So you’ve got yourself a Yorkie – a cute little bundle of energy – and you’re thinking of crate training her. We’ll give you the low down on why to crate train, how to crate train a Yorkie easily (set-up and method), and provide some extra tips at the end.
Is Crate Training Good for a Yorkie?
Why would you want to crate train a Yorkie?
There are so many benefits. Crate training keeps your Yorkie safe and is a valuable training tool. Below are just some of the benefits of crate training.
Benefits
- Safe place at home or when traveling
- Know where she is when you can’t supervise
- Safe place for your puppy to sleep so she won’t get stepped on unknowingly by family members
- Training her to be comfortable at vet/boarding if you have to leave in future
- Helps with potty training
- Prevents her from learning to chew and tear up stuff when you can’t supervise her
- Place your Yorkie loves and calls home that he can use both at home and when traveling
Are Yorkies Easy to Crate Train?
Yes! Yorkshire terriers learn to love their den like home and will retreat to it on their own when they want a safe and secure place to rest.
Can I Crate Train my Yorkie with an Excerise Pen attached?
Yes! The method we teach for crate training can also be used for getting your Yorkie used to the crate and exercise pen combo.
When it comes to choosing an enclosure for your Yorkie, you have the choice of using a crate on its own or a crate used with an exercise pen. I highly recommend the crate and exercise pen set-up.
Crate with Exercise Pen Set-up
The exercise pen is a gentler method than just the crate because it doesn’t produce as much anxiety as the puppy is not confined to a small space and has a much greater ability to move around.
Puppies trained with an exercise pen and crate combo transition well to just the crate when they are older.
With the exercise pen method, you should leave the door of the crate open at all times, but close the door of the exercise pen when unattended.
This method is helpful for the nighttime hours or times when you have to be away from the house for extended periods of time as the puppy can keep his crate unsoiled, but still go potty in the designated area.
What are Some Precautions to Using a Crate or Exercise Pen?
The crate and pen should be a positive experience and not overused.
- The crate/pen is never to be used as a punishment. It is designed to be his happy place; his home sweet home. Keep the positive vibes and don’t use it as a punishment tool.
- The crate/pen is not your Yorkie’s only home. They are not to be kept in the enclosure for too long.
- Young puppies need to potty every few hours so if your Yorkie is only in the crate, he will need to be taken out every couple hours (the exercise pen method has a built in potty system and so offers a great solution for this problem and the long night hours).
- Dogs need interaction. Even the exercise pen is not designed for your Yorkie to be confined in there 24/7. Your Yorkie needs time out with the family so he can be integrated into your home.
- The crate or pen does not potty train your Yorkie or train your Yorkie not to chew items in your house. It is merely a tool to regulate his environment to prevent bad habits when you are unable to supervise him. The training is up to you.
How do I Crate Train My Yorkie?
Dogs naturally like dens, so a crate can offer a den-like atmosphere…but how to get your puppy to accept the crate as her own?
Pen and crate training requires these elements:
- Building off your dog’s background
- Proper setup
- Proper introduction
- Proper positive practice and lots of it!
Let’s look at these individually.
Building off your Dog’s Background
Knowledge is power. Talk to your breeder, former owners or rescue organization to find out what crate training has already been done.
It is best to build off the work that has already been done. Set up the crate and exercise pen similarly to how the dog has already been trained.
If no work has been done, that’s okay. You can still train her. It is good to know that you will be starting from scratch, so you can take it slow.
Proper Set-up: How do I set up the crate for Crate Training?
Whether you choose to use a crate by itself or in tandem with an exercise pen, you should set up the crate for success.
Placement: Place the crate or pen in an area that is not off by itself, but close to where the family hangs out. This helps your dog not feel abandoned.
Size: The crate should be large enough for your Yorkie to stand up and turn around, but it should not be so large that he can sleep at one end and potty in the other.
Comfort: Since the crate is designed to be your Yorkie’s resting place, reinforce that idea by making it one of the most comfortable places in the house. Line the crate with comfy washable padding like a dog bed or blanket.
Entertainment: There are times when your Yorkie will need to rest in the crate while not sleeping. You can provide a safe chew toy or dog puzzle to occupy her. Always inspect items left in the crate to make sure that they are safe and don’t pose a hazard to your dog.
Proper Introduction: How do I Introduce my Yorkie to her Crate?
The main goal in your introduction is that it is a positive and enjoyable experience.
Place your puppy near the crate or pen and let her get used to it. Let her walk around it, sniff it, and explore it.
After several minutes, throw some dog food into the crate or pen to lure her inside.
If she still won’t enter, encourage her to go inside with a more alluring, smelly treat or a favorite toy.
When she goes in, praise her and then call her out, praising her when she comes.
Encourage your puppy to go in and out of the crate or pen several times so that she becomes comfortably familiar with it. Finish the session off with praise for your puppy.
Proper Positive Practice: How do I practice Crate Training with a Yorkshire Terrier?
Provide you puppy with lots of regular positive crate practice.
There is no need to make the practice too complicated. Incorporate the practice into what your puppy is already doing naturally and add a few more regular sessions.
The best times to get your Yorkie accustomed to their crate is every time your dog eats and sleeps.
When it comes time to feed your puppy, feed her inside the crate itself. This helps her learn to love the crate since she is looking forward to the food.
Make sure your puppy naps in her crate. Provide a really comfortable blanket on the floor of the crate enticing her to choose the crate as her resting place. If the puppy falls asleep outside the crate, move her into her crate for her nap.
Practice with the Door Open
After your Yorkie has become accustomed to her crate or pen, encourage her to go into the crate or pen and remain occupied with food or a toy. After she has become absorbed in the food or toy provided, quietly walk away, leaving the door open and the giving your dog the choice to stay in or go out.
Practice with the Door Closed
After your Yorkie has gotten comfortable with the crate or pen, encourage your puppy into the crate or pen with food, a chew treat, or a toy.
If she is relaxed, close the door and stay close by.
After one minute, open the door and call your puppy out.
Praise her for a job well done.
Slowly increase the time and how close you are until your puppy is able to fall asleep in her crate or pen by herself.
Once your puppy can stay in for 30 minutes without getting anxious, you can try to leave her in there while you leave the house for a short time.
What are Some Tips for Crate Training Yorkies?
Below are some tips on streamlining your crate training and helping to prevent anxiety.
- Never close the crate or pen door on an anxious puppy. Wait until she is relaxed and then close the door.
- Try to anticipate when the puppy will get anxious and end the training session before she actually gets worried.
- Never open the crate or pen door on an anxious puppy as this will reinforce the whining and anxiety. After she has become calm, you may then open the door. Then make the next training session a little easier so she doesn’t reach that level.
- When you need to leave the house, put the puppy in her crate or pen at least 5 minutes before you leave so that she will not associate her crate or pen with your leaving.
- Don’t make a big emotional deal about leaving your dog. This can create anxiety. Keep the feelings neutral. Don’t give her a grand farewell.
- When you come home, don’t rush to your dog as the first thing you do when you get home. Wait a few minutes then go to your dog.
- Don’t make a big emotional deal when you return home or let your dog out of her crate or pen as this can cause anxiety as well.
- Teach your dog that you won’t open the crate or pen until she is calm and sitting.
How Long Can I Leave a Yorkie in her Crate?
A Yorkie that is in her crate with no attached exercise pen area where she can relieve herself can remain there for a varying amount of time depending on her age and comfort with the crate.
Once a Yorkie has become comfortable with her crate, she can remain in the crate for the same number of hours as she is months old – up to a maximum of 8 hours.
For instance, if she is two months old, she could stay in the crate for 2 hours. If she is four months old she could go for 4 hours.
Yorkies should not exceed 8 hours in the crate however.
Senior Yorkies will also need a reduced amp of hours to compensate for their aging bladder.
Should I Cover the Dog Crate with a Blanket?
Yes! Covering the dog crate with a blanket is an wonderful idea with many benefits as long as you follow a few precautions.
Covering at least 3 sides of the blanket creates a more den-like environment and makes your Yorkie feel safe and secure.
Covering the crate also cuts down on visual stimulation and can keep your dog from getting anxious or excited.
Just make sure you use a cover that is breathable and that you don’t cover the crate completely as airflow is important. In hot environments, don’t cover the crate as this can cause the dog to overheat.
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