Yorkshire terriers often fall victim to "Small Dog Syndrome"

And what, you may ask, is “Small Dog Syndrome”?  Well, we’ve all seen those annoying little dogs that yap non-stop, show aggressive behavior, jump up on people, snap at kids, and the list goes on and on.

In fact, most people really don’t care for small dogs because they have a reputation for just being unpleasant to be around.

Why is this?  Are small dogs like yorkies really that bad?

It all comes back to the owners.  People will accept behavior from a small dog that they would never tolerate from a big one.  Why?  Because they think it’s “cute.”

What Are The Symptoms Of Small Dog Syndome?

• Jumping up on people
• Growling, both at people and at other dogs
• Yapping non-stop
• Jumping up on your lap uninvited
• Jealousy if someone else gets too close to the owner
• Pulling on the leash during walks
• Nervousness and jumpyness
• Persistently getting up on the couch when told not too
• Becoming aggressive when you try to get him off the furniture
• Always running to go out the door ahead of you

These, and many other behaviors, are symptoms of a dominant dog who believes he’s the pack leader.  If your dog weighed 80 pounds, you certainly wouldn’t be putting up with this kind of behavior.

But people think it’s “adorable” when their little five-pound yorkie does it.  Before you know it, your sweet little pet has transformed into a yappy, nervous demanding little monster who snaps at people for no reason.   This is why small dogs have such a poor reputation.

How To Prevent Behavior Problems In Yorkshire Terriers

Resist the urge to let them get away with bad behavior just because they’re cute.  What’s cute when your Yorkie is an adorable ball of fluff won’t be so cute later on, when he’s aggressively charging that rottweiler or snapping at the neighbor’s child.

Start obedience training right away.  With any of the terrier breeds, it’s important to set boundaries right at the start and stick to them.  Terriers were originally bred as hunting dogs who would dig into burrows and drag out animals like rats and foxes.  They are very strong, intelligent, and determined animals who can very easily take over the house before you know it.

Don’t let your yorkie become a victim of “Small Dog Syndrome.”  Start training him today, and he’ll become a well-behaved, much-loved member of your family.

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Housetraining A Yorkie puppy can be easier than you think!

Housetraining your new Yorkie puppy doesn’t have to be difficult.   The key to any kind of dog training is repetition and consistency.  Choose one training method and stick to it!

A Schedule Is Important

With a puppy, it’s important to either take her outside to potty every hour, or set your puppy on her house training pad
This is necessary because a puppy’s bladder is immature.  She just can’t hold it for very long, so don’t expect her to.

Be sure to take her out or set her 0n her training pad after meals, too, since eating often stimulates a puppy’s bowels.

When your puppy actually does her business, either outside, or on the training pad, praise her and let her know you’re very happy with her.  Your Yorkie puppy wants to please you, and your praise will encourage her to keep trying.

Remember that she will have a few accidents.  This is to be expected, but you don’t want it to become a habit.

One Person Should Be In Charge Of Housebreaking Your Puppy

If too many people are involved, it’s easy to forget who was supposed to take the puppy out.   If someone forgets, the puppy can very quickly get in the habit of going in the house, which is a hard habit to break.  Avoid this problem by having only one person in charge of housetraining.

Your puppy will learn very quickly who to go to when she needs to go out.

Remember That Your Puppy Can’t Read Your Mind

You need to teach your puppy what you expect of her.  She wants to please you by doing what you want her to do, but she can’t do it if you don’t let her know what you want.

This is why keeping to a schedule is so important.  Understand that potty time is not playtime.  Your puppy is outside for a reason.  Train her to go quickly, and come back in right away.  This will prevent you having to wait around outside with her for a half hour on a cold night when you’d rather be snug and warm inside.

Housetraining is an essential part of puppy training.   Make it a pleasant experience for both you and your Yorkie puppy by remembering to be consistent, and by giving her lots of praise when she does what you want.

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Yorkie puppies are so cute that it's tempting to spoil them.

Yorkshire terriers are highly sought after as pets.  But is a yorkie puppy right for you?  Here is some yorkshire terrier information that can help you make an informed decision.

Are Yorkie Puppies Easy To Train?

Yes.  However, small dogs tend to get a bad reputation as being snappy and yappy, simply because their owners tolerate behavior from them that they would never put up with if the dog was larger.

Terriers were originally bred as hunting dogs.  They were used to dig into burrows and drag out animals such as foxes and rats.  Terriers had to be smart, brave, determined, and strong in order to do this.

Yorkies weren’t ever used as hunting dogs, but they still have that same terrier attitude.  They may be tiny little dogs, but they won’t hesitate to take on a much larger animal.  And they won’t hesitate to try to run your house either, if you let them.

With any terrier breed, the owner really does need to take charge as pack leader right away.  Otherwise your yorkier puppy can grow up to be a demanding, unpleasant little creature that nobody really wants to be around.  Begin obedience training right away, and don’t let your new pet get away with bad behavior just because he’s cute.

Are Yorkshire Terriers Good With Kids?

Yorkie puppies are very friendly little animals.  They love being in the center of things.  However, because of their small size, they run a high risk of being stepped on and injured, especially when small, active children are around.  A small child may also think the puppy is a toy, and accidentally injure it by squeezing it or poking at it.  If you have young children, you may want to consider a larger dog.

Yorkies often do better with older children and teenagers.  They make a great pet for older folks who may be enjoying a slower-paced lifestyle.  Keep in mind that a yorkshire terrier may not get along well with the grandkids when they visit, especially if they’re not used to having kids around.  If your pet gets scared or nervous around small children, they could snap or bite, especially if a child is bothering them.

Yorkshire Terriers Require Lots Of Grooming

Since yorkies have beautiful, long, flowing coats, they do require daily brushing to prevent mats from forming.  You’ll want to spend time grooming your yorkie puppy right from the start, so they get used to being handled.

You can take your pup to a groomer, but this can get expensive over time.  Be sure to find a good groomer who knows how to handle yorkies.

Yorkies Are Great For Apartment Living

Because these dogs are so small, they do well in apartments.  If your pet spends most of his time inside, be sure you play with him often and take him on daily walks.  He needs exercise to burn off his energy and keep him in good shape.  Yorkies are very inquisitive creatures, and a daily walk will also stimulate his mind, as he loves to explore his surroundings.

Because yorkies are small, it doesn’t take a lot to feed them.  But don’t spoil your pet by feeding him too much, or giving him the wrong foods.  A yorkie needs a high-quality balanced dog food,  just like any canine.

Are Yorkies Prone To Health Problems?

No, unless you feed them junk and neglect to exercise them.  All dogs need exercise and a healthy diet, along with regular vet checks.  Yorkies can be prone to dental problems, so your vet will probably want to clean his teeth at least once a year.

Yorkies aren’t for everyone.  But with the right person, a yorkshire terrier can be a healthy, happy, long-lived addition to your family.

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