cesar's way to raise a yorkie

The bad, barking, peeing Yorkshire Terrier isn't such a cute furbaby after all.

Small dogs often get away with behavior that would be appalling in a larger breed; things like:

• biting
• snapping
• growling
• jumping up
• crazy barking
• invading your space (jumping on your lap at dinner is my Yorkie's fave bad behavior)
• and much more.

These traits are so common in small dogs, especially smart breeds like Yorkies, that it's been identified as: small dog syndrome.

The worst part of small dog syndrome? The way these small dogs claim their humans and dominate the pack.

We've all seen it: the lapdog that jumps up onto its owner; sits there, looking pretty smug and growling when anyone else comes near. This is NOT your dog guarding or protecting you. This is your small dog DOMINATING you.

Cesar's way with dogs means YOU are the pack leader, and your dog, yes even your Yorkie, is happy to follow!

According to world renowned trainer Cesar, 'calm-assertive energy' is the energy you project to show your dog you are the calm and assertive pack leader.

Cesar cautions, that "assertive" does not in any way imply aggressive or angry. It means always be compassionate and kind, but always quietly in control. The dog in turn, responds with "calm submissive energy," as the pack follower should.

As any Yorkshire Terrier owner knows, Yorkies can be overly assertive and aggressive towards other dogs, children in the house and yes, their owners.

We ourselves tend to make them little divas. But that aggressive, hyper Yorkie is not only out of control, he's not as happy and well balanced as he can be.

Exercise, discipline and affection, in that order - is Cesar's other cornerstone of enjoying your happy, well-balanced dog.

While most dog owners give plenty of affection, they fall far short on exercise and discipline. Even those owners who provide all three elements necessary to a happy, well behaved dog - don't always provide the essentials in the correct order.

First, exercise

Cesar defines this as walking a dog at least one hour every day, and in the correct way. No meandering all over, no dog-leading-owner walks. The walk is very ritualistic to your dog, and one of the most important ways to create life long bonds.

Then Discipline
Like a child, your dog needs rules, boundaries, and limitations. And just as you wouldn't abuse your child, you don't abuse your dog when you exercise these rules, boundaries and limitations. i

And Finally, Affection
This is like the icing on the cake. Once exercise and discipline have been completed, AND your dog has shown his "calm submission" as your pack member, THEN we're ready to give ourselves and our dog a reward.

Cesar Millan bases much of his training on a simple idea: that DOGS are simple. They are animals, and their needs are quite simple. Our job is to:

1. understand they are animals, and pack animals at that


2. understand what they need


3. understand how they communicate


4. understand why they behave the way they do.