Kelland's Yorkshire

Yorkshire terriers can be quite stubborn when you are trying to train them. My Yorkie does not listen and can become quite defiant when I am working with her. I previously owned a Yorkie and had the same problem. This time around I have learned more about Yorkshire terriers and dogs in general and I want to share what I have learned. Here are some tips on how to train your Yorkshire terrier.Work with your dog every day. Yorkies have a short memory and attention span, similar to that of a small child. If you skip a day of training she will forget what she has already learned. Use treats as a reward when your Yorkie does what you are trying to teach her to do. That way she will know what is expected of her and be motivated to please you. Speak in a firm tone when reprimanding her. She will know by the tone of your voice that she has done something that is not able. Allow for lots of playtime between training sessions. Your Yorkie will learn faster if she is allowed to stretch her legs and play in between sessions. Train your Yorkie when it is just the two of you. Other people or animals are too much of a distraction. Allow her to focus on you and your voice. Teach only one command at a time. Wait until she has mastered a command completely before beginning to teach her a new one. Use the same exact wording for each command you teach. If you want your Yorkie to sit, then only use the word sit. If you say sit down or anything else she will become confused and not know what to do. Think back to when you were trying to learn a new language. One word can change the meaning of a sentence and you may have difficulty figuring out what is the correct way to say something. It is the same for your Yorkie. She will try to figure out what you want, so keep it simple with one word or a short phrase. Also a collar should not be left on your dog all the time. I prefer a harness for walks. Only use one to go for walks and remove it as soon as you get home. A harness or collar will break and damage the coat. Many dogs have lost their lives due to strangulation by their collar. The type of collar you use should fit comfortably. Try to pull it over the dogs head without undoing it. If you can get it off it is to big. You should be able to slip your pinkie finger under the collar. Yorkies do not require a regular dog collar, a cat collar usually fits better, unless you can find a very small dog collar. The leash should be as light as possible. Keep in mind the size of your dog. The #1 Flex - Leads are wonderful for walks, and runs.

Confinement so your dog cannot go to the bathroom in the wrong places. Constant or regular access to the right place to go to the bathroom. Confinement from the wrong places Confinement means that until your dog is housebroken, he is never allowed to walk freely around the house. Confinement means every minute of every hour of every day -- unless you are  sitting with your dog, playing with him, walking him, feeding him, grooming him, teaching him something, or otherwise interacting with him. Because if he is loose and you take your eyes off him for just a few moments,  he can go to the bathroom on your floor -- and the bad habit is begun. Access to the RIGHT place This means you TAKE your dog outside -- or he lets himself outside through a doggy door. Or it means you provide him with newspapers or a litter box indoors. He must have SOMEWHERE to "go" -- on a regular, reliable basis.

Email skellandyorkies@eastlink.ca