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

[bizzbeth]

Hello!!

I have had my yorkie, Oliver, for about 7 years. I have come to realize he (and maybe his whole breed??) is very smart and VERY stubborn and has a mind of his OWN! I never noticed this until I got a black lab about a year ago. My black lab blindly obeys me and my BF and has developed several amazing habits (like running into his kennel when he hears me get my keys). This is a trick I did not consciously train him to do.

My yorkie, on the other hand, seems to know how to tell time and will run AWAY from me when it is time for me to go because he knows I will close the bedroom door (where the pillows (mine!) he loves to sleep on and lick are). He doesn't do a trick to please me- he does it to get a treat and when a treat is not given he sulks. HAHA! He has the biggest personality of any dog I have ever met. I never knew how much spunk could be in such a little package until after I got another breed of dog.

Things I didn't know about Yorkies...

[GeorgiesMomma]

That is too funny! Our sweet boxer passed away last month but I can tell you her and Georgie were like night and day. Georgie never went in a crate, gets hand fed when he chooses and basically lives the life of royalty lol. Coco had an amazing life and enjoyed a lot of the perks as well. However, it wasn't because she insisted on them it was more because we are just that way with our fur babies. Georgie on the other hand accepts nothing less lol

[bizzbeth]

Originally Posted by GeorgiesMomma

Georgie on the other hand accepts nothing less lol

EXACTLY! My lab LOVES when he gets treats and pets and loves and play time. Oliver (my yorkie) DEMANDS it! lol

[GeorgiesMomma]

Originally Posted by bizzbeth

EXACTLY! My lab LOVES when he gets treats and pets and loves and play time. Oliver (my yorkie) DEMANDS it! lol

I really don't feel like Georgie is a dog aside from doing his business outside he has no other characteristics lol

[msyorktown]

YUP...they are a breed like no other!! Mine will actually wait too get the treats ready before they go outside to potty! Like they aren't going unless they get a treat....

[gracielove]

You are so right. I have had dogs of various breeds over my lifetime but the Yorkie is in a class by it's self. Stubborn but loving, intelligent and manipulative. They do have big personalities in a little body.

People who meet Gracie are always amazed by the things that she does. She also believes she can talk as she "tells" me what she wants and lets me know when I need to do something. It's like having a furry little person in the house.

We had a Lab when my kids were young. Ours was an absolute love but very strong. They can be stubborn too though, especially when they are young. They need tons of exercise. They are bred for running out in the field so to be really happy they need to run that energy off.

[bobohyde]

My beloved golden retriever (passed on now) lived his life to please us. Columbo lives his life to please himself. And if he can please us in the process of pleasing himself, then he's cool with that. If he had a voice, he would sound like Cartman on South Park.... "Whatever!!....I do what I want!"

[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.

[GeorgiesMomma]

Originally Posted by bobohyde

My beloved golden retriever (passed on now) lived his life to please us. Columbo lives his life to please himself. And if he can please us in the process of pleasing himself, then he's cool with that. If he had a voice, he would sound like Cartman on South Park.... "Whatever!!....I do what I want!"

That is such a good way of putting it....I feel the same way about our Boxer Coco and Georgie. Georgie is like as long as I am happy you should be too LOL

[bizzbeth]

Originally Posted by bobohyde

My beloved golden retriever (passed on now) lived his life to please us. Columbo lives his life to please himself. And if he can please us in the process of pleasing himself, then he's cool with that. If he had a voice, he would sound like Cartman on South Park.... "Whatever!!....I do what I want!"

Lol my BF and I have used this same analogy to describe Oliver! Haha

[yorkietalkjilly]

When my son's American Bulldog is here with Tibbe & me, it's like having a well-mannered military officer and a toddler just up from his nap under one roof. And I think you can guess which is which.

[CouversMom]

Originally Posted by yorkietalkjilly

When my son's American Bulldog is here with Tibbe & me, it's like having a well-mannered military officer and a toddler just up from his nap under one roof. And I think you can guess which is which.

So true!

Couver is 4 and I still can't trust him not to get in the cupboards and steal food... It is exactly like having a toddler!

[GeorgiesMomma]

Originally Posted by yorkietalkjilly

When my son's American Bulldog is here with Tibbe & me, it's like having a well-mannered military officer and a toddler just up from his nap under one roof. And I think you can guess which is which.

Jeanie that is soooo true. I am guessing Tibbe is the toddler LOL

[concretegurl]

I can totally relate to the kennek bit!

My mini schnauzer practically puts herself to bed at bed time, nap time outings, rarely do I even have to say go lay down your bed...

Elvis preplans knowing the routines and hides places...

Scobbers my schnorkie (hybrid if the two breeds)
Well he stands by the kennel and waits for the command lol!

Same with bath times.

Now at eating time and training times Scoobers and Princess are ready to go totally motivated by food.
Elvis must inspect the food ir treat decide if its worthy...and he just might sit abd nibble while the other two do back flips around him!

[yorkietalkjilly]

Originally Posted by GeorgiesMomma

Jeanie that is soooo true. I am guessing Tibbe is the toddler LOL

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.