Yorkshire Terriers, or Yorkies, as they are often affectionately called, are small in size but big in personality. These sprightly little dogs are well-loved for their brave, tenacious nature, but they can sometimes have a habit of jumping on people. While this might seem cute, especially given their size, it’s a behavior that should be discouraged to ensure that your Yorkie is well-behaved and polite. Here are five tips to help teach your Yorkie not to jump on people.
⚠️ Note: While the tips below should get you started, it’s important to realize that for best results, you should take your German Shepherd through a more complete dog training course. Consider looking into an online training course that specifically addresses jumping (we like SpiritDog’s “Focus” course or K9 Institute’s Dog Masterclass)
1. Start Early and Be Consistent
Yorkies are quick learners and it’s essential to start training early, ideally while they are still puppies. The earlier you teach them not to jump, the easier it will be to prevent this behavior from becoming a habit. However, even if your Yorkie is older, it’s never too late to start training. The key is to be consistent with your approach. Every family member and visitor should follow the same rules to avoid confusing your pet.
2. Don’t Reward Jumping
When your Yorkie jumps up, it’s crucial not to reward them with what they want – attention. Even negative attention like pushing them away or saying “no” can reinforce this behavior. Instead, ignore the jumping by crossing your arms and looking away until your Yorkie calms down and keeps all four paws on the ground.
3. Reward Four on the Floor
Teaching a dog what not to do isn’t enough; we must also teach them what they should do. When your Yorkie is calm and has all four feet on the ground, give them the attention they crave. You can do this through petting, kind words, or treats. By doing so, you are positively reinforcing good behavior, which encourages your Yorkie to repeat it.
4. Use Basic Commands
Training your Yorkie’s basic commands like “Sit” and “Stay” can give them an alternative behavior to jumping. Start by training in a quiet environment with minimal distractions. When your Yorkie masters these commands, you can gradually introduce more distractions. Always remember to reward your Yorkie for successfully following the command. With consistent practice, your Yorkie will learn to sit or stay instead of jumping on people.
5. Consider Online Dog Training Courses
If you’re having difficulty curbing your Yorkie’s jumping habit, you might want to consider enrolling in an online dog training course. These courses offer a structured approach to training and can be accessed anytime, allowing you to learn at your own pace. They cover a variety of topics, including problem behaviors like jumping.
Our 2 favorite courses that address dogs jumping on people are:
1. SpiritDog’s Focus Course (best on a budget)
The “Focus in Public – Out and About” course by SpiritDog Training, led by expert trainer Steffi Trott, is designed to help dog owners improve their pets’ behavior in public. The course includes 21 lessons covering topics such as achieving full dog engagement, training perfect heels, teaching dogs to settle on a mat anywhere, and playing fun games in public places. The course has lifetime access and a 60-day money-back guarantee.
2. K9 Training Institute’s “Dog Masterclass” (best overall)
More than just a course that teaches your dog not to jump, this more comprehensive training class tackles any behavior problem you might face with your dog.
Using an online course also ensures that the training methods used are up-to-date and are based on positive reinforcement, which is essential for effective training. Remember, it’s important to keep training sessions short and fun, as Yorkies can get bored quickly. Always end on a positive note, with a task your Yorkie can easily accomplish, to ensure they associate training with positive experiences.
In conclusion, while teaching your Yorkie not to jump on people might be a bit of a challenge, it’s definitely achievable with patience, consistency, and the right training methods. Whether you decide to train your Yorkie yourself or with the help of an online course, the key is to be patient, be positive, and celebrate each victory, no matter how small. This way, you’ll be on your way to having a well-behaved and polite Yorkie that is a pleasure to be around.
Toledo, United States.