Puppy classes with a Yorkie

[MamaGarl85]

So we have recently adopted an 8 month old Yorkshire Terrier, long story short we are first time dog owners, feeling a bit overwhelmed so we have decided to go to some puppy classes with him.

We have found a local class led by a lady who claims to have 14+ years experience of dog training, she has stated that we should bring the dog wearing a "training collar" and lead NOT a harness.

Now everything I have read on the internet says you shouldn't ever walk a Yorkie on a standard collar and lead due to their increased risk of a collapsed trachea. Surely an experienced dog trainer would know this? Or maybe it's ok for short periods of training?

I wouldn't put a Yorkie lead on the collar ever. We have a Yorkie cross and she chokes really easily. I use a perfect fit harness. My trainer had no issues at all with this. Sometimes the more recently trained trainers are more up to date on the latest thinking. I'd give this one a swerve

Trust your instinct and find a different trainer. Watch their socials and get a feel for their style and interactions. Walk away from this one even if you have paid a course in advance.

I know a Yorkie that went to puppy classes and now adult dog classes and agility and always wears a harness. She has quite a collection of!

I wouldn’t allow my cavalier x to use just a collar when she was training or on lead for this reason. If she’s worried about pulling, you can get a harness with a front ring to attach the lead to which should help. Our puppy trainer would never have advocated just a collar.

No good trainer would insist on this - it's really bad practice and there could be any number of reasons for not wanting to put your puppy on a lead and collar (I never do, just because I know how delicate a dog's neck is). This is a terrible trainer, walk away.

Yorkies are the best dogs! Full of personality but look like butter wouldn’t melt in their mouths. Always use a harness. I second Perfect Fit.

Does she know your dog is a yorkie? No harness makes sense for many (big) dogs, but would equally make no sense for a greyhound etc.

Regardless of breed, collars can damage the neck and throat of a dog that pulls. I wouldn't use a trainer who insisted I couldn't put my dogs in harnesses.

Nope, I have a westie, so bigger than your little guy and id never have him in a collar. Agree with pps to look for another trainer.