Yorkshire Terriers are cute little terriers that can be a bit “quirky.” Trying to determine if the Yorkie is just “being a Yorkie” or obsessed can be relatively simple and, well… fun! That crazy and peculiar behavior could also be due to serious medical problems. Here are some tips to help you understand Yorkie behavior.

Known Yorkie behaviors include digging or scratching the ground or soil. This is common Yorkie behavior. Although it may seem obsessive, a Yorkie is a member of the terrier family and was bred to hunt rats. When a Yorkie is digging in the ground, he just follows his instincts and looks for a rat… or whatever else he thinks is down there.

Licking everything in sight, from their own paws to furniture, is enough to drive a sane Yorkie dog owner crazy. This Yorkie behavior can stem from something as simple as dry, itchy skin or bad teeth. Yorkies have been known to have dental problems, even when they are young. Good dental care is very important for Yorkies.

Getting overly excited to the point of hyperventilating, even shivering, is common Yorkie behavior. The Yorkie is known to be the most people-oriented breed and does not like to be alone. This behavior could simply be from being overly excited or from a serious condition called “collapsed trachea.” Collapse of the trachea occurs if the airway (trachea) flattens; this can block the airways and cause hyperventilation. The lack of oxygen from the collapse of the trachea can cause tremors and hyperventilation. Your Yorkie should be seen by a veterinarian if these symptoms continue or last more than a few minutes. Reassure the dog before the airway muscle spasms worsen.

Constant barking and barking is attributed to Yorkies, but this is just bad behavior and is not specific to the Yorkie. Some Yorkie owners unknowingly reward this misbehavior by picking the dog up when he barks. The dog thinks that being picked up is a reward, like a dog treat. He simply trains his Yorkie with one word, be it ‘No!’ or “Hush!” and the barking stops.

Yorkie obsessive behaviors are based on fear. Attacking the vacuum cleaner or broom is a common obsession. Since a Yorkie usually weighs seven pounds or less, the Yorkie is very aware of large objects in her territory. We humans do not help with this behavior, because we will most likely chase the Yorkie with the broom or vacuum cleaner, because it is really fun. Unfortunately, we are only reinforcing bad behavior.

Circling around the area where food is served is obsessive behavior. This is especially true if your Yorkie was the runt of the litter, as he probably had to fight for his fair share of food from him. You can help your Yorkie overcome this fear by putting dog treats in his food bowl. He will soon learn to associate the bowl of food with a reward rather than a fight.

Repeatedly doing anything for unknown reasons can be common in the Yorkie. For example, a Yorkie may suddenly refuse to walk in a certain area, after walking there for months. The Yorkie may suddenly start hiding when it’s time to eat. Try to figure out what might be bothering him so you can remove the object of obsession from him. If he can’t figure it out, he’ll try to ignore the obsessive behavior and he’ll probably switch to a new obsession in no time.

Summary:

* Carry dog ​​treats in your pocket to reward good behavior

* Remember that a Yorkie is very lively and flamboyant – wait and enjoy his flamboyance.

* If your Yorkie has trouble breathing or swallowing, take him to a vet immediately; could be deadly for him

* If your Yorkie seems confused or weak, take him to a veterinarian immediately; these are signs of a lack of oxygen in the brain