Tell me about yorkshire terriers

[Saladcreamormayo]

Hi, I have just taken in an elderly relatives 6 year old yorkshire terrier. I have never had a yorkie before and always grew with Jack russell or mongrel type dogs. Im find this yorkie very different from my previous dogs for example he doesn't seem to be much of a people dog as in doesn't enjoy cuddles ect infact he doesn't seem interested in us at all. He is very obcessive over his toys or if he spots a small ornament or toy like object in the house he will literally sit and stare at it obcessively for hours and cannot be distracted . He'll make a beeline and run off and will not come back when called if he spots another dog when out on walks so I cannot let him off the lead as he'll be off! Are all yorkies like this I find him a bit strange and not a good family dog at all.

How long have you had him? It can take months for a dog to settle into a new home. Why was he re-homed?

A lot of dogs don't like cuddles, they just tolerate them.

Relative could not longer care for him due to ill health so I took the dog in, it actually must be coming up for 9 months now that we've had him, he is lovely but I find him very strange and especially his constant staring at objects for hours on end. He is well looked after and loved by us but I feel he's uninterested in us and has got out on a few occasions and run off as though he doesn't want to be here. I still take him to visit relative he used to live with but I have noticed he behaves the same towards them too and doesn't get excited to see them or want to stay with them. Perhaps it's just his character so I was wondering if yorkies can be like this. My previous JRT & crossbreed dogs were very loyal & lovely affectionate dogs.

I have 2 Yorkie's and they are both loving little dogs, one is absolutely obsessed with toys and possessive, and he is terrible on walks if he sees another dog as he barks or runs upto them. Has he had his eyesight checked? How do you react to the staring? Because It can be a sign of attention seeking?

We have now got used to the staring that we just ignore it. my dc bought a small bear ornament and the dog sat staring at it on the shelf all day yesterday. Interesting about the attention seeking but he does get lots of attention from us so I can't see it being that and his eyesight seems to be fine as he can spot another dog across the field at the other side of the park!

You sure he’s not staring at his reflection?

Does he still stare at ornaments that you have had for a long time or does he only stare at new ornaments/ornaments that have been moved? What does he do if you put the ornament on the floor so that he can inspect it (assuming it's safe to do so)?

Do you know if he behaved the same way in your relatives house?

I had a Yorkie as a pet when I was a child and she loved cuddles, but we couldn’t let her off the lead at all. That could have due to poor training though.

I have three Yorkies, along with my Skyes, & they are the most loving cuddly dogs. Quite, quite different from the Skyes who are dour Scots, very one person dogs. They do not like strangers, big time, any visitors they sit & glower at from across the room. On walks if anyone stops to speak to them, common because if their looks & rarity, they’re very prone to curse & swear at them.
The Yorkies, completely different, visitors get greeted like long lost friends. They adore toys & play all day till tired out when they just want to snuggle & sleep on my knee.

The yorkies I've had have been extremely loyal and loving little dogs so this one doesn't sound typical to me tbh.

My neighbours yorkie was quite a busy little dog, always looking for something to do but was still very attached to her owner.

The staring at objects sounds very odd!!

I've had two - one was a lovely friendly wee chap, very daring and brave. The other was much more of a one person dog, was highly reactive at times but neither of them liked cuddles! Both loved soft toys and had selective hearing off lead! Both were also very food motivated!

A vet check probably wouldn't hurt anything.

The one I walk loves people he knows (and who give him treats ) but is indifferent to everyone else. Not generally a fan of other dogs and can be quite reactive - he also has appalling recall!

However he is a Yorkie mix and a rescue so I don't know how much of his behaviour is breed-related. He's a gorgeous dog though - very vocal and loves his walks!

I would say get a vet check and then behaviourist in- I’m certain I saw a program about a collie who just sat and stared at something and could not be distracted from it. It was obsessive behaviour and it was attention seeking- it was fixed in the end-I’ve only known two Yorkies well- one was a nightmare and but everyone and one was adorable and was so friendly with everyone and other dogs. If the dog was with an elderly relative from a puppy was it properly socialised and walked? Hope you get to the bottom of it as it is great you took the dog on.

I lost my Yorkie last October at the age of 11 she was extremely cuddly always wanted to be with you and ideally cuddling no staring at objects I had her from 8 weeks brilliant with my mums dogs that babied her but indifferent and slightly nervous of other dogs she recall trained her self as she was just such a Velcro dog she never went far I miss her soo much . Your dog sounds umm quirky and I’m sure he’s lovely I’m not sure mine was typical of a yorkie 0 prey drive etc…

My parents have 2 yorkies. Both very affectionate and clingy to them, both have separation anxiety! One has high prey drive likes to bark at or chase birds, cats, other small furries. He also barks at anyone walking past or knocking on the door. The other is more friendly and chilled but loves soft toys and is very protective of his collection of soft toys. Neither of them have recall so they don't go off lead but they are lazy anyway. Neither stare at objects.

We have had three
One we had to rehome as he was a one person dog and used to protect me and bite anyone else!
But what a kind loving dog to me?
Others where fab, just slowly set boundary's and routines, dont over feed train for treats works for us