How to Do Correction Training With a Yorkie Puppy

Yorkies are generally clever and eager to please as long as you do not spoil them.

Yorkshire terriers, also called yorkies, are a sweet, stubborn toy breed that are perfect pets for apartment dwellers because they tend to remain under seven pounds. When you get your yorkie puppy, it will be wise to begin training him as soon as is practically possible, as yorkies like to get their way all the time and can become increasingly stubborn as they age. Once your puppy knows basic commands and will perform them reliably without a treat, the time has come for you to begin correction training to inhibit his bad behaviors rather than simply rewarding his good ones. These include things like standing up when he has been told to sit and stay.

Things You'll Need

• Puppy treats
• Quiet room or area for training
• Lots of patience

Instructions

1. Pick a sound that you will make every time your dog makes an error. It should not be a sound that will frighten or startle your puppy, but rather a sound like "oops," or "uh-oh!" Make it simple, as you may be making it a lot and the simpler it is, the easier it will be for your dog to recognize.

2. Begin the session with a basic command that your puppy knows. For example, you might use "sit." Tell your puppy to sit, and reward her if she does so. However, if she sits, and then pops back up immediately, use your "oops" phrase and withhold the treat.

3. Repeat the sitting exercise until your puppy remains sitting when you tell him to do so. This will probably not take very long. Be firm, if you reward him sometimes for "trying" then he will not understand what you want him to do. Only give him a treat when his doggy bottom remains on the ground until he receives it. Anytime he does not do as you wish, remember to make the "oops" noise immediately so that he can identify the sound with not getting a treat.

4. Stretch out the length of time in between when you instruct your puppy to sit and when she receives the treat. This should be done in increments. For example, the first time that you tell her to sit, give her the treat almost immediately. The second time, wait two seconds. Keep repeating two seconds until she understands what you are doing and remains seated. Then, extend to five seconds, and so on.

5. Be patient. Because your puppy and you do not speak the same language, this stage of training can take a lot of repetition. If you or your puppy start to get frustrated, take a break and walk around the block or have dinner before getting back to it. Just because your puppy does not get it immediately does not mean that you are doing things wrong or that your dog is dumb. Puppies are easily distracted and it can look as if you are not accomplishing anything, but your hard work will pay off when you have a well-adjusted, obedient dog in a few months.

Tips & Warnings

• Consider using kibble as a reward instead of dog treats. Yorkies have very sensitive stomachs and can get diarrhea from too many treats.