In my 20+ years as a trainer and dog behaviorist, I have seen many interesting breed combinations, or designer breeds. For intelligence, loyalty and the joy of no shedding, the YorkiPoo is hard to beat!
YorkiPoos, as a breed, are relatively small dogs. Because of this, people like to assume what they always assume about small dogs, that they must bark and yip a lot. Although barking is a natural behavior for dogs, it can be off-putting, so it’s important to know if this is a common behavior in this breed before you adopt a YorkiPoo, especially if you’re not a fan of chatty dogs. While it’s obvious that they do bark, you still want to know: Do YorkiPoo Dogs Bark a Lot?
YorkiPoos tend to be frequent barkers to the point that most owners and sources deem their barking to be excessive. The reason for this lies both in the breed’s size as well as their genetics. Thankfully, you can manage this behavior with training.
In this article, we’ll discuss the YorkiPoo’s (Yorkie + Poodle = Yorkie Poo or Yorkipoo) barking tendencies and explain why this is a common behavior in this breed. We’ll also provide training tips for people who are considering adopting a YorkiPoo or already own one and want to limit how much their pup barks.
Why Do YorkiPoos Bark So Much?
Oftentimes the quickest way to patience is through understanding, so if you’re at the end of your rope with your YorkiPoo’s barking, maybe it’s time you learned why this breed tends to bark more than most.
There are several overarching reasons why YorkiPoos are such vocal breeds, including:
- Size
- Genetics
- Separation Anxiety
- Territorial Instincts
- Attention-Seeking
Size
There’s a reason people assume small dogs are overly chatty, and it’s because it’s usually true. If you’re not a fan of barking, you’re probably better off adopting a larger dog breed, such as the Bernese Mountain Dog or the Bull Mastiff, as they tend to be quiet giants.
While it is not universally true that all small dogs (such as the Shih Tzu, Toy poodle, Miniature Poodle, Teacup Yorkie, etc.) bark a lot (as there are a number of large, chatty breeds like the Siberian Husky), this behavior does tend to be much more common and excessive in them. This happens because small dogs tend to be more anxious, fearful, or excitable than larger dogs.
Since they don’t have the muscles and sheer size to fight off threats, small dogs will resort to barking instead to make themselves intimidating and scare people or animals away. This is a natural protective instinct.
In terms of excitability, most dogs will jump around and bark when they see something they think is interesting, like a guest or a squirrel outside the window. However, studies have shown that small breeds are more easily excited than larger breeds, which means they fly over the threshold of self-control and resort to barking quicker.
Genetics / Parent Breeds
The YorkiPoo is a crossbreed between the Poodle and the Yorkshire Terrier, both of which are deemed relatively chatty or yappy breeds. So, it’s no surprise that this Yorkie – Poodle mix can be quite “talkative!”
While barking is natural for dogs, genetics can play a monumental role in how much a dog, or its breed, barks. In fact, many dog breeds were carefully and selectively bred to bark more in order to alert owners of suspicious activity. This is where we get to watch dogs and guard dogs.
So, considering the YorkiPoo is born of two chatty dog breeds, it’s no wonder it has a proclivity for barking. Of course, if you were to compare the two breeds, the “blame,” so to speak, really falls on the Yorkshire Terrier.
Poodles are usually calm and peaceful breeds that don’t tend to bark more than the average dog. Yorkshire Terriers, on the other hand, are considered one of the chattiest dog breeds in existence. If you search lists of dog breeds that bark the most, we guarantee the Yorkshire Terrier is listed in the top five on every one of them. So, if you really want a YorkiPoo that is a bit quieter than others, you’ll probably want one with a temperament that takes after the Poodle.
Separation Anxiety
As a dog behavior specialist, I understand that one of the reasons why YorkiPoos bark excessively is due to separation anxiety. This means that when their owners leave them alone at home, they feel anxious and distressed, which leads to barking.
Coping techniques for separation anxiety include gradually increasing the time you spend away from your dog and providing them with interactive toys or puzzles. Additionally, crate training can be effective in reducing the noise as it provides a safe space for your YorkiPoo while you’re away. However, it’s crucial to ensure that crate training is done correctly and doesn’t cause further stress for your furry friend.
Remember, reducing excessive barking requires patience, consistency, and understanding your dog’s individual needs.
Territorial Instincts
Now that we have discussed separation anxiety, let’s talk about another reason why YorkiPoos bark excessively – territorial instincts.
As pack animals, dogs are naturally protective of their territory, which includes your home and yard. When they feel threatened or sense unfamiliar scents or sounds in their space, they may start barking to alert you and ward off potential intruders.
Behavior modification and training techniques can help address this behavior. One effective method is desensitization – exposing your dog gradually to new stimuli while rewarding them for remaining calm. Another technique is teaching your dog a ‘quiet’ command using positive reinforcement.
It’s important to remember that punishing your dog for barking may increase their anxiety and aggression levels. As with separation anxiety, reducing excessive barking due to territorial instincts requires patience and consistency in training techniques tailored to your individual furry friend’s needs.
By understanding the reasons behind their behavior and addressing it appropriately, you can help your YorkiPoo become a happier and quieter companion at home.
Attention Seeking
Now that we have discussed how territorial instincts can cause excessive barking in YorkiPoos, let’s move on to another reason – attention seeking.
As social animals, dogs crave human interaction and affection. When they feel neglected or bored, they might resort to barking to get your attention.
Behavioral modification techniques such as positive reinforcement training can be effective in addressing this behavior. By teaching your dog alternative ways to seek attention and rewarding them for quiet behavior, you can help reduce their reliance on barking.
It’s important to note that ignoring your dog when they bark for attention is also a form of negative reinforcement and may inadvertently reinforce the behavior.
Consistency and patience are key in implementing training techniques tailored to your individual furry friend’s needs.
By understanding why your YorkiPoo is barking excessively due to attention-seeking behaviors and addressing it appropriately with training techniques, you can strengthen the bond between you and your furry companion while reducing noise levels at home.
Tips for Managing Your YorkiPoo’s Barking
Having a YorkiPoo that seems to constantly bark at everything can be draining and frustrating. The best way to reduce how much they bark is to learn how to manage this behavior.
Methods that will help you manage your YorkiPoo’s barking include:
- Teaching the “bark” and “quiet” commands
- Reducing stimulation
- Ignore it
- Provide sufficient mental and physical exercise daily
If you incorporate all, or even one, of these methods into your YorkiPoo’s training, we promise you’ll see results. Here’s how.
Teach Bark and Quiet Commands
It might seem counterproductive to train your YorkiPoo to bark when that’s exactly what you want them to stop doing, but bear with me.
Teaching your dog to bark on command, conversely, allows you to also teach them the “quiet” command, which essentially asks them to stop barking. Once they’ve learned this command, you can use it throughout the day to get them to stop barking when the behavior is becoming excessive.
Reduce Stimulation
As we mentioned previously, one of the top reasons why your YorkiPoo will bark is because they’re excited by something. This could be something they see outside the window, a bike that rides past on a walk, etc.
In order to reduce or completely stop their barking, we suggest removing the root cause. You can do this by covering the windows or glass doors in your home so your YorkiPoo can’t see outside. Alternatively, you could remove your dog from a stimulating situation altogether by moving them or disrupting their line of vision.
Once they can’t see whatever is exciting them anymore, they’ll be able to calm down and stop barking.
Ignore It
Believe it or not, a lot of YorkiPoos, and many dogs in general, bark because they know it gets them attention. This happens a lot in dogs with separation anxiety who are used to constantly getting affection from their owners.
In these cases, the best way to get your YorkiPoo to stop barking is to stop giving in to this demanding behavior and ignore it. It will probably be challenging at first, and if this is a habit for your older YorkiPoo, it will take a lot of time and consistency to break, but you can do it. Stand firm, turn your back, and wait until they stop; then, you can give them a treat and praise them for being quiet.
Get Them Mentally and Physically Exhausted
This one is pretty simple: a tired dog is less likely to bark. If you find your YorkiPoo often runs around the house and barks at everything under the sun, they probably aren’t getting enough mental and physical exercise.
By increasing both of these, you’ll not only ensure your YorkiPoo is a healthy pup in top physical condition, but you’re also making it more likely that they’ll sleep through the day and will be too tired to bother barking at things. Even a quick session of fetch or tug-of-war might be enough to stop a barking fit.
Do YorkiPoo Dogs Bark A Lot? Our Final Thoughts
Whether you’re a former Poodle Parent looking for similar designer dog, or perhaps you’ve read about the intelligence of YorkiPoos, we commend your choice to adopt and love any pup!
As a breed, YorkiPoos do tend to bark a bit more than others, mostly because they are small dogs that are genetically predisposed to this behavior. So, for dog ownsers who truly can’t stand a dog that barks even a little (you should probably get a cat), the YorkiPoo isn’t the breed for you.
However, there are ways you can own one of these fantastic dogs and not be victim to their incessant barking through training, exercise, and consistency.
Sources:
https://animalso.com/breeds/yorkipoo/
https://www.petguide.com/breeds/dog/yorkie-poo/
https://www.baxterboo.com/fun/a.cfm/which-dog-breeds-bark-most-/
https://blog.petcube.com/dogs-dont-bark/
https://www.humanesociety.org/resources/how-get-your-dog-stop-barking
