4 Reasons why Yorkies Bark So Much and What to do

One of the 7 reasons why Yorkies are considered ‘annoying’ is because they bark so much and in this blog, I explain in detail why Yorkies bark so much.

According to Arkow and Dow (1984) and Scarlett et al., (2002), behavioral problems are one of the major reasons behind dog abandonment, disposal, and euthanasia. It is, therefore, important that you learn how you can deal with your Yorkie’s excessive barking to avoid the possibility of abandoning, disposing, or God-forbid, euthanizing.

Let me first share some more details about Yorkies.

Yorkies are the second most popular toy breed and are known for being spunky, independent, and feisty.

They were originally bred in England to hunt rats and other vermin in textile mills and coal mines.

Nowadays, they’re mostly known as companion dogs.

Yorkies are very loyal and make great watchdogs because they will bark at anything that seems out of the ordinary.

4 reasons why Yorkies bark so much.

They have an instinct to bark as they are hunting dogs:

One reason is that they were bred to be hunting dogs and barking was how they communicated with their owners when they found something. Hunting dogs have developed a strong instinct to bark when they sense something is wrong or they feel threatened.

As Small Dogs, barking is a way to protect themselves from threats:

Another reason Yorkies bark so much is because they’re small dogs. Smaller dogs tend to bark more than larger dogs because they feel the need to protect themselves and their owners. They see barking as a way to scare off anything that might be a threat.

Anxiety:

Their size also makes them more prone to anxiety and fearfulness, which can cause excessive barking. Anxiety can be caused by many things, such as being left alone, loud noises, or a change in routine. If your Yorkie is suffering from anxiety, you’ll need to work with a veterinarian or animal behaviorist to find ways to help them feel more comfortable.

Attention-Seeking:

Yorkies may also bark excessively because they’re looking for attention. This is often the case with dogs that are left alone for long periods of time or not given enough attention. If your Yorkie is barking for attention, the best thing you can do is to give them plenty of love and attention when they’re quiet.

How to stop Yorkies from Barking So Much:

The first step is to figure out why your Yorkie is barking.

• If it’s due to anxiety or fear, you’ll need to work with a professional to help them overcome those feelings.
• If they’re barking for attention, make sure you’re giving them plenty of love and attention when they’re quiet.
• You can also try training your Yorkie with positive reinforcement. Whenever they bark, show them your disapproval with a firm “no” and then give them a treat when they stop. It’s important to be consistent with this training so that your Yorkie knows that barking is not acceptable behavior.
• You should also make sure they have plenty of toys and things to keep them occupied so they don’t get bored and start barking out of boredom.
• Finally, if your Yorkie is barking excessively, it’s important to talk to your veterinarian to rule out any medical conditions that could be causing the problem.

Yorkie Behaviors:

While Yorkies are known for being spunky and independent, there are a few behaviors that can be considered annoying.

• 1. Barking: As we’ve discussed, one of the reasons Yorkies bark so much is because they’re small dogs and they feel the need to protect themselves.
• 2. Chewing: Another common behavior is chewing. Yorkies like to chew on things because they’re teething. It’s important to give them plenty of chew toys so that they don’t start chewing on your belongings.
• 3. Excitability: Yorkies are also known for being excitable. They may jump up on people or run around the house in circles when they’re excited. This behavior can be frustrating, but it’s important to remember that it’s just their way of showing excitement.
• 4. Separation Anxiety: As we mentioned before, Yorkies can suffer from separation anxiety if they’re left alone for too long or not given enough attention. This can cause them to bark excessively or chew on things.
• 5. digging: Some Yorkies like to dig. This behavior can be frustrating if you have a garden or yard that you’re trying to keep neat and tidy. If your Yorkie is exhibiting any of these behaviors, it’s important to talk to your veterinarian or an animal behaviorist to find ways to help them overcome these issues.

7 Reasons why Yorkies are so annoying:

1. Barking: One of the reasons Yorkies bark so much is because they’re small dogs and they feel the need to protect themselves.

2. Shedding: Yorkies are also known for shedding a lot. This can be frustrating if you’re trying to keep your house clean.

3. Chewing: Another common behavior is chewing. Yorkies like to chew on things because they’re teething. It’s important to give them plenty of chew toys so that they don’t start chewing on your belongings.

4. Excitability: Yorkies are also known for being excitable. They may jump up on people or run around the house in circles when they’re excited. This behavior can be frustrating, but it’s important to remember that it’s just their way of showing excitement.

5. Separation Anxiety: As we mentioned before, Yorkies can suffer from separation anxiety if they’re left alone for too long or not given enough attention. This can cause them to bark excessively or chew on things.

6. Digging: Some Yorkies like to dig. This behavior can be frustrating if you have a garden or yard that you’re trying to keep neat and tidy.

7. Messy: Yorkies can be messy eaters and may make a mess when they drink water. This behavior can be frustrating if you’re trying to keep your house clean.

If your Yorkie is exhibiting any of these behaviors, it’s important to talk to your veterinarian or an animal behaviorist to find ways to help them overcome these issues.

What the studies say about owning and managing Yorkie dog behavior:

In a study titled, “The prevention of undesirable behaviors in dogs: effectiveness of veterinary behaviorists’ advice given to puppy owners”, the authors tested some great ways to train a Yorkie from developing undesirable behaviors such as less barking.

Once you acquire a puppy, it is important to visit the vet and discuss some potential behavioral issues that your Yorkie dog may be predisposed to.

In a 2008 Study published by the Journal of Veterinary Behavior, you need to learn ‘normal canine behavior, behavioral ontogeny, the meaning of reinforcement and punishment, how to recognize potential behavior problems, and how to change them as soon as they are identified.’

Below are important definitions to understand;

1. Education – Refers to the upbringing that builds your dog’s character and includes the basic information needed to ensure a good bond between you and your dog.
2. Teaching is the process by which the dog is given a body of knowledge useful for everyday life; it includes basic obedience commands.
3. Training is the term that indicates specialized classes for specific tasks, for example, livestock herding, guide dogs

So is training effective for Yorkies:

Yorkies are not the easiest to train and it’s not because they are less intelligent. They are stubborn and curious and this can make it difficult to train them.

It may take some time and patience for Yorkies to fully learn to bark less and the most effective way to get them to stop barking is by using negative reinforcements. Negative reinforcers are things that the dog does not like and will stop the behavior to avoid it.

Some common negative reinforcers for dogs are; electric collars, no-barking collar for small dogs, spray bottles, loud noises, or scolding them. It’s important to find what works for your dog and to be consistent with the training.

Positive reinforcement is also a good way to train your dog. Positive reinforcement is when you give your dog a treat or something they enjoy after they complete the behavior you want them to do.

For example, if you want your dog to sit and stay, you would give them a treat after they sit down and stay in one spot. It’s important to find what motivates your dog and to be consistent with the training.

Best bark collars for Yorkies;

1. PetSafe Elite Little Dog Bark Collar
2. PetSafe Basic Bark Control Collar
3. SportDOG 425x NoBark Rechargeable Bark Control Collar
4. Garmin Delta Smart Dog Training Device and Activity Monitor
5. Petsafe Gentle Spray Anti-Bark Collar

This article was written while on transit from JFK. Trying to write more while traveling.