Though tiny, Yorkshire Terriers are energetic, clever, and easy to train.
If you look up the word "adorable" in the dictionary, so might say you'll see a picture of a Yorkshire Terrier. The tiny, silky-haired dogs evoke strong emotions among those that favor them""and even people who prefer bigger dogs have to admit that they're as cute as can be. Yorkies are tiny. In fact, the Guiness Book of Records lists a Yorkie as the smallest dog ever TK. They range in weight from about two to seven pounds.
Yorkies, as they're affectionately known, were developed in the 1860s around Yorkshire, England, and was recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1885.
It's believed that Scotsmen who came to the North of England to work in mills and mines brought with some various Scottish terrier breeds, including the Skye and the Clydesdale (now extinct). These were bred with local terriers, including Leeds, Maltese, Dandie Dinmont, and Black & Tan Manchester. These animals were used to control the rat population that plagued the workers. The first Yorkies were much larger than today, but selective breeding eventually made it a miniature dog.
Though small, Yorkies are energetic, clever and courageous, and exceedingly loyal. The Yorkshire Terrier seems oblivious of its small size. They're typical terriers in that they adore their masters, are exceedingly territorial, and can be suspicious with other small animals, babies and small children, and strange dogs. T
Experts consider Yorkies clever and fairly easy to train, though they can be stubborn, and require a great deal of human attention Housebreaking a Yorkshire Terrier can be a challenge. They can also be "barky," but proper training can rectify this tendency.
The first six months of a puppy's life, known as "puppy socialization," is critical in developing good habits. Yorkshire Terriers, like most terriers, can be willful and stubborn, so boundaries must be established early on. While Yorkies may resemble tiny princes and princesses, they're tough and courageous little dogs, and will aggressively protect their human families.
Even non-dog owners know that with dogs it not simply what you say, but how you say it. They're very sensitive to the tone of your voice. Dogs respond to sounds best when they're accompanied by a signal that indicates what the sound means.
With a pup, simple, single sound words like "sit, come, stay," etc., are best. Long sentences or strings of words will confuse your dog, so keep it simple.. Be consistent, and use the same word for the same behaviors. Firmness, consistency and praise are the way to effectively train your Yorkie. Firm but gentle is your key to success. Show your pup what you want him to do, and make sure to praise him extravagantly when he complies. Your love and approval mean everything to your him, and he wants to succeed and please you.
HIS NAME
The first step is teaching your dog his name. Do this in a confined area""your home or yard. You shouldn't bring your puppy out in public until he's mastered basic skills. Start calling your puppy by his name immediately and frequently. Use his name every time you call him, and make sure to add it to all your commands. ("Sit, Sparkle." "Down, Sparkle." "Time to eat, Sparkle.") Avoid using nicknames or other names until he definitely knows his name. Make sure to praise him every time he responds!
COMING WHEN CALLED
Coming when he's called (also known as "recall") is the next behavior to master once your pup knows his name. Remember to keep it pleasant and fun, and use lots of praise. There are numerous opportunities to teach your pup recall: when he awakes, when it's time for food or other activities. Don't recall him if he's deeply engrossed in play. The right way is to make him come to you""NOT the other way around. Don't run after him is he runs away or hides. He'll confuse recall with a game. Continue to repeat the command and wait for your dog to come to you. Like children, puppies have short attention spans and are very distractible, so keep your practice sessions short but numerous.
DON'T FORGET:
Young puppies, like babies, spend much of their day sleeping. If you have young children, make sure understand that the puppy is a "baby" and not to tease or annoy him.
Corgis will get along with other dogs, but have been known to have problems with cats. If your home includes a cat, introduce them slowly.
Stop bad habits before they start! Puppies love to chew, so make sure your little Yorkie has his own chew toys. It's not a good idea to give them things like worn-out shoes or slippers, since you can't expect them to know the difference between old and new shoes. And if you don't want him to sit on the furniture, make sure he has a little bed of his own to lounge on.
