How to Train a Yorkshire Terrier to Not Bark
Introduction
Yorkshire Terriers are little dogs with huge personalities. With those huge personalities come a fierce territorial bark. Any time your phone rings, someone speaks or knocks on your door, or your doorbell chimes, your Yorkshire Terrier will likely bark. Outside noises aren’t even required for barking for some Yorkies.
When your Yorkie barks at you he is trying to communicate something. Many times dogs vocalize a potential danger or their fears. When your little guy barks, it might simply be because compared to the world and the wealth of noises around him, he is tiny. But he also wants to make sure you are safe as well. Training him not to bark will start by making him feel safe when he hears common noises and other times he typically barks.
Defining Tasks
Helping your Yorkshire Terrier feel secure is key in training him to stop barking. When he feels secure and understands common noises he may hear, such as the phone or the doorbell ringing, don't always require incessant barking, he won't bark as much as he does now. At first, you will need to pay attention to when your Yorkshire Terrier barks, and then teach him a command so he understands when it’s time to stop barking. Repetition and rewards will be key as you teach him to stop barking or to not bark during certain occasions. Give this lots of time as your dog mixes his safety and security with natural instincts to bark and the redirection you are training him. This is a training opportunity that will work really well for a puppy but will be more difficult for an adult Yorkshire terrier who has spent much of his life barking whenever he wishes.
Getting Started
Plan on replicating events when your Yorkie barks most often such as a knock at the door. If you have clicker trained your Terrier in the past, have your clicker and treats handy for opportunities when he barks and needs redirection. Even without clicker training, be sure always to have lots of tasty treats to reward as he learns new behaviors. Training your Yorkshire Terrier not to bark will become more about catching him in the act and redirecting his behavior, so you don’t necessarily need scheduled training times.
The Security Method
The 'Quiet' Command Method
The Redirect Time Out Method
Written by Stephanie Plummer
Published: 04/26/2018, edited: 01/08/2021
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Training Questions and Answers
Doy
Just starting off, will be receiving her 22 feb looking Fr any help thankyou
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Hello Victor, Congratulations on getting your puppy soon! For potty training, check out the Tethering and Crate Training methods from this article: https://wagwalking.com/training/train-a-german-shepherd-puppy-to-poop-outside Next, check out these videos of a puppy class. Follow along with your puppy at home and practice the exercises to help with general basic obedience: Puppy Class videos: Week 1, pt 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vnhJGU2NO5k Week 1, pt 2: https://www.dogstardaily.com/videos/week-1-part-2-sirius-berkeley-puppy-1 Week 2, pt 1 https://www.dogstardaily.com/videos/week-2-part-1-sirius-berkeley-puppy-1 Week 2, pt 2: https://www.dogstardaily.com/videos/week-2-part-2-home-jasper-sirius-berkeley-puppy-1 Week 3, pt 1: https://www.dogstardaily.com/videos/week-3-part-1-sirius-berkeley-puppy-1 Week 3, pt 2: https://www.dogstardaily.com/videos/week-3-part-2-sirius-berkeley-puppy-1 Week 4, pt 1: https://www.dogstardaily.com/videos/week-4-part-1-sirius-berkeley-puppy-1 Week 4, pt 2: https://www.dogstardaily.com/videos/week-4-part-2-sirius-berkeley-puppy-1 Week 5, pt 1: https://www.dogstardaily.com/videos/week-5-part-1-sirius-berkeley-puppy-1 Week 5, pt 2: https://www.dogstardaily.com/videos/week-5-part-2-sirius-berkeley-puppy-1 Week 6, pt 1: https://www.dogstardaily.com/videos/week-6-part-1-sirius-berkeley-puppy-1 Week 6, pt 2: https://www.dogstardaily.com/videos/week-6-part-2-sirius-berkeley-puppy-1-0 Over the next six months, these commands can also be useful to teach. Socialization, potty training, crate training, and teaching bite inhibition will be the most time sensitive things to prioritize with a young puppy though. Although helpful to teach early, obedience commands can also be taught when older if you have to choose what to work on with the time you have. Out - which means leave the area: https://www.petful.com/behaviors/how-to-teach-a-dog-the-out-command/ Leave It method: https://wagwalking.com/training/train-a-shih-tzu-puppy-to-not-bite Quiet method: https://wagwalking.com/training/train-a-shih-tzu-puppy-to-not-bark Place command: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O75dyWITP1s Down-Stay: https://www.thelabradorsite.com/train-your-labrador-to-lie-down-and-stay/ Heel- Turns method: https://wagwalking.com/training/train-a-poodle-to-heel Come - Reel in method: https://wagwalking.com/training/train-a-whippet-to-recall Off- section on The Off command: https://www.petful.com/behaviors/how-train-dog-stay-off-couch/ Drop It – Exchange method: https://wagwalking.com/training/drop-it Finally, check out the PDF e-book downloads found on this website, written by one of the founders of the association of professional dog trainers, and a pioneer in starting puppy kindergarten classes in the USA. Click on the pictures of the puppies to download the PDF books: https://www.lifedogtraining.com/freedownloads/ Best of luck training, Caitlin Crittenden
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I have set a quiet limit on his barking but he still barks loud & a lot everyday we come home. What can I do to stop him from barking as soon as we enter our home?
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Hello Jeremy, First, I recommend teaching the Quiet command. Quiet method: https://wagwalking.com/training/train-a-shih-tzu-puppy-to-not-bark Second, I recommend desensitizing pup to you entering. Check out the article I have linked below, practice this with you and other household members taking turns being the one entering. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bpzvqN9JNUA Best of luck training, Caitlin Crittenden
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He is a very good dog in our home, he sits, stays, rolls over everything we ask. But as soon as we leave the house for a walk he goes crazy barking at everything and anything, we have tried the clicking the bark, bark noice picking him up, nothing works. If we get him neutered will that help this?. Our vet said since he is so small to wait till he is a year
1123 Dog owners recommended
Hello Leslie, The neutering likely won't solve the issue. If pup is territorial or barking due to testosterone related things, like wanting to challenge other males or get to females, it can help pup calm down, but most barking happens whether a dog has been neutered or not. Check out the barking series I have linked below. https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLAA4pob0Wl0W2agO7frSjia1hG85IyA6a Best of luck training, Caitlin Crittenden
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Everytime someone walks past or talks why he’s sleep he barks or even if someone walk in my room
104 Dog owners recommended
Hello, Yorkie's love to be vocal - that's part of their personality. If you want to give Blue a more peaceful slumber, you can add white noise to the mix. Turn on a fan as white noise (but not pointed at Blue at any time). You can also teach Blue the Quiet Command, which comes in handy at any instance. Take a look here for clear instructions on how to teach the Quiet Method: https://wagwalking.com/training/train-a-shih-tzu-puppy-to-not-bark. As well, there are instructions for the Desensitize Method, another excellent training tool. Good luck and happy training!
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Why when my dog goes in his room he keeps barking and when he comes out of his room he stops barking
1123 Dog owners recommended
Hello Youmna, It sounds like pup is protesting - and if they have been let out of their room when they barked, they have learned that barking is the way to get out. Think of it like a toddler not wanting to go to bed and protesting. Check out the surprise method from the article linked below to teach pup to become quiet to get out first. https://wagwalking.com/training/like-a-crate/ Best of luck training, Caitlin Crittenden
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