and subtle things aboutlife.

You are so right on about both breeds. Our lab seemed to take at least 3 years to get out of the puppy stage. I still remember him pushing past the kids as they were going out the back door---grabbing one of my ornamental lambs that stood in my garden with Bo Peep and running off with it as though he had a great prize. Me running after him trying to get it back before he had it ruined. Quite a sight. Quite a memory. Would love to see his sweet face today, though I didn't think it was quite so sweet that day!

[Lap Princess]

I've had a lab and 2 Brittany's. Lexie is my first small dog, let alone a yorkie. The bird dogs were so much more people-pleasers. They were such athletes and needed tons of exercise, were never picky about food, and were generally easy to train. The yorkie is almost catlike in her personality and temperament. A totally different experience!