Teaching Yorkie to Shake Paws!

Teaching a Yorkie to perform tricks is really quite easy since they are such intuitive and intelligent dogs. It doesn't take more than a few minutes of repetition over a couple of lessons for them to get an idea of what you want them to do, and learn to do it. 

The only thing that is really necessary is for you, the trainer, to be calm patient, loving and consistent, to get a Yorkshire Terrier to do your bidding. 

I repeat earlier warnings I gave, in previous posts, about beginning with things that come naturally to a dog--like chasing a ball--and then reaffirming behavior that you want your dog to repeat by either offering treats or praise, or both.

To get your Yorkshire to shake paws(hands) is a neat trick and easy to teach. :-

• Set the Yorkie in front of you in a calm, non-distracting environment.
• Have treats suitable for your Yorkie in your pocket or close at hand. Let your Yorkie know you have treats by giving him/her a little bite.
• Tickle your dog's front paw, gently, just behind and above the nails. Say 'Shake', look your dog in the eyes then pick up the paw and shake it. Repeat the word 'Shake', say 'Good Dog', hand the dog a treat using your free hand then set the paw back on the ground. Repeat this 4 or five times.
• After a few repetitions helping your dog through the action, attempt to get a reaction simply by tickling the paw and repeating the word 'Shake'. If the dog makes the slightest of paw movements give rich praise and a treat.
• Repeat the entire process.
• Do not over-extend lesson time. 15 - 20 minutes is enough for a dog's short concentration span, rather give repeated quick lessons with breaks in between-- your dog will love the attention.
• Never shout at the dog, or smack the puppy if he/she is not a fast learner, the dog will never learn to perform the trick willingly if you do. Patience and praise are the keys to clever, responsive, happy dogs.
• Yorkies have sensitive tummies, do not use cheese as a treat, try cooked chicken pieces (carefully remove bones) or biltong (beef jerky).

Yorkie loves his toys

There are a lot of reasons to adore Yorkies, but their attachment to their playthings is akin to a toddler with their favorite teddy bear, or safety blanket, it's too cute for words.

Yorkies, and their sensitive digestive system

Yorkies have extremely sensitive digestive systems. They do not tolerate dairy products very well, in fact I have found that it's better not to offer any dairy in the Yorkie's diet. The only exception to this rule would be when your Yorkie is constipated, then, it is expedient to feed your dog a teaspoon of Probiotic Yoghurt.

--Boiled Chicken, Silverside and Royal Canine dog food.--

In general the best food is up-market branded dry dog biscuits, such 'Royal Canine', which is specifically manufactured to include Omgea Three oils, necessary to combat the dry skin Yorkies, often suffer from. Usually, I add chopped, boiled chicken or shredded tuna in vegetable oil, along with a tablespoon of 'Siverside Beef', also shredded. For training and treats I use Biltong(Beef Jerky), which my Yorkie loves,and does not seem to adversely affect his digestion. One of the best products, though, is Protextin, a probiotic power supplement given to me by my vet. I sprinkle a half a teaspoon over his food daily. Before discovering Protextin, my dog regularly suffered from diarrhea and bouts of vomiting: apparently all Yorkies have similar problems. However, since the addition of the Protextin, my Yorkie is alway robust and healthy.

--Protextin, probiotic sprinkle.--

Some Yorkies suffer from Hypoglycemia, which results in a severe sugar deficient reaction. If they do not have a burst of sugar, once in this state of digestive shock, they could easily die. Some people recommend raw glucose or baby marshmallows which can be given to the Yorkie to play with and chew. Sadly, I found that my Yorkie would not take glucose or sugar, he liked the marshmallows, but they stuck to his palate and he nearly chocked. Luckily, I discovered that he adores Coca-Cola, so I give him a teaspoon of coke every alternate day.

--Boil up a filleted chicken breast, and save three days food in a food saver. If it's not filleted, be very careful to remove bones. Sharp chicken bones can rip the intestines and cause Peritonitis.--

I feed my dog small portions, twice daily-- breakfast and dinner. 

I reckon that each Yorkie is somewhat different to any other, so these tips are merely suggestions rather than hard-and-fast rules. Work with your dog using these guidelines, search the internet for other useful diet ideas. You will soon learn, through a process of trial and error which foods work for your dog. However, do follow my advice about the 'No Dairy Rule', and avoid toxic substances like, avocado, garlic, onions ect. Most dogs like some vegetables in their diet, such a potato and carrot. I have found that potato disagrees with my Yorkie, while a raw carrot to chew on (use a lage carrot, the dog cannot swallow, and watch him with it) satisfies his need to gnaw.

Teaching Yorkie to Fetch a Ball

Yorkies Learn Quickly

Yorkies, as a rule are intelligent and keen to learn, especially if you combine lessons with games. Naturally, dogs will chase after a moving object such as a ball. It's the returning of that object to your feet that needs to be taught.

Throw the ball and let your dog run after it. When he/she catches it, give loads of vocal praise, then call your dog repeatedly, using only his/her name and the word heel, or come whichever your dog is most used to. When you have your pet's attention, offer a treat such as Biltong(Beef Jerky). If the animal does not come forward go to your pet and firmly take the ball, offer a small treat so he/she knows that the ball should be handed over, then repeat the process until the dog comes to you, bringing the ball to you. When he/she succeeds offer praise and take the ball offering treats, until the dog drops the ball after fetching it at which point you should give extra praise and a larger treat to signify final success. This process should take about an hour.

Teaching Yorkie Tricks

Teaching Yorkie Tricks.

The first thing you need to do is establish a loving bond with your dog. He/she has to respect and love you. Respect is not the same thing as fear: I cannot emphasize this enough. If you punish, hit, chain or scream at your dog, you will accomplish little in the way of training, the only thing you will achieve is an animal that will shy away from people and hide as often as possible. Respect stems from your animal learning to listen to you and follow your lead as if you were the dog 'Pack Leader'. Positive reinforcement is the way to go.

<b> Getting Yorkie's attention.</b>

Teaching Yorkie to listen sufficiently to learn to perform tricks takes patience. Firstly, you must begin by reinforcing natural dog behavior, by giving that action a name and a result. Eg:- Sitting is natural. In order to get your dog to sit on command you need to link his/her behavior with a single, repeated word-the name- and a treat and praise-the result- when the dog performs correctly.

Do not attempt to train the dog when the animal is tired, very hungry or excited by outside stimuli. (Eg:- the postman walking past!).

 

Begin in a calm environment, keep extra treats hidden in your pocket or on a nearby shelf or table. Thinly sliced Biltong(Beef Jerky) is a good option, since it's easy to store for doggie lessons and easy to stash in your pocket; also Yorkies love it. Do not give your a Yorkie dairy products, such a cheese, as treats, dairy does not suit their sensitive tummies. It is also a good practice to set aside a regular time for training: dogs love ritual.

Place the dog in front of you. Hold a treat in your hand. Let the Yorkie see this treat, hold it in front of his nose so that he/she can smell it then raise your hand- the Yorkies eyes and attention should now be on you.

Say the word 'sit', then gently place your hands on the dog's back and guide his/her rump to the floor. When the dog is seated hand over the treat and praise the dog highly, repeat this action for periods of fifteen to twenty minutes at a time until the dog learns to perform the action on his/her own. Feed small treats every time he/she succeeds. Eventually your dog will do the trick without manual stimulation. It took my four month old Yorkie fifteen minutes to learn this trick. Repeat the trick daily. Hand over treats at first, but eventually withdraw them, your Yorkie will continue to perform this trick.

<b>Yorkie sitting on command</b>

It is important to always use the same word-one word not two-for the action, best results are obtained if you combine the word with a hand signal. Eg:- point to the ground. When you begin teaching a new trick, begin the lesson by reinforcing the 'sit' trick first, and giving Yorkie praise and a treat. In this way he/she will work out that you want him/her to do something for you for which you will offer praise and treats.

Good luck! Add comments to this post if you succeed, and tell us how long it took you to get your dog to sit on command.

Yorkies Love to Play

Yorkie falling asleep after a hard game.

My Yokie's name is'Yorkie'. His breeders called him Francis and we originally christened him Francis Kenzie, but he would only respond to Yorkie... so this unoriginal label stuck. However common his name, Yorkie, is anything but. He is bright, clever, loyal and an overall amazing companion. He is very easy to love.

Yorkie Toys.



He has been with me, now, for five joyous months, and I've learned a lot in that time about dealing with this sensitive yet still, robust, dog.

This is his blog and I'm here only to relate Yokie's story, a story that will be a journal for me to cherish for all time, and for you the reader to discover tips and info about this wonderful breed from the actually day-to-day trials and tribulations of Yorkie the Yorkie.

Historical research points to Yorkies being bred as ratters in the United Kingdom. The dog was not only cunning but also fearless. Breeders developed smaller versions of the animal to better delve into the lairs of rodents. Eventually, dogs no bigger than a teacup became fairly common. As the need to catch rats and mice lessened, these dogs were valued for their 'cute factor' along with their delightful personalities.

Yorkies are not dogs that can be left on their own much. They need constant companionship and interaction with their owners, therefore, if you cannot give a lot of your time to your dog do not opt for a Yorkshire Terrier. Fortunately Yorkies are social dogs and will happily tag along where ever you go. Including restaurants, vacations and shopping. They adore people, and are generally well received by the public, and well behaved in their midsts.

Yorkies are intelligent and curious, they love to play. Rubber toys and balls are ideal play things for these dogs and if you set aside regular times for games, you will be rewarded with a happy, well adjusted and healthy dog.

The dogs natural instincts allow for easy training, dogs are pack animals and if you establish yourself as 'pack leader', you will be listened to. Yorkie will play fetch (run after the ball, return to you and drop the ball at your feet) without much effort on your part. Also, they will adore the praise and attention that they receive when they learn to play intelligently.

So what are you waiting for, stop reading and go and find a ball...