Sensitivity:
Obedience:
Trainability:
Stubbornness:
Attention Span:
Obedience training your Yorkshire Terrier fosters respect and harmony in your home. It establishes clear roles and responsibilities, ensuring your Yorkie knows what is expected. Obedience training builds leadership, trust, and discipline, strengthening the bond between you and your dog.
Yorkshire Terriers are intelligent and eager to please, which positively affects their training. This step-by-step guide will help you understand your Yorkie’s unique characteristics and navigate the obedience training process effectively.
Step 1: Choose a Training Method
Yorkies have bold and confident temperaments. Understanding this helps tailor a training approach that leverages their intelligence and eagerness to please. Their independent nature may require patience and consistency during training.
Selecting appropriate equipment is important. A harness and leash provide control without causing discomfort. Using a clicker can enhance communication with your Yorkie, as they respond well to positive reinforcement.
Consistency in method and equipment is key to successful training. Using the same commands and tools helps your Yorkie understand expectations. Regular practice strengthens the learning process and reduces confusion.
Step 2: Establish a Routine
Setting realistic goals ensures a smooth training journey. Start with simple commands and gradually progress to more complex ones. Recognize your Yorkie’s learning pace, acknowledging their intelligence and attention span.
Choosing a quiet, distraction-free location is essential. Yorkies are highly sensitive and can become easily distracted. A calm environment helps them focus and absorb commands effectively.
Establishing a daily schedule with 2 to 3 short sessions promotes consistency. Sessions lasting 10 to 15 minutes at the same time each day, including weekends, accommodate their energetic nature.
Sample Yorkshire Terrier basic obedience commands training schedule:
- Morning: Teach the “sit” command 5 times
- Afternoon: Practice the “come” command 5 times
- Evening: Go over the “stay” command 5 times
Sample Yorkshire Terrier advanced obedience commands training schedule:
- Morning: Go over the “off” command 5 times
- Afternoon: Practice the “heel” command 5 times
- Evening: Teach the “no” and “leave it” commands 3 times each
Step 3: Assert Leadership
Establish leadership with your Yorkie by being firm and fair. Asserting yourself as a pack leader helps them understand their place and builds respect. Their confident nature requires clear guidance.
Setting boundaries is essential for a well-behaved Yorkie. Define acceptable and unacceptable behaviors to avoid confusion. Consistency in rules ensures they understand expectations and reduces stubborn tendencies.
Rewarding obedience with positive reinforcement encourages desired behavior. Immediate rewards help your Yorkie associate commands with positive outcomes, enhancing their eagerness to please.
Step 4: Teach Basic Commands
Teaching basic commands like “sit,” “stay,” and “come” is important for Yorkie obedience. Immediate rewards reinforce learning and ensure they understand each command.
To teach “sit,” hold a treat above your Yorkie’s head. As they look up, their bottom will naturally lower. Offer the treat when they sit, reinforcing the behavior.
Begin teaching “stay” by having your Yorkie sit first. Then, introduce the “stay” command, gradually increasing the distance. Reward them when they stay in place.
For the “come” command, start with your Yorkie in a sitting position. Ask them to “stay” and then call them to “come.” Reward right after arrival.
Yorkshire Terrier basic obedience commands cheat sheet:
- Sit: Hold a treat above the head, command “sit,” reward sitting
- Stay: From the “sit” position, say “stay,” step back, reward staying
- Come: From the “sit” and “stay” positions, say “come,” reward arrival
Step 5: Expand Commands
Teaching advanced commands like “down,” “off,” “heel,” “no,” and “leave it” enhances your Yorkie’s obedience. Positive reinforcement strengthens their understanding and responsiveness.
To teach “down,” hold a treat near the ground from a sitting position. Your Yorkie should follow the treat into a lying position. Reward them immediately.
Teaching “off” involves using the command when your Yorkie jumps or climbs. Encourage them to move off or away, rewarding compliance.
For “heel,” walk beside your Yorkie, ensuring they do not walk ahead or behind. Reward them for staying beside you during walks.
The “no” command should be used sparingly with a firm voice. It helps discourage unwanted behaviors by clearly signaling disapproval.
Teaching “leave it” involves discouraging your Yorkie from touching certain objects. Use a firm voice and reward them when they comply.
Yorkshire Terrier advanced obedience commands cheat sheet:
- Down: Lower a treat to the ground while instructing “down,” reward lying
- Off: Direct away from an undesired area while commanding “off,” reward compliance
- Heel: Command “heel” when walking with a short leash, reward walking beside
- No: Discourage unwanted behavior while instructing “no,” reward obedience
- Leave It: Guide away from an object or item while saying “leave it,” reward restraint
Step 6: Advance to Complex Commands
Teaching complex commands enhances obedience and provides mental stimulation for your Yorkie. Commands like “fetch, bring back” and “heel, sit, wait” challenge their intelligence.
To teach “fetch, bring back,” use a toy and encourage your Yorkie to “fetch” and “bring back.” Reward them for completing the sequence successfully.
The “heel, sit, wait” command involves walking beside you, sitting, and waiting patiently. This complex sequence reinforces discipline and patience.
Yorkshire Terrier complex obedience commands cheat sheet:
- Fetch, Bring Back: Throw a toy, instruct “fetch, bring back,” reward retrieval
- Heel, Sit, Wait: Say “heel” when walking, then “sit” and “wait,” reward patience
Step 7: Maintain Obedience Training
Continue regular training to instill obedience in your Yorkie. Scheduled sessions ensure consistency and reinforce the commands they have learned.
Increasing challenges keeps training engaging. Introduce new difficulties and types of commands, ensuring they remain realistic for your Yorkie’s abilities.
Keeping training sessions engaging involves different environments and combining playtime with training. Immediate rewards maintain their interest and motivation.
Mistakes to Avoid
Using negative reinforcement can hinder your Yorkie’s training progress. Instead, focus on positive reinforcement to encourage desirable behaviors.
Holding long training sessions can lead to Yorkie fatigue and loss of interest. Keep sessions short and engaging to maintain their attention.
Being inconsistent with training can confuse your Yorkie. Regularly reinforce commands and routines to foster understanding and obedience.
Changing commands or rules during training can cause confusion. Stick to clear, consistent commands to help your Yorkie learn effectively.
Delaying rewards can weaken the association between command and reward. Immediate reinforcement is important to reinforce good behavior in your Yorkie.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Long Does It Take to Obedience Train a Yorkshire Terrier?
Training a Yorkie typically takes 2 to 4 months. Some may learn faster or slower, depending on the complexity of commands. Start between 8 to 12 weeks old and maintain patience and consistency throughout the process.
Why Might My Yorkshire Terrier Be Slow to Obedience Train?
A Yorkie’s individual temperament affects training speed. Negative experiences, lack of motivation, or inconsistent training can contribute to slow progress. Ensure rewards, engagement, and predictable routines are in place to support learning.
What Are the Most Important Commands to Teach a Yorkshire Terrier?
Commands like “sit,” “stay,” “come,” and “leave it” are important for Yorkies. These commands establish control and ensure your dog’s safety in various situations. Refer to the “Basic” and “Advanced” obedience commands cheat sheets for guidance.
What Should I Do if My Yorkshire Terrier Refuses to Obey Commands?
If your Yorkie refuses commands, revisit your training schedule for consistency. Consider the complexity of commands and any distractions. Adjust the environment and use rewards to maintain focus and motivation.
