How To Train A Yorkshire Terrier
Yorkshire Terriers. Tiny bodies, big personalities, and just enough sass to make you question who’s really in charge here. If you’re finding yourself in a constant standoff with a seven-pound ball of fur, relax.
Training your Yorkie doesn’t have to be a battle (well, not always). It just takes patience, consistency, and a little insider knowledge.
Here’s the ultimate guide to turning your Yorkie into a well-behaved pupper instead of the tiny terror running your life. You’re welcome. 😉
Training Video
Before we move to all the steps, here’s a really good video you need to watch – all about obedience, potty and crate training.
Step 1: Start Early (Like, Yesterday)

You know that saying, “You can’t teach an old dog new tricks”? Not true. BUT it’s way easier to train your Yorkie when they’re young and impressionable, like a blank canvas—albeit one with attitude. Start the basics as soon as they come home. Puppies are basically sponges, soaking up everything around them.
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Step 2: Use Positive Reinforcement (Bribe Them, Basically)
Yorkies are smart, but they’re also stubborn. Punishments? Nope, they don’t respond to that. They’re way more likely to think, “Oh, so you’re mad? Cool, I’ll just ignore you harder.” Instead, focus on positive reinforcement.
Here’s how:
- Treats: Yorkies love food. Use it wisely.
- Praise: They live for your attention, so give it when they get it right.
- Toys: For the Yorkies who care more about squeaky things than snacks.
Reward every little win. Sit? Treat. Stay? Praise. Peeing outside instead of on your rug? Party time! 🎉

Step 3: Potty Training: The Struggle Is Real
Let’s not sugarcoat it—potty training a Yorkie is hard. Their tiny bladders mean they need to go more often than you think. Miss a bathroom break, and suddenly your carpet is the new designated spot.
Steps for success:
- Set a schedule. Take them out first thing in the morning, after meals, and before bed.
- Use a designated potty spot outside or on a pee pad. Consistency is key!
- Praise them like they just won an Oscar every time they go in the right place.
Accidents happen. Don’t freak out. Just clean it up and move on. They’ll get there… eventually.
Step 4: Nail the Basics First
Forget the fancy tricks for now. Focus on the essentials:
- Sit: Use a treat to lure their tiny butt to the floor. Say “sit,” and boom, treat time.
- Stay: Start small. A second or two, then reward. Gradually increase the time.
- Come: Call their name, act excited (like, ridiculously excited), and reward them when they come running. Never call them over to punish—why would they come back if you’re scary?
Once they’ve mastered these, you can move on to the fun stuff like “paw” or “roll over.” Baby steps, my friend.

Step 5: Deal with the Barking (AKA the Yorkie Megaphone)
Yorkies are tiny but loud. They’ll bark at leaves, the mailman, or sometimes just because they feel like it. It’s cute at first, but after the 100th bark of the day? Not so much.
How to quiet the chaos:
- Ignore attention-seeking barks. If they bark and you yell, guess what? You just rewarded the barking with your attention.
- Teach “quiet.” Wait until they’re silent, then say “quiet” and reward. Repeat until they get the hint.
- Redirect their focus. If they’re barking at something, distract them with a toy or command.
It’s not instant, but with consistency, you can save your ears.
Step 6: Socialize Like a Pro
Yorkies are fearless. That’s adorable… until they start picking fights with dogs 10 times their size. Socializing your Yorkie early is the secret to keeping them chill around other dogs, people, and even new situations.
Here’s the plan:
- Take them on walks where they’ll meet other dogs.
- Introduce them to new people and environments gradually.
- Reward calm behavior. Freakouts? Stay calm yourself and redirect their attention.
The goal is a confident, well-mannered Yorkie—not a pint-sized dictator barking at everyone in sight.

Step 7: Stay Consistent (Seriously, Don’t Slack)
Yorkies thrive on structure. If you’re consistent with commands, routines, and rewards, they’ll pick up on what’s expected of them. But if you’re all over the place, they’ll be too.
For example:
- If “off the couch” is a rule today, don’t let them snuggle up tomorrow. Mixed messages confuse them.
- Always use the same words for commands. “Come here,” “come on,” and “get over here” are all different to your dog.
Repetition is your best friend here. Don’t give up. They’re learning, even if they act like they’re not.
Step 8: Make It Fun (Because Why Not?)
Yorkies have short attention spans. Training sessions should be quick, fun, and full of rewards. Five to ten minutes max. Any longer, and they’ll lose interest—or start giving you the side-eye that says, “Can we be done now?”
Mix up the activities to keep it interesting. Sit, stay, fetch, repeat. And don’t forget to end on a high note. They’ll remember the last thing they did, so make it something they enjoy.

Bonus Tip: Patience Is Key
Yorkies are small but mighty… stubborn. Training them won’t happen overnight. Some days will feel like progress, others like they forgot everything you taught them. It’s normal.
Keep at it. Stay positive. Celebrate the little wins. One day, you’ll look at your Yorkie sitting calmly on command and think, “Wow, I did that.”
Final Thoughts: It’s All Worth It
Training a Yorkie is a journey—one filled with equal parts frustration and joy. But when your furry little buddy finally listens, doesn’t bark at every squirrel, or nails that “sit” on command? It’s the best feeling ever.
You’ve got this. And if all else fails, remember: treats and patience fix (almost) everything. 😉

I’ve spent 10+ years in dog training, digging into what makes dogs (and their humans) tick. At Smart Dog Learning, I share my no-nonsense, fun approach to training so you can enjoy life with a well-behaved, happy pup—no boring lectures, just practical results 😉