Stop Nighttime Barking: Tips for Training Your Yorkie

Do you have a Yorkshire Terrier that barks excessively at night? It can be frustrating when your pet keeps you up all night with their barking. Luckily, there are several methods you can try to help stop your Yorkie from barking at night.

Firstly, it’s important to understand why your Yorkie is barking at night. Yorkies are known to be a vocal breed, and they may bark for various reasons such as boredom, anxiety, or fear. Once you determine the reason behind their barking, you can start implementing methods to help stop it. Some methods include providing a peaceful and suitable nighttime environment, training them to follow commands related to barking behaviors using positive reinforcement, and developing a little bedtime routine with them.

Understanding Why Yorkies Bark at Night

If you’re wondering why your Yorkie barks at night, you’re not alone. Yorkies are known to be vocal dogs, and barking is their way of communicating with you. However, excessive barking can be problematic, especially if it’s keeping you up at night.

Normal Barking

Normal barking is your Yorkie’s way of alerting you to potential danger or letting you know that they need something. For example, if they hear a noise outside, they may bark to let you know that they’re aware of it. They may also bark to let you know that they need to go outside or that they’re hungry.

Excessive Barking

Excessive barking, on the other hand, is when your Yorkie barks for no apparent reason or continues to bark even after you’ve addressed their needs. This can be a sign of anxiety, boredom, or a lack of exercise.

To determine the cause of your Yorkie’s excessive barking, you should consider their environment and routine. Are they getting enough exercise and mental stimulation during the day? Are they anxious or stressed about something in their environment?

One way to address excessive barking is to create a comfortable sleeping area near your bed where your Yorkie can see you. This can help them feel more relaxed and calm, which can reduce their barking. You can also try developing a bedtime routine with your Yorkie, such as giving them a treat before bed or playing calming music.

In summary, barking is a normal behavior for Yorkies, but excessive barking can be problematic. By understanding why your Yorkie is barking and addressing their needs, you can help reduce their barking at night.

Common Reasons Why Your Yorkie Barks at Night

If your Yorkie is barking at night, there could be several reasons why. Here are some of the most common reasons why your Yorkie barks at night:

Separation Anxiety

Yorkies tend to get very attached to their owners, and when they are left alone, they may experience separation anxiety. This can lead to excessive barking, whining, and destructive behavior. To help your Yorkie feel more comfortable when you are away, you can try leaving them with a toy or treat that will keep them occupied, or you can hire a pet sitter to keep them company.

Territorial Behavior

Yorkies are known for their territorial behavior, and they may bark at night to protect their territory. This can be especially true if they hear noises outside, such as other dogs or wildlife. To help your Yorkie feel more secure, you can try closing the curtains or blinds, playing soft music, or using a white noise machine.

Boredom

Yorkies are an energetic breed that requires daily exercise and mental stimulation. If they are not getting enough exercise or attention during the day, they may bark at night out of boredom. To prevent this, make sure your Yorkie gets plenty of exercise and playtime during the day, and provide them with toys and puzzles to keep them mentally stimulated.

Attention Seeking

Yorkies are also known for their attention-seeking behavior, and they may bark at night to get your attention. If you respond to their barking by giving them attention, you may inadvertently reinforce this behavior. Instead, try ignoring their barking and rewarding them when they are quiet.

Aging

As Yorkies age, they may experience changes in their behavior, including excessive barking at night. This can be due to cognitive dysfunction or other age-related issues. If you notice changes in your Yorkie’s behavior, it’s important to talk to your vet to rule out any underlying health issues.

Sources:

• Family Pet Planet
• Yorkie Info Center

How to Stop a Yorkie from Barking at Night

If you’re tired of your Yorkie barking at night, there are several steps you can take to help stop the behavior. These include training techniques, positive reinforcement, distractions, bedroom setup, and bathroom needs.

Training Techniques

Training your Yorkie to stop barking at night is essential. You can use a variety of techniques, including verbal commands and hand signals. One example is the “quiet” command. When your Yorkie is barking, say “quiet” in a firm, but not loud, voice. When they stop barking, reward them with a treat.

Positive Reinforcement

Positive reinforcement is an effective way to train your Yorkie to stop barking at night. When your Yorkie is quiet, reward them with a treat or praise. This will help them associate being quiet with something positive.

Distractions

Distractions can also be helpful in stopping your Yorkie from barking at night. You can provide them with a toy or a bone to chew on to keep them occupied. Alternatively, you can turn on some calming music or white noise to help them relax.

Bedroom Setup

The way you set up your bedroom can also affect your Yorkie’s barking behavior. Consider allowing your Yorkie to sleep in your room with you. This can help them feel more secure and less likely to bark at night. You can also provide them with a comfortable bed and blankets to make them feel more at home.

Bathroom Needs

Make sure your Yorkie has gone to the bathroom before going to bed. This can help prevent them from waking up in the middle of the night and barking to go outside. If your Yorkie does need to go out, take them outside quickly and quietly, without interacting with them too much.

By following these steps, you can help stop your Yorkie from barking at night. Remember to be patient and consistent with your training, and always reward good behavior. 

Other Tips to Help Your Yorkie Sleep at Night

Comfort

To ensure your Yorkie sleeps soundly at night, make sure they have a comfortable sleeping area. A cozy bed with soft blankets and pillows can provide your pet with a comfortable sleeping environment. You can also consider using a crate to give your Yorkie a sense of security and privacy.

Exercise

Regular exercise can help your Yorkie sleep better at night. Take your pet for a walk or play with them during the day to help them burn off excess energy. This can help reduce anxiety and promote relaxation at night. However, avoid exercising your Yorkie right before bedtime as this can have the opposite effect.

Communication

Communicating with your Yorkie can also help them sleep better at night. Spend some time with your pet before bedtime, petting and talking to them in a calm and soothing voice. This can help your pet feel more relaxed and secure, reducing anxiety and promoting a good night’s sleep.

Additional Tips

• Avoid feeding your Yorkie a heavy meal right before bedtime, as this can cause discomfort and restlessness.
• Keep your pet’s sleeping area quiet and calm to help them sleep better.
• Consider using a white noise machine or calming music to help your pet relax and fall asleep.
• If your Yorkie suffers from anxiety, talk to your vet about possible medications or natural remedies that can help.

FAQ

Is It My Fault That my Yorkie Barks at Night?

The most common reason why dogs bark at night is wanting attention, and it is very hard not to respond to that. Unfortunately, if you reward barking that wakes you in the night by going to see your dog and giving them lots of affection, they will learn that making noise is how they get what they want.

Should I Ignore my Dog Barking at Night?

Simply leaving your dog alone when they bark, however, is often not enough because there may be other triggers besides their desire for attention. You have to first make sure that your dog has everything that they need, that they are safe and comfortable, and then you should start to notice less barking when they are left alone.

How Do I Get My Yorkie Puppy to Stop Barking at Night?

The first thing you need to do when you get your puppy home is set up their sleeping area, they need to be able to access food and water, not feel confined and be warm and comfortable. They should also have a few toys in their bed so that they can entertain themselves if they start to get bored.

What Do I Do if my Puppy is Barking Because They Need the Bathroom?

Puppies will make noise when they need to go to the bathroom at night before they are trained. 75% of the time, if they have already been before you put them to bed, your puppy will be unlikely to need more than a quick wee and pee pads can be a solution until they gain more bladder control.

What is Self-Soothing for Dogs?

Self-soothing is an important learned behaviour for dogs that allows them to comfort themselves, especially at night-time when they are likely to feel more lonesome. Leaving them on their own with a companion toy in a comfortable environment will give your dog the opportunity to learn how to self-soothe without needing to call for you.

How Long Does It Usually Take for a Puppy to Stop Barking at Night?

The number of nights that you need to struggle through will generally depend more on the owner than the puppy, while your dog is still young. The more times you answer their nighttime calls, the longer it will take, but given the right training, most puppies will stop making noise after about two weeks.

How Do I Stop my Adult Yorkie from Nuisance Barking at Night?

Starting with the same things that a puppy needs is great but adult dogs are often responding to other issues that you may have to address. Outside dogs could be transitioned inside, you could use a white noise machine to reduce sounds that may be disturbing them, and you can give them extra exercise before bed to tire them out.

How Do I Get My Yorkie to Sleep at Night?

While your dog may not sleep through the night, getting them into a positive sleep schedule through exercise will greatly reduce their night-time barking. Keep them active during the day, make sure that they are getting high-quality exercise about two hours before bed, and give them some extra stimulation about twenty minutes before you want them to sleep.

Can Yorkies be Trained Not to Bark at all?

For adult Yorkies, you may get more success from teaching your dog not to use their bark as a go-to response in everyday situations. Keep them highly active, avoid using a loud voice around them and reward them for staying quiet or using non-verbal ways of communicating with you so that they no longer feel the need to bark.

Are Bark Collars Cruel to Dogs?

Another solution to a barking problem, particularly in older dogs, is to use a bark control collar that punishes your dog for making noise. This is not a humane way to reduce barking as it causes pain and distress for your pet, and it is not very effective as it doesn’t address the cause of your dog’s barking.

Will a Dog Whistle Stop a Dog from Barking?

There are also several different forms of noise-making devices, like ultrasonic bark deterrents and whistles that can be used. They produce a high-pitched noise that only your dog can hear, to warn them to stop barking but, just like bark collars, they do not resolve the reason why your dog is barking and they cause distress for the animal.

Kevin "Ken" Davies

My name is Ken and I’m one of the staff writers at Petloverguy.com. I’ve cared for pets most of my life starting with hamsters, turtles, and snakes. Then moving up to parakeets, guinea pigs, and even ducks.
I currently live with two yorkies and a chihuahua mix.