When Rizzo gets desperate for mom's attention he'll sit in front of me and whine and whine (thank goodness he doesn't bark at me) and rather than acknowledging him I get up and leave the room. He's been whining at me less and less, but he does get persistant with what he's trying to tell me (i.e. dropping a ball in my lap then leaping to the floor, tail wagging, tongue out, readying himself for action at my slightest movement) as long as he does this quietly I give in and do what he wants :)

1. I was going to also suggest the can of pennies

2. Be like his Mama-dog would be if she was acting up - put your hand on the back of her neck and gently hold her still, pushing down only a little, saying no. Keep her still there a few moments till she calms down. A Mama would gently put her mouth around the back of a pup's neck/scruff and do the same thing. This may not work at all, but worth a try as it may tap into their natural instincts

3. Have you tried a DAP Collar or plug-in (Dog Appeasing Pheromone)? These are available at Petco etc or online

4. If/when desperate, and anti-anxiety med, temporarily, may be needed; this may calm her down enough so that she can concentrate on using/learning her other coping mechanisms (chew toys, kongs etc). Anti-anxiety meds and some antidepressants are often used in this same way for humans

5. Have you tried a white noise machine? This is my absolute favorite one...I've used it for years and it gives a nice, even sound; it's not cheap but it lasts forever...think I've had mine 20yrs: Amazon.com: Marpac SleepMate 980A...

We tried a bark collar on a Lab several years ago. Only put it on her once. It didn't make her stop barking but caused her a lot of pain from what I could tell. Promptly took it off and threw it in the trash. Yes, I'd have to say it was inhumane. Never again! When the dogs start barking, it usually only lasts a minute or two. I just try to hush them as best I can and then they go on about their business. Now, when they go outside, that's a different story. If they get to barking I just bring them back in.

Sophie Kate still goes through times when she barks to get my attention and she is three (3) years old.

As someone suggested a good long walk is always helpful, a tired Yorkie is a good Yorkie. My one neighbor lady always comments on how much I walked Sophie Kate when she was a baby, my response is "We all needed sleep and this was the best way to make her tired". Now, I honestly enjoy my walk time, it is my time alone with Sophie Kate, we both look forward to it.

Your little girl needs to learn her boundaries and when to be quiet, don't give in to her barking unless you think she is giving you a signal like I have to go potty NOW!!!.

I tried the spray bottle when she was little and it was game, bite the stream of water. Now I use an sharp hand clap and say the command "No Barking".

Honestly I would never consider a shock collar, it just sounds painful. I know I would not have wanted to be shocked when I was a little kid

Good luck, I think you are on the right track with classes and the advice you have been given (with the exception of maybe the shock collar).

Keep us posted and good luck with your studies.

I second the long walks and special treats to be given only in her crate ~ for when she needs to quiet down.

We have been walking late evening due to the heat - from about 8:00 to 9:00. By the time we get home, even my Westie is 'dog tired' and they both just want to lay down in the cool airconditioning until bedtime.

My Westie is my barker. OH, is he ever! Sometimes, when he is on a barking rampage (neighbor's cat likes to hang out in our yard) ~ I will put a light cover on his crate and put him in there with a bully stick. Works like a charm.

I have used a spray collar on him and it was very effective. Keep in mind, that he is much larger and sturdier than most yorkies. It has been out of the lemon scent for a long time - but we put it on him for our last outside break of the night, around 11:00. That way he won't stay out as long (sometimes he just refused to come in) and he doesn't wake our neighbors.

I'm not sure that I would recommend the spray collars for a yorkie - I got the smallest one they had and it is fairly big on my Westie.

Long walks are the best by far!

Sophie is 4 now and she does the whole routine. First she growls then whines and barks and finally as a last resort she will jump up in my lap and lay on whatever I am doing or reading. It is so funny but I am generally succesful at putting her back down on the floor telling her no and finishing up. She just wants my attention and to play. I also found a toy ball at petsmart that was orange and has an opening at the top to put treats in. She will roll it around until all the treats are out and I have about 45 minutes to do what I need to do. A happy puppy means a happy momma:)

Pet Corrector is great! Try it. I only had to use it twice in one week and maybe once a week for maybe three weeks and very seldom even pick it up any more. It has worked for so many of my friends. Someone gave me a can and I bought 8 cans as gifts and everyone has benefited! Great reviews on this product!

I wanted to ask you about this machine when you posted somewhere else about it-it says it's an air/wind sound:confused:. Is it similar to a box fan or something or does it make any of the nature noises, etc? I'd love to get my dd something like this before school starts to help her sleep.

I just got a Marpac about a month ago. I have chronic insomnia and it has helped a lot with that. My son can have a crowd in the house and I just turn it on and can't hear them. My daughter has one and uses it in her apartment when all three other girls are making noise, and she sleeps soundly. My sister has one for each child and herself and it works like a charm. It's a non-looped white noise. I understand that the machines that have nature sounds, etc. are "looped", and while we can't actually hear them start and stop, they will interrupt sleep. I've tried those and they never helped on any level.
Good luck!

It is amazing to me that so many people have suggested ways of punishing this dog for barking rather than dealing with the real issue here. The dog obviously has a need. Too much left over energy? How much exercise has this dog had during the day. Play is fine but many dogs need real exercise in order to get rid of pent up energy. Many dogs are left crated during the day then taken out and allowed to run around the house or yard and then ignored. If this dog is barking at you it has a need it does not just want to annoy you. It probably needs some serious exercise that includes a long vigorous walk for at least a mile or more. If you can't do that playing fetch for at least an hour may help. If you cannot give the time needed to run off this dog's pent up energy I would suggest you consider finding a home that can give the dog the extra attention it needs. Not all dogs are the same in what they require to be happy and healthy. Your other dog is doing alright dealing with conditions but this one is not and neither are you. This is not a behavior issue alone. The dog needs to run and wear off it's energy. Terriers can have high energy levels. A tired dog is a happy dog. Taking the dog places and letting it experience other places and situations will also give it's active mind a chance to work. This dog has needs you seemingly are not able to meet. Please consider either changing your lifestyle for the dog's sake or finding someone who has a more active life style that would love an energetic little Yorkie.

From first hand experience I have to put in my 2 cents and say it is not always about pent up energy. I am not working right now and spend all day playing with my puppy and she still barks. She has everything she could ever want but is just vocal and I think being a bit of a brat and barking for the fun of it. Sometimes when your in an apartment or need to get work done you have to resort to punishment to get them to stop quickly while you work on training which can take a while.

Playing and toys are not always the answer. Dogs don't think like human brings. They have physical needs that need to be taken care of. Dogs are not brats and do not have motivations like a human does. Toys and playing do not take the place of real exercise that some animals need. People sometimes have small dogs because they fit in an apartment and don't require much exercise and sometimes that works, but not always. If you are assuming your animal is a brat then it is you that has the problem. You are inflicting human emotions and abilities on an animal that is not conspiring or manipulative. You are trying to make an animal conform to the world you want and not necessarily what the animal needs. Punishing and animal for trying to communicate a need is not effective and is out right cruel. I would suggest you contact an animal behavior specialist. But you won't because it is much easier to think of punishments rather than accepting that there is a problem and dealing with it.

If I were in your situation I think I would try, in this order:

1. Rattling a can of pennies
2. Spray water and say a command like QUIET or NO BARK
3. A spray collar

I would personally not use a shock collar because I don't think that should ever be necessary and I find it inhumane. I also would never hit or even threaten to hit a dog.

It's possible that if you gave in even once or twice, she knows this is how to get your attention. It may take some time to break her of it. I know how hard it can be. Yorkie barks are really high pitch and hurt my ears, too. You could also try something like sound deadening earphones or ear plugs and put her in a "time out", though this can be tougher, since you could never, EVER take her out of the time out until she is calm and perfectly quiet, otherwise you again encourage the bad behavioir.

I think that Cesar Millan has got one thing right. Dogs can "read" your mood. The more upset and frustrated you get, the more it will affect your fur baby. You must be calm before your baby can be calm.

I am of the opinion that you must show your dog that you love her to pieces, which you have already accomplished, but that you are also the "lead dog." You are the boss. If you say "no" she is supposed to take notice. The bark collar CANNOT injure your dog, and will send the message that you can give a punishment if the need arises. However, I far prefer the methods of using a "spray" mentioned above. The problem with the collars is that they correct the dog for "talking" to you, which is not the problem. It will, however get the dog's attention if you need to go to those lengths. I find having a bottle of water or squirt gun works wonders. If the dog is misbehaving, you say "NO!" and if the bad behavior doesn't stop, you back up your warning with a squirt of water. Hopefully not in the eyes, but I'm not the best shot. As long as you get the dog wet someplace, they get the hint. No hurt, just letting the dog know that you are the boss. If you are worried about your dog barking a lot while you are away, we've tried the very tiniest bark collars and the shock they get is NOT enough amps to do any harm - it gives them a reprimand, and it works. It is not cruel, it is sometimes necessary. Each animal is different. If your dog LOVES being sprayed, that will not work as a deterrant.
Best of luck!!

Would you be willing to wear a collar that shocks you?

Bark collars can KILL a yorkie or other small dog!!! Perhaps you forgot about their small trachea, or the fact that even on the lowest setting, those collars would knock a 5'4" 100 pound person to their knees.