Yorkie Care & Training

Yorkshire terriers, or "Yorkies," are toy-sized dogs that have become popular house pets because of their big personalities and convenient size. Though small, these dogs have long coats that require some extensive care. There big-dog attitudes can also make them difficult to train. Owners should always be careful to spend plenty of time with their Yorkies, take leadership positions and stay positive.

  1. Features

    • Yorkshire terriers are tan with blank points and have very long, glossy hair. They can weight up to 7 lbs. if they're healthy and stand at 6 to 7 inches. These dogs live for 12 to 15 years, but can be intolerant of anesthesia and have fragile bones, so require careful handling.

    Personality

    • Yorkies are sweet, affectionate dogs who become highly attached to their "people." They make very good companions to people with the right attitude, and are almost always enthusiastic about travel and adventures.

    Needs and Care

    • Yorkshire terriers are very active and require plenty of exercise. They need lots of play and personal attention. Their long hair requires monthly and sometimes weekly grooming or it will become tangled and painful.

    Training

    • Training can be complex when it comes to Yorkshire terriers. These dogs need a firm hand and a strong leader, or they will take over the leadership position themselves. Owners need to give Yorkies consistent boundaries and guidance, and always be firm but fair in their commands.

    How to Train

    • Yorkies are stubborn, but are also extremely sensitive. The best way to go about training a Yorkie is positively, with plenty of enthusiasm and praise for good behavior, rather than with heavy discipline for bad behavior. Owners should stimulate a Yorkie's mind by giving them commands that make them think and respond due to trained behavior. Good places to start are with standard obedience commands like sit, walk, stay, lay down and fetch.

    Considerations

    • Yorkies who are not well-trained become bossy, stubborn, neurotic and overprotective. They do this because they see themselves as needing to lead their owners and protect them. Yorkies are suspicious and possibly unfriendly to any who's not in their "pack," so they are not good with strangers unless they're well-trained.