The meaning of certain words can be quickly grasped. Your yorky should learn immediately to associate “no” with something wrong so you can easily repress undesirable behavior without punishment.

Be firm when stopping bad habits, but never go into any negative training when you’re teaching positive commands because the two must not be connected closely in time. A quick, short expression such as “ok” should be learned to indicate permission is granted.

Start off with come when called. At this time, the command is taught by pulling the yorky toward you with the leash. Within a short while, the dog should come without pressure. When he does, quit.

Simply sit yourself down on the floor or in a chair. Call your yorky by saying the word “come”. When your pet comes to you, praise him – and that part of the lesson is over.

The yorky needs to be taught to sit right away. This will keep your yorky quiet and still when you want him to be. With the leash on your yorky, go to a quiet place where there are no distracting influences.

Make him stand in front of you or at your side, and give the “sit” command while at the same time leaning over with the left hand and pressing down steadily on your yorky’s rump until he is in a sitting position.

As soon as he is sitting, keep him in place by holding him with one hand and petting him with the other while praising him. Don’t keep him in place for too long at first. After two or three repeats of this, try just saying “sit” without any pressure.

If he sits, pet him; if he doesn’t, repeat “sit” and press back down. This is usually enough for the first lesson. Repeat after a few times during the day interspersed among the other work until it connects.

While training, never take your eyes off your yorky. You should be aware enough of your dog that you can anticipate what is going to happen. This way you can constantly monitor your yorky’s reactions and correct or encourage him readily, as needed.

On the other hand, don’t let success go to your head and overdo the training. Your yorky’s concentration span is short, so be alert for signs of tiring. To ensure that your yorky doesn’t get bored doing the same thing over and over, vary your training routine.

Your yorky should look forward to work.