walking=discipline
 

I am owned by a 16 week Yorkie girl named Macy who I could not get to stop biting and nipping. It had gotten to the point last week where I was really reconsidering whether I had acquired the right breed of dog (my dogs of the past have been Shih Tzu and on the lazy side).

Although I live in a high rise and work 9 hours a day, I immediately began a two daily walk routine. The problem has improved drastically. She is still energetic, but much easier to control now.

Simple enough. Listen to Cesar - exercise, discipline, then affection.

As a school teacher who has been losing my temper a lot, this has taught me an important lesson about setting boundaries and regaining control.

No formula will work for every dog and some need more of some things and less of others, which is why you can't ever go by a general formula. Just about any form of sensible training will work with any given dog as long as they know they can trust you, know for certain you will never hurt, scare or intimidate them, if you set reasonable boundaries for them and gently but firmly reinforce those, provide all the behavior training, safety, care, life-enrichment activities and exercise the dog's breed requires(and bright, high-energy terriers like Yorkies require a lot - most are not true "lap" dogs but hunter/seekers), vet the dog responsibly and always remain loving and patient as you always meet all his daily needs - even if you have to do without to achieve it.

No alpha rolls or kicks to the flank, harassing/intimidating a dog by repeatedly baiting him, repeated collar jerks with the collar high up on the neck to repress air flow are necessary to bring a lively, playful, wild or even most vicious dogs around - there are far safer, easier and kinder ways to train a dog using positive reinforcement to show a dog how to behave and become a wonderful, happy, feisty companion, completely satisfied with you and his life.

She is brilliant! Potty trained to go on wee wee pads in one week and then re-trained on ugodog in 3 days. She will also potty on walks outside. I had read that terriers were rat catchers, but was still hoping she'd be somewhat of a lap dog. She definitely likes to be near me and loves going for car rides and also likes to be carried around, but not necessarily sitting in my lap on the couch.

She sounds wonderfully active and very smart, a dog that loves to learn and work. Keeping her little brain busy learning new games and tricks/obedience commands and getting her out and about to work out her seeking/hunting tendencies along with lots of exercise and play and cuddling will make for a happy, fulfilled little pet. So many "lap" dogs are left to just while away their days lying about the house endlessly chewing on chewies or given treat after treat to keep them quiet and expecting them to love that staid lifestyle. Many high-energy terriers require a series of challenges throughout their day in order to live their best lives. I'm glad your little one is going to have lots of fun activities, training and exercise in her life as well as being on the go with mommie to help her deal with her basic terrier instincts and enjoy a full dog's life.