Yorkies
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My Yorkie is almost a year old. I wanted her to be my best friend, but she seems a bit distant. I've taught her a bunch of commands. She listens, but then goes off to do her own thing and doesn't want to cuddle. What can I do?
Overview
When one wonders how to bond with their Yorkie there are 2 elements to keep in mind. From your dog's point of view, there are 2 things in their eyes: Are you their leader and are you their friend? By teaching commands, this helps a Yorkie to know that we are the leader. There are other elements involved in creating what is needed to have an unbreakable bond with your dog.
What You Can Do to Create A Great Bond With Your Yorkshire Terrier
While your dog will depend on you and consider you the "Leader of the Pack" when you teach commands and feed them, there are different activities which will create bonding.
Do keep in mind that puppies sometimes are very curious and do want to spend some time exploring the "world" on their own. However, this is no reason why the 2 of you cannot explore the "world" together at time also. In addition, there are other actions that an owner should take.
The following activities will help make your Yorkie your best friend:
We have all heard of the saying, "To have a friend, you must act like a friend" and this applies to not only humans, but to dogs also. While you always want to stay in command as the leader, spending time together having fun will help you be friends.
Think about how things look from your dog's point of view:
While your dog will depend on you and consider you the "Leader of the Pack" when you teach commands and feed them, there are different activities which will create bonding. Do keep in mind that puppies sometimes are very curious and do want to spend some time exploring the "world" on their own. However, this is no reason why the 2 of you cannot explore the "world" together at time also. In addition, there are other actions that an owner should take.
The following activities will help make your Yorkie your best friend:
- Verbal/ Physical Interaction
- Playtime
- Exploring
- Relaxation Time
We have all heard of the saying, "To have a friend, you must act like a friend" and this applies to not only humans, but to dogs also. While you always want to stay in command as the leader, spending time together having fun will help you be friends.
Think about how things look from your dog's point of view:
- When you awake, do you say "Good Morning" to your Yorkie? Do you pat them and start off the day with smiles, a happy tone and showing pleasure in seeing them?
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Are you so busy at home doing chores that you walk right by your dog throughout the day without acknowledging them? Take some time to stop and "say hello". Whether you are busy putting away food from the grocery store or dusting the living room, you can always take a little break every so often to stop and talk to your Yorkie, pat them, give a hug, toss a ball, etc.
- Now that your dog has learned commands, do you still offer praise when your dog behaves correctly or listens to you? Praise should be given at all times and not just during training.
- Do you talk to your dog? Yes, your dog cannot talk back, but they certainly will be listening. The tone of your voice tells a dog a lot. Just because we cannot have 2 sided conversation with our Yorkies, we should still talk to them throughout the day. This allow a dog to become so used to your voice that hearing you offers a sense of safety, security and happiness. This will not happen if your dog hears an owner yelling a lot, talking in frustration or other.
Playtime
You know what they say, "All work and no play...". Your dog does need to listen to your commands, heel nicely when you go for walks, etc. However the Yorkshire Terrier is a breed that loves interaction and playtime with their human family members. Set aside time each day for at least 1 play session. Play tug-of-war, chase, hide and seek... you are allowed to act like a child even if you are 60 years old... because your little dog wants some fun!
Exploring
While you may not be able to take your Yorkie overseas with you, the two of you can certainly enjoy exploring your own city together. Find some safe hiking trails and walk them together. Most dogs love the chance to see new things and smell new scents. Go to different dog parks and see what the both of you can find. Play in the back yard one day and in your neighbor's yard with their dog the next. Is your nephew having a baseball game? Bring your dog with you and enjoy the game together. There are many activities that you and your Yorkie can enjoy doing together.
Relaxation Time
We all need to relax some time! When you sit down in the evening to watch TV, include your dog. You can make it a routine. A walk after dinner, and then time to snuggle on the couch. Set up pillows so that your Yorkie is comfortable, pat your dog and talk to them while you watch your favorite show. Give a few small doggie treats during commercials.
If you are taking a nap on the couch, encourage your dog to join you. If you are sitting out on your patio reading the newspaper, bring out some dog toys and encourage your Yorkie to be at your side. Give praise and attention during these times so that your dog will understand that you are very happy when they are spending time with your or next to you.
End each evening by having a night time routine. Bring them outside to eliminate, prepare their doggie bed, say your good nights and give a goodnight kiss.
2 Years of Work...493 Pages...Everything You'll Ever Need: The YorkieInfoCenter Book...Learn More
You know what they say, "All work and no play...". Your dog does need to listen to your commands, heel nicely when you go for walks, etc. However the Yorkshire Terrier is a breed that loves interaction and playtime with their human family members. Set aside time each day for at least 1 play session. Play tug-of-war, chase, hide and seek... you are allowed to act like a child even if you are 60 years old... because your little dog wants some fun!
Exploring
While you may not be able to take your Yorkie overseas with you, the two of you can certainly enjoy exploring your own city together. Find some safe hiking trails and walk them together. Most dogs love the chance to see new things and smell new scents. Go to different dog parks and see what the both of you can find. Play in the back yard one day and in your neighbor's yard with their dog the next. Is your nephew having a baseball game? Bring your dog with you and enjoy the game together. There are many activities that you and your Yorkie can enjoy doing together.
Relaxation Time
We all need to relax some time! When you sit down in the evening to watch TV, include your dog. You can make it a routine. A walk after dinner, and then time to snuggle on the couch. Set up pillows so that your Yorkie is comfortable, pat your dog and talk to them while you watch your favorite show. Give a few small doggie treats during commercials.
If you are taking a nap on the couch, encourage your dog to join you. If you are sitting out on your patio reading the newspaper, bring out some dog toys and encourage your Yorkie to be at your side. Give praise and attention during these times so that your dog will understand that you are very happy when they are spending time with your or next to you.
End each evening by having a night time routine. Bring them outside to eliminate, prepare their doggie bed, say your good nights and give a goodnight kiss.
2 Years of Work...493 Pages...Everything You'll Ever Need: The YorkieInfoCenter Book...Learn More
