In this guide, you’ll learn about Yorkie exercise needs, including how often Yorkies need to be walked and how much to exercise a Yorkie puppy.
How much exercise does a Yorkshire Terrier need?
Yorkies are small dogs that require less physical activity than larger breeds of dogs. They can live in an apartment or condo with minimal space for them to run around. However, they do enjoy being active and playing games like fetching balls or tug-of-war.
The amount of time spent exercising depends on whether your Yorkie has been socialized properly as well as his age.
What are the benefits of Yorkie exercise?
Exercise helps keep your Yorkie healthy by keeping him fit and trim. It also keeps him mentally alert and happy. When he gets enough exercise, he will have more energy throughout the day.
This means he won’t get tired easily when walking from one place to another. He’ll also be able to play longer without tiring out.
Types of exercises
There are two types of exercise for Yorkies – free running and structured activities.
Free Running Exercises
Free running exercises include walks, runs, hikes, jogs, etc. These are great ways to burn calories while having fun outdoors. You should take your Yorkie outside at least once every day so he can experience fresh air and sunshine.
Make sure to bring along plenty of water because it’s easy for your Yorkie to overheat during these outdoor workouts.
Structured Activities
How far can a Yorkshire terrier walk?
You may want to start off slowly if you’re just starting to walk your Yorkie. Start with short distances first and gradually increase the distance each week until you reach 1 mile. Your goal is to work up to 3 miles.
If you don’t feel comfortable taking your Yorkie on long walks, try going for shorter walks. For example, go for a 5 to10 minute walk three times a day.
Here are some fun exercises/plays that you and your Yorkie can enjoy indoors or outdoors:
- Frisbee toss
Play Frisbee with your dog! You can even buy small frisbees for little dogs like yorkies.
This is an easy way to get exercise and have fun at the same time. You can toss it, catch it or even throw it back. It’s up to you how far away from your dog you want to be when throwing the frisbee.
The farther away you are, the more distance your dog will need to cover in order to retrieve the frisbee. If he gets too close, just give him another one.
- Stair sprints
Throw a ball at the top of your staircase and let your Yorkie rush up the stairs as fast as they can.
- Homemade obstacle course
Yorkies are very smart dogs. They love learning new things and they will do anything for attention.
If you have the time, it is fun to train them in different ways. You can make an obstacle course out of household items or even use old tires as obstacles. The more challenging the better! It’s also great if you want to keep your dog busy while you work on other projects around the house.
- Hide-and-Seek
Hide something somewhere in your yard and then see what happens next. When playing hide-and-seek, make sure not to leave anything behind that could lead someone to find it later.
- Teach your dog to chase bubbles
Bubble chasing is a game that both humans and dogs play together.
- Treasure hunt
This activity requires teamwork. Find something interesting and hide it somewhere in your yard. Then set up a treasure map using string or tape. When your dog finds the hidden item, reward her with praise and treats.
- Tug of war
You can use a toy, a stick or rag to play tug of war with your dog.
Precautions to take when exercising your Yorkie
Make sure that your Yorkie doesn’t become overheated before beginning any type of physical activity. Take precautions such as wearing sunscreen, carrying extra water bottles, and a collapsible dog bowl, and bringing along a towel.
Also, make sure that your Yorkie isn’t left alone for extended periods of time after working out.
Make sure that your dog does not eat anything right before doing strenuous exercise. Exercise shouldn’t be done immediately following eating. Wait about half-hour between meals and then begin exercising.
How long can I walk my Yorkie?
You can walk your Yorkie anywhere from 10 minutes to 2 hours at a time. It depends on how much walking your dog is used to. If this is her first walk with you, aim for 10 minutes and over time, you can work up to an hour or two.
Make sure that you don’t overdo it because too much walking can cause joint problems.
My Yorkie doesn’t want to get up and walk. What should I do?
Try using treats as motivation. You can also use toys that make noise when shaken. My dogs love these things!
When he does decide to stand up, give him a treat like a tiny piece of cheese, a small training treat or something else yummy. He’ll be more likely to follow you then.
Best dog walking accessories for your Yorkshire Terrier
Final thoughts
Exercise is important for both humans and animals. Dogs benefit greatly by getting regular exercise. However, there are many factors involved in making sure that your dog stays healthy during this process.
Make sure that you pay attention to what kind of activities your dog enjoys most and choose those types of activities over others. Don’t forget to include playtime into your daily routine. Playful games help strengthen bonds between people and their pets.
