A well-balanced diet and regular medical attention from a qualified veterinarian are essential in promoting good health for your yorkie, but so is daily exercise to keep him fit and mentally alert.

Yorkies that have been confined all day while their owners are at work or school need special attention. There should be some time set aside each day for play – a romp with a family member, perhaps.

Not everyone is lucky enough to let his yorkie run through an open meadow or along a sandy beach, but even a ten-minute walk in the fresh air will do. Yorkies that are house-bound, particularly those that live in apartments need to be walked out-of-doors after each meal so that they can relieve themselves.

Owners can make this daily ritual more pleasant both for themselves and their canine companions by combining the walk with a little “roughhousing”, that is to say, a bit of fun and togetherness.

Whenever possible, take a stroll to an empty lot, a playground, or a nearby park. Attach a long lead to your yorkie’s collar and let him run and jump and tone his body through aerobic activity.

This will help him burn calories and will keep him trim, and it will also help relieve tension and stress that may have had a chance to develop while you were away all day.

For people who work Monday through Friday, weekend jaunts can be especially beneficial since there will be more time to spend with your yorkie. You might want to engage him in a simple game of fetch with a stick or a rubber ball.

Even such basic trick as rolling over, standing on the hind legs, or jumping up (all of which can be done inside the home as well) can provide additional exercise.

However, if you plan to challenge your yorkie with a real workout to raise his heart rate, remember not to push him too hard without first warming up with a brisk walk.

Do not forget to “cool him down” afterwards with a rhythmic trot until his heart rate returns t normal. Some yorkie owners jog with their dogs or take them along on bicycle excursions.

At the very least, however, play with your yorkie every day to keep him in good shape physically and mentally.

Don’t neglect your yorkie and leave him confined for long periods without attention from you, or time for exercise.