10 Common Yorkie Behavior Problems & Fix
Yorkie behavior problems are big issues for Yorkie owners who can control or fix these Yorkie behavior problems.
Before we go any further, let’s get one thing straight: most behavioral issues can be rectified with time, consistency, and experience.
The main cause of most undesirable behaviors in Yorkies is a lack of basic socialization and obedience training, which may be remedied.
Let’s look at some behavior issues associated with Yorkies…
Common Yorkie Behavior Problems
Separation anxiety, barking, destructive chewing, begging, chasing things, housetraining challenges, jumping on humans, and snapping at children are among the problems that Yorkies have.
Let’s break down these Yorkie behavior problems…
Some of the most common Yorkie behavior issues to be aware of, as well as some helpful remedies, are listed below:
1. Yorkies can be a bit difficult to Housebreak
Housetraining is the process of educating a dog to defecate outside or in a specific spot within the house rather than following its natural instinct of pooping everywhere.
Housebreaking a Yorkie dog might be challenging due to their dominant personality. Expect to train for 3 to 6 weeks in sessions.
Your Yorkie dog may make mistakes even after you’ve completed toilet training, so don’t be mad at them as they have a small bladder.
Once you’ve completed it, you may expect to see an adorable Yorkie that knows where he can relieve himself.
Make an effort to focus on house training as soon as you have your Yorkie.
Tips on housetraining Yorkies
- Don’t overfeed your Yorkie during toilet training sessions.
- When you’re not around, don’t keep your Yorkie on a leash during the house-training procedure.
- Provide your Yorkie with a variety of places to discharge himself during the house-training process.
- Take your Yorkie to the potty at least once before bedtime during the housetraining process.
- Your Yorkie’s potty training should begin the day he arrives at your house.
- If your Yorkie commits a mistake, do not scream or strike him.
- Make no substantial alterations to your Yorkie’s typical routine during the house-training procedure.
- Feed your Yorkie at the same time and in the same manner throughout the housetraining procedure.
- During and after the housetraining exercise, make the toilet as accessible as feasible.
2. Yorkies do bark unnecessarily
Yorkies are a naturally non-aggressive little dog breed that, since they are now designed to be human companions, have never been known to harm other dogs or children.
A Yorkie can bark excessively, and properly socializing your Yorkie dog as soon as possible is one of the greatest ways to reduce excessive barking.
Yorkies bark needlessly, and it may happen at any time of the day.
Barking is also a way for them to communicate, which can be a problem for their owners.
Yorkies can be chatty for a variety of reasons, including the following:
- Fear
- Play aggression
- Signs of hunger
- Welcoming you back home
- Signs of pain
- Strangers around
- Anxiety
- Attention seeking
- Emotional distress
Tips to stop Yorkies’ excessive barking
- Ignore barking that isn’t essential.
- Invest time in creating a training program for your Yorkie.
- Distract your Yorkie by teaching him to ignore them.
- Make sure your Yorkie has a stress-free environment.
- Start socializing your Yorkie when he or she is a puppy.
- Desensitize your Yorkie to any potential sources of fear.
- Pay closer attention to the requirements of your Yorkie.
- All forms of Anxiety and worry in your Yorkie should be avoided.
3. Yorkies easily develop separation anxiety
Separation anxiety in Yorkies is a behavioral problem that develops when a Yorkie is left alone for an extended period of time.
If not addressed, separation anxiety can develop into biting, excessive barking, and hatred.
Biting, nipping, barking, self-isolation, destructive chewing, and other behaviors are all signs of separation anxiety in Yorkies.
Separation anxiety can arise when a Yorkie is left alone at home, which can be alleviated by having a friend or using efficient crate training.
Tips to prevent separation anxiety in Yorkies
- With your veterinarian’s permission, acquire an anti-anxiety or medicine.
- Make sure your Yorkie has plenty of soft and interesting toys to keep him engaged.
- Allow your Yorkie dog plenty of opportunities to rest, relax, and exercise.
- Start your Yorkie dog on a fresh, suitable crate training program.
- Make an appointment for your pet to see a behaviorist.
- Teach them to leave you alone at home and to maintain a safe space between you and them.
- Before you go, exercise your Yorkie to burn off any excess energy.
- Through a window, provide a glimpse of the outside world.
- Use calming music to create a relaxing and stress-free environment.
4. Yorkies are prone to chasing after things
Pursuing other animals, humans, and vehicles, as well as chasing moving things, are all examples of Yorkies’ excitement impulse.
Allowing your Yorkie to chase humans, birds, or other dogs can lead to dangerous and fatal outcomes.
Because Yorkies were bred with a predatory instinct, chasing may be a problem if they aren’t properly educated.
Yorkies enjoy playing tag with other Yorkies, and it’s usually a fun pastime unless the chase takes place on a busy road, at which point it can turn into one of those dangerous dog habits.
Tips to control chasing in Yorkies
- Keep your dog on a leash or in a fenced-in yard to prevent them from chasing after distractions.
- Don’t let your dog off the leash while you go for a walk.
- Work on impulse control with your dog and train them to come to you when you call.
- Early and appropriate socializing is beneficial.
- Teach your Yorkie to remain calm in the presence of other dogs, cats, and pets.
- Always reward your Yorkie for not chasing things.
- Reward your Yorkie when you call them, and they stopped chasing to answer your call.
- Incorporate clicker training when training your Yorkie.
- Distract and reward during any chase.
5. Yorkies are picky eaters
Yorkies can grow up to be very selective of what they eat.
Some Yorkie puppies have an excellent concept of what they prefer to eat, but because they can’t talk, they won’t tell you.
Revolving taste buds are a common issue in Yorkies, causing them to consume only a few bits or refuse to eat at all.
Most owners are concerned about this, but it is a tendency that can be handled.
Because of their prior feeding experiences, a Yorkie may be able to sense a lack of protein in a dish.
Yorkies are known to be finicky eaters since they are aware that eating might cause discomfort immediately afterward.
Tips to picky eating in Yorkies
- Any meal that is proving to be effective should be continued.
- Make the food more appealing if required.
- Rethink the foods you’re putting on the table.
- Maintain a schedule that is convenient for you and your Yorkie.
- Consider switching to a grain-free option.
- Stick to the most effective serving sizes.
- Consult your veterinarian if you have any medical concerns.
- Stop sampling too many different types of cuisine at once.
6. Yorkie over seek attention
While this may be a nuisance for some, others may find having their Yorkie follow them around the home seeking love entertaining.
Yorkies are no exception when it comes to begging for attention by barking, biting, or nipping.
A Yorkie is not for you if you don’t want a cuddly dog or one who requires constant care.
Because Yorkies are now mostly used as companion dogs that spend their days with their owners.
Tips
- Make a method for them to follow so that they may get what they need without having to ask you or while you are away.
- They won’t follow you around like flies if you keep them busy with a range of activities.
7. Yorkies are bossy or dominance behavior
Yorkies are renowned for being demanding and forgetting their size, which may be a big problem if you have youngsters.
To avoid dominating behavior, it’s critical to properly socialize your Yorkie and teach the basics of obedience training.
The urge for your Yorkie to take the lead while you follow can result in a variety of behavior issues that, if not addressed, can result in unnecessary animosity.
How to show Yorkies dominance
- Establish yourself as the pack’s leader as soon as feasible.
- Establish rules, limitations, and boundaries for your Yorkie as soon as feasible.
- Always insist on your Yorkie proper conduct.
- Use positive energy when chatting.
- Find out how to act like an alpha dude.
- When it comes to disciplining inappropriate behavior, be consistent and fair.
- When it comes to regulations, be consistent and precise.
- Teach your Yorkie to follow instructions.
- Learn how to control and restrict how long your Yorkie spends eating.
- Give your Yorkie a job to perform at all times.
- The importance of positive reinforcement cannot be overstated.
- It’s important to praise and reward submissive behavior.
8. Yorkies Chew things when bored
Chewing is a natural tendency for all dogs, but if your Yorkie chews on items that aren’t supposed to be eaten, such as shoes, furniture, or electrical wires, chewing may rapidly become a problem.
To keep your Yorkie busy and encourage healthy chewing, provide plenty of toys and chews.
Objects that you don’t want chewed can be removed or sprayed with Bitter Apple, a material that leaves a bad taste in their mouth.
Tips to stop Yorkies’ chewing things
- Never leave your Yorkie unattended to for a long time.
- Invest in lots of chewing toys.
- Spray your valuable furniture to prevent Yorkies chewing them.
- Provide more mental stimulation for your Yorkie.
- Provide more exercise for your Yorkie.
- Puppy proofing your home.
9. Yorkies enjoy begging for table scraps
The owner may find it difficult to resist the Yorkies tempting grins, which encourage begging.
Even though begging is a terrible habit, many Yorkies owners encourage their dogs by feeding them while they eat.
Side effects include weight gain, gastrointestinal issues, and even recurrent diarrhea.
The most straightforward method to avoid this irritating habit is to never promote it in the first place.
How to control begging in Yorkies
- Don’t look at your Yorkie when he’s begging.
- Don’t talk to your Yorkie when he’s begging.
- Twist and turn away if your Yorkie tries to jump on you while begging.
- While you’re eating, feed your Yorkie.
- Teach your Yorkie to do more than asking for food at the table.
- Put your Yorkie in his room while you eat.
- Place the bowl near the table when it’s time to eat so your Yorkie thinks he’s dining with you.
- Use positive reinforcement to teach your Yorkie that begging is associated with bad behavior.
10. Yorkies love to dig when bored
You must ascertain the reason for your Yorkie’s excessive digging and take measures as soon as possible.
Keep your Yorkie engaged at all times and don’t leave him outside for lengthy periods of time.
Yorkies have a natural desire to dig for a number of reasons, none of which are cruel.
Don’t get angry or shout at your Yorkie if he falls in love with your flower or plant beds and starts digging in them while you’re out strolling.
Simply take your Yorkie out of these situations several times until he understands what he is doing is incorrect.
How to control digging in Yorkies
- Always make an effort to link digging to a bad habit.
- Make a list of chores that will stimulate your Yorkie mind.
- Distract the Yorkie’s attention from their inappropriate activity.
- Make the areas where your Yorkie is digging uncomfortable for your Yorkie.
- Keep digging area unattractive.
- Make a daily regimen for yourself.
- More chewing toys should be supplied.
- Allow your Yorkie to be entertained at all times.
- Separation anxiety should be avoided.
Cheers!!!