How to Teach a Yorkshire Terrier the Place Command
The "Place" command—teaching your Yorkshire Terrier to settle on a mat or bed—is an essential obedience skill, especially for this spirited breed. Yorkies are affectionate and brave but prone to excessive barking and separation anxiety, which makes a dedicated "place" invaluable for managing these behaviors. This command gives your Yorkie a calm job to do, channeling their 30 minutes of daily exercise into mental focus rather than destructive barking or anxious behavior. Training the Place command requires patience, as Yorkies have moderate trainability, but positive reinforcement and short, frequent sessions will succeed. You'll be teaching a foundation for relaxation and impulse control that benefits your entire household.
Step-by-step
- 1
Choose and Prepare Your Mat
Select a specific dog bed, yoga mat, or blanket that will be your Yorkie's designated place—consistency matters for this breed. Place it in a low-traffic, calm area away from doors or windows where barking triggers lurk. Make the mat visually distinctive and always use the same spot to build a strong association.
- 2
Introduce the Mat with High-Value Rewards
Place your Yorkie on the mat and immediately reward with their favorite treat or toy. Repeat this several times a day in very short sessions (2–3 minutes), always ending on a positive note before frustration sets in. Your spirited Yorkie will quickly learn that the mat predicts good things.
- 3
Add the 'Place' Cue and Brief Holds
Once your Yorkie willingly steps or jumps onto the mat, say 'Place' clearly and reward within seconds of them settling. Gradually extend the reward delay by a few seconds at a time—don't rush longer stays yet. Keep sessions short and frequent to match their moderate energy and maintain engagement.
- 4
Build Duration Gradually with Positive Reinforcement
Extend settle time by 5–10 seconds at a time, rewarding frequently while your Yorkie remains on the mat. Use a calm, quiet voice and avoid eye contact, which can excite toy breeds. If barking starts, wait for a moment of quiet before rewarding—never reward the bark itself, as this reinforces the very behavior you're curbing.
- 5
Proof the Command in Low-Distraction Environments First
Practice Place on the mat in quiet rooms before attempting it in busier areas. Once your Yorkie reliably holds a 30–60 second stay indoors, gradually introduce mild distractions like soft background noise. Small dogs are easily overstimulated, so move slowly through this step.
- 6
Use Place as a Management Tool for Barking and Separation Anxiety
Deploy the Place command during times your Yorkie typically barks (doorbell, visitors) or shows separation anxiety. Reward calm behavior on the mat heavily, creating a positive association with settling during potentially stressful moments. This directly addresses two of the breed's biggest challenges.
Pro tips
- Use Place as a proactive management tool: send your Yorkie to the mat *before* triggers (barking, anxiety) occur, rather than trying to enforce it during chaos. This prevents the unwanted behavior and teaches a positive alternative.
- Yorkies respond best to high-value, low-mess rewards during Place training—use tiny pieces of cheese, chicken, or a favorite toy rather than kibble. Their toy-breed mouths prefer quick, satisfying rewards you can deliver rapidly.
- Practice Place during your Yorkie's natural calm times (after their 30-minute daily exercise window) so they're mentally ready to settle. A tired Yorkie learns faster and barks less, making training sessions more successful.
Frequently asked questions
My Yorkie keeps jumping off the mat. What should I do?+
This is normal—Yorkies are energetic and easily distracted. Calmly guide them back onto the mat without scolding, say 'Place' again, and reward the moment they settle. Never chase or chase them off; that turns it into a game. Use higher-value treats to make the mat more appealing than the urge to leave.
How long should training sessions be for a Yorkie?+
Keep sessions to 2–5 minutes maximum, several times a day. Yorkies have moderate trainability and can lose focus quickly; short, frequent repetition is far more effective than one long session. This also prevents boredom and frustration, which can trigger excessive barking.
Can I use the Place command to stop my Yorkie's barking at the door?+
Absolutely. Send your Yorkie to their mat before the doorbell rings or before you expect a visitor, and reward heavily for staying calm on the mat. This redirects their small-dog-syndrome impulse to bark at stimuli and gives them a job to do instead. Consistency is key, as Yorkies respond well to clear routines.
My Yorkie has separation anxiety. Will Place help?+
Yes, Place can reduce separation anxiety by teaching your Yorkie that staying calm on a specific mat is safe and rewarding. Start by practicing Place when you're present, then gradually leave the room for a few seconds while they're settled. This builds confidence and gives them a familiar focal point.