How to Train a Shorkie
Shorkies are a hybrid cross of a shih tzu and a Yorkshire terrier. The appearance and personality of a shorkie will be a mix of the two breeds, and either breed could seem more or less dominant in any individual pup. Since the two breeds are similar in size, appearance, coat and temperament, you shouldn't have many surprises. Both breeds are active, energetic, intelligent dogs, with hair that grows long. Both breeds are smart and ready for of all kinds of training.
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Instructions
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Wire crates are better for house-training; a puppy pen will work, too. Housetrain your shorkie with the crate-training method for the best and quickest results. The crate will also help prevent damage to your floors, walls, furniture and other belongings. If you do not use a crate, find a place to confine your shorkie when you can't supervise it. The crate is very humane if used properly and works with the puppy's natural instincts to keep its den clean. A wire crate is better for house training than the plastic airline carriers, which hold odors and don't provide as much ventilation.
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It's fine to carry your shorkie in a pet purse, but let it walk, bark and be a dog, too. Treat your shorkie like a dog. Allow it to walk on its own, sniff, play with other dogs and enjoy life the way a dog enjoys life. It's cute and convenient to carry a small dog in a purse or satchel, but don't make it such a habit that the dog doesn't get exercise and socialization. Scent is very important to a dog. Let your shorkie be on the ground to sniff and roll. Dogs that are treated as human babies develop behavior problems, such as fear, aggression or refusal to walk.
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Even the smallest dogs need training and socialization with other dogs. Enroll your shorkie in puppy kindergarten and obedience classes. Don't make the mistake of assuming a small dog doesn't need training. All dogs need training. A bite from a small dog hurts. Small dogs are notorious for developing Small Dog Syndrome, which is difficult to manage. Dogs with SDS are over-protective, aggressive and bossy. Once this behavior is established, it can be difficult to correct.
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A well-socialized shorkie will be calm, not yappy. Socialize your shorkie. Socialization goes hand-in-hand with training. Dogs that are not socialized properly develop shyness and aggressive behaviors. They can be difficult to manage because they are afraid of so many people and situations.
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Your shorkie can learn to relax and enjoy a visit to the vet. Teach your shorkie to enjoy visits to the veterinarian. Little dogs are sometimes much more difficult for the veterinary staff to handle than larger breeds. Take your shorkie to the veterinarian for short, pleasant visits. Arrange the visits ahead of time, and the staff will typically be very happy to offer your dog treats and petting, then send you on your way. After several such visits, most dogs look forward to the veterinarian. Handle your dog at home, as well, so that it is accustomed to being handled on all parts of its body.
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Teach your shorkie games and tricks to exercise mind and body. Provide mental stimulation and physical exercise on a daily basis. Small dogs need exercise daily, and some of that exercise must be outside, just as with larger dogs. Teach your shorkie interesting games, such as hide and seek, fetch and tricks, to keep its mind active. Shih tzus and Yorkies are intelligent, active dogs, and need exercise for body and mind. It you don't provide the entertainment, your shorkie will provide its own.
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Both the shih tzu and the Yorkie have continuously growing hair, like humans. Groom your shorkie daily. If you let the hair grow long and tangled, your shorkie will become very difficult to handle during grooming. If you brush daily, the hair will stay in good shape and brushing will be pleasant for the dog instead of painful. Grooming is a serious need for a dog with long-growing hair. Even if you take it to the groomer for hair cuts and bathing, it will require daily brushing. Accustom your pup to toe nail clipping, brushing, bathing and blow drying while it is young.
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A shorkie that can't see well will not make a good trainee. Keep your shorkie's hair out of its eyes at all times. It may seem cute when the hair falls onto the face, but your shorkie needs to see. Obstructed vision can be the cause of snapping, biting and even failing to learn its obedience lessons.
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Tips & Warnings
If your shorkie is showing signs of aggression, such as growling, snapping or biting, take it to a certified veterinary behaviorist, or a behavioral trainer with experience in behavior problems and aggression.
References
Resources
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Comments
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Mine is an angel.
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Our Shorkie Cleo, is very loving and she love to play with 2 toys.One of them Tina gave to her, that was Rexy's.It makes my heart happy knowing that Cleo loves playing with something that was Rexys.I loved Rexy he was my Grand-dog.
