I have a 9 month old yorkie and when he is in the house and you try to pick him up, he takes off running. I believe he thinks I'm playing with him. It's frustrating when you want to put him in his crate or automobile, because he just runs,runs, runs. Anyone with any suggestions of how to stop this

Yes

Have a light leash on him at all times (a cat leash would be fine). He can drag it around with him wherever he goes and you can always "catch" him.

If you have other problems with him as well (dominance, chewing, barking, whatever) it would work well to have him always tied to you. Then he cannot just go and do whatever he wants whenever he wants.

Do not leave a leash/collar on an unattended crated dog.

 Quote: bob meyer

I have a 9 month old yorkie and when he is in the house and you try to pick him up, he takes off running. I believe he thinks I'm playing with him. It's frustrating when you want to put him in his crate or automobile, because he just runs,runs, runs. Anyone with any suggestions of how to stop this

If you have ever chased him after calling him, then you have trained him to play "catch me."

To un-train this, I would concentrate on teaching the recall on a long line, using marker training, and, while I was teaching the recall, the dog would never be off a line (drag line, long line, or leash) outdoors.

I would start close up, with very high-value treats, and have a party each time he complied.

I would just reel him in, no comment, if he did not comply. No reward, no party.


The crate is really a separate thing, for which you can train with a high-value treat tossed near, then in, etc.

But the recall is critical. It's literally a life-saving command. I work very hard on teaching it and proofing for it. I never call for ending a game, going indoors, giving a med, etc., while teaching it, and I make a point to use it for every good thing (food, play, petting, walk, ride). I never ever use the recall when I am not sure the dog will comply unless I can enforce it (long line: reel him in). Every time you use it and the dog ignores it, you teach that it's optional.

Marker work is the method, IMO.

Post back with questions.

Have you tried running away from the pup? Instead of chasing him, make him chase you. Act like a fool, make high-pitched silly noises, and shake toys--encourage him to come find out what the heck you're doing. If you're interesting enough (fill your pockets with hot dogs if you have to) then the dog ought to follow you anywhere.

As others suggested, a long lead will help you work on recall by yourself.

Or here's another idea if you have another person to help---play "hide and seek" with the dog. You need two people, each with pockets full of treats. One person holds the dog, the other person "hides" (not too difficult--behind the door, or in the next room) and then calls the dog. "Millie, Come! Here puppy puppy puppy!" When the dog comes, give her a big treat. Then the other person calls...dog runs back to the first person. Second person changes hiding spots, etc.

It's not only a good way to work on recall, but can help burn off energy indoors.

Until you have a good recall, you should be treating and praising EVERY time the dog comes to you. NEVER call the dog to you and then do something that she considers a negative consequence (go in the crate, get her ears cleaned, take the toy away, etc.) If you have to do something negative, go to the dog; don't call her to you.

Hope some of this helps.