Stubborn .....

[lilgidget]

My Gidget has finally gotten the potty training issue down pat. She turned 1yr the 21st of Jan but is finally using the pee pads for pee and poopy. Now I've got another issue. She only comes to me when it suits her. When I try to pick her up she runs from me. But if she's tired and wants to sleep in my lap, that's another story. Right now, I'm working on the stay command and the same is true there. If I tell her to stay and walk toward her, she turns and runs around. Is this a problem for anyone else? If I'm sitting down and give her the command to sit and stay, she's fine. If I get up and move toward her, she runs around. Any suggestions?

[Cherie6446]

Zoey does the exact thing. She is seven yrs old and I guess she will always be this way. It's her way or no way.

[Lovetodream88]

It's very important when you call her to you for awhile you don't pick her up. Are you using treats?

[Captainzing]

I'm never had a more independent dog then a yorkie..

[matese]

Maybe she just doesn't like to be picked up.
My rescue boy was raised by a 8 yo little girl, she carried him all over cradled in her arms like an infant. When I go to pick him up he flops over on his back, all 4 feet in the air lol, he doesn't like to be picked up. The only time he's cooperative is if he's sleeping, it's time for me to go to bed, and he has to go out for his last pee pee, then I HAVE to pick him up cradled in my arms and bring him outside, go figure lol.

[Jkpal]

[FONT="Comic Sans MS"]If outside, Piper will tune me out completely---not even enticement of 'chicken jerky' will get her attention. And it's only taken the better part of two years for her to sit 'on command' (but only for a treat) and right now we're working on sitting up--without her falling over! Piper has an independent/stubborn streak a mile wide, but I've pretty much adjusted and love her beyond all reason![/FONT]Pipe when asked to sit--she ain't too keen at being told what to do!!!

[canana]

sounds like a typical Yorkie to me. They're either afraid (maybe they know what's going to happen next - like you're going to brush their teeth), don't like being picked up, or they like playing the 'chase me' game.

My two do the same. It can be cute and it can be super annoying.
Like you, I reinforced the stay and it's worked for me (in an indoor familiar environment, at home).

Alternatively, if you want to train them out running away, I believe you could try this...

Each time they come to you and let you pick them up, give them a treat. Do it for any given time they let you pick them up, whether for fun, to sit on the couch, to put the leash on etc. With time, they'll associate being picked up to getting a treat and will automatically want to be picked up. The difficult part would be to always have a treat on hand.

*but you'd want to train them "come" first with treats
** and never scold or yell at them for coming to you, even if they had an accident etc. always always tell them good girl/boy if they come to you.

[Monroe-Rylee]

Yes, she may just not like being picked up. If you want to get her used to being pick-up maybe try treats or a massage… Rylee hated being on her back when I first got her and I’d turn her over for a few seconds at a time & give her a quick massage. Now she’s got no problem being on her back for chest brushing at night. But, if you don’t need to pick her up you can always just accept she may not like it.

To teach them to come, I always made sure not to call my girls unless I knew I could get them to come (ie. they were on a lead I was in control of or within reach). If I gave them the option they would have never learned that they have no choice but to come when called.

Even still they have stubborn moments though… just last night Monroe wanted to stay asleep on the couch rather than go outside before bed. She heard me call her, opened her eyes, but didn’t even bother raising her head to actually look at me! After a very stern “Monroe, come here” she came, slowly and stretching on her way… Ugh, so stinking cute I know why these babies get away with murder!

[Maximo]

Originally Posted by Lovetodream88

It's very important when you call her to you for awhile you don't pick her up. Are you using treats?

Do this throughout life. Don't associate calling her with picking her up. When you do pick her up, do it sometimes for just a second, give her a quick kiss or hug, and let her down again. Then give her a little cheer or say "thank you!" or something to show your happiness. I do that with my boys so that they don't associate being called with being trapped.

Max is 8 and still enjoys playing hard to get even when I want to pick him up for something he really wants -- like getting ready to go out. I don't chase or get excited. I tell him the rest of us are ready and going. As soon as I pivot on my feet, he is ready to jump into my arms.