Barking
 

I was wondering if it's too late to train my Yorkie not to bark. He's beginning to bark at anything/anyone that moves or that he doesn't know. It's a real problem when I take him out in public.

It's never too late. Especially if you said he's just beginning to bark. Bring lots of treats and limit the stimuli so he doesn't get over stressed. Talk to him in a calm voice and treat him when he's quiet, right before he wants to bark. Maybe go back to taking him out on very short trips and gradually work up again.

How old is your Yorkie?

Danny is 11 months. I've heard getting him neutered would solve the barking issue.

Well...it might, it might not. I had Scottie neutered at 6 or 7 months. Scottie still developed a barking issue after he was 1 year old. It was quite gradual. At first with some dogs, then some people, then all dogs. It took me a lot of effort to reverse it (it was bad during the winter season when it was rainy and I didn't have the time/energy to train him in the rain).

So bring lots of treats during walks and making sure he focuses his attention on you with treats, rather than the scary things that's causing him to bark. Slowly but surely, you'll see improvements. It's really important to have a cue to get them to focus on you, not just to prevent barking, but also when there are signs of actual dangers.

Anyway, I never leave the door without bringing a ziploc bag of dehydrated lamb lung treats as we walk, I keep little pieces of treats in my hand. I can tell when he's about to get triggered, and I'll click my tongue then give him the treat before he starts barking. He's been doing well, recognizing that sound with the treat (alternatively, you can use a cue word "focus" or "look" or using a clicker). With some patience, he might even walk with you instead of pulling ahead because he'll know you have the good stuff.

Scottie also started barking annoyingly at every noise he heard at home. I tried training him to bark 3 times, then tell him enough, and then quiet. It felt like I was talking to a rock. Finally, I took a water spray bottle everywhere I went and then I reinforced the bark 3 times, "enough" and if he didn't stop barking, I'd spray him. I think I sprayed him a total of 3 times - he's stopped since. :D Just try not to over use the spray bottle (use it as final ammo), or they'll become immune to it.

I will definitely try the bag of treats on our next walk. He's earned the name "Vicious Yorkie" from our neighbors. He seems vicious from a distance. But once he's close to someone then he's friendly. I also think his barking might be a result of him being blind in one eye.