Training a puppy aged eight to twenty weeks is very simple, they are ready and excited to learn. When your puppy does not have hormones they are most likely focused on you and only you. Your Yorkshire will greet people the same as you do when they are at this young age, your Yorkshire looks up to you. Once hormones kick in your Yorkshire will start to wander and explore a little more.
To train you need the right collar, for everyday use a buckle collar is best. To train a chain collar ( Choker ) is best. A three to six foot leash made of nylon or leather will probably work best.
Before training you have to learn the four training rules:
Teaching Sit -
Hold the leash in your left hand and the treat in your right. Place the treat hand at the dog's nose and let him lick the treat but not take it from your hand. Say "sit" and slowly raise your hand with the treat from in front of the dog's nose up over his head so that he looks at the ceiling. When he bends his head up he will have to bends his knees to stay balanced. After he bends his knees he will be in the sit postion. Release the treat and praise lavishly saying "good dog". Always praise enthusiastically.
Teaching Down -
Have the dog sit close along side your left leg, facing in the same direction that you are. Hold the leash in your left hand and a treat in your right hand. Place your left hand on the top of the dog's shoulders. Do not push down, just rest your hand there so you can guide the dog down close to your leg rather than swing away when he lays. Take the hand with food in it near the dogs nose and say "down", slowly lower the food to the ground, when your hand gets to the floor, move the treat slowly along the floor. When the dog's elbows hit the floor, release the treat and praise enthusiastically.
Teaching Stay -
Start with the dog sitting on your left side like before and hold the leash in your left hand. Again have a treat in your right hand and place the treat at the dog's nose. Say "stay" and step out on your right foot to stand directly in front of the dog, toe to toe, as he licks the treat. Keep his head facing upward to keep the sit position. Count to ten the come back to stand by the dog with him on your left. When you are at the original position, release the treat and praise enthusiastically.
Teaching Heel -
Begin with holding the leash in your left hand as the dog sits beside your left leg. Hold the loop end of the leash in your right hand but keep your left hand short on the leash so it keeps the dog in close next to you. Say "heel" and step forward on your left foot. Keep the dog near you and take three slowing steps. Stop and have the dog sit next to you. Praise verbally but do not touch your dog, hesitate then begin again with "heel" taking three slowing steps and stop, then make sure the dog again sits by your side.
Eventually you should wean your dog off treats. More than three treats a day can ruin a Yorkshires diet. First start by giving them a treat after every trick, then after every other, after awhile just stop doing it all together. Just make sure to praise them enthusiastically.
