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:
Promptly addressing these behaviors can help prevent escalation and foster a positive environment.
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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.
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.
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:
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:
#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.
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'.
Note: If there is no improvement after two weeks of consistent training, consider consulting a professional dog trainer for one-on-one sessions.
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.
Note: If there is no improvement after two weeks of consistent training, consider consulting a professional dog trainer for one-on-one sessions.
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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.