The Yorkshire Terrier is a true lapdog through and through. Small yet feisty, they will be the first to let you know about anything remotely strange going on in your home, from the innocuous to the true threat.
A big dog in a small dog body, the Yorkie can sometimes think they are a guard dog,
However, this tendency to bark can get the better of them. Whether at night or during the day, it is very common for Yorkies to bark in their crate, making it an oft-reported problem.
Thankfully, there are several easy ways to address this. So, if you want to know how to stop a Yorkie from barking in a crate, read on for all you need to know!
But first how to Stop a Yorkie from Barking in a Crate? One of the most effective solutions could be to reposition your Yorkie’s crate in a more temperate or less busy area of your home. You may also like to consider playing some classical music for your Yorkie when they are going to be spending a long time in their crate.
Why should I use a crate with my Yorkie?
Using a crate with your Yorkshire Terrier may seem cruel at first. It might seem like you’re trapping them!
But when you have to be in another area of your home and can’t keep an eye on them, the ability to put your Yorkie in their crate keeps your pooch safer and happier, making them unable to sniff out dangerous foods, packaging, or anything else.
Crating your Yorkie also keeps them out of the way when you are in the middle of some work, like cooking or cleaning, and you don’t want to trip over the little darling!
How can I crate train my Yorkie?
The best way to prevent your Yorkshire Terrier from barking when they are in their crate is to make sure that your pooch is properly crate trained. So, how do you do this?
The next time you have some housework to get on with, try placing your Yorkie in their crate for around 15-20 minutes, with a chew toy or soft treat to occupy them.
Stay in the room with them, and keep their crate door open, but leave them to themselves.
Later on, you can start to shut the crate door and leave the room for longer and longer periods until finally, your Yorkie is happily spending time alone in their crate (with a toy or two, of course) for several hours, or even sleeping in their crate all night!
Soon, your Yorkie will be trotting to the peaceful snuggly area that is their crate any time they feel like a nap, and all of their own volition!
How long can I leave my Yorkie in their crate?
Of course, there is a limit to how much time your Yorkie can safely and reasonably spend in their crate without getting bored or needing to go! So, how long is this time?
Well, when your Yorkie is still a puppy, 2 or 3 hours is the max time you can create them for. This is because a Yorkie puppy still does not have full control of their bladder, and will still need to be taken outside at regular intervals.
However, once your Yorkie is over 5 months old, they should be able to stay in their crate for 5 or more hours and even sleep in their crate.
Why does my Yorkie bark in their crate?
First of all, you should check that your Yorkie does not need anything. Have they recently been outside?
If not, try taking your Yorkie out and seeing if they need to relieve themselves. Small dogs like Yorkies notoriously have smaller bladders, after all. Or, does your Yorkshire Terrier need food or water?
If you find that your Yorkie frequently becomes hungry or thirsty while spending time in their crate, try using hanging crate food bowls which attach to the side of the crate, to ensure that your Yorkshire Terrier always has access to these things.
Another thing to check is that your Yorkie’s crate is completely comfortable. Check that your Yorkie has enough cushioning and warmth, and make sure that your Yorkie’s bedding is not soiled or dirty.
Investing in a soft crate mat is a good way for your Yorkie to stay comfortable in their crate.
Should I ignore my Yorkie when they bark?
This depends on the situation. If your Yorkie is a puppy, younger than 5 months, who is barking while sleeping in their crate, but usually sleeps soundly through the night, it could be that your young Yorkie needs to relieve themselves.
After all, at this age, it is reasonable to expect your Yorkie puppy to have quite a limited bladder capacity.
So, if your Yorkie is still young, you should never ignore them when they bark. Instead, do take your Yorkie puppy for their quick potty break, but make sure to do so without making too much of a fuss.
If your Yorkie is older than 6 months and barking in their crate in the middle of the night, and they did have a chance to relieve themselves before you crated them, then your Yorkie is unlikely to need to go outside.
Checking on an older Yorkie when they bark in their crate can quickly lead to your Yorkie starting to bark more often, so be careful not to accidentally reward this behavior.
If you do go to check on your older Yorkie barking in their crate, make sure that you wait for them to stop barking before you open the door to the room. This way, you do not reward your Yorkie for barking.
So, how do I stop my Yorkie from barking in a crate?
One method is to treat your Yorkie’s barking as though their tolerance for spending time in their crate has decreased, and to start to gradually build their time in the crate up again, just as you might have previously done.
However, if your Yorkie is barking because they are uncomfortable – maybe they are hearing noises from outside or another room that they are frustrated they can’t investigate, or perhaps they are too warm or cold.
The most effective solution could be to reposition your Yorkie’s crate in a more temperate or less busy area of your home.
You may also like to consider playing some classical music for your Yorkie when they are going to be spending a long time in their crate.
This might seem unusual, but several studies show that classical music aids greatly in reducing loneliness and calming anxiety among dogs who spend lots of time in their crate.
If your Yorkie is more discerning, there is now even a vast range of podcasts and CDs out there, designed especially for dogs! I’m sure you would both enjoy listening to these.
