Yorkshire Terrier
Tiny, spirited lap dog with a big attitude and silky coat.
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Training tips for a Yorkshire Terrier
Practical, breed-specific advice tuned to a Yorkshire Terrier's temperament, energy and trainability.
House-Training Consistency
Take your Yorkie outside every 2 hours and immediately after meals, using the same spot each time. If you catch accidents happening indoors, interrupt with a calm 'no' and quickly move them outside to finish, then praise when they go in the right place.
Early Socialisation Priority
Expose your Yorkie to diverse people, dogs, and environments before 16 weeks to prevent the 'small dog syndrome' barking and fear they're prone to. Don't coddle or pick them up when they act nervous—let them work through mild stress with calm guidance so they build confidence.
Mental and Physical Outlets
Provide 20-30 minutes of daily walking plus puzzle toys or scent games indoors to satisfy their terrier curiosity. A bored Yorkie will bark excessively and become destructive, so rotate enrichment activities throughout the week.
Managing Nuisance Barking
When your Yorkie barks at triggers, wait for a pause then immediately mark and reward the quiet; if barking continues, use a calm verbal interrupter or brief time-out to show the behaviour doesn't achieve their goal. Consistency in consequences is essential with this vocal breed.
Firm but Gentle Leadership
Yorkies respond best to clear boundaries delivered calmly—don't let their small size excuse pushy behaviour like jumping or demand-barking. Use well-timed corrections matched with plenty of affection when they're calm to shape the confident, affectionate companion they're meant to be.
Training guides for a Yorkshire Terrier
Expert-written guides picked for a Yorkshire Terrier's temperament and needs.
How dogs actually learn: the four quadrants explained
Positive reinforcement, negative reinforcement, and everything in between — a clear, honest look at operant conditioning and when each tool is the right call.
Separation anxiety: a realistic rehab plan
Barking, destruction and toileting when you leave? Here's how to tell true separation anxiety from boredom — and how to actually fix it.
Lead reactivity: calming the lunging and barking
The lunging, barking dog on-lead is usually frightened, not 'dominant'. Here's how to lower the emotion and change the response.
Health & nutrition for a Yorkshire Terrier
What to watch for, how to feed, and how to keep a Yorkshire Terrier in top shape — tuned to this breed's size and build.
Common health concerns
- •Yorkshire Terriers are prone to dental disease due to crowded teeth in their tiny jaws, so monitor for tartar buildup, bad breath, and tooth loss—raw meaty bones help naturally clean teeth.
- •This breed commonly suffers from patellar luxation (slipping kneecaps) and should be watched for limping, skipping steps, or reluctance to jump.
- •Hypoglycemia is a serious risk in Yorkies, especially puppies and small adults, so watch for weakness, trembling, or lethargy and ensure frequent small meals.
- •Collapsing trachea is typical in toy breeds; monitor for honking cough, gagging, or breathing difficulty, particularly when excited or pulling on a lead.
Feeding & nutrition
- •Feed a raw, biologically-appropriate diet of muscle meat (chicken, turkey, rabbit), raw meaty bones (chicken necks, wings) for dental health, and 10% organ meat (liver, kidney) to meet this tiny breed's high metabolic needs.
- •Yorkies require approximately 150-200 calories daily (about 3-4% of body weight in raw food), split into 2-3 small meals to prevent hypoglycemia and support their fast metabolism.
- •Raw meaty bones are especially beneficial for this breed's dental health, helping prevent the tartar and gum disease that plague toy breeds fed soft or processed foods.
- •If raw feeding isn't possible due to convenience, choose a high-quality, grain-free kibble as a fallback, but recognize it won't provide the dental, digestive, and metabolic benefits of species-appropriate raw nutrition.
Exercise & weight
- •Yorkshire Terriers need 20-30 minutes of daily exercise split into short walks and indoor play sessions to maintain healthy weight without overstraining their delicate joints.
- •Provide mentally stimulating activities like puzzle toys and short training sessions, as this intelligent breed needs mental engagement to prevent boredom and destructive behavior.
- •Avoid high-impact jumping or rough play that could injure fragile knees and joints prone to luxation.
- •Keep exercise moderate and consistent to prevent obesity, which exacerbates tracheal collapse, joint problems, and hypoglycemia risk in this tiny breed.
Educational guidance only — not veterinary advice. Always consult a licensed vet for your dog's specific health needs.
Ready to meet a Yorkshire Terrier?
Search animal shelters and rescues across Australia — and consider bringing a certified trainer to your first meet-and-greet.