Archive | Yorkie INFO

Signaling System in Toy Yorkies Breed

Posted on 03 February 2012 by Mylene - Dog Enthusiast

 

There is no single body part or feature that can tell you what a dog is trying to say. We always have to look at the entire picture, the collective posture, body parts, and expression in the context in which they are being shown.

Not all body movements may mean something, however. For example, a toy Yorkie may scratch because something is itchy, or as part of a displacement behavior. So it is important not to immediately assign meaning to something that toy Yorkies breed do and look at other things going on. Different dogs and different breeds, generally, will also express themselves in different ways, so we must study each dog’s communication patterns individually.

Eyes. Just as with humans, the eyes say a lot about what a dog is feeling emotionally, so we need to pay a lot of attention to what the eyes are saying. Direct, prolonged eye contact with a hard, cold stare is usually part of an offensive threat.

Conversely, dogs – even toy Yorkies breed – that look away to avoid eye contact may be indicating fear or submission, or may be trying to avoid confrontation. An extremely fearful dog will often turn away from something troubling, but will have a need to watch for danger by looking to the side or upward, giving what is called the ‘whale eye’, where the whites of the eyes are more visible.

Anxious toy Yorkies breed will be constantly scanning the surroundings, their eyes quickly darting in different directions.

Ears. Ears are used for both hearing and communication so they can be difficult to read. Sudden noises in the environment may quickly change the ears’ position, causing a break in the communication. Generally, ears straining forward reflect a more confident or offensive state.

Mouth. Like the eyes, one of the most telling signals given by a dog may be seen around he mouth and muzzle area of his face. A normally relaxed, calm, and happy dog will usually have an open mouth, his tongue slightly forward, and will be panting.

Tail. Contrary to what a lot of people think, a wagging tail doesn’t necessarily indicate that a dog is friendly. It merely says that the dog is aroused or excited. A wagging tail can mean that the dog is experiencing happiness, anxiety, anger, hunger, or maybe even romance.

Posture. A dog’s posture will give you the overall picture of his state of mind. A relaxed dog will show throughout the entire body. His muscles will appear soft, fluid, and movements will be calm and graceful. When aroused, his entire body will look tense and hard; and the gait will be more rigid.

Understanding Pack Behavior Instincts in Yorkies: You As His Leader

Posted on 04 December 2011 by Mylene - Dog Enthusiast

 

Yorkies are highly energetic, intelligent dogs. Left unchecked, these characteristics could lead the Yorkie charging down the wrong behavioral path. Properly channeled, these same traits can help produce a well-mannered, enthusiastic, reliable companion.

When he is quite young, a dog learns his first lessons on manners from his mother. The mother is the undisputed leader and maintains her position by swift discipline whenever a puppy gets out of line. Imagine a Yorkie mother that admonishes her young by using a progression of techniques, starting with low, guttural growls, then – if needed – a swat of the paw, and a quick shake of the offender’s neck. This is true of many dogs and about Yorkies’ primal instincts, when aroused.

Rarely is any further action required. The mother reacts fairly, unemotionally, and consistently, and the puppies respect her authority. She is the boss – the ‘alpha figure’. (Again, this fact isn’t solely  about Yorkies – this about all canines for you to have better understanding of who they really are as dogs – like any other breed.)

This pattern of discipline traces back to earliest times when dogs roamed in packs. From the pack, one leader emerged; all other pack members then assumed various ranks behind the leader. The leader’s authority would occasionally be challenged by the underlings, many of whom competed for independence and power.

Even today, every Yorkie (and other dogs) assumes it is ‘top dog’ until proven otherwise. A leader must clearly show any upstart by swift reprimand that its place is not at the head of the pack. Once all pack members submit to the leader’s authority, they follow and cooperate fully.

This heritage of pack behavior is still significant today and must be dealt with in your Yorkie’s training. You must take over the leadership position vacated by the puppy’s mother by becoming the new alpha figure.

Your Yorkie must also be taught to be respectful of all humans, not only the alpha. While this might sound harsh, it really isn’t. The owner must simply  learn to discipline the dog in a manner it understands and respects. Screaming, brutalizing, whining or pleading will not make your Yorkie feel compelled to respond – a worthy leader does not act that way.

A leader corrects every misdeed immediately, firmly, fairly, and consistently. Letting some misdeeds go uncorrected will undermine a leader’s authority.

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Questions from our Readers Answered! The Hyperactive Yorkie, Obnoxious Barking, Digging, Housebreaking & more

Posted on 06 October 2011 by Mylene - Dog Enthusiast

About Hyperactive Yorkies: Is It Normal of Them To Be That Way?

Many overly active dogs (not just Yorkies) are that way because they have had no training. Simply because they don’t know what is expected from them, they are nervous and quite unsure what to do.

If you are reading about Yorkies’ behavior, you will discover that they are generally sweet little dogs. However, hyperactivity cannot be avoided in dogs, in general – unless you do something about it. A lot have inherited hyperactivity and can’t seem to keep still a second; while many others have caught the ‘hyper’ syndrome of their environment.

More on reading about Yorkies’ alleged hyperactivity: These dogs require exercise and basically, it doesn’t depend entirely upon the Yorkie’s size. Some of them have a high activity drive and may need more exercise than others. If not properly exercised, Yorkies may get into the habit of pacing. A full-grown Yorkie dog in good health needs regular walks to keep fit. Even the smallest ones should have a good run in the open air once a day or so – or if not a good run, at least a walk outdoors would work.

A Yorkie who acquires his nervousness through contact with erratic owners can be cured only when you yourself calm down and treat him quietly and consistently. Again, this means teaching the dog in order to give him a set of rules. Let your Yorkie know what is expected of him and how to behave in new situations. If you can’t calm down, you will simply have to accept your pet as a reflection yourself and put up with his behavior.

Inherently hyperactive dogs take to sustained pacing back nd forth or weaving around rapidly to help satisfy their high activity drives. In addition, these high-strung dogs are always subject to overexcitement which can cause convulsions and epileptic fits. These dogs need to expend some of their energies through increased exercise.

With this kind of dog, extremely firm and vigilant basic obedience training and elimination of any bad habits are important. You have to force them to stay calm. Dogs, like Yorkies, need to check out a new place before relaxing but shouldn’t be allowed to run madly around. If your Yorkie does this he should be reprimanded. Make him sit for a moment so he can get a complete overview of new surroundings and thus feel secure enough to act calmly. Jumping madly around should be stopped by calm reassurance.

Why Do Some Minature Yorkie Puppies Bark Too Much?

If you have miniature Yorkie puppies in your home, you have a bunch of barkers. They bark for many reasons – some of them reasonable and some of them unreasonable. It is not fair to get annoyed or angry at your miniature Yorkie puppies for occasional barking.

They have been bred to bark for good reasons, but obsessive or unnecessary barking is something you can address and, in most cases, resolve. But how do you do it? The first step is to understand why your minature Yorkie puppy is barking. Barking too much can be harmful for your minature Yorkie puppies’ health. If one (or so) barks obsessively, he puts himself under a lot of physical stress. Obsessive barking can also be a sign of a health problem or a sign that your puppy is particularly insecure or fearful, or sometimes, bored.

Barking is also harmful for you. At best, you will find yourself continually irritated with your mini Yorkie puppies that bark a whole lot. At worst, your neighbors won’t be too happy with you, and if you live in an apartment, you could be asked to leave or even be evicted if the noise becomes too bothersome. Minature Yorkie puppies bark because they may be feeling excited, or to alert you of a stranger outside the door. Dogs communicate through barking, and as the owner, you must know your dog’s language if he is in pain or otherwise.

Reasons Why Miniature Yorkie Puppies Bark:

- Someone is invading their territory (his house, yard, human, etc)

- Something resembles a threat and the think you should be alerted.

- Something resembles a prey (a squirrel, a cat, a piece of trash blowing down the street) and they want to get it.

- They want to get out wherever you are with them.

- They want your attention or wants you to return after you have left.

- They are really excited.

Are Yorkies Territorial?

The Yorkshire Terrier is a wonderfully energetic toy dog that originated in Scotland and was later brought to England. These dogs are believed to have evolved from a combination of other Terrier breeds and are popular choices for anyone seeking small, loyal and loving canine companions. These dogs are often referred to affectionately as “Yorkies” rather than by the full breed name. If you’re looking for a small dog with a feisty attitude and glamorous good looks, a Yorkie may be just the dog for you.

Personality

While these dogs are quite tiny, they don’t seem to be aware of that fact. Yorkies have true Terrier temperaments and therefore have the heart of a lion. Yorkies are very adventurous. They will chase anything that resembles a rodent and are known to be prolific climbers to the point of scaling four-foot-high chain link fences. Although they look like elegant Toy dogs, they are true Terriers in every sense of the word.

To their human companions, Yorkshire Terriers are very affectionate and devoted, and they enjoy spending many hours snuggling or playing. However, their treatment of other dogs, whether of their own breed or another, can be a little aggressive.

Are Yorkies territorial? Yorkies are highly territorial, as many Terriers can be. They will scrap to defend anything they perceive as one of their possessions. This inclination varies in strength for each individual animal, but it’s a mainstay of the breed’s temperament. This territorial nature leads to more barking than some other breeds.

While Yorkshire Terriers make wonderful pets for adults and older children, their physical delicacy does not make them ideal companions for young children who may accidentally injure their pets.

Trainability

Since Yorkies are territorial by nature, they have a strong instinct to mark their territory and tend to sprinkle around the house. Once this behavior begins, it is extremely difficult to curb. Great diligence is required for house training, and males are a little more difficult to train than females. It is a good idea to provide a spot for newspaper or Wee Wee Pads.

Yorkies are also very intelligent, and they can quickly learn to do anything they actually want to do. So, obedience training and agility training are both terrific options for owners and dogs to pursue. The sight of a Yorkie flying over a jump is truly amazing to behold.

Do Yorkshire Terriers Stink?

Have you ever wondered how to get rid of that bad odor on your Yorkie? It may not be as simple as changing the shampoo you use. Many coat, health, and even skin conditions can cause foul odor that may or may not be helped by simply bathing your pet. Many helpful queries about dogs that smell which illustrates the importance of a thorough veterinary exam to rule out possible causes for reasons your Yorkie has that unpleasant smell.

Also is to let you know what a veterinarian will check for when you bring in your pet for a check up/malodor problem.  The first question a vet will have is this “Do Yorkshire Terriers stink?” Seriously, odor problems in dogs occur in any breed and age. There are, in fact, a multitude of shampoos out there, but if it isn’t a skin or coat problem, shampoo won’t help. The first thing to consider is the obvious – did your Yorkie roll in something (decaying matter, feces) or get sprayed by a skunk? Usually either one of these scenarios is fairly easy to diagnose, and your vet can offer advice on what shampoo would be the best for either situation.

Why do dogs roll in smelly stuff, anyway? Animal behaviorists think it is a way to camouflage themselves by means of scent. By rolling in the dirt or in something that really smells unpleasant, they won’t be detected.

Do Yorkshire Terriers stink? Listed next are just a few possible smell-producing medical problems:

Breath – some diseases, like kidney failure and Diabetes, can cause a change in breath.
Diseased teeth and gums – dental disease and infected gums can produce a very foul odor.

In addition, a sore mouth may cause increased drooling. The malodorous saliva can coat the fur, furniture, etc., and you may not recognize that this is originating in the mouth.

Infected ears – bacterial infections of the ears are often extremely smelly. A vet can usually smell these ones while they are still in the waiting room. Your dog will usually be scratching or shaking the head, but not always. A bath may make ears worse if water is trapped in the ear canal.

Flatulence – is the odor on your Yorkie, or from him? Gas, or flatulence may indicate a dietary or intestinal problem. Some flatulence is normal, but if this is constantly happening, veterinary assistance can be of help for your pet.

Anal glands/sacs – this is perhaps the most common cause of doggie odor that won’t go away. Anal sacs are two small scent-sacs in the area of the anus. These are a type of ‘marking’ glands. When a dog has a bowel movement, these sacs are normally squeeze, and a very smelly, oily secretion is released with the feces.

If these sacs become infected or impacted (thicker secretion than normal, can’t empty properly), problems result. This can be a very painful situation when they become infected! If a dog (or cat) is scared or overly excited, these glands can secrete the smelly, oily substance on the surrounding fur, causing bad odor.

Digging and Yorkies: A Hard Habit to Break?

Most behaviors of dogs are either the product of instinct, or a learned behavior. Digging behavior is no exception; it is an instinct. In addition, there are certain breeds such as Terriers and which were bred specifically for their ability to dig out game, such as badgers, foxes, and otters. They have an even greater digging instinct.

Why do Yorkies dig? They dig for a variety of reasons.

Yorkies will often dig out of boredom. If you leave your Yorkie out alone in the yard for any length of time, he may dig just for something to do. Play with him out there, or provide him with chew toys, rubber toys specially made for canines with treats stuffed inside.

Digging is often used as a means of escape. Your Yorkie may want to leave a fenced yard because there are so many more interesting things to do elsewhere. If you have an intact (unspayed, or unneutered) Yorkie, he or she may be digging to escape in order to mate with another dog. If you do not plan to breed your pet, a good way to prevent digging for this reason is to neuter him or spay her.

Since deeper layers of soil tend to be cooler, your Yorkie may be digging to find relief from the heat. Always provide a cool, shady place for your dog to rest when he is outside. If you use bone or blood meal to fertilize your garden, the scent may be irresistible. A dog may dig and dig trying to find that nonexistent bone.

Any dog may dig to excavate a den. A female Yorkie may dig in order to provide a nest for babies, whether she is pregnant or not. The trick to stopping this unwanted behavior is understanding it and then turning it into a behavior of which we approve. There are obvious things you can do to prevent digging, some of which are mentioned above.

Give your Yorkie a place where he is permitted to dig and train him, with praise and treats, to dig in that spot and not in an inappropriate place. A good place is a sandy area, an area that has already been dug up and where the soil is loose, or an area where there is a lot of shade. A sandy area has the added benefit in that, sand is much easier to clean off than dirt.

Digging, although deeply ingrained, can be unlearned. Be consistent and unwavering and you will be able to find a solution.

4 Month-Old Yorkie Potty Train: What To Do?

Q: How do I train a 4 month old Yorkie puppy
?A: In potty training puppies, many professional trainers will attest that cate is best used for the 4 month old Yorkie puppy for him to recognize, and to learn to eliminate in it. This means that a crate (plastic pet taxi or small wire crate) will be used to confine your Yorkie puppy whenever you are not around to look after him for a short while.The 4 month old Yorkie pup will have to be taken outside to go potty every forty-five minutes to an hour. Bring the Yorkie puppy through the same door to the same exact area in the yard every time he needs to eliminate. If you want to use potty pad, paper, or litter train your Yorkie, bring him to his potty pad, paper, or litter every hour.

By instinct, the Yorkie puppy will want to maintain their sleeping and eating place (their den) neat and will control their potty first for as long as they are able. With the aid of a crate, the puppy’s instinct will be in your favor and he will eliminate where and when you want him to.

If you are going to be interacting and playing with your 4-month old Yorkie, he would be free to go anywhere as long as you like. He will begin to move in circles and sniff, and search for a place to eliminate when he has to go and when you are observing him, you can immediately bring him to his potty area.

By watching real close, you will soon find out that your Yorkie puppy’s body language that is only his. Lessen your puppy’s chances of making a mistake by foretelling when he will need to eliminate. Times to watch: As soon as you bring him out of his crate, after playing with him, his usual activity in the morning, after finishing his meals, and as soon as he awakens.

Things to remember: Avoid letting him loose when you are not around him, even for just a few minutes. Every time your Yorkie puppy has accidentally relieved himself, he is automatically trained to potty in that exact spot.

Every time the Yorkie puppy heads to the right area for him to potty, he is being trained to do just that exactly right there. Training by consistency will bring consistent outcome.

 

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Symptoms of Separation Anxiety in Your Yorkshire Terrier

Posted on 28 July 2011 by Mylene - Dog Enthusiast

Much of what is called ‘separation anxiety’ is really boredom, or the Yorkshire Terrier discovering the chance to engage in his favorite activities’ safely. If your dog spends every second that you’re home glued to your side, including sleeping times, and any destruction you find happens within the first twenty minutes of your absence, then it’s possible that you have a true case of Yorkshire Terrier separation anxiety.

If your pet can spend the night away from you, and is comfortable being somewhat separated from you while you’re home, you probably do not really have separation anxiety – you are more likely to be dealing with boredom or just inappropriate chewing, barking, digging, and such.

It is likely to be a Yorkshire Terrier separation anxiety if:

The dog chews on a variety of things, but chewing is often focused on items that smell most like you (or a particular person in your house) such as recently discarded clothes, including underwear or socks, or favorite chairs; and /or escape routes (doors or windows). The dog only chews these items when you’re gone

- The dog tries to stay close to the things that smell most of you (chewed stuff will still be warm when you get home)

- The dog pees or poops inappropriately, sometimes in many locations.

- The dog barks continuously during the day, perhaps after a build-up of whining. The barking is not on-off-on-off.

- The dog always shows these behaviors when left alone, even for short periods (30 minutes or less).

- The dog is wild to greet you, and is still stressed, anxious and clingy when you first arrive home. The dog does not appear ‘guilty’ over destroyed items.

- Destruction begins soon after you leave; or possibly again shortly before you come home.

- The dog cannot be isolated from you at any time, even in a different room with the door closed.

- The dog sleeps with you. (This does not mean that all dogs who sleep with their owners will get separation anxiety. It does mean that dogs that survive being apart from you at night can survive it during the day, too).

- Sometimes, the dog can be left alone in a car (for any length of time) or other unusual location, without showing anxiety or destructiveness.

- Sometimes the dog can be left with anyone; sometimes it is one particular person whose absence triggers the anxiety or issues; dog gets increasingly distressed as you prepare to leave, or the dog is constantly following you and demanding your attention when you are home.

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Yorkie Crosses: Yorkshire Terrier History: How The Breed Was Developed

Posted on 11 March 2011 by Mylene - Dog Enthusiast

The Yorkshire Terrier nowadays is so much different from North England’s Yorkies. There are different accounts of this breed’s roots, and formation. This article discusses about the Yorkshire Terrier History according to reliable books and other sources intended for both the novice and experienced fanciers in all parts of the world.Before 1750, many British natives worked in agriculture. The start of the Industrial Revolution gave birth to many changes to family life. Small communities were formed in Yorkshire – around factories, textile mills, and coal mines. These people who, originally came from Scotland, migrated to these areas to find better employment. They brought with them the Paisley Terrier or Clydesdale Terrier, a breed of working dogs and they looked much larger than today’s Yorkshire Terriers. These dogs were used to hunt and kill rats and other little animals.

In addition, the Clydesdale Terrier breed were inexorably crossed with other kinds of terrier, presumably the Skye Terrier and English Black and Tan Toy Terrier; it is also theorized that at some point the Maltese Terrier was crossed with these dogs mentioned to help create dogs with long coats.

As the appearance of the Maltese looks like that of the Yorkie nowadays, this is probably true. However, no solid accounts of ancestry available to verify these crosses – one reason is that of the poor literacy level in those times – but one feasible fact is known about the kind of people who bred them. It is very much apparent that the early Yorkshire Terrier breeders had solid, known choices of the kind of dogs they ventured to breed.

We can witness in the Yorkshire Terriers today how remarkably the terrier temperament has been held.

One of the most well-known Yorkshire Terriers was Huddlersfield Ben, owned by Mr. M.A. Foster and bred by Mr. Eastwood. This Yorkie, born in 1865 and died in 1871, is said to be the father of today’s Yorkshire Terriers. Back in the day, Huddersfield Ben was a very popular stud dog who achieved many awards by competing in dog shows, and had impressive influence in Yorkshire Terrier breed standards.

As part of the Yorkshire Terrier history, in 1874 the early Yorkies were registered in the British Kennel Club stud book, and were referred to as Yorkshire Terriers of Broken Haired Scottish Terriers, until 1896 when the Kennel Club established the Yorkies as in individual breed.

A whole lot of individuals have worked very hard since these early times to improve the Yorkshire Terrier breed, and to then much is owed, and many of their early Yorkies truly became the base of many kennels in North America and other parts of the world.

The Yorkie Breed and its Early Champions

Posted on 07 March 2011 by Mylene - Dog Enthusiast

The Yorkie breed now flourishes all over the world and the first breeders who took part in producing the modern-day toy terrier would certainly be amazed at the success of this delightful breed.In 1932, only three hundred Yorkies were  registered with the BKC (British Kennel Club); 2,313 in 1957, and in the 1970s, the Yorkie breed was indeed the most well-known breed in Britain. The breed’s immense popularity flourished until 1990 with a total record of 25,665 Yorkshire Terriers. But then, the stats started to diminish and in 1994 there were 14,343 registrations, with the Yorkie breed being entered in registry as the 7th most well-known breed.

The most famous Yorkie of our day in the United Kingdom was CH Blairsville Royal Seal, whose dam was CH CH Beechrise Surprise, and the sire, CH Blairsville Most Royale. Also known as ‘Tosha’ to his close associates, he was bred, owned, and handled by Mr. Brian Lister and his wife Rita Lister.

Tosha was the top priority back then; really well-taken care of, stood out among the other dogs, and nobody could ever forget him in dog shows. Even the novice could feel his presence and a lot of people have said that just thinking about the accomplished Yorkie brings a lump in the throat.

During his career as a show dog, Tosha garnered 50CCs, all scrutinized by numerous judges. He received 16 times Reserve Best In Show, and 12 times Best In Show at all breed CH shows. Tosha took 33 Group wins, and went Reserve Best In Show at Cruft’s back in 1978 – exactly like his mom did before his time. CH Blairsville Royal Seal was Top Dog in all breeds for two straight years.

He also becamse the sire of many prominent Yorkie breed champions; his legacy continues to show in pedigrees. Ironically, when Tosha died in 1988 -at age 15 – that same year, the Yorkie’s record for the most number of CCs in the breed was taken over by Osman Sameja’s CH Ozmilion Dedication “Jamie”, who ended his show career with 52 CCs, even though a few of these were duplicated by the same judges.

Jamie has a couple of two breed CH show wins and his many Toy group wins assisted him to achieve the Top Dog title in 1987. The top Yorkie terrier kennel of all time is the Ozmilion kennel, and has the record for the number of champions produced.

Jamie’s grandson, CH Ozmilion Mystification “Justin”, preceded and broke another record in 1997. Justin was the first Yorkie ever who competed and won the Best In Show award at the most sophisticated dog show, Cruft’s. he then retired after taking part in this event, garnering these tiles: Pedigree Chum Champion overall Stakes winner (1997), Crufts Supreme Champion (1997), Top Dog All Breeds (1996), Top Yorkie (1994-97). Justin also won 3 BIS awards, 7 RBIS, All Breed shows, 9 Club BIS, 22 Group Winds, 48 with Best of breed, and 51 CCs. Jamie died in the same year, 1997.

Yorkie Puppy Clothes

Posted on 25 February 2011 by Mylene - Dog Enthusiast

Yorkie puppy clothes can help you achieve any of the cutest look you want for your yorkie puppy. You may also want to so something very basic or go fancy.

As the owner of a Yorkie Terrier puppy, you should realize that these cute little dogs tend to feel the cold the most than most other breeds in winer time. The same goes in the summer months for them if you have the air conditioning on a high temperature – they could get a chill. This is on account of the breed’s very fine hair and it does not exactly help regulate their body temperature.

So, to help your yorkie puppy get through the cold on both seasons, jackets and sweaters are always used to help them stay warm at all times. Both clothing come in different designs and colors, too. You will be able to pick a few clothes of different fabrics for your puppy that would suit them best – even in your favorite color.

Some of them are almost perfectly made, while other Yorkie puppy clothes are not the best of quality at all. Some, on the other hand, are shiny and soft while others are made from cotton or denim.

There is not much problem in sizes when it comes to Yorkie puppy clothing which is good. Since the sizes vary from three to seven pounds, many of them are universal. But still, assuming won’t help you if this is the case. Yorkie clothes use velcro to hold them in place which makes adjusting clothes easier for you and your pet.

Moreover, this also gives you the opportunity to adjust the clothes’ size as your Yorkie puppy grows. Many pet stores sell Yorkie clothes. The selection, however, can be quite limited as there are specific outfits that come out by season. Besides pet stores, you can also check out more varied clothing for your Yorkie pup – and the Internet is a perfect medium for all that. Plenty of websites that cater to different yet stylish clothes for toy breed dogs – and you can choose the right ones for your Yorkie puppy.

Custom-made clothes and even cute little costumes come with neat designs and sizes for owners to choose from. In fact many Yorkie owners would buy different ones to dress up their beloved pets. Just make sure the ones you want for your puppy are durable, of excellent quality, and can make them pretty much comfortable.

Conformation Shows and Older Yorkies

Posted on 14 August 2010 by Mylene - Dog Enthusiast

Conformation shows will often have a showcase of past winners that parade through the ring, once again strutting their stuff. Some shows offer senior conformation classes.

Many yorkies continue to earn points and titles well into their teens. Also, many senior yorkie dogs are very excited about being fussed over, strutting like the youngsters in the next ring. Senior show yorkie dogs need never retire unless they begin to show disinterest or have a debilitating dysfunction.

Agility also caters to senior yorkie dogs with special competitions. Jumps and obstacles require less athletic ability, but still pose challenge for your dog. You can set up your own agility course in your backyard using boards.

A walk in the woods can prove just as stimulating as an agility course. You can place your senior yorkie on a sit/ stay command in a heavily treed area and go a short distance away. Call him to come. He’ll have to weave through the trees to come to you.

Another activity that offers lots of stimulation and is not overly stressful is tracking. While many of the dog’s senses such as sight and hearing degenerate with age, their sense of smell usually remains very strong. Tracking offers the stimulation of discovery as well as the thrill of performing.

Teaching a senior dog to track is one of the easiest things to teach because you are working with their natural predatory instincts. This activity can be started in your home by teaching the senior yorkie to find a treat.

Another job in which senior dogs excel is media or production work. Your senior yorkie could be an animal actor! Older dogs tend to have character – something that is greatly needed when doing a commercial or advertisement.

Many dogs that can no longer perform in the obedience ring can still do well in front of a camera. An animal actor must be photogenic. This means that his eyes should be expressive, and his body in good condition.

Until your yorkie is geriatric, he can remain in peak condition – shiny coat, teeth, and at the proper weight. Besides being in good health, animal actors must be able to perform at least the basic commands and respond quickly to both visual and verbal cues from a distance with any type of distraction.

This requires extensive training. If your senior yorkie is already an accomplished obedience trial dog, he’ll fit right in as an animal actor.

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EXCELLENT Obedience Trials and Yorkshire Terriers

Posted on 12 August 2010 by Mylene - Dog Enthusiast

Your yorkie’s appearance has nothing to do with the competition, but he must be purebred if competing at an AKC-sanctioned show. However, if you have a mixed breed, the United Kennel Club allows you to compete at trials.

Competitors can also be neutered or spayed. In fact, a neutered dog tends to give a better performance because there are fewer odiferous distractions.

As in conformation classes, your yorkie must be at least six months old. You will find that most of the dogs in this competition are up to a year and a half, for it normally takes at least that long for their dogs to outgrow their puppy pranks.

You begin at the novice level. The title is called Companion Dog, or CD. In this class, your yorkie must be able to heel both on and off leash, walk round two people in a figure eight pattern, stand and stay, come off-lead, finish (go around you and place himself into heel position on one command).

He should remain in a one-minute sit-stay and three-minute down-stay with dogs on either side of him while you remain 30 feet away.

The next level is open, the Companion Dog Excellent title, or CDX. In this level, everything is done off leash. The judge runs you through a heeling pattern that includes at least two stops, right and left turns, and several about turns.

Then you must perform an off-lead figure eight around two people, a drop-on-recall, in which you call your yorkie from 30 feet away. Make him lie down when the judge signals you to do so, and then finish the recall with your dog coming to sit it front of you.

There are two retrieving exercises in the open class. One plain retrieve, where you tell your yorkie to stay, throw a dumbbell, send your dog to retrieve it, and have him return to a sit in front of you.

This is also done with your yorkie going over a jump both on the way to retrieve the dumbbell and on the way back to you.

Each exercise is topped off with finish. Next exercise is for your yorkie to jump over a broad jump without touching it. The jump consists of boards lying only a few inches from the ground.

The final exercises are for your yorkie to remain in a sit-stay for three minutes and a down-stay for five minutes – lined up with other dogs and you out of sight.

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Fun Activities for Yorkshire Terriers

Posted on 01 January 2010 by Mylene - Dog Enthusiast

There are more fun things you and your yorkie dog can do together than there is time to do then –walking in the woods, camping, fishing, and even horseback riding. (more…)

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10 Reasons to Advertise in our Yorkie Classifieds

Posted on 24 December 2009 by Amanda - Teacup Yorkie Dog Lover

Interested in advertising your yorkie online? You may post a classified ad and picture on Teacup Yorkie Dogs for FREE.

However, be aware that we have a screening process – we will not publish ads that are not verifiable to prevent scams.

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Fun-filled Events and Activities Most Suited for Yorkies

Posted on 08 December 2009 by Mylene - Dog Enthusiast

Some really fun events include agility trials, and flyball. In agility training, your yorkie gets to go over jumps, climb A-frames, sneak through tunnels, run over a see-saw, and so much more. (more…)

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Playing “Fetch-and-find-it!” Game With Your Yorkie

Posted on 07 December 2009 by Mylene - Dog Enthusiast

Another fun game for you and your yorkie puppy is to play fetch-and-find-it. Your yorkie pup must be adept at the fetching game before find-it will work. (more…)

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Yorkie puppies: Advertise on web

Posted on 07 December 2009 by Mylene - Dog Enthusiast

(Not For Sale)

Interesting in advertising your new yorkie puppies? The best place to advertise puppies is on the internet. (more…)

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The Yorkshire Terrier’s Behavioral Patterns: From Puppies to Being Adults

Posted on 06 December 2009 by Mylene - Dog Enthusiast

Canine behavioral studies have shown that dogs may age 18-21 years (behaviorally) in their first year of life, and five years for every year beyond that. Thus, their first year entails many changes. (more…)

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Yorkie puppies for sale: Advertise early!

Posted on 06 December 2009 by Mylene - Dog Enthusiast

If your yorkshire terrier female is pregnant, please consider the following: Breeders who advertise yorkie puppies early experience less stress during and after the female’s labor. Such breeders are not worrying about whether they will be able to sell the puppies. A relaxed breeder adds to the pregnant female’s safety. (more…)

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The Importance of Yorkie Puppie’s Playpen

Posted on 04 August 2009 by Melvin, Canine Rescuer

There are many reasons why you need yorkie puppies playpen for your new pet. Here we will look at the importance of placing your new puppy in a playpen. (more…)

Yorkie Teddy Bear Claws

Posted on 21 July 2009 by Bart - Lover of all Things Yorkie

Bubby wanted to rip the ball form my cold dead fingers. It’s amazing how aggressive a sweet little Yorkie dog can be. People beware my Yorkie will claw and bite his way into your hearts.

I spent a few hours on this short 30 second clip so I hope you enjoy Bubby gnawing and clawing at my hand to get the ball. You’ll also notice the nature of our baby girl Yorkshire Terrier Bella. She is expecting me to give her the ball or bolt as soon as the ball is released form my hands.

But this movie is all about Bubby’s teddy bear claws, we had just taken him and Isabella to the groomers and I had forgotten to ask them to the claws. So they were rather longer than normal.

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Basic Misconceptions About Yorkie Puppy Temperaments

Posted on 05 July 2009 by Melvin, Canine Rescuer

For most people, a female yorkie makes better pets than their male counterparts. Such conclusion is inaccurate and baseless. Here we will take a look at some misconceptions about yorkie puppy temperaments. (more…)

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Relieve Your Dog Barking Woes With Citronella Bark Collars

Posted on 30 June 2009 by Melvin, Canine Rescuer

As a dog owner, there are instances wherein your pet becomes annoying as a result of their excessive barking especially during the night when you are trying to get some sleep.There are many reasons why dogs bark excessively. This may be their way of reacting to what is happening in their surroundings. (more…)

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Yorkie Car rides

Posted on 22 May 2009 by Amanda - Teacup Yorkie Dog Lover

Bella often wants to go with us whenever we get into the car.
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Yorkie Crosses: The History of the Teacup Yorkie Breed Relived

Posted on 13 May 2009 by Melvin, Canine Rescuer

The Yorkshire terrier you see today is very much different from the early breed of Yorkies that thrived in Northern England. There are different accounts regarding the history of the teacup yorkie breed. (more…)

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What You Need To Know About Temperament of Yorkie Breed

Posted on 12 May 2009 by Melvin, Canine Rescuer

Considering a yorkshire terrier for a pet? Before doing so, you should see to it that you understand the temperament of yorkie puppy breeds. (more…)

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20 pound yorkies are Impossible & Cannot Exist! Why? Read here for why!

Posted on 07 May 2009 by Melvin, Canine Rescuer

Any yorkie weighing more than 7 pounds will not fall into the weight requirements for a full bred yorkie, and therefore so-called full bred yorkie breeders perpetuating “weightier” yorkies should seriously scrutinized.
a-mini-yorkey-babie1Real life Yorkies can easily fit into bags, coat pockets, or book bags. Those desiring to own one should look for yorkies that at full adulthood are estimated to weigh between 3 -7 lbs. These are the weight requirements for yorkies to be considered full bred, and should be considered by anyone reasonably interested in yorkies healthy.

Did you know that some earlier breeds/mutts that can be traced as relatives to the yorkie weighed more than 6 kilograms, or over 12 pounds, and were primarily used as rat killers? As time went by, breeders went on to produce smaller varieties of dogs for the purpose of being household pets and not to kill rats.

Prior to the year 1750, a majority of the British worked in the agriculture sector. However, the Industrial Revolution ushered in many changes in the lives of these workers. They lived in small communities flourishing with coal mines, factories, and textile mills. The workers went to as far as Scotland in order to find work. As they moved about, they brought along an ancestor to the yorkie in order to catch rats and other small animals.

One of the most famous yorkie ancestors may have been Huddersfield Ben, born in 1865 -1871. Prior to his death, Huddersfield Ben was a popular stud dog and won many prizes in dog shows.

 

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Yorkie Handbag

Posted on 02 May 2009 by Mylene - Dog Enthusiast

I think any owner who has a yorkie handbag will agree with me on this: it is absolutely the next best thing to use whenever one leaves home with his yorkie without the hassle of carrying him all the time in his arms. (more…)

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Designer Dog Carriers for Yorkie Puppies

Posted on 30 April 2009 by Mylene - Dog Enthusiast

I know that I am not the very first person to start this trend, but owning designer dog carriers for yorkie puppies do well when it comes to accentuating my other yorkie female pup – Sophi – who has a lady-like attitude that matches quite well with the designer carrier I bought for her. (more…)

Yorkie Puppies Love To Be Held

Posted on 30 March 2009 by Bart - Lover of all Things Yorkie

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Baby Yorkie Bella Yaps

Posted on 29 March 2009 by Bart - Lover of all Things Yorkie

Baby yorkie Bella yapped her 1st yap at me.

We just got her and now she is going crazy! All because I she needed to be watched, so I put her on my desk. She is a little busy girl. Baby girl yorkie yaps video

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Teacup Yorkies Fetching

Posted on 29 March 2009 by Bart - Lover of all Things Yorkie

Our sweet puppies playing fetch. Bella plays fetch and her whole life revolves around me playing fetch with her. Teacup Yorkies Fetching

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Sweet Pictures of Teacup Yorkshire Terrier Pups

Posted on 15 March 2009 by Mylene - Dog Enthusiast

The first time I saw a Yorkshire Terrier pup at a local dog show held in my city, I couldn’t help but feel an enormous amount of admiration for this breed’s beauty. (more…)

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Amanda, teacup yorkie dog lover

Posted on 09 March 2009 by Bart - Lover of all Things Yorkie

Here I am, the teacup yorkie dog lover, writer and co-founder of this site. (more…)

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The Sad Truth about Bubby

Posted on 07 March 2009 by Amanda - Teacup Yorkie Dog Lover

We’re getting him fixed!

Surprise! (more…)