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Why do Yorkies bark?
I guess that’s a question you can ask any breed of dog. Why do Yorkies bark? Well, the simple answer is to communicate. Listen carefully to any dog and you will quickly hear the different tones of his barking. Dogs bark to ask for something, like food. They bark to tell us that they need to go outside. They bark for joy when we go home. They bark to tell us all about the squirrel in the tree outside their favorite window. They bark to keep an eye on their territory.
Knowing that the Yorkшу bark is a well-designed adaptation can help you understand why they do it. Going back to the Victorian era, the Yorks were supposed to be a territorial dog. She was bred with a crude mentality designed to encourage her instinct to defend her master’s territory. By nature, the Yorks bark like the first line of defense. They didn’t have enough size to defend themselves against big animals, so they developed their voice. The sound should scare away mice and rats. Cora says to the other animals, “This is my territory, back off.” And given their previous work in mines and mills, Yorkie’s barking had to be loud enough to be heard or felt over the roar of cars.
When Do Yorkie Puppies Start Barking?
Most Yorkshire Terrier puppies will start vocalizing around two or three weeks after birth. Like any baby, these puppies are likely to express hunger, discomfort or other needs. It will be another few weeks before a puppy on the Yorkshire Terrier will start barking. From the drawing, they start barking at six to eight weeks of age. This early barking is perfectly normal and should happen when puppies are playing with their littermates and parents.
It’s important that any puppy has a chance to bark and play. They learn to be dogs. Barking is an important part of their learning how and when to use social skills. Like human children, they test their limits and develop an understanding of what their voice can do for them. Of course, the easiest thing to do is to help your dog develop his habits as a young adult. Using the opportunity to train your dog when he’s still a puppy has huge benefits. I’ll talk about some great training techniques a bit later. But please, if your Yorkie isn’t a puppy, an old dog can learn new tricks. I just need a little more effort on your part and some patience.
Why Do Yorkies Bark so much?
Your neighbor can tell you that your Yorkie barks all the time. Of course, it doesn’t have to be. But Yorkie has a keen sense of hearing. Her V-shaped ears stand on her head and can turn to focus on the sound. She uses these sensitive, little ears to listen to the pitters of tiny legs. Unlike folded ears or long flexible ears, her ears are free of obstacles so the sound reaches her whether she is awake or sleeping. They help her stay alert at any hour, the better to protect you and your home. So Yorkie barks when even the smallest intruders invade her territory.
The nose of the Yorkshire Terrier is just as sensitive. According to an article I read, a dog has 50 times more olfactory sensors in his nose than humans. And the part of the dog’s brain dedicated to processing his sense of smell is 40 times bigger than ours (proportionally). So our little York friend picks up the smell of everything in his life and analyzes it in the smallest detail. They know your scent better than your face. With so much sensory stimulation, the slightest unexpected change will make your Yorkie barking. Again, it’s designed to express to outsiders, whether they’re other dogs, other animals or humans, to establish them as the main dog. You’ve certainly noticed that your Yorkie may even know when you’re cooking his favorite dishes.
For an untrained dog owner or a curious neighbor, all these likes may seem like nothing to you. Indeed, it may seem like your Yorkie barks at nothing, but these relatively itchy trigger fingers make a really good guard dog, despite their tiny size. No potential intruder is interested in entering a property that comes in such a fuss. So, be proud to bark Yorkie, just help them understand when it’s inappropriate.
Why is your Yorkie barking at night?
Perhaps the most disappointing time for Yorkie is at night. It would seem unprovoked barking can be difficult at any time of the day, but at night it becomes uncomfortable. The same triggers during the day amplify the sensation of Yorkie at night. Knowing that her family’s back home, she’s on high alert. This awareness is heightened when her pack is asleep. Yes, it’s annoying, but keep in mind that your Yorkie barks to protect you.
How Do You Stop Your Yorkie From Barking?
Obviously, we’re not going to rule out barking completely. Your Yorkie barks for several reasons, most of which are very disturbing to him. From asking for food or water to have to go outside and mind your own business, the communication the dog provides makes sense. But it can be a hindrance if your dog barks all the time so I’ll try to give you some advice that I found useful. Let’s start with simple ideas that can indirectly reassure your Yorkie.
First, train your dog regularly. A regular Yorkie walk can do wonders for their barking tendency. Remember that Yorkie is a small dog so you won’t want to run from Yorkie to a two-mile walk, but a cheerful walk around the block will give you the chance to get in touch with your Yorkie. It also helps regulate their sleep and keep them healthy. A regular game of fetch will keep their terrier instincts alive and give them the appropriate outlet for their energy.
Next, keep a log of their barking episodes and note what suits them in each specific situation. I found that my Yorkie spent most of the time trying to report some very specific needs. A few days later, I was even able to tell the difference between her barking. The pattern was evolving rapidly, and I found out when she asked me to go outside and mind my own business, or when she was hungry. Knowing what she needed meaning meeting those needs faster, thus ending her need to bark.
At night, I keep the curtains to her favorite window closed. Without her favorite place to watch the outside world at night, she was less worried about other dogs on the street, squirrels in trees, and birds on wires. She’s smart enough to pierce her snout between the curtains and look outside when an unfamiliar sound is heard, and this always triggers, but she’s much less likely to go crazy seeing a neighbor and his labrador go on their late walks.
One of the best tips I ever got was from the breeder. He was adamant about people learning to discipline their dogs without hurting them. As he put it, there’s absolutely nothing to gain from beating a dog. The only thing a dog learns is fear of people. It makes life really sad. Dogs are people’s best friends for many reasons, and if you’ve ever had a dog that really loves you, you know it’s true.
His advice to stop the seemingly unprovoked barking was brilliant. He was holding a glass jar with a couple of coins. Just a couple quarters, a couple of nickels and a penny. He had a couple of old jelly cans that he cleaned and covered. When the barking of his dogs gets out of hand, the quick shaking of the jar will rip them out of the episode. It won’t hurt their ears or anything, the sound just gives them a quick, little push. It’s distracting enough to distract them from the fact that they started barking.
Some chewing toys can be useful, but I would strongly recommend against raw hides, bones, and other foods. It is good to encourage your Yorkie to chew on appropriate toys, but edibles should be reserved to reward good behavior. And too many awards can quickly lead to obesity. Remember that Yorks are small dogs, and when you weigh less than 10 pounds, extra snacks are added quickly.
I’m not a fan of ultrasonic or electroshock collars. With a little constancy and hard work, almost everyone can adjust their dog’s behavior. You will realize that by using a proven and truly positive condition, you will get in touch with your dog and build a great relationship. Remember that Yorkies are a very smart breed and they love to feel important. If you make them part of your family and establish their position in your home, they’ll want to make you happy. Thank you. It involves understanding when their barking is a problem.
Tips to remember…
Dog training is not for everyone, I understand. But it’s just impossible to have a dog that will listen to you without some level of training. If you’ve given your dog an honest attempt and are unable to get his behavior to where you want it to be, don’t give up on the dog. This is the worst thing you can do. A well-trained dog is a happy dog. It gives them a sense of purpose and allows them to realize that they are loved.
Before you give up, there are great dog handlers who can help. And many of them offer introductory courses that aren’t expensive. Contact your local pet shop or even your local shelter, YMCA or other community organizations. Your local SPCA and Humane Society have a real interest in helping local people meet their pet needs. They can offer help and advice at reduced prices.
The Yorkshire Terrier is one of the proudest and most recognized dog breeds in the world. Their stubborn instinct as a defender and hunter has made them indispensable companions for some of Northern England’s hardest working, blue-collar dogs. But their dashing appearance and remarkable personality made them equally revered by the Victorian aristocracy of England.
Summary
Listen carefully to any dog and you will quickly hear the different tones of his barking. By nature, the Yorks bark like the first line of defense. The sound should scare away mice and rats. And given their previous work in mines and mills, Yorkie’s barking had to be loud enough to be heard or felt over the roar of cars. Barking is an important part of their learning how and when to use social skills.
Like human children, they test their limits and develop an understanding of what their voice can do for them. Using the opportunity to train your dog when he’s still a puppy has huge benefits. I just need a little more effort on your part and some patience. It may seem like your Yorkie barks at nothing, but these relatively itchy trigger fingers make a really good guard dog. So, be proud to bark Yorkie, just help them understand when it’s inappropriate.
A regular Yorkie walk can do wonders for their barking tendency. It also helps regulate their sleep and keep them healthy. Keep a log of your dog’s barking episodes and note what suits them in each specific situation. I found that my Yorkie spent most of the time trying to report some very specific needs. Knowing what she needed meant meeting those needs faster, thus ending her need to bark.
A few days later, I was able to tell the difference between her barking and asking me to mind my own business. The Yorkshire Terrier is one of the proudest and most recognized dog breeds in the world. Their stubborn instinct as a defender and hunter has made them indispensable companions for some of Northern England’s hardest working, blue-collar dogs. But their dashing appearance and remarkable personality made them equally revered by the Victorian aristocracy of England.