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Aggression

Yorkie Aggression Issues

Overview

Yorkshire Terriers are typically known for their very friendly and affectionate nature, not aggression. However, like any breed, exceptions exist, and it's crucial to address such behaviors immediately. Some issues may be manageable at home, yet more severe cases require a professional trainer's intervention to ensure safety and well-being for both the dog and their human companions. Aggressive behavior may include:


  • Snapping: A warning and often done in the air without coming into contact with a person's skin
  • Nipping: A fast, light bite that does not break the skin
  • Biting: A severe form of canine aggression
  • Growling: A warning that a dog is thinking about snapping, nipping or biting
  • Barking: Loud barking with a deep tone, suggests aggressive behavior


Promptly addressing these behaviors can help prevent escalation and foster a positive environment.

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Are Yorkshire Terriers Aggressive: Results of an Owner Poll:

We previously conducted a survey regarding Yorkie behavior, health and other topics. There were 2,146 respondents that had Yorkies comprised of 51% young adults (1 to 3-years-old), 26% adults (4 to 8-years-old), 10% puppies (6 to 12-months-old), 3% young puppies (under 6-months-old), and 10% seniors (9+ years). 


In part of the survey, we asked about negative behavioral issues, allowing owners to check off any that applied to their puppy or dog. The majority of Yorkshire Terrier pet parents, 96%, did not check off ‘aggression’ (labeled as ‘nipping, growling, etc.’) as an issue seen with their puppy or dog.


Interestingly, only 4% of Yorkie owners reported experiencing any form of aggression issues with their pets, indicating that most Yorkshire Terriers live up to their reputation for being friendly and sociable.


Tips to Help with Aggression When Children are Involved

A Yorkshire Terrier, or any other dog breed, may become annoyed if playtime with young children lasts too long or if the play is too rough. It's important to emphasize gentle handling and respect for a dog's space and comfort. Children should learn to approach a Yorkie calmly, avoiding sudden movements that might startle them. Incorporating an understanding of a dog's body language into children's interactions can also be helpful. For instance, a tucked tail, lowered ears, or a dog turning away can indicate fear or a desire for space, while a wagging tail and playful bounces signify a happy dog ready to engage.


Encouraging children to engage in positive activities, like teaching simple commands, can help a Yorkie understand that youngsters in the house are leaders, just as adult humans are. If your Yorkie has growled at a child, nipped, or shown any other signs of aggression, do not allow unsupervised interaction until the aggression has been completely resolved.


Prepping Before Training for Aggression: 

Training based on positive reinforcement is recommended. For this, certain aspects and items must in place beforehand.

#1 Assess if the aggression can be trained for at home. 

Any aggression that involves biting that breaks the skin, or startling attempts to do so, is your clear sign that this is not something you should handle on your own. Some dogs, when in pain, may lash out and bite; for this reason, a checkup with the vet should be first on the list. If health issues are ruled out, it will be time to call in a professional dog trainer. You may wish to contact your local ASPCA for references. This is particularly important if there are children or elderly in the household. Only if a Yorkie has not been attempting to bite or has bitten, should you continue on, and only if you feel comfortable doing so. 

#2 Have your Yorkshire Terrier trained to obey a ‘Sit’.

You can teach commands at home via online videos, books, or in person at a local ASPCA.

#3 Make it clear you are the leader by teaching proper hierarchy.

The steps are:  


  • You are in charge of the food. Before any meal is placed down or any snack is given, your Yorkie must obey a ‘Sit’. After a count of five, the goodie or meal can be given.
  • The leader (you) eats first. Any time you and your Yorkie start eating at the same time, make it clear that you begin first. As the leader, that is your privilege. Prepare both meals, leaving your Yorkie's up on a counter. Have a seat and be sure they see you take several bites off your plate. Ignore any jumping, barking or circling. During a quiet moment, rise and take their bowl into your hand, command a "Sit", wait five seconds, and then place their meal down. 
  • The leader enters and exits the ‘den’ first. Any time you leave or enter the house with your Yorkie, you will cross over the threshold first, with them in tow.
  • Some things must be earned. While you do not need to do this for every little thing, when giving a new toy or an item that your Yorkie may consider to be something of value, command a "Sit" before offering it. 
  • When you are walking your Yorkie, do not allow them to lead the way. Dogs can take this quite literally. You’ll want your little guy or gal in a heeling position, which means to your immediate left; not ahead and not behind.


In cases of severe aggression, there are two additional steps that you may wish to include (at least until things are under control), but again taking note that any biting or attempts to harm must be addressed via a health check by the vet and then via training with a professional:


  • Your Yorkie does not sleep or rest in your bed.
  • Your Yorkie is kept at a lower physical level than you. For example, you do not sit on the floor beside them and they do not sit on the sofa with you.

#4 Helpers are needed for training for aggression toward visitors.

This can be a friend, extended family, and/or neighbors that your dog has growled at or showed some aggression toward.

#5 Training treats. 

Training treats are an important part of positive reinforcement training. These should be small (as to not disrupt a Yorkie's appetite), pack a lot of flavor and be moist (both elements that help make a treat be seen as high-value) and something that is reserved just for training (not normally given as a snack). One that we recommend is Wellness Soft Training Treats, which are 100% all-natural. Even though these are used for some puppies of larger breeds, these are great for Yorkies of all ages (and you can even break these in half, as needed).

#6 Defined ‘time out’ area.

Part of this training involves temporary social isolation (a harmless but impactful message to aggressive dogs). Since you established yourself as the leader (see previous point #3), in some cases, you will respond to aggression by temporarily ‘banishing’ your Yorkshire Terrier from the ‘pack’, aka a time-out with social isolation. Note: For this to work, a dog must be kept in a designated area where they can see the household action but temporarily cannot be a part of it. So, keep your Yorkie within sight.


If your Yorkie already has indoor canine playpen, like the North State Pet Passage Playpen, do not use this for time-outs, as you do not want to have it associated with anything negative. For this reason, you may wish to obtain baby gates and block off a section of a room just for this purpose. 

#7 Use a harness (not a collar) and a short or adjustable-length leash.

A Yorkie should always have a harness regardless, as this toy breed is very prone to tracheal collapse, a serious health condition involving the windpipe. And a short 6-foot or adjustable leash will help you maintain control. A harness that we recommend is the EcoBark Step-in Harness which is very easy to put on and off, is comfortable and secure and starts at size triple-small, to fit even the tiniest Yorkshire Terrier. 


Training for Aggression Toward You or Other Family Members

This training approach is straightforward, focusing on positive reinforcement and incorporating temporary timeouts to both ensure safety and reinforce the lessons. In the context of this training, "Aggression" is defined as behaviors including aggressive growling, snapping, or attempts to bite. Have all aspects in place, as described earlier under 'Prepping Before Training for Aggression'.


  1. Immediately when your Yorkie shows any sign of aggression, place them in their designated time-out area, ensuring that you completely ignore them throughout the duration, meaning no eye contact, talking, or responding to barking.
  2. The duration of the time-out should extend for 5 minutes after your dog becomes aware of their isolation. This realization may take up to 15 minutes, depending on their level of focus or distraction. Signs like pacing or whining indicate that a dog has recognized their isolation.
  3. If your dog exhibits aggression upon your attempt to release them, extend their time in isolation by another 5 to 15 minutes.
  4. When releasing your dog, minimize interaction. A brief statement such as "Okay, let’s try again" is all that's needed without any physical affection.
  5. Return your dog to the exact spot of the aggressive incident, to recreate the scenario. For instance, if they growled at you while they were sunning near a window and you walked by, place them back in that spot and walk past them again.
  6. Initially, calm behavior is encouraged through increased interaction rather than treats. You can engage more freely and offer pets.
  7. Any recurrence of aggressive behavior will lead to another time-out session as previously described.
  8. Continue to monitor your dog's behavior, and after 5 minutes of consistent good behavior, verbally praise them,  accompanied by a training treat.


Note: If there is no improvement after two weeks of consistent training, consider consulting a professional dog trainer for one-on-one sessions.


Training for Aggression Toward Visitors to the Home

For this, you will need to enlist an adult assistant. The objective of this training session is to ensure your Yorkshire Terrier associates the presence of your helper (the trigger) with rewards for positive behavior and isolation for negative behavior. Have all aspects in place, as described earlier under 'Prepping Before Training for Aggression', including training treats and having a harness vest on your Yorkie.


  1. Equip your helper with some training treats. These can be handed over before they arrive or placed in a sealed sandwich bag outside your front door for them to collect upon arrival.
  2. Have the front door unlocked and situate yourself 8 to 10 feet from the front door, with your Yorkie close to you, via the harness and leash.
  3. Just before your helper is expected to arrive, instruct your Yorkie to sit.
  4. After your helper knocks on the door, invite them in with a welcoming tone.
  5. At this point, you will address every instance of calm or aggressive behavior from your Yorkshire Terrier. Reward each one-minute of calm behavior with verbal praise ("Good dog") and a training treat.
  6. Any aggressive behavior means a time out in the designated area.
  7. The time-out should extend for 5 minutes after your dog becomes aware of their isolation. This realization may take up to 15 minutes, depending on their level of focus or distraction. Signs like pacing or whining indicate that a dog has recognized their isolation.
  8. If your dog exhibits aggression upon your attempt to release them, extend their time in isolation by another 5 to 15 minutes.
  9. Once the time-out ends, allow your Yorkie to rejoin you  and your visitor, responding to their behavior as appropriate, with either praise and treats or another time-out.


Note: If there is no improvement after two weeks of consistent training, consider consulting a professional dog trainer for one-on-one sessions.

Related Articles:

Yorkshire Terrier Training Tips - This is a great place to start before training for any element including housebreaking, commands, heeling, addressing behavioral issues and more.

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