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Barking

Yorkshire Terrier Barking

Overview

Yorkshire Terriers can be quite enthusiastic barkers and part of this behavior is linked to inbred traits. Originating from the county of Yorkshire in England during the 19th century, Yorkies were initially bred to catch rats in textile mills and later used as hunting dogs for animals like foxes and badgers. This historical context is key to understanding the Yorkie's spirited nature and vocal tendencies. Their ancestors had to be alert and communicative, traits that have been passed down to modern Yorkies.


Recognizing the reasons behind a Yorkie's bark can be both fascinating and enlightening. It's not merely noise; it's a language of its own, developed over generations. Whether they're alerting you to someone at the door, expressing excitement, or calling for attention, each bark serves a purpose in the Yorkie's complex system of communication.


The following article will delve into the intricacies of the Yorkshire Terrier's bark. Additionally, we'll provide a step-by-step training guide to help address and manage excessive barking, for a calmer, more peaceful household.

Yorkshire Terrier barking

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Barking Trends Among Yorkshire Terriers: A Statistical Overview

Here at YorkieInfoCenter, we conducted an online survey among our site members, receiving responses from 2,146 participants. The demographic breakdown showed 72% of respondents were from the US, 8% from the UK, 8% from Canada, with the rest hailing from various countries worldwide. The survey revealed that 56% of the Yorkies were male and 44% female, with their ages distributed as follows: 3% under 6 months (young puppy), 10% between 6 to 12 months (puppy), 51% between 1 to 3 years (young adult), 26% between 4 to 8 years (adult), and 10% over 9 years (senior).


We inquired, "What was the biggest challenge(s) you’ve encountered with your Yorkie?" specifying that health issues were excluded from this query. Participants could select multiple challenges, utilize an 'Other' option, and leave comments.


The findings indicated that 16% of Yorkie owners identified barking as a significant challenge. This was outranked only by difficulties with housebreaking (22%) and separation anxiety (18%), making barking the third most common issue faced by Yorkie pet parents.


Top Reasons a Yorkshire Terrier Barks

Yorkshire Terriers, known for their energetic spirit and expressive nature, bark for a myriad of reasons. Here's an exploration of the primary triggers that may make a Yorkshire Terrier bark, infused with historical context to provide a comprehensive perspective.


  1. Alert and Protective Behavior: Yorkshire Terriers possess an innate sense of alertness, a trait deeply embedded in their roots as working dogs in 19th-century England. Originally, Yorkies were bred to hunt rats in mills. As they evolved, they also assisted hunters by trapping prey such as foxes and badgers. Their sharp senses were crucial, enabling them to detect subtle changes in the environment and alert their human companions. Today, this translates into their keen watchdog abilities, as they bark to notify their owners of unfamiliar sounds or potential threats.
  2. Seeking Attention: The Yorkshire Terrier's sociable nature can be traced back to their evolution from a working-class dog to a beloved companion. Accustomed to being in close quarters with their human families, they often bark to express their desire for interaction, play, or companionship, reminding us of their historical transition to lapdogs who thrived on human attention.
  3. Separation Anxiety: Strongly attached to their humans, Yorkies may experience separation anxiety, a behavior that highlights their loyalty, bond and desire to always be close. This characteristic became more pronounced as they moved from the bustling mills to the homes of Victorian ladies, where they were constant companions, rarely left alone.
  4. Response to External Stimuli: Yorkies react vocally to sounds and movements in their environment, a behavior that harks back to their origins. In the mills, being alert to the scurrying of rats or changes in the work environment was vital and out in the forest, it was important to be very aware of the rustlings and movements of small prey. Today, this manifests as barking at noises like car horns or other dogs, showcasing their enduring vigilance.
  5. Excitement: The close bond this breed shares with their humans may manifest in enthusiastic barking when greeting or in anticipation of activities. This highlights their spirited disposition and eagerness to engage, which can lead to vocal expressions of their excitement.
  6. Fear or Threat: When confronted with perceived dangers, a Yorkie's bark is a testament to their protective instincts. Despite their diminutive size, their courage in facing larger rodents in their working days is mirrored in their readiness to confront modern-day threats, albeit often much larger than they are.
  7. Boredom or Loneliness: Due to a lack of mental and physical stimulation, Yorkies may bark to alleviate boredom or loneliness. This underscores the importance of engagement and companionship, traits that have always been central to their well-being.

Pre-Training Tips to Quiet Yorkie Barking

Before you implement training to address barking, there are three important steps you can take that can have a big effect on reducing vocalization. These foundational measures not only help with the immediate issue of excessive barking, but also enhance a Yorkshire Terrier's overall well-being and contentment.

#1 Increase Physical Activity: 

Regular exercise plays a crucial role in reducing barking by mitigating restlessness and excess energy. To address this, commit to taking your Yorkie for a minimum of two brisk walks per day, each lasting a minimum of 20 minutes. Tailor additional activities to their interest. Many Yorkie absolutely love playing fetch, indoor or out, and tossing small toys like Zanies Mini Tennis Balls can make this game fun and exciting.

#2 Boost Mental Engagement:

Keeping your Yorkie's mind active is equally important. Utilize puzzle toys, training sessions, and games that challenge their intellect to prevent boredom-induced barking. Engaging their minds daily helps dissipate energy that might otherwise fuel unnecessary vocalizations. A great method for this is the use of a foraging game, like the Puff and Percy Snuffle Mat for Small Dogs; this is so much fun for breeds like the Yorkie that like to have a job to do.

#3 Foster a Serene Space:

A tranquil home environment can significantly decrease stress-induced barking. Equip your Yorkie's area with a cozy bed and a dedicated toy zone that is near the family but away from foot traffic and any youngster's play area. Introduce calming aromas, such as lavender. Keep loud TVs and raised voices to a minimum. Play background sounds like Lisa Spector's Through A Dog's Ear: To Calm Your Canine Companion, soft classical music or ambient noise, to encourage a sense of peace and reduce the urge to bark at every disturbance.


Training a Yorkshire Terrier to Stop Barking When Home with You

Of course, dogs being dogs, some barking is expected. This said, in addition to the 3 vital steps shown previously under 'Pre-training Tips', here are additional training methods to address excessive vocalization.

#1 Reduce triggers.

A key strategy is to reduce or eliminate barking triggers. Start by identifying what specifically causes your Yorkie to bark. Common triggers include the sight of pedestrians or animals through windows, the sound of other dogs barking, or the presence of delivery personnel.


Once you've pinpointed these triggers, you can take tailored steps to minimize their impact. For example, if your Yorkie tends to bark at passersby through sliding glass doors, consider closing curtains or applying a non-transparent film to the glass to block their view without sacrificing natural light. Similarly, if the sight of birds or squirrels in the garden sets off a barking frenzy, strategically placing visual barriers or adjusting the layout of your outdoor space can help.


In addition to modifying your Yorkie's visual environment, reducing auditory triggers is equally important. Playing white noise or soft background music can mask the sounds of outdoor animals like birds or chipmunks, which are common culprits for triggering a Yorkie's barking. The consistent sound of white noise not only drowns out external noises but also has a calming effect on many dogs, making it a dual-purpose solution.

#2 Interrupt and refocus while teaching the 'Quiet' Command.

This is a tip for when you're home with your Yorkie. For this to work, you'll need a way to interrupt the barking. Sometimes, a hand clap works. However, if you find that it does not, you may want to incorporate a training tool. The Company of Animals Pet Corrector is a safe yet effective method to gain a dog’s attention. It is used by many canine trainers and works by releasing a short hiss of compressed air. This particular sound usually works very well to cause a dog to stop and take pause.

Depress a corrector tool once or do a hand clap, say 'Quiet' firmly, and you'll have your Yorkie's attention for a moment. At this time, direct their focus elsewhere. You can work on a few commands, play a game together, or offer them an intriguing toy. If using a toy, typically one that makes an interesting noise or one that speaks will do the trick. No matter what you choose as your dog’s new focus, if the barking as stopped, employ positive reinforcement by giving praise and a small training treat.


Addressing Barking While Out on Walks

Dogs respond differently to stimuli, with some barking at nearly every new sight or sound. This can include reactions to other dogs, people, vehicles, and even birds. In addition to following the 3 'Pre-Training Tips' shown previously, here’s how you can reduce such barking behaviors by implementing desensitization.

#1 Gradual Introduction to Stimuli

Begin walks in tranquil areas with minimal traffic, few pets, and low noise levels. This setting will help your Yorkie focus and learn composure without overwhelming triggers. As they become more comfortable, you can slowly introduce them to areas with more activity.

#2 Leash and Harness Implementation 

Use a harness vest like the EcoBark Step-in Harness to avoid neck strain and a retractable leash to maintain control, ensuring your Yorkie walks beside you. Adjust the leash so that they remain in a heeling position on your left side, no further ahead than the extension of your foot. This setup is crucial for managing their reaction to stimuli effectively.

#3 Non-Reactive Guidance

As you walk along, resist the urge to tense up or stop when your Yorkie barks, as these reactions can inadvertently reinforce the behavior. Instead, continue walking calmly, demonstrating that barking does not impact the situation. This teaches your puppy or dog to remain composed despite distractions.


Note that with the use of a harness, not a collar (see previous tip), you can safely continue to slowly walk without worrying about stress being put on your Yorkshire Terrier's neck.

#4 Positive Reinforcement 

Whenever your Yorkie stops barking after seeing a trigger, even if the only reason is that the trigger is now out of sight, offer a quality treat treat and praise without completely halting. Additionally, randomly reward and praise calmness during the walk to reinforce silence. This approach encourages a dog to associate quiet behavior with positive outcomes.

#5 Incremental Exposure to Distractions

Once your Yorkie shows readiness, introduce them to slightly busier routes, gradually increasing exposure to more distractions. Be mindful of their limits, as too much stimulation can be counterproductive. Continue with giving praise and reward as described in the previous step. As time goes on, praise only should be enough to keep a Yorkie motivated. 


Tips to Stop a Yorkshire Terrier from Barking when Home Alone

Stopping excessive barking while you're not a home is tricky, as you're obviously not there to directly address it. But, there are some things you can so to resolve this.

#1 Increase Exercise

Though this is mentioned under 'Pre-training Tips', it is an integral part of addressing barking while you're away, so it bares repeating.


Ensure your Yorkie receives ample physical activity before being left alone; this is a critical step in reducing anxiety-induced barking. A well-exercised dog is generally more relaxed and less likely to engage in stress-related behaviors, including excessive barking. This could mean taking your Yorkie for a long walk or engaging in a vigorous play session of fetch. The goal is to tire them out physically, making them more inclined to rest while you're away.


If your Yorkie barks excessively while you're at work, consider breaking up their day with a mid-day walk. If possible, coming home to provide this can greatly reduce the monotony of being alone, offering both physical exercise and human interaction.


Another option, that only fits some budgets, is to hire a dog walker. A reliable dog walker can help ensure your Yorkie gets necessary exercise and stimulation during the day, which can be particularly beneficial for this high-energy breed. This not only can help in reducing unwanted barking but can also contributes to the overall health and happiness of your Yorkie, reinforcing a positive routine even in your absence.

#2 Provide a Variety of Toys to Keep Your Dog Engaged

A significant portion of barking cases are based in boredom. Usually if a dog keeps very busy, they will forget all about barking. There are several types of toys that can help with this:


#1 A snuffle mat. This is an interactive feeding toy designed to mimic the grass or underbrush where dogs might naturally forage around. It consists of a fabric mat with multiple layers of strips or loops, into which treats or dry food can be hidden. The purpose is to encourage dogs to use their natural sniffing and foraging instincts to find their food, providing mental stimulation. This activity can help reduce boredom and anxiety and can be set up right before you leave. One that we like a lot is the Snuffle Mat by Oliumt, which resembles a cute flower garden. .

#2 Interactive toys. Toys that make noise or talk when interacted with can help a dog feel like they have a friend to play with. This can be a stuffed animal that sings, a crinkle toy that make noise when played with, or something like the Pet Qwerks Talking Babble Ball that has 20 funny sayings like "Hot diggity dog!" and 'Yeah, baby!" when it's nosed or pawed.

#3 A companion toy. These are toys specifically designed to help a dog feel less alone, thereby decreasing barking due to loneliness. Most are a type of stuffed animal that mimics a living animal in some way. The one that we love, the original Smart Pet Love Snuggle Puppy, emits a rhythmic heartbeat and optional warmth (via warming pads), and is a great, realistic size. There are several copycats out there that are subpar to say the least, but this one is fantastic.

#3 Create a Calm Environment

Creating a calm environment is essential for helping a dog feel secure and calm when left alone. Background noise, like a softly playing radio or TV, can be soothing for canines. Some pet parents find a white noise machine to work well. This sort of noise-blocking method can offer a sense of peace, and also help mask disruptive external noises that might trigger barking, such as traffic or other dogs.


It can also help to block windows, sliding doors and other means to look outside and be triggered by outdoor elements. And, of course, leave plenty of toys, food, water and a cozy bed for warmth.

Related Articles:

My Yorkie Puppy Barks All Night - Specific training to almost immediately stop barking, crying and whining at night with young puppies that are trying to get used to their new home. 

Barking at Cars - Step-by-step desensitization training to address the issue of barking at passing cars while out on walks.

More Articles:

Yorkshire Terrier Do and Don't List - A super-helpful concise guide on the most important do's and the most vital don'ts for this amazing toy breed. How many are you following? 

Yorkshire Terrier At-home Dental Care - This breed is extremely prone to tooth decay and other painful issues that can lead to tooth loss, bone deterioration and more. Follow these tips to keep your Yorkie's teeth clean and healthy.

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