Caring For Yorkies (cont...)

Discipline

Coming home and finding she has destroyed the couch may be enough to send you into a fit of rage, but if she has done it in the morning and is now resting in her basket, she may think you are mad at her laying in her basket. If you raise your voice, make sure to do so only if you catch your dog in the act. Never, ever hit your dog with anything, from a rolled up newspaper to your hand. This is not positive behavior, and is considered cruelty to animals. An ounce of prevention is worth a dog pound of cure. Puppy-proof your house. Install gates, locks, and other deterrents to make sure your Yorkie does not get into your fragile belongings, or dangerous household items such as chemicals (dogs have been known to crave anti-freeze) while you are gone. remember that when you are gone, your dog will do exactly the opposite of what you tell it to do.

If your dog seems to be developing a barking problem, here's how you can nip it in the bud. Do not scream at your barking dog, for it will think you are joining in the chorus. Make it known to the dog that you will not accept this behavior by sternly saying : "Quiet!" and holding it's muzzle. Be careful not to press too hard on the dog's nose, as it is extremely sensitive. Simply hold the mouth shut as you say quiet. After a while, all you'll have to do is say "Quiet!", and she will obey without your physical intervention. The same applies to biting wrists and ankles. While some think this behavior is cute, what it really represents is your dog's attempt at finding out who's boss. Again, grab the muzzle, and say "No".

The word "No" should be your most important tool when disciplining your dog. It carries much weight, and can be applied to many situations. Avoid describing your dog's wrongdoings when scolding it, as it does not understand English. "No" is easily understood because it is a short sound. Saying "Mommy does not want Fifi to eat her slippers" in a loud voice will confuse the dog more than anything else.

Continued...