A lot of people seem to think that Yorkies aren't really dogs and that they don't need the same things that other dogs need. I personally disagree and it upsets me when people say that Yorkies are "pieperig" and yappy because they aren't! They can be, but that's the owner's fault, not the dogs'.

The yappiness is usually simply a result of not getting enough exercise and mental stimulation to keep the dog happy. Yorkies need long walks, training and socialization, just like any other dog. If we don't exercise our Yorkies, they will become yappy and jumpy. But it's not their fault.

Anyway, Annalie Reyneke is a breeder in Paarl and she sent me this photo of her Yorkie and Labbie in a training class. I think it's absolutely awesome that she takes the Yorkie to training too and she says that the trainer, who has worked with German Shepherds for years, was really impressed with the Yorkie's performance. I think Annalie sets an excellent example for all Yorkie owners. Yorkies are wonderful little dogs and they are really intelligent too. You can take your Yorkie to any type of training and chances are that he or she will do well. Yorkies aren't 27th on the list of canine intelligence for nothing!

Isn't this just too cute:

Dis nou te oulik! Ek self dink ook dat sommige Yorkies baie intelligent en gehoorsaam is en goed en vinnig kan leer. Selfs my 3 maande oue Biewer tefie kan al drie opdragte uitvoer: Sit, Poot gee en nou die nuutste Lê, sy leer vreeslik vinnig, veral as ek 'n stukkie kos in my hand het! So ek is beslis van mening dat Yorkies met die nodige geduld en aandag, beslis opdragte kan uitvoer.

Ek stem ook definitief saam. Op 3 maande het Merlot geleer om te sit & nou op 4 maande het ons hom so te sê heeltemal gepotty. Dit was vir my 'n groot kopseer want ek werk bedags & ons het 2 groot honde buite. Ek het terloops eendag by die werk ou wit handdoeke gekry & besluit dat dit dalk beter sal werk as koerant, hy eet dit tog in elk geval net op. Dit het gewerk soos 'n bom, ek kon die merkies op die handdoek sien as hy piepie & ek het dan so elke 2de dag net skoon handdoeke uitgesit. Saans as ons by die huis is het ons hom natuurlik geprys as hy sy handdoek besoek & hy het 'n "treat" gekry as beloning. Die poefie deel werk ons nog aan maar dit is darem gewoontlik in die selfde area as die handdoek, naby genoeg vir my. Hy luister ook na "bly" as ons buitentoe gaan & hy mag nie saam nie. Hy slaap al vandat hy by ons woon by ons in die kamer in sy mandjie, die hele nag stroopsoet tot ons moet opstaan môre-oggend.



En hy eet graag skoene in pare op, want wat sal ek in elk geval nou met 1 skoen sonder 'n maat wil maak. Hy is werklik 'n merkwaardige klein mannetjie!

I agree with everyone on this topic!!! Our one yorkie Ciara is incredibly clever when I compare her to some of the other breeds I had in the past. We love playing games with her where we hide her toy and she looks for it. Its amazing to watch her. One can even see the different expressions on her face as she reasons. Mika, our second yorkie took a little longer, but is just as intelligent and also learns very quickly!!!

I like what you said about the shoes Sushi!!! unfortunately Mika only likes one shoe at a time He left hubby with "ompaar" slip in shoes!! At least he left one shoe for each foot.....

We noticed the obsession with pairs of shoes a while ago, he will steal one shoe & not long after that he goes to fetch the matching shoe. Needless to say, we keep our shoes behind closed doors these days. The children must still learn their lesson though, lucky for them it's summer soon. It's easier to walk barefoot in summer than in winter. Merlot also loves my daughters schoolcase, he sits on top of it like a little statue. :farao:

Hubby....still did not learn his lesson!!! but thats his own fault!!! I keep my shoes hidden after Ciara chewed off the heels of a brand new pair of my shoes!!! I was so mad, but more mad at myself for leaving it out. From then on I hide all my shoes or keep it out of reach!!!