One of my yorkies is pretty yappy too. Some days are worse than others, it's like sometimes she is just on edge and every little thing sets her off. Other days she's not too bad.
I have tried the squirt bottle method and that didn't help at all. I have also tried to created a louder noise to distract her- that didn't work either. I keep meaning to try the pennies in a can, but I don't think about it until she's going off on something.
I don't really scold her, I mean she is a dog and they do bark.... but she knows that I don't like all the noise and I know she will stop when I pick her up. So I just keep telling her to "hush" and by the time I reach down to pick her up she will quit. She is getting better about nuisance barking, she will usually stop now when she sees me coming toward her because when she is excited and all worked up over something- getting picked up is not what she wants. Sometimes she will run under the table so I can't get to her if she's really not done yet!
My babies all get placed in their carriers when no one can be at home with them- and none of them will bark from inside their carrier. I mean a burglar could break in and they wouldn't make a peep.
Do you hear Fiona barking when you return home before you get inside? If not then she might be fine in her carrier in your motel room while you house hunt.
Just a thought- I hate to leave my babies in someone else's care. Makes me a nervous wreck until I am reunited with them.