Are Yorkshire Terriers easy to train?
Yorkshire Terriers are intelligent and generally food-motivated, which makes them trainable, but they were bred as independent working terriers rather than eager-to-please companions, and that streak of stubbornness shows up at training time. Most owners find a Yorkie learns quickly with short, consistent, reward-based sessions, but is genuinely harder to housetrain and easier to let get away with things than a bigger dog whose size forces the issue.
Why training a Yorkie is different, not just smaller
A Yorkshire Terrier's ancestry is as a ratting terrier, bred to work independently rather than to check in constantly with a handler. That independence is part of why the breed can seem stubborn: a Yorkie who has decided something is not worth doing will often simply not do it, in a way a more biddable breed would not.
Their size also changes the practical stakes of training. A jump, a growl or a nip from a Yorkie is far easier to laugh off or ignore than the same behaviour from a large dog, and that is exactly how small-dog syndrome takes hold — inconsistent boundaries because the consequences feel smaller, which the dog reads as no boundaries at all.
What actually works
Short, frequent sessions of five to ten minutes beat one long one, and food rewards work well on a breed that is generally motivated by treats. Consistency between everyone in the household matters more with a small dog than a large one, precisely because it is easier for one person to let a rule slide without really noticing.
Housetraining is one area where Yorkies genuinely take longer than many breeds, partly because of their small bladder and partly because a toy breed can be harder to supervise closely indoors. A consistent routine, a fixed toileting spot, and treating every accident as a training gap rather than defiance gets there faster than frustration does.
Socialisation and confidence
Yorkies can develop a reputation for being yappy or snappy with strangers and other dogs, and this is usually a confidence issue rather than an inherent trait of the breed. Early, positive exposure to a range of people, dogs and situations while young makes a real difference to how a Yorkie handles the world as an adult.
Because they are small enough to be picked up and carried everywhere, it is easy to accidentally protect a Yorkie puppy from experiences that would otherwise build confidence. Letting them walk, meet other dogs at their own level and explore on their own four feet, within reason, tends to produce a more settled adult than being carried past every potential worry.
Kit for this breed
Things we stock that owners commonly reach for here. Nothing on this page depends on you buying one.
Tarhong Concentric Circle Slow Feeder Bowl for Dogs & Cats
A stylish slow-feeder bowl that encourages healthier, calmer mealtimes — available in blue, grey, or white.
£14.99
Tarhong Medallion Slow Feeder Puzzle Dog Bowl
A stylish BPA-free puzzle bowl that slows down greedy eaters — available in three sizes and a choice of colours.
From£10.99
Harlequin Slip Lead with Rubber Stopper — 2 Lengths
A colourful 1cm slip lead with a rubber stopper for quick, secure control — available in two lengths.
From£13.49
LickiMat Wobble & Splash Enrichment Bowls for Dogs
Wobbling rubber enrichment bowls that add movement and challenge to treat time, encouraging slower eating and longer-lasting fun.
£16.99
Common questions
- Are Yorkshire Terriers good with children?
- They can be, but their small size means they are easily hurt by rough handling, and a startled or cornered Yorkie can snap. Supervised introductions and teaching children to handle a small dog gently work better than assuming any small breed is automatically tolerant.
- Why is my Yorkshire Terrier so stubborn?
- It is largely down to the breed's history as an independent working terrier rather than a dog bred to constantly seek direction from a handler. Short, rewarding training sessions and consistent boundaries from everyone in the household make far more difference than persistence alone.
- How long does it take to housetrain a Yorkshire Terrier?
- It is often slower than with a larger breed, sometimes taking several months of consistent routine, partly due to their small bladder capacity. A fixed schedule, a consistent toileting spot, and calm handling of accidents usually gets there faster than punishment-based approaches, which tend to make small, nervous dogs worse rather than better.
- Do Yorkshire Terriers need a lot of training?
- They benefit from the same consistent, early training as any breed, arguably more so because their small size makes it tempting to skip boundaries that would be enforced automatically on a larger dog. Basic obedience and confident socialisation both pay off well into adulthood.
Related
Sources
Written against guidance published by UK veterinary and welfare organisations. Always confirm specifics with your own vet.
Written by Matt Garnett, who runs Giddy Pets and is a lifelong pet owner — not a vet. This is general information, not veterinary advice, and it cannot replace an examination by the vet who knows your animal. How we write these guides.