Yorkie Information Center
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Yorkie Exercise
Overview
The Yorkshire Terrier has a very athletic build and this dog breed is very agile.
Although the Yorkie is a toy breed, only weighing a maximum of 7 lbs. ( 3.17 kg) this dog does require regular exercise to maintain good health.
Let's discuss how much exercise a Yorkie needs, ways to provide fun exercise and tips on training your Yorkie to walk nicely beside you.
The Yorkshire Terrier has a very athletic build and this dog breed is very agile.
Although the Yorkie is a toy breed, only weighing a maximum of 7 lbs. ( 3.17 kg) this dog does require regular exercise to maintain good health.
Let's discuss how much exercise a Yorkie needs, ways to provide fun exercise and tips on training your Yorkie to walk nicely beside you.
How Much Exercise is Required?
There are 2 types of exercise that should a Yorkie should receive:
There are 2 types of exercise that should a Yorkie should receive:
- Moderate exercise - going for walks
- Cardio exercise - short but more intense bursts of activity, such as running after a ball, etc.
Walking should be moderate and at a fairly brisk pace. Do keep in mind that what is a brisk pace to you is a running pace for a little Yorkie. The walk should be at a pace where the dog is moving along steadily; but not out of breath.
Cardio exercise should be short and a bit more intense. This should be provided at least 1 time per week, 2 times is optimal. You can choose from a variety of different ways to achieve this. Throwing a ball to your dog and having them run after it is always fun for a dog. This type of play is also an excellent opportunity to teach your Yorkie some command words, such as "Get" and "Return".
Yorkies love to simply run around. If taken to a park or open field, this breed will enjoy running free. Do, however, always keep your dog supervised and be sure that if you ever take your Yorkie off of their leash or harness that it is very safe to do so.
Some Ways to Provide Fun Exercise
Not only is exercise very important for your dog's health, but this is a great way to bond with your Yorkie. Do keep in mind that the Yorkie, as with all small toy breed dogs, can be injured if jumping from too high of a height; especially when a puppy. This dog breed can develop a luxating patella, which is a dislocation of the hip socket and joint, so do limit their jumping from heights. There are some games to play with your Yorkie that will offer exercise at the same time.
Agility. You do not need to enter your Yorkie into a dog show event to enjoy the benefits of teaching your dog some agility moves. Do be wary of heights when your pup is young; however you and your dog can have great fun with a home made obstacle course. You can teach your dog to jump through a hoop ( just hold up a hula-hoop) and maneuver around obstacles (be sure there is a small but yummy treat waiting at the end).
Frisbee. Most of us have seen professional dog disc events; those events when usually large breed dogs leap high into the air, catching a Frisbee with ease. Your Yorkie wants to join into the fun too! You may wish to purchase a "baby" Frisbee. Teaching your Yorkie to run after it, time it just right and then catch it mid-air can be a lot of fun for both of you and certainly a way to get their exercise! *Note: Do be sure to never "rip" the Frisbee out of your dog's mouth. You can train your dog to drop it on command. When first training for this, hold a small treat and offer a trade. Use the command word of "Drop" or "Give" and once your Yorkie offers it to you, reward your dog with the small dog treat and lots of praise.
Hide & Seek With Treats. Command your dog to sit and have your dog watch you "hide" treats all over the home. The treats should be very small and tucked into many different areas...under a cushion, behind a shoe, on the first landing of the stairs, etc. Once you give the command word of "Go!' or "Find", your Yorkie can then run around the home, gathering up the treats.
Training Your Yorkie to Heel
When walking, it is recommended to use a harness, as opposed to a leash, for small breed dogs such as the Yorkie. These smaller dogs are much more prone to developing a Collapsed Trachea. This is a condition in which the structure of the trachea collapses and can cause pain and breathing difficulties. This is sometimes caused when a small dog is put a leash while wearing a collar. If the dog lunges ahead or the owner pulls back on the leash to hard...the dog can become injured in this way.
When first training your Yorkie to "heel" and walk nicely beside you, it is highly recommended to use a well fitting harness for small toy breeds.
Many owners complain of "the dog walking them". This does not need to be the case. By taking time to make sure that your Yorkie understands the meaning of "Heel" and with consistent training, you can enjoy nice walks where your dog actually strides right to the side of you.
When you set out for your walk, be sure to give the command word of "Heel". If at any time your dog tries to walk in a different direction, do not stop but continue walking where you want to, at a very slow pace. If your Yorkie stops, again do not stop, but continue walking at a slow pace.
When your Yorkie is striding nicely beside you, say the command word of "Heel" to reaffirm that your dog is indeed heeling and offer words of praise. With the tone of your voice, you must convey that your dog is doing something truly great.
Whenever your dog walks or runs ahead of you, do not stop and jerk on the leash. That type of training is not for small breed dogs. Do, however, steadily slow down. If your Yorkie still tries to get ahead of you, slow to a stop and then reverse directions. This shows your dog that any time they try to run ahead, all they will find is that they will not reach their target and will instead have to go in the opposite direction. Once your dog walks nicely beside you, reward them by reversing again in the original direction.
When your walk is complete, if your Yorkie has correctly heeled the majority of the time, give a wonderful treat at the end of the walk. Do not give any treats if your dog was all over the map! With a bit of time, both of you will greatly look forward to walks together.
Cardio exercise should be short and a bit more intense. This should be provided at least 1 time per week, 2 times is optimal. You can choose from a variety of different ways to achieve this. Throwing a ball to your dog and having them run after it is always fun for a dog. This type of play is also an excellent opportunity to teach your Yorkie some command words, such as "Get" and "Return".
Yorkies love to simply run around. If taken to a park or open field, this breed will enjoy running free. Do, however, always keep your dog supervised and be sure that if you ever take your Yorkie off of their leash or harness that it is very safe to do so.
Some Ways to Provide Fun Exercise
Not only is exercise very important for your dog's health, but this is a great way to bond with your Yorkie. Do keep in mind that the Yorkie, as with all small toy breed dogs, can be injured if jumping from too high of a height; especially when a puppy. This dog breed can develop a luxating patella, which is a dislocation of the hip socket and joint, so do limit their jumping from heights. There are some games to play with your Yorkie that will offer exercise at the same time.
Agility. You do not need to enter your Yorkie into a dog show event to enjoy the benefits of teaching your dog some agility moves. Do be wary of heights when your pup is young; however you and your dog can have great fun with a home made obstacle course. You can teach your dog to jump through a hoop ( just hold up a hula-hoop) and maneuver around obstacles (be sure there is a small but yummy treat waiting at the end).
Frisbee. Most of us have seen professional dog disc events; those events when usually large breed dogs leap high into the air, catching a Frisbee with ease. Your Yorkie wants to join into the fun too! You may wish to purchase a "baby" Frisbee. Teaching your Yorkie to run after it, time it just right and then catch it mid-air can be a lot of fun for both of you and certainly a way to get their exercise! *Note: Do be sure to never "rip" the Frisbee out of your dog's mouth. You can train your dog to drop it on command. When first training for this, hold a small treat and offer a trade. Use the command word of "Drop" or "Give" and once your Yorkie offers it to you, reward your dog with the small dog treat and lots of praise.
Hide & Seek With Treats. Command your dog to sit and have your dog watch you "hide" treats all over the home. The treats should be very small and tucked into many different areas...under a cushion, behind a shoe, on the first landing of the stairs, etc. Once you give the command word of "Go!' or "Find", your Yorkie can then run around the home, gathering up the treats.
Training Your Yorkie to Heel
When walking, it is recommended to use a harness, as opposed to a leash, for small breed dogs such as the Yorkie. These smaller dogs are much more prone to developing a Collapsed Trachea. This is a condition in which the structure of the trachea collapses and can cause pain and breathing difficulties. This is sometimes caused when a small dog is put a leash while wearing a collar. If the dog lunges ahead or the owner pulls back on the leash to hard...the dog can become injured in this way.
When first training your Yorkie to "heel" and walk nicely beside you, it is highly recommended to use a well fitting harness for small toy breeds.
Many owners complain of "the dog walking them". This does not need to be the case. By taking time to make sure that your Yorkie understands the meaning of "Heel" and with consistent training, you can enjoy nice walks where your dog actually strides right to the side of you.
When you set out for your walk, be sure to give the command word of "Heel". If at any time your dog tries to walk in a different direction, do not stop but continue walking where you want to, at a very slow pace. If your Yorkie stops, again do not stop, but continue walking at a slow pace.
When your Yorkie is striding nicely beside you, say the command word of "Heel" to reaffirm that your dog is indeed heeling and offer words of praise. With the tone of your voice, you must convey that your dog is doing something truly great.
Whenever your dog walks or runs ahead of you, do not stop and jerk on the leash. That type of training is not for small breed dogs. Do, however, steadily slow down. If your Yorkie still tries to get ahead of you, slow to a stop and then reverse directions. This shows your dog that any time they try to run ahead, all they will find is that they will not reach their target and will instead have to go in the opposite direction. Once your dog walks nicely beside you, reward them by reversing again in the original direction.
When your walk is complete, if your Yorkie has correctly heeled the majority of the time, give a wonderful treat at the end of the walk. Do not give any treats if your dog was all over the map! With a bit of time, both of you will greatly look forward to walks together.
Exercise Issues
- Stubborn Yorkies Who do Not Want to Exercise With You
- Yorkies Who Refuse to Heel
- Gaining & Keeping Control of Your Little Yorkie when They Behave Out of Control
- Behavioral Problems a Yorkie May Have From Lack of Exercise
- Crazy Schedule? Let us know your schedule, & we will let you know when & how long to exercise your Yorkie
- Detailed Information... Direct Personal Advice... What Could be Better? Click Here to Learn More
