How to Train Yorkipoo Puppies

Yorkipoos are a mixed breed of dog made up of poodle and Yorkshire terrier. Some breeders choose to create an "F1" Yorkipoo, where the dam or sire is a purebred Yorkshire terrier and the other parent is a purebred poodle. No "breed standard" exists, though many breeders tend to use toy poodles, producing Yorkipoo puppies that are quite small. Training a Yorkipoo puppy requires diligence and sensitivity to the breed's small-dog characteristics.

Things You'll Need

  • Dog piddle pads
  • Puppy treats
  • Dog leash
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Instructions

  1. Basic Training of Your Yorkipoo Puppy

    • 1

      Teach your Yorkipoo puppy good manners from the first day you bring it home. Make your puppy wait for food, affection and playtime until you consider it to be an appropriate time for these activities. Establish yourself as a leader so your Yorkipoo understands who is in charge in the household. This will help avoid "small dog syndrome," where your puppy thinks it is the dominant member of the family.

    • 2

      Take your Yorkipoo puppy on daily walks for exercise and to further establish yourself as the leader of the pack. If you have other animals or kids in the house, a walk with the entire family helps establish the pack feeling for your Yorkipoo puppy. To prevent injury to your puppy's neck, use a harness rather than a collar when walking your Yorkipoo.

    • 3

      Place your Yorkipoo in a crate or behind a gate when you are unable to monitor it. Yorkipoo puppies will chew, so you must either be able to watch your dog at all times or prevent this unsafe behavior from occurring.

    Potty Training

    • 4

      Introduce your Yorkipoo puppy to a dog piddle pad. Allow the puppy to smell the pad, but monitor any chewing during this exploration period. If your puppy tries to bite the pad, firmly tell it "no." Keep the experience a positive one by praising the puppy when it smells or walks on the piddle pad.

    • 5

      Place the piddle pad near the door to go outside if you plan to housebreak your dog. Due to the Yorkipoo's small size, you may want to rely solely on piddle pads after puppy-hood rather than having your puppy relieve itself outdoors. Train your puppy to use piddle pads on a hard surface such as tile to make accidental misses easier to clean up.

    • 6

      Pick up the puppy and place it on the piddle pad. Use a command like "Go potty." Be consistent with the phrase. Upon waking, after eating and while playing are common times your Yorkipoo may need to relieve itself. Placing your puppy on the pad after these activities allows your puppy a better chance to succeed.

    • 7

      Praise your Yorkipoo puppy when it relieves itself on the pad. Use the phrase, "Good dog!" and give it a treat.