Yorkshire Terrier Puppy Training Tips

A terrier puppy can be difficult to train since he is naturally high strung and excitable. However, with patience and fortitude, a terrier puppy can be house trained and taught to do some simple tricks. Training should not include the use of fear or intimidation since only kindness, positive reinforcement and patience will produce positive results in time. The use of fear and intimidation results in either a timid dog or a very aggressive one.

Be Sure the Puppy Is Old Enough

In order for training to be successful, the puppy must be old enough to understand and interact with his trainer. This is usually after he is weaned, at approximately 8 weeks old. Since Yorkshire terriers are high strung and prone to barking, it is advisable to start early before bad habit, such as excessive barking, develop. Begin socializing the puppy as soon as possible so that he does not develop the habit of barking at everyone. Training must also be consistent.

Terrier Puppy Confinement

Actually confinement is not as harsh as it may sound. Confining your puppy to the kitchen or other small area is actually safer since the puppy cannot venture off too far and get lost or get into trouble. Some trainers use a crate to confine a puppy, allowing him outside only for some exercise or to relieve himself. Some people feel this is cruel and use other forms of confinement. “Yorkies” are toy sized and fragile, so injury can occur at even the slightest “tumble” or mishap.

Confinement can also help in housebreaking a puppy. Normally, puppies do not soil everywhere but designate a certain area as the “potty” area. This works to the trainer’s advantage since the puppy learns to soil a certain area because it is covered with newspapers or “potty” pads. Whenever a puppy does relieve himself in the proper area, praise and/or a treat should follow to reinforce the behavior.

If you want the puppy to relieve himself only outdoors, take him out about 10 minutes after he has eaten. Once again, reward him with praise and/or a treat once he has relieved himself in the proper area. Never “punish” or slap a puppy if he does not behave properly. Do so, will only confuse the puppy as to whether the hand represents friend or foe.

Exercise Before Training

Always exercise your puppy before the training session. This will burn off the excessive energy that has accumulated by being confined. The puppy will then be able to focus and respond positively to the training session. By making training fun, the puppy will be more engaged and the training session will be more productive. Besides, training will cement a bond between you and your puppy.

A puppy can be taught word commands. Besides demonstrating what the word means, you can observe the puppy’s behavior and “call it as you see it”. For example, if your puppy starts to enter the crate, say the word “crate”. This will teach the puppy certain words and what is expected of him. It is important to be consistent and persistent at all times and especially if there is more than one trainer.

 

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