If you are considering getting a Yorkshire Terrier, one of the questions you may be wondering is, “Are Yorkies obedient?” The answer is yes, Yorkies can be obedient dogs, but it takes patience and consistent training to get them there. Yorkies are known for their intelligence and eagerness to please their owners, which makes them trainable, but they can also be stubborn at times.
If you are patient with your Yorkie and keep training sessions short but frequent, they will learn commands and happily obey them because they know it makes you happy. It’s important to use only positive reinforcement during training, as Yorkies respond well to praise and rewards. As with any dog, consistency and repetition are key to achieving obedience.
However, it’s important to note that every dog is different, and some Yorkies may be more challenging to train than others. It’s important to start training your Yorkie as early as possible and to be consistent with your commands and expectations. With the right approach, you can have a well-trained and obedient Yorkie that is a joy to be around.
Table of Contents
- Are Yorkies Obedient?
- The Yorkshire Terrier Breed
- Training Your Yorkie
- Yorkies as Companions
- Yorkies in Dog Sports
- FAQ
- Are Yorkies hard to train?
- How do you discipline a Yorkie?
- How do you stop a Yorkie from biting?
- How many times do Yorkies poop a day during potty training?
- How do I stop my Yorkie from peeing in the house?
- How long does it take a Yorkie to learn its name?
- What is the first thing you should teach your Yorkie?
- What are the 7 basic dog commands?
Are Yorkies Obedient?
If you are considering getting a Yorkie, you might be wondering if they are obedient. Let’s explore their personality, intelligence, training, and obedience.
Personality
Yorkies are known for their big personalities. They are confident, curious, and affectionate. However, they can also be stubborn, which can make training a bit challenging.
Intelligence
Yorkies are intelligent dogs and are quick learners. They are in the same intelligence class as Dalmatians and Poodles, which are both known for their obedience.
Training
Training a Yorkie requires patience, consistency, and positive reinforcement. They respond well to treats and praise, and they thrive on mental stimulation and challenge.
Obedience
Yorkies can be obedient dogs if trained properly. They are capable of learning basic commands, potty training, and crate training. However, they can be difficult to housebreak, so be patient and consistent.
When it comes to obedience, it’s important to remember that every dog is different. Some Yorkies may be more stubborn than others, but with patience and positive reinforcement, you can teach your Yorkie to be a well-behaved companion.
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The Yorkshire Terrier Breed
If you’re considering getting a dog, the Yorkshire Terrier might be a breed you’re interested in. Here are some things to know about this popular breed.
Origin
The Yorkshire Terrier, also known as the Yorkie, originated in Yorkshire, England in the 19th century. They were initially bred to catch rats in mills and factories, but soon became popular as lapdogs for wealthy families.
Temperament
Yorkies are known for their big personalities and are often described as spunky, confident, and brave. They are also affectionate and enjoy spending time with their owners. However, they can be stubborn and may require patience and consistency during training.
Physical Characteristics
Yorkies are a small breed, typically weighing between 4-7 pounds and standing 6-9 inches tall. They have a hypoallergenic coat that is long, silky, and requires regular grooming to prevent tangles and matting. Yorkies are an active breed and benefit from daily exercise and socialization with other dogs.
In summary, the Yorkshire Terrier is a small, hypoallergenic lapdog with a big personality and a spunky temperament. They require regular grooming and socialization to thrive.
Training Your Yorkie
Training your Yorkie is essential to ensure that they grow up to be obedient and well-behaved. Here are some tips on how to train your Yorkie.
Housebreaking
Housebreaking your Yorkie is an important part of training. You should start by taking your Yorkie outside frequently, especially after meals and naps. Use a consistent command such as “go potty” to encourage them to do their business.
Potty Training
Potty training is another important aspect of training your Yorkie. You should take your Yorkie outside every hour and praise them when they go potty outside. If they have an accident inside, clean it up immediately and do not punish them as it will only confuse them.
Crate Training
Crate training can help your Yorkie feel safe and secure. You should introduce the crate slowly and make it a positive experience by putting treats and toys inside. Never use the crate as a form of punishment.
Positive Reinforcement
Positive reinforcement is the most effective way to train your Yorkie. Use treats and praise to reward good behavior and ignore bad behavior. This will help your Yorkie understand what is expected of them.
Basic Commands
Teaching your Yorkie basic commands such as sit, stay, and come is important for obedience. Use a consistent command and reward your Yorkie when they obey. Keep training sessions short and frequent to prevent boredom.
Training Sessions
Training sessions should be short and fun for your Yorkie. Use treats and toys to keep them engaged and motivated. Always end on a positive note and praise your Yorkie for their efforts.
Training your Yorkie takes patience and consistency, but it will pay off in the end. Remember to use positive reinforcement and keep training sessions short and fun. With time and effort, your Yorkie will become a well-behaved and obedient companion.
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Yorkies as Companions
Yorkshire Terriers, or Yorkies, are a popular breed of small companion dogs that make great lapdogs and family pets. They are known for their feisty and lively personalities, making them excellent companions for those who enjoy an active and playful lifestyle.
Socialization
Socialization is key to ensuring that your Yorkie grows up to be a well-behaved and obedient companion. It is important to expose your dog to different people, animals, and environments from a young age to prevent them from becoming anxious or aggressive.
Training
Yorkies are intelligent and trainable dogs, but they can also be stubborn and difficult to train if not approached correctly. Positive reinforcement training methods, such as rewarding good behavior with treats and praise, are highly effective in teaching your Yorkie basic commands and good manners.
Exercise
Despite their small size, Yorkies are energetic dogs that require regular exercise to stay healthy and happy. Daily walks and playtime in a fenced yard are great ways to provide your Yorkie with the exercise they need to burn off energy and stay fit.
Left Alone
Yorkies are social dogs that thrive on human companionship, and they can become anxious or destructive if left alone for long periods of time. If you have to leave your Yorkie alone for extended periods, it is important to provide them with plenty of toys and mental stimulation to keep them occupied.
In summary, Yorkies make great companions for those who enjoy an active and playful lifestyle. Socialization, training, exercise, and attention are key to ensuring that your Yorkie grows up to be a happy and obedient member of your family.
Yorkies in Dog Sports
If you’re looking for a small dog breed that excels in dog sports, look no further than Yorkshire Terriers. These intelligent dogs are quick learners and love to please their owners, making them great candidates for various dog sports.
Agility
Yorkies are natural athletes and excel in agility, a dog sport that involves navigating an obstacle course as quickly as possible. Their small size and agility make them perfect for this sport, and they’re often able to complete courses faster than larger breeds. With proper training and practice, your Yorkie can become an agility champion.
Obedience
Yorkies are also great at obedience training, which involves teaching your dog to follow commands such as sit, stay, and come. Obedience training is essential for any dog, and Yorkies are no exception. With their intelligence and eagerness to please, Yorkies are quick to learn obedience commands and can excel in obedience competitions.
According to the American Kennel Club (AKC), Yorkies are a great choice for owners who want a small dog that excels in obedience training. They’re also known for their adaptability, which makes them great travel companions and family dogs.
In summary, Yorkies are intelligent dogs that excel in dog sports such as agility and obedience. With proper training and practice, your Yorkie can become a champion in these sports. So if you’re looking for a small, athletic dog that loves to please, consider adding a Yorkie to your family.
FAQ
Are Yorkies hard to train?
Yorkies can be easy or difficult to train for the same reason – their intelligence. These little guys and gals are very smart, which makes them capable of learning quickly, or getting bored quickly and becoming stubborn! Limit training sessions to 10 to 15 minutes at a time, at most, and your Yorkie will be much easier to train.
How do you discipline a Yorkie?
Never punish your Yorkie. These intelligent dogs will think that you are simply being cruel, as they won’t associate whatever they just did with your anger. Instead, whenever your dog does something right, give them praise and a treat. It takes time, but your dog will start to learn that doing certain things make you happy.
They will do these things more to get your praise and those treats and before you know it, those behaviors will combine in the form of a well-behaved, happy dog.
How do you stop a Yorkie from biting?
If your Yorkie bites a lot, it may be that they were weaned too early. Yorkies learn many important things from their littermates and their mother, one of which is when biting is appropriate and how hard that they should bite. You can teach this, but you will need to be patient.
When your Yorkie bites you, stop play immediately, pulling your hand back and whimpering or saying ‘ouch!’. Wait a few minutes before starting up play and repeat every time your dog nips. Once your dog learns the difference between a ‘play’ bite and a real bite, the nips should soften or even disappear altogether.
How many times do Yorkies poop a day during potty training?
While Yorkie pups pee quite frequently, they will generally only poop 1 to 5 times every day, and if their diet is consistent then their poop schedule usually is as well. Make sure that your dog goes out within 15 – 30 minutes of eating, along with their regular schedule.
This should help you to avoid any potty incidents. Also, if your dog’s pooping schedule or the appearance of the poop makes any dramatic changes, this is a big red flag – a vet visit is a good idea, as this is the first sign for some common health issues.
How do I stop my Yorkie from peeing in the house?
The most effective way to stop your Yorkie form peeing in the house is a regular potty schedule, based on age, and watching for certain telltale signs that your Yorkie needs to go out. For puppies, each month of age is equal to one hour that they can wait, so a 4 month old Yorkie can wait 4 hours.
Schedule regular trips outside, as well as additional trips outside 15 to 30 minutes after every meal. Finally, if your Yorkie is circling or sniffing an area on the carpet, it’s time to go outside right away. Give your dog a treat each time they go outside and your dog will quickly learn not to pee in the house.
How long does it take a Yorkie to learn its name?
You’ll want to be sure to use your Yorkie’s name often, but most puppies and adults will pick up their name fairly quickly – often in as little as 3 days! That said, it can take longer sometimes, but don’t worry. If you keep using their name as often as possible, they’ll learn it, and come running when they hear it!
What is the first thing you should teach your Yorkie?
The first command that you should teach your Yorkie is ‘sit’. This gives you a way to tell your Yorkie to stop or to simply pause and it can help you to avoid a lot of trouble. It also helps to teach your Yorkie discipline, as once they learn the command you need to practice getting them to stay there for longer.
Teach them to sit and when they do, give them a treat, and extend the sitting time until your dog will stay there for a few minutes, waiting on the treat that you are going to give them. They’ll learn this command quickly and it will help you when teaching them many other useful commands.
What are the 7 basic dog commands?
Before you start teaching your dog fancier tricks like ‘fetch’ or ‘dance’, there are 7 basic commands that they need to know. Those commands are ‘sit’, ‘stay’, ‘down’, ‘heel’, ‘come here’, ‘off’, and ‘no’. Yorkies are quite intelligent and can learn these commands fairly quickly, but training sessions need to be brief.
10 to 15 minute training sessions, followed by treats and play, are the best way to train your Yorkie and to avoid them getting bored – and subsequently stubborn – about it. Schedule 2 to 3 lessons a day and before you know it, they’ll know these 7 commands and you’ll be ready for the ‘fancy’ tricks!
My name is Danny Jackson and I’m the CEO and Chief Editor behind Petloverguy.com. After spending a decade working with vets and private clients as an animal behavioral and nutritional specialist I co-founded Pet Lover Guy to help other pet parents learn how to interact with, and make the most of the time that they spend with their adopted and rescued best pet friends.
Working with Ella, our chihuahua rescue, we seek to help all dog and cat lovers have the happiest life possible.