How to Teach a Yorkie Poo Not to Be So Fresh

The Yorkie Poo, a cross between a Yorkshire Terrier and a toy or miniature Poodle, sports several admirable qualities. It does not shed and is hypoallergenic. Yorkie Poos also display good behavior around other dogs. Unruliness can surface, however, with an irresponsible owner. Yorkie Poo owners who let their puppy get away with biting and poor behavior pay dearly in adulthood, when the dog continues to snap -- and it's no longer adorable. Early intervention and play can teach your baby dog to trade sass for sweetness.

Instructions

1. Instill manners in Yorkie Poos as soon as possible. Begin obedience training puppies of small breeds and crosses such as the Yorkie Poo early -- as soon as one month of age. With positive reinforcement, teach them commands such as "come," "watch me," "sit" and "don't touch" before they reach five months. Socialize your pup around new people, situations and experiences once she's properly vaccinated. Exposure in this way fosters a well-adjusted adult canine personality, and helps prevent fear and aggression.

2. Maintain consistency in your rules and your own behavior around your Yorkie Poo. Owners of small dogs have a tendency to let their wee canines slide with inappropriate behavior because it seems "cute." Boundaries help your dog feel safe. Erratic behavior on your end gives the dog license to show anxiety and aggression toward you -- your Yorkie Poo doesn't know what she'll get from you next, and that's unfair.

3. Play with your Yorkie Poo plentifully. A study by Casey, R. A., et al. in 2007 at the Sixth International Veterinary Behaviour Meeting provided evidence that obedience was better among canines whose guardians played with them more.

4. Locate professional help. Even renowned dog trainer Cesar Milan refrains from offering counsel for aggressive dog behavior, directing readers to finding dog trainers local to them who are skilled in on-site rehabilitation.

Tips & Warnings

• Changing your behavior to remind your Yorkie Poo who's boss is also recommended.

References

• Janet Wall's How to Love Your Dog; Your Puppy's First Year; Janet Wall;
• Doggie Steps Dog Training; Benefits of Socializing Dogs; Mark Siebel
• Quick and Dirty Tips; The Dog Trainer: How Best to Train Small Dogs; Jolanta Benal; August 2010
• Cesar's Way: Understanding Dog Aggression
• Yorkiepoo.org: Welcome