Puppy Academy
Building a Foundation for Your Warm Hearts Yorkie
Training Goal
Positive Reinforcement
Daily Time
15 Minutes (in short bursts)
Essentials
Tiny, high-value treats & patience
1 Potty Training Mastery
Yorkies are intelligent and clean animals by nature, but their exceptionally tiny bladders require a consistent schedule and immense patience for success.
- The Schedule: Take your puppy out immediately after waking up, after every meal, and after any indoor play session. Frequent trips are key!
- The Command: Use a specific phrase like "Go Potty" as they are in the act so they associate the word with the action.
- The Reward: Throw a "Puppy Party" with enthusiastic praise and a tiny treat the second they finish their business.
Pro Tip: Toy breeds can be stubborn with potty training. If an accident happens inside, do not punish the puppy. Simply clean it with an enzymatic cleaner and take them out sooner next time.
2 Creating a Safe Haven
The crate or playpen should be a "den," never a place for punishment. It helps with housebreaking and keeps your delicate Yorkie puppy safe when unsupervised.
- Introduction: Feed meals inside the crate with the door open to create a positive, happy association.
- The Scent: Use the Warm Hearts Yorkies scent blanket provided in your puppy pack to make the space feel secure and familiar.
- Duration: Gradually increase the time the door is closed, starting with just a few minutes while you are nearby.
3 Gentle Mouth Management
Yorkie puppies are spunky and explore the world with their tiny, sharp teeth. It is vital to teach them boundaries and "bite inhibition" early on.
- The Yelp: If the puppy nips your fingers or toes, give a high-pitched "Ouch!" and immediately stop play for 30 seconds.
- The Swap: Always have a small toy nearby. If they try to chew on you, redirect their mouth to an appropriate chew toy.
- Ignore the Demand: If the puppy is nipping for attention, stand up and walk away. For a companion breed, removing your attention is a powerful teacher.
4 The Big Three: Sit, Stay, Come
Start these basic commands in a low-distraction environment like your living room. Get down on their level to make training less intimidating.
- Sit: Hold a tiny treat right above their nose and move it slowly back toward their tail. Their bottom will naturally hit the floor.
- Stay: Start with just one second of stillness and reward. Slowly build up the duration before you even add distance.
- Recall (Come): Never call your Yorkie to you for something they dislike (like nail trimming). Always make "Come" lead to the best rewards and affection.