Training a Yorkie

Use Positive Reinforcement Only
- Teacup Yorkie; photo by Swatjester/Wikimedia Commons
  
  Training a Yorkie requires endless repetition and lots of positive reinforcement. Although they come across as tough and standoffish, Yorkshire terriers remember a bad experience and will shy away from a trainer who uses negative reinforcement.
Rely on a Crate When Potty Training Your Yorkie
- Teacup Yorkie; photo by Swatjester/Wikimedia Commons
  
  Invest in a crate big enough to contain your Yorkie. Housebreaking this breed of dog is notoriously difficult, and unless you rely on an area in which to confine the animal, you will face a lot of cleaning and frustration. Use a command you want the animal to associate with going outside and relieving itself, such as "potty." In addition, pick a spot where you want the animal to go and do its duty. Take the Yorkie to the designated potty spot frequently, and otherwise place it in the crate if you are not directly supervising it. When the animal does wet the crate, repeat "potty" in a stern voice, and carry the animal outside. Repeat the command. Consistent, daily repetition will potty train your Yorkie.
Avoid Obedience Training Classes and Opt for Private Sessions Instead
- Barking Yorkie; photo by Takeshi Nakagawa/Wikimedia Commons
  
  Pay a little extra and sign up for an obedience training course that is held in private, or at least spring for semiprivate sessions. The sheer number of animals that some dog training schools allow into their classes makes it hard for a Yorkie to concentrate. If your animal is naturally predisposed to barking and aggression, you might actually place it in danger if you attend a regular class.
Remove Distractions When Training Your Yorkie
- Distracted Yorkie; photo by Swatjester/Wikimedia Commons
  
  Repeat the lessons learned in obedience training frequently. Be sure to remove distractions when you are training your Yorkie. The animals are very easy to sidetrack, and it takes little more than someone walking past your fence to completely derail a promising training session. You may find it helpful to actually travel with your Yorkie to a more secluded spot for your training efforts.