How to Train a Yorkie in 6 Steps

Yorkies are among the most popular dog breeds, but like many other types, they are prone to obstacles during training, including:

1. 1. Anxiety: Packing lots of personality into a small frame, a Yorkshire Terrier puppy might think they’re a big dog. Unfortunately, Yorkies also struggle with separation anxiety and social anxiety, which may impede their training. Seek professional help if your dog encounters training issues due to anxiety.
2. 2. Hyperactivity: Puppies have a lot of energy, making it difficult to keep them focused on training instead of playing. Supplement your Yorkie’s training time with plenty of mental and physical stimulation by giving them long walks and lots of playtime.
3. 3. Small bladders: With their tiny bladders, Yorkies might need to take bathroom breaks during training. Anticipate indoor accidents, and leave pee pads around the house to soak up any messes.
4. 4. Short attention spans: Like other young puppies, Yorkies have a short attention span and won’t be able to focus on one thing for too long. Limit your training sessions to fifteen-minute periods. Ensure your training area is free from distractions like children and other pets.

Use the following training tips to encourage good behavior in your new puppy.

1. 1. Be patient and diligent. Training an energetic Yorkie takes time and diligence. Effective dog training relies on repetition, so expect to repeat every step several times. Aim for short fifteen-minute training sessions to encourage information retention and take lots of breaks.
2. 2. Puppy proof your home. Accidents are commonplace during dog training, but you can avoid them with a bit of caution. Put breakables out of reach, and use baby gates to protect areas from puppy exploration. Provide your pup with plenty of toys and bones to chew.
3. 3. Use positive reinforcement for encouragement. Providing Yorkies with treats, pets, cuddles, and playtime for a job well done encourages them to keep up the good work. Another training method to consider is clicker training, in which you mark good behavior by depressing a handheld clicking device that emits a short clicker sound.

Training a Yorkie puppy takes time and patience. Follow these steps, and consult a dog trainer if you need more help.

1. 1. Housetrain your pup. Housetraining is the process of teaching your dog where to go to the bathroom, and it should be the first thing you work on with your pup. When you see your puppy use the bathroom outside, offer them praise and a treat reward to affirm the behavior. Place puppy pads around the house to clean up any indoor potty breaks.
2. 2. Consider crate training to encourage good behavior. Before leaving your home, consider putting your Yorkie puppy in a special crate or kennel to promote good behavior. Crate training takes time, so start by putting them in a playpen. Next, tempt them into a crate with tasty treats. Yorkies may be naturally drawn to a dog crate or kennel because it gives them a safe place to retreat. Additionally, dogs will avoid soiling their den, so crate training should help with housetraining.
3. 3. Work on leash training. Introduce your Yorkie to a leash and collar indoors while playing with them to curb pulling and tugging behavior during daily walks. Practice loose leash walking indoors, with your dog on your left side. Choose a lightweight harness or collar made for a small breed, as equipment that’s too heavy or bulky can injure your dog. Learn more about leash training a dog.
4. 4. Teach them basic commands. Teaching your Yorkie basic commands like “come,” “sit,” “heel,” or “lay down” is an important part of dog training, as it allows you to maintain control over your dog in public. When your dog understands one command, move on to the next one. Reward them with plenty of treats as you go.
5. 5. Curb their barking habit. Like many other small dogs, Yorkies often bark to communicate excitement, anxiety, or a need for something. Barking isn’t bad behavior, but you can curb the habit by playing music, ignoring them, or distracting your pup with treats and toys. Learn how to teach your dog to stop barking excessively.
6. 6. Work with a dog trainer. While you can teach basic dog commands at home, a professional dog trainer can provide extra guidance. A trainer will observe your Yorkie’s unique behavior, advising on how to proceed with obedience training, working to curb anxiety and behavioral problems, and fostering a healthy, happy puppy.

Your dream of having a dog who understands words like “sit,” “stay,” “down,” and—crucially— “no” is just a MasterClass Annual Membership away. The only things you’ll need to train up a well-behaved pup are your laptop, a big bag of treats, and our exclusive instructional videos from superstar animal trainer Brandon McMillan.