Yorkipoo: Yorkshire Pudding Meets Dog

3 Common Yorkipoo Behaviour Problems (And How To Fix Them)

Remember: Yorkipoos are terriers in pocket-sized bodies. Give them proper training, extensive socialisation, and treat them like the capable dogs they are—not fragile accessories—and they'll become confident, devoted companions.

Where Do Yorkipoos Come From?

The Yorkipoo emerged in the 1990s-2000s as one of the small "designer doodles," marketed to apartment dwellers and people wanting small "hypoallergenic" companion dogs. Usually bred using Toy or Miniature Poodles with Yorkshire Terriers, they create a size range of 2.5-7kg, even within litters.

What were they bred to do?

Yorkipoos have no working purpose—they're purely companion crosses for the pet market.

But Yorkshire Terriers? That's a different story.

Yorkshire Terriers were originally bred as ratters in Yorkshire mills and mines—killing rats and other vermin. They're terriers through and through: tenacious, stubborn, fearless, with significant prey drive.

The terrier genetics often surprise owners expecting "lap dogs." Instead, they get dogs with prey drive, stubbornness, reactivity, and fearlessness in pocket-sized bodies that don't understand their own limitations.

Key breeding traits

Tiny size (2.5-7kg) making them fragile and at risk for injuries, unpredictable coat (silky and straight like a Yorkie, curly like a Poodle, or wavy combination—maintenance varies wildly), terrier temperament traits including prey drive (chasing small animals, other pets), stubbornness, and reactivity/barking at triggers.

The tiny size makes them vulnerable—they can be injured by children playing, other dogs, or falls from furniture. Yet their terrier temperament means they act fearless, creating dangerous situations. They have "Small Dog Syndrome" potential when not trained properly.

Why Do Yorkipoos Have These Behaviour Problems?

Your Yorkipoo isn't misbehaving—they're terriers doing what terriers do, just in a tiny package.

Marketed as perfect apartment dogs: tiny, "hypoallergenic," good for people with limited space. The reality? These are terriers who bark incessantly at triggers, may have high prey drive making them dangerous with small pets, can be reactive/aggressive with people and dogs despite size, and require as much training as large breeds.

Their small size doesn't eliminate the need for proper socialisation and training. Many owners carry them everywhere, never allowing them to develop independence or confidence. The result is anxious, reactive dogs who've never learned to cope with the world.

Problem 1: Separation Anxiety & Attention-Seeking

What's happening: Your Yorkipoo follows you room to room, panics when left alone, demands constant attention through barking, pawing, or jumping, and may become destructive or vocal when separated from you.

Why it happens: Their small size means they're often carried everywhere as puppies, receiving 24/7 contact, never learning independence. Many are purchased as "purse dogs" or emotional support animals, further reinforcing co-dependency. The result is dogs who panic when left alone, follow their owner everywhere, demand constant attention, and develop attention-seeking behaviours (barking, pawing, jumping) that are inadvertently reinforced because owners respond.

The fix: Practise numerous mini-departures throughout the day (starting with just 20 seconds), returning without any greeting, eye contact, or touching for 5 full minutes until they're completely calm—you must wait them out. Never make departures dramatic by picking up keys and putting on shoes only when leaving; instead, do these actions randomly throughout the day to desensitise the cues.

Practise 20-30 mini-departures on weekends with very short absences (even just to your car and back) to rapidly build the skill.

When you return home and they're excited, freeze completely—no movement, speaking, or acknowledgement—until they settle to a calm state, then quietly invite interaction on your terms.

You cannot exercise separation anxiety out of your dog, but it's important they have sufficient mental and physical stimulation.

Struggling with separation anxiety? This is one of the most common Yorkipoo problems. Join our Skool community for detailed separation anxiety protocols and weekly Q&A support.

Problem 2: Fragility and Injury Risk

What's happening: Your Yorkipoo jumps from furniture, plays with larger dogs, or is handled roughly, leading to injuries like broken bones, dislocated joints, or trauma.

Why it happens: Many owners underestimate fragility risk, allowing behaviours dangerous for tiny dogs: jumping from furniture, being around large dogs unsupervised, children handling them roughly. Their terrier temperament makes them fearless—they don't recognise their own vulnerability.

The fix: Implement safety protocols: no jumping on/off furniture until they're trained to use stairs or ask permission (or use dog stairs/ramps to eliminate jumping), never leave unsupervised with children under 10 (even well-meaning kids can injure them), supervise carefully with larger dogs (normal play can be dangerous), use harness never collar for walks (collar can damage trachea), teach proper picking-up technique to all family members (support rear end, don't lift by armpits).

Teach children appropriate handling: sitting on the floor to interact, gentle petting only, never picking up without adult supervision.

Use a properly fitted harness: 2-finger space at neck, doesn't restrict movement but distributes pressure across chest not trachea.

Watch for pain signs: limping, reluctance to jump, yelping when picked up—require immediate vet assessment for tiny breeds.

Managing a tiny terrier? Safety protocols and proper handling are crucial. Our Skool community has detailed guides for keeping small dogs safe whilst maintaining their confidence.

Problem 3: Aggression & 'Napoleon Complex'

What's happening: Your Yorkipoo barks aggressively at other dogs, snaps at strangers, shows territorial behaviour, or displays aggression disproportionate to their size. They act like a 40kg dog in a 4kg body.

Why it happens: Yorkshire Terriers were bred to be alert, vocal ratters—barking and reactivity are genetic. They're fearless (they faced rats in dark mines), suspicious of strangers, and very territorial. Toy Poodles can also be barky and reactive. Cross these and you get tiny dogs who bark at everything: people passing, doorbells, other dogs, sounds, movement.

Their small size leads to "Small Dog Syndrome"—owners don't train them properly because "they're too small to be a threat," allowing behaviours that wouldn't be tolerated in large dogs. Being carried past triggers instead of being trained to handle them reinforces fear and reactivity.

The fix: Train exactly as you would a large breed—set firm boundaries, extensive socialisation before 16 weeks, proper corrections when needed (never physical, but consistent consequences). Implement "big dog expectations" with formal training: proper heel work, sit-stays, impulse control—their size doesn't excuse poor behaviour.

Never pick them up to "save" them from situations—this reinforces fear and makes aggression worse.

Use "confidence building" through appropriate dog interactions: carefully select stable, calm dogs for socialisation; avoid dog parks where they might be overwhelmed.

Address aggression immediately—don't excuse it due to size; use isolation, removal of privileges, and consistent consequences. If escalating to biting, consult a professional immediately.

When off-lead, consider leaving a short line attached to manage them if they start getting over-animated during playtime.

Dealing with reactivity? Small dog aggression is often dismissed but shouldn't be. Join our Skool community for reactivity protocols specifically designed for small terriers.

Is a Yorkipoo Right for a New Owner?

A Yorkipoo might be perfect for you if you're looking for:

A compact companion with big personality – They're small enough for apartment living but have terrier confidence and charm. They're devoted to their people and love being involved in everything.

A low-shedding option – Many Yorkipoos have low-shedding coats, though grooming requirements are still significant. Budget for professional grooming every 6-8 weeks.

An alert watchdog in a small package – They'll definitely let you know when someone's at the door. Their vocal nature makes them excellent alert dogs.

A trainable small dog – Unlike some toy breeds, Yorkipoos are intelligent and capable of learning complex behaviours when trained properly.

However, Yorkipoos are NOT suitable if you:

• Have very young children (fragility risk is too high)
• Want a quiet dog (they're extremely vocal)
• Can't commit to extensive socialisation (they become reactive without it)
• Aren't prepared for grooming costs (£40-70 every 6-8 weeks adds up)
  

If you're ready to train them like a "real dog," commit to early socialisation, and can provide safety whilst maintaining their confidence, a Yorkipoo can be an excellent companion. But don't underestimate the terrier temperament just because they're small.

Get the Full Support System for Your Yorkipoo

This guide gives you real solutions you can start using today. But raising a well-behaved Yorkipoo is an ongoing journey, not a one-time fix.

That's why we created our free Skool community—to give you continuous support every step of the way.

Inside the community, you'll get:

• Weekly live Q&A sessions where you can ask about YOUR specific Yorkipoo and get personalised advice from experienced trainers
• Full breed-specific courses covering everything from puppy raising to advanced behaviour modification
• A supportive community of other Yorkipoo owners who understand exactly what you're going through
• Video demonstrations so you can see techniques in action, not just read about them
• Troubleshooting help when things don't go to plan (because they won't always!)
• Updated resources as we add new courses and training blueprints

Best part? It's completely free. No subscription. No catch. Just dog owners helping dog owners.

Join The Toe Beans Co community today and get the ongoing support you need to build the best relationship with your Yorkipoo.