| I have three dogs as pets. One of them is Sarah, my | | | | over onto her back so that I can rub her stomach. |
| Yorkshire terrier. This is the second Yorkie I've owned | | | | Because this breed was originally bred to kill rats over |
| and now I am starting to see some of the common | | | | in England I think they still believe they are the size that |
| problems with trying to train these tiny creatures. | | | | they were at that time. In England, during the 18th and |
| Sarah weighs just under five pounds but she has the | | | | 19th centuries, Yorkshire terriers weighed around thirty |
| personality of a huge dog. She is stubborn and has a | | | | pounds. It wasn't until they were brought to the United |
| mind of her own when it comes to behavior. When I | | | | States during the 1870's that people began to breed |
| give her a bath she fights with the strength of a | | | | them down to the five to seven pound range they are |
| Doberman. I was very frustrated when I was first | | | | today. |
| trying to train her to follow some simple commands. | | | | Yorkies are also very hearty and resistant to disease, |
| Yorkshire terriers are typically lap dogs. Because of | | | | but my veterinarian says that there are sometimes |
| their small stature they feel more protected when they | | | | problems with their hearts and lungs because they |
| are close to their owner. Sarah likes to sit in my lap | | | | have been bred down so small, and also because of |
| while I am using the computer, and I carry her with me | | | | inbreeding. |
| as I move throughout the house. | | | | Sarah is a year and a half old now and finally |
| The problems arise when I try to get her to do | | | | housebroken. That was also very difficult to do, mainly |
| something she doesn't want to do. This can be | | | | because she seemed to enjoy the attention she got |
| something as simple as getting her to come to me | | | | when she had an accident in the house. I tried |
| when I call her name or to walk on a leash without | | | | withholding love when she would go in the house and |
| getting tangled around my legs. I spend many hours | | | | that seemed to help. I love this little dog very much, but |
| each day with all three of my dogs, but Sarah seems | | | | training her has been a challenge. She is also a |
| to require more attention. She is so independent that | | | | troublemaker, barking at other dogs when I walk her |
| she reminds me of a spoiled child. | | | | and stealing food right from under the noses of my |
| Yorkshire terriers are supposedly very intelligent, but | | | | other two dogs. |
| my little Sarah does not seem too bright when I am | | | | I was finally able to train her, but I had to learn how to |
| teaching her some very basic commands. She will sit | | | | do it from an expert. |
| and come only if the mood strikes her, and then roll | | | | |