Instructions
Provide a stress-free environment for your Yorkie mix. Create a specific area within your home with such items as a bed, crate and toys so that your dog has a safe haven. Yorkshire terriers are very sensitive dogs; do not make any sudden changes in food or surroundings.
Train your dog to obey basic commands, such as "sit," "stay," "down," "off," and "leave it," rewarding it with small pieces of food and verbal praise immediately following the desired behavior. Yorkie mixes are inquisitive, bold and brave, which means they need firm and clearly defined boundaries. Never hit as a punishment; it will only lead to more aggressive behavior.
Take your pet outside to go to the bathroom frequently. Yorkshires can be hard to potty train due to their small bladders. If you see your dog sniffing the ground, walking in circles or pawing at the door or ground, it needs to go outside. Take your dog to the same place outside every time, so it associates the area with going to the bathroom; reward it immediately when it goes.
Brush your Yorkie mix daily. Yorkshire terriers have long, silky hair which mats easily. If you use a groomer, start taking your pet early in life so it gets accustomed to the process. Take your dog to the groomer at least once a month to keep its hair clean, trimmed and mat free.
Feed your mixed dog high-quality food with real ingredients to avoid hypoglycemia, a common medical condition in Yorkshire terriers. Look for food that contains whole grains, fruit, vegetables and high-quality protein. Yorkies are also prone to tartar build-up; feed it two small meals daily and brush its teeth regularly.
Purchase a harness to walk your dog instead of a collar. Yorkshire terriers are prone to a collapsed trachea due to soft cartilage rings; a single pull on the neck may cause damage. Do not play roughly with your dog; Yorkies are somewhat fragile and prone to hip disease and kneecap dislocation. Walk your dog for exercise and play gently, with toys.
How to Raise a Yorkie Mix Dog
Yorkshire terriers are working-class dogs, originally bred to be ratters. This dog, weighing seven pounds on average, is ideally suited for apartment life and travel. Raising a Yorkie mix is relatively easy, if you understand the medical conditions they are prone to, the personality traits of the breed and their basic care requirements, such as feeding, grooming and training. Yorkshire terriers are generally mixed with other small dogs such as the Chihuahua, schnauzer, Maltese, bichon frise, Shih Tzu and poodle.