| Yorkshire Terriers are cute little terriers that can be | | | | worse. |
| just a little "quirky". Trying to determine if the Yorkie is | | | | Barking and yapping constantly is attributed to Yorkies, |
| just "being a Yorkie" or is obsessed can be relatively | | | | but this is only bad behavior and not specific to the |
| simple, and well... fun! That crazy, quirky behavior could | | | | Yorkie. Some Yorkie owners reward this bad behavior |
| also be due to serious medical problems. Here are | | | | unknowingly by picking up the dog when it barks. The |
| some tips to help you understand Yorkie behavior. | | | | dog thinks being picked up is a reward, much like a dog |
| Known Yorkie behaviors include digging or scratching | | | | treat. Simply train your Yorkie with one word, either |
| at the ground or floor. This is a common Yorkie | | | | "No!' or "Quiet!" and the yapping stops. |
| behavior. Although if may look obsessive, a Yorkie is a | | | | Obsessive Yorkie behaviors are based in fear. |
| member of the terrier family and was bred to hunt | | | | Attacking the vacuum cleaner or broom is a common |
| rats. When a Yorkie is digging at the floor, he is simply | | | | obsession. Since a Yorkie is usually seven pounds or |
| following his instincts and looking for a rat... or whatever | | | | less, the Yorkie is keenly aware of large objects in his |
| else he thinks is down there. | | | | territory. We humans don't help this behavior- because |
| Licking everything in sight, from his own paws to the | | | | chances are we will chase the Yorkie with the broom |
| furniture to you is enough to drive a sane Yorkie dog | | | | or vacuum, because it really is funny. Unfortunately, we |
| owner crazy. This Yorkie behavior can stem from | | | | are just reinforcing bad behavior. |
| something as simple as dry itchy skin or bad teeth. | | | | Circling the area where food is served to him is an |
| Yorkies are known to have dental problems, even | | | | obsessive behavior. This is especially true if your |
| when they are young. Good dental care is very | | | | Yorkie was the runt of the litter, as he's probably had |
| important for Yorkies. | | | | to fight for his fair share of food. You can help your |
| Becoming overly excited to the point of | | | | Yorkie get over this fear by giving him his dog treats |
| hyperventilating, even shaking is a common Yorkie | | | | at his food bowl. He will soon learn to associate the |
| behavior. The Yorkie is known to be the most people | | | | food bowl with a reward instead of a fight. |
| oriented breed and doesn't like being alone. This | | | | Doing anything repeatedly for unknown reasons can |
| behavior could be just from being over excited or | | | | be common in the Yorkie. For example, a Yorkie may |
| from a serious condition called "collapsing trachea". | | | | refuse to walk in a certain area suddenly, after walking |
| Collapsing trachea happens if the airway (trachea) | | | | there for months. The Yorkie may suddenly start hiding |
| flattens out; this can block the airway and cause | | | | when its time for food. Try to figure out what could be |
| hyperventilation. The lack of oxygen from collapsing | | | | bothering him so you can remove the object of his |
| trachea can cause shaking and hyperventilation. Your | | | | obsession. If you cannot figure it out, try to ignore the |
| Yorkie should be checked by a vet if these symptoms | | | | obsessive behavior and it will probably change to a |
| continue or last longer than a few minutes. Calm the | | | | new obsession in a short time. |
| dog before the muscle spasms of the airway become | | | | |