I adopted my first Yorkshire terrier puppy a few years back and soon after adopting it, I found myself wondering Why Are Yorkies So Needy?
My Yorkie would never leave my side, always hover around me, cry and whine when I left it alone even for a small duration and all of this made me really worried. And I will admit, it was also a bit annoying for me!
So I decided to find a solution to my problem and looked up for reasons as to Why Are Yorkies So Needy. Are you facing the same issue? Let’s take a look in detail at what I found.
Why Are Yorkies So Needy? Top 14 Reasons
1. Your Yorkie Is Protective and Territorial in Nature
Because of their terrier ancestry, Yorkies are generally very protective of and territorial about their owner. Their small size won’t come in the way if at all sometimes they have to protect their family.
This natural instinct of your Yorkie may lead to some behavioral patterns that could make you feel like he is needy. For instance, he would always want to remain close to you!
2. Your Yorkie Is Jealous
Did you spend too much time with someone else’s golden retriever or Shih Tzu? Or did you play with your small kid a tad bit too much in front of your little dog? Ponder upon it. If the answer is yes, then it is quite possible that your Yorkie is jealous.
Now, he might start attracting your attention and roaming around you all the time, thus exhibiting needy behavior.
Even though they are very cute, this neediness might get irritating sometimes.
3. Your Yorkie Requires Your Complete Attention
Because of their adorableness, Yorkies are so used to have coddling and doting dog owners, that they have a habit of getting complete attention.
Due to this, your Yorkie might keep hovering around all the time so that you shower your complete attention on your small dog.
It might also be because they feel like they have to fight for your attention if you are the parent of more than one dog.
4. Your Yorkie Misses You
If your Yorkie has to stay home alone too often, it might miss you and thus, whenever you get back home it starts demanding your full attention immediately.
Well, it’s always nice to come back home to your adorable pup but sometimes it might get a bit too annoying!
5. Your Yorkie Requires Your Affection
Are you also the pet parents of other dogs like chihuahua or Maltese? Having trouble giving equal attention and affection to all your pets? If yes, then your Yorkie might be feeling left out.
Such a situation might make him feel a little low and thus he comes to you as he requires affection. He might even seem like a clingy dog but the poor doggo just wants some more love.
6. Your Yorkie Is Suffering From Separation Anxiety
If your four-legged friend has to stay away from you for long durations, he might become fearful, anxious, or insecure. In many cases, it can lead to your Yorkie developing separation anxiety.
You can read and understand more about it here.
7. It Is Your Yorkie’s Inherent Behavior
Being needy and clingy might be your Yorkie’s inherent behavior. As the owner of a lap dog, you might have to deal with this.
He might keep licking you, kissing you, leaning on to you, and bringing you his toys so that you grant him your attention and play with him up to his heart’s content.
8. Your Yorkie Is Hungry or Thirsty
Forgot to give your Yorkie his food? Or did you not give your Yorkie enough water? If yes, then this might be the reason for your Yorkie’s sudden needy behavior.
By clinging around you, your little puppy is trying to tell you that he is hungry or thirsty.
It’s okay if you forget to put food in your Yorkie’s bowl but try and keep a track of their mealtimes and make them drink enough water.
Want to know more about how and what should you feed your dog? Click here to know all about it. Check out our extensive review for the best dog foods available here.
9. Your Yorkie Has Visual or Hearing Impairments
If your Yorkie has visual or hearing impairments, it might just be the reason behind his needy behavior.
In such cases, puppies and even senior dogs are fearful and anxious which is why they always cling to their owners.
10. It Is Your Yorkie’s Way of Showing Affection
Your Yorkie might be trying to show his affection towards you which is why he is staying close to you, licking you or even kissing you.
This is all that the tiny pet can do to show that he loves you.
11. Your Yorkie Is in Physical Pain
You might have missed it when your Yorkie hurt himself somewhere while playing. It could be causing him physical pain.
To communicate his pain, your Yorkie has no other way than sticking to you and trying to gain your attention.
He might also need your warmth and comfort in such a case.
12. Your Yorkie Lacks Mental Stimulation
Ill-behaviour is quite common in dogs who lack mental stimulation. They are often bored and need a way to release their energy.
If not given the appropriate resources they might turn to clinging to you or barking or hovering around you so that you give them something where they can spend their energy.
You can make him learn new tricks, or give him puzzles to solve. Check out this amazing puzzle toy for your Yorkie that we totally recommend.
13. Your Yorkie Is Sick
There are many reasons why are Yorkies so needy and one of them could be that your Yorkie is sick.
When he is sick, your pet dog needs warmth and comfort from you because he is facing discomfort and it might be making him anxious.
Contact your vet immediately if you see any signs of pain or symptoms like vomiting and lethargy and give your Yorkie proper attention whenever he is unwell.
14. Your Yorkie Is Under Heat
Your female Yorkie might be under her heating season.
This causes her vulva to swell and she might even be bleeding during this season. Due to this, she might be needing your constant attention and affection.
To know more about your Yorkie’s heating season and how to take care of her, click here.
Is It Normal If My Yorkie Is Very Needy?
Your canine companion is one of the most beloved dog breeds all over the world and is considered a human’s best friend.
But demanding excessive attention from you might not be the right thing because the Yorkshire Terrier breed was not bred for becoming lapdogs. Despite their small size, they are fit to do well on their own.
There can be different reasons behind why are Yorkies so clingy and before taking any step you should always make sure what is the reason due to which your Yorkie is acting so.
Now that we know the many reasons due to which Yorkies can be needy, let us look at some of the best possible ways in which you can reduce your Yorkie’s needy behavior.
5 Ways To Reduce Your Yorkie’s Needy Behavior
1. Provide Mentally Stimulating Games and Puzzles to Your Yorkie
Keeping your Yorkie busy and mentally active is a great way to allowing your tiny pup and yourself some space. It will also keep your Yorkie away from getting bored.
Engaging in mentally stimulating activities also lets your Yorkie become more well-behaved and develop healthy habits.
You can also play various games with your Yorkie like fetching games or hide and seek. Watch this video of a cute Yorkie swimming and playing at the beach, I am sure it will lighten up your day!
And here is an interesting puzzle toy that you can get for your puppy to keep him active and engaged.
2. Provide Your Yorkie With Food and Water as Per the Fixed Routine
Make a proper schedule for your Yorkie including his mealtimes. Give him food and water as per that routine.
This consistency helps your Yorkie in becoming a patient doggo and not hovering over you at any time of the day for food and water.
Make it a point to never miss giving them these essentials or they might start clinging to you or even barking at you because of hunger and thrust. You can set reminders on your phone so that your terrier gets his food on time.
3. Let Your Yorkie Socialise With Other Dogs
Socializing your Yorkie is very essential and you must know this if you are a dog owner. It helps in developing many good habits in your Yorkie.
Making your terrier meet and play with dogs of other breeds and senior dogs is an excellent way of teaching your Yorkie how to behave in social situations. It also gives you your personal time and the Yorkie gets to do physical activity and he learns to associate with others, not just you.
You should start socializing your puppy from an early age itself. After all, no one wants to be the parent of a dog who only sticks to its owner and is afraid or jealous of other pets.
4. Spend Ample Quality Time With Your Yorkie
Any pet expects love and attention from its owner like a child does from its parents.
Spend enough quality time with your Yorkie and make them feel loved and wanted. This would keep your Yorkie from feeling jealous, unwanted, or insecure.
It is also a great way to heal your dog’s separation anxiety if he has it.
5. Take Your Yorkie for Regular Health Check-Ups
Your Yorkie’s needy behavior can very well be a consequence of some health issues. And as a pet parent, it is your job to make sure that your four-legged baby is mentally and physically fit at all times.
Take your Yorkie for regular health check-ups so that you are never too late in finding out about any issue that your pup might be facing.
FAQs on Why Are Yorkies So Needy?
1. Do Yorkies Need a Lot of Attention?
Yorkies are very affectionate pets and do sometimes need a lot of attention and it can be because of various reasons as mentioned above.
If you want to dote on your puppy, Yorkshire Terriers are one of the best breeds to have. Give them love and attention and you will definitely receive it back.
However, if you see that your Yorkie is demanding a lot of attention all of a sudden, make sure you find the reason behind it and treat him accordingly.
2. Why Does My Yorkie Cry So Much?
Your Yorkie might be crying or whining because he is not given adequate attention or affection.
It could also be because he is trying to communicate his emotional distress or physical pain. Or it could be a consequence of separation anxiety if your puppy has it.
You can offer him treats, they might pacify him for a while but if the crying is a persistent problem then do find a permanent solution for it!
3. Is My Yorkie a Velcro Dog?
A velcro dog is a very clingy dog who keeps following you from room to room, constantly tries to climb up to your lap, anticipates when you are going to leave the room, and always keeps you in its line of sight.
If your Yorkie shows these traits, he might just be a velcro dog.
Conclusion
Now you know the reasons why are Yorkies so needy. I hope you got the answer to why your Yorkie is acting needy.
Contact your vet immediately if you think it is one of the more serious reasons.
Apart from that, just try the ways I mentioned above to reduce your Yorkie’s needy behavior. I am sure you will see the results.
Keep showering love and receiving it back from your tiny Yorkshire Terrier!
