Obedience · Yorkshire Terrier
How to Teach a Yorkshire Terrier to Sit
Updated · How we write our guides
Short answer
Teach your Yorkshire Terrier to sit by luring their head upward with high-value treats so their rear naturally lowers, marking and rewarding the posture immediately. Keep sessions short and engaging to channel their spirited nature and maintain focus.
Teaching your Yorkshire Terrier to sit is the perfect foundation for obedience training. While Yorkies are intelligent and affectionate, their spirited nature and moderate trainability (3/5) mean they require patience, consistency, and high-value rewards to stay focused. This small breed's tendency toward excessive barking and small-dog syndrome can make training challenging, but mastering "sit" gives you a reliable cue to redirect unwanted behavior and build impulse control. With their feisty temperament, Yorkies respond best to short, engaging training sessions paired with treats they absolutely love. Starting with this basic cue early on will strengthen your bond and set the stage for addressing common challenges like housetraining and separation anxiety. Let's get started with this essential skill.
How to do it
Step-by-step
Tick off each step as you practice it — your progress is saved on this device.
Step 1: Choose High-Value Treats and Keep Sessions Short
Yorkies have moderate energy and can lose focus quickly, so use tiny, irresistible treats (chicken, cheese, or soft training morsels) and limit sessions to 3–5 minutes maximum. Their spirited nature means they'll engage better with variety, so rotate treat types to maintain enthusiasm and prevent boredom.
Step 2: Lure Your Yorkies Head Upward with a Treat
Hold a small treat just above your Yorkies nose, slightly back toward their ears. As their head follows the treat upward, their rear end naturally lowers into a sitting position. Watch for that moment when their bottom touches the ground—this is your reward moment.
Step 3: Mark Success Immediately and Reward
The instant your Yorkies sits, say 'Yes!' or use a clicker, then immediately give the treat and enthusiastic praise. Timing is critical with this breed's sharp mind; they need to connect the behavior directly to the reward. This positive reinforcement builds confidence without triggering their stubborn streak.
Step 4: Add the Verbal Cue 'Sit'
Once your Yorkie is reliably sitting for the lure (after 5–10 repetitions), say 'Sit' clearly just before luring them into the position. After several repetitions, they'll begin associating the word with the action. Continue rewarding every successful sit.
Step 5: Practice in Different Locations and Build Duration
Once your Yorkie sits on cue indoors, practice in your backyard and other low-distraction areas to generalize the behavior. Gradually ask them to sit for slightly longer before releasing them with a release word like 'Free!' Yorkies' tendency toward small-dog syndrome means consistency across environments is essential.
Step 6: Use Sit to Redirect Barking and Jumping
Now that your Yorkie knows sit, use it strategically when they start excessive barking or jumping on guests—this gives their spirited energy a productive outlet. Rewarding sits redirects their feisty nature positively and prevents the behavior from reinforcing itself, addressing a major Yorkie challenge.
For the Yorkshire Terrier
Pro tips
- Train before walks or exercise when your Yorkies 30-minute daily exercise needs are met but they're not overstimulated—this sweet spot keeps their spirited energy channeled into learning rather than chaos.
- Use the 'sit' cue preemptively when you sense barking or jumping about to happen. This proactive redirection leverages their intelligence and gives their feisty nature a productive outlet before small-dog syndrome takes over.
- End every session on a success, even if it means simplifying the task. Yorkies have proud, affectionate temperaments and will stay engaged longer if they finish with a win—this positive emotion makes them eager for the next training session.
Owners ask
Frequently asked questions
My Yorkie ignores treats during training. What should I do?
Yorkies can be distracted or overstimulated. Try higher-value treats (like freeze-dried chicken), shorter sessions, and quieter training environments. If your Yorkie has already eaten recently, wait until they're genuinely hungry. You might also train right before their regular meal to boost motivation.
Why does my Yorkie sit for me but then bark excessively afterward?
This is common with high-barking-tendency Yorkies. Keep rewarding sits with both treats and calm praise rather than excited reactions, which can amp them up. After training, provide a relaxing activity like a chew toy. Remember that their tendency to bark is breed-standard; using sit as a redirect is exactly the right approach.
How long will it take my Yorkie to learn to sit?
Most Yorkies learn 'sit' in 3–7 days of consistent, short daily sessions (2–3 times per day for 3–5 minutes each). Their moderate trainability means they need regular repetition, but their intelligence helps them catch on quickly once they understand the pattern and reward.
Can I train my Yorkie to sit if they have separation anxiety?
Yes, absolutely. In fact, training builds confidence and helps manage anxiety. Train when your Yorkie is calm and you're present. Keep sessions upbeat but relaxed, and don't end training when they're distressed. As their skills grow, training success can actually help reduce separation anxiety over time.
Watch
Videos: sit
How to Train Your Puppy to Sit: Step-By-Step Tutorial
Happy Hounds Dog Training · Works for any breed
Spotted a mistake or something out of date? Email us — we review every report, fix the guide and update its date. Our guides are general education, not a substitute for a certified trainer or veterinary behaviorist.
