Yorkshire terrier board and train for a big personality

House training a toy terrier

Yorkies have a reputation for slow house training, and much of it comes down to size: a small bladder, small accidents that go unnoticed, and an owner who carries the dog outside instead of building the habit of walking to the door. Cold, wet New England mornings do not help either; many small dogs simply refuse to go out in the rain.

During the stay your Yorkie follows a steady schedule with rewards for going outside, and you leave with that schedule written down. Expect to keep it going for weeks at home. A week of training gives you a head start and a clear system, not a finished dog.

• Go out on a schedule, not only when the dog asks
• Walk your Yorkie to the door on its own feet so it learns the route
• Keep a coat or rain jacket ready; a cold dog holds it and goes later indoors
• Limit loose time in the house until accidents have stopped for a good while

Putting the terrier drive to work

Suppressing a terrier's instincts rarely works. Giving them an outlet does. Training for a Yorkie often includes scent games, short bursts of chase that start and stop on cue, and toys that let the dog grab, shake and then release. A dog who knows it will get to chase something later finds it easier to walk past a squirrel now.

Impulse control is the bridge between the two: waiting at the door, leaving a dropped item, holding a sit while a toy moves. These are Foundation skills, and for a Yorkie they often make the biggest difference to daily life.

Which program does a Yorkie usually need?

Gabby recommends a program at the assessment after meeting your dog, but here is how it tends to break down for this breed.

Foundation, one week, is the usual fit for puppies, young Yorkies and adults whose problems are mostly indoors: house training, crate comfort, waiting at doors, coming when called. Advanced, two weeks, fits the Yorkie who barks and lunges at bigger dogs on the sidewalk. Small dogs often react from a sense of vulnerability as much as bravado, so the second week works on calm neutrality and confidence in real places. If the reaction includes biting, or fear is severe, Dogtown's behavior-modification programs of six to ten weeks may suit better, and our small dogs page explains why size changes the approach.

Practical details for a small, long-coated dog

A Yorkie's coat is fine and grows continuously, much like human hair, and tangles if it is not brushed. Handling practice, such as lifting paws, touching ears and standing for a brush, is gentle, rewarded and built into the stay so that grooming at home gets easier.

Pack your dog's usual food portioned out, labeled medications and one familiar item. Playgroup, if your Yorkie is ready for one, is small and matched by size and temperament, so a four-pound dog is not dropped in among labs.