Yorkie Training – Housebreaking your Yorkshire Terrier

Yorkie training is not a difficult process as long as you are consistent and persistent. However, before you can begin any obedience training, or simple commands, your first task is to housebreak your dog.

The first aspect about Yorkie training that you need to understand is that every dog learns differently. For some Yorkshire Terriers housebreaking is easy, for others it may take a little longer. Therefore, you need to have patience.

The next aspect you need to realize is that a dog’s natural instinct is to not eliminate in their “nest”, the place where they rest and call home. Because of this natural instinct, you have the advantage of showing your dog where his nest is, and where he is permitted to eliminate.

You should begin housebreaking Yorkie training immediately, the same day you bring your dog home. The first 3 weeks are the most crucial. The following is the frequency you need to take your dog outside for elimination:

• Every hour
• Shortly after the Yorkie eats or drinks
• After playing sessions
  After exercise
• After any bursts of excitement (ex. When a visitor comes over, after you come home, etc.)
• Before you go to bed
• As soon as you wake up in the morning.

As you can see from the above list, you need to dedicate plenty of your time to this particular type of Yorkie training. Hence, be prepared to take time off work, or make sure someone will be at home to teach the dog when you are not home.

If your dog has accidents in the house, which is bound to happen, do not discipline your dog unless you catch him in the act. Your Yorkie will not understand why you are mad at him. Furthermore, if you do catch him in the act, don’t become irate or start yelling at your dog. You don’t want to give him the message that relieving himself is wrong.

Should you catch your pup in the act, say “No!” in a sharp firm tone and immediately carry your puppy outdoors and let him finish doing his business out there. When he’s finished, praise him. In fact, any time your dog successfully eliminates outside, praise him with heavy enthusiasm. You want your Yorkie to know that his actions have greatly pleased you.

However, it is imperative you praise your Yorkie directly after he eliminates, so he knows what he is being praised for. Don’t praise him after he comes back inside, or he will think you are rewarding him for going out and coming back in.

Furthermore this type of Yorkie training works best when you keep your pup’s schedule as regular as possible. Feed him a regular diet at the same time every day (2-3 times). As soon as he’s finished eating, take him outside and place him in the grass. Tell him to “Go pee” or use a word you prefer to train your dog to go on your command. Say your command before and while your dog is eliminating. Eventually this will allow you to encourage your dog to eliminate on your command, which will prove very useful when you are in a public place or are traveling.

Finally, when you are housebreaking your Yorkie and when he is trained, make sure you discard of his feces in an environmentally friendly manner. Either place it in a bag in park garbage cans or flush it down the toilet. Do not use the sewer as your disposal source. You should also make it a point to clean up after your dog right after he eliminates. You don’t want to run the risk of curious young children (yours or other children) becoming sick by touching or eating the dog’s waste. Furthermore, picking up after your dog will also stop your dog from eating his feces, which is common among most breeds.

No form of Yorkie training is difficult, as long as you are dedicated to teaching your dog.