Why Do Yorkies Cry So Much? (And How To Stop It)

All dogs cry at times.

But Yorkies do tend to whine a bit more than most other breeds.

Why do Yorkies cry so much?

There are a number of things that can cause Yorkshire terriers to whine.

Some are simple, like hunger or the need to relieve themselves.

Others causes can be much more complicated to determine and fix.

Keep reading to learn the most common reasons Yorkies whine, along with tips on reducing whininess, if it has reached the level where it is a problem.

 

Why Do Yorkies Cry So Much?

Yorkies usually cry due to separation anxiety, fear, excitement, pain, or simply for attention. They might also cry when they have an unfulfilled need.

But the most common reason is separation anxiety. Yorkies tend to cry when they anticipate the suffering of being away from their beloved owner.

This is accompanied by the fear of what might happen when they are alone. Let’s take a look at this most common reason for crying, plus the other possible common reasons.

 

Separation Anxiety

Separation anxiety is very common in the Yorkshire Terrier breed. These little dogs tend to experience a ‘sickness’ similar to homesickness in humans when they are left alone.

Signs of separation anxiety in Yorkies are:

• Crying, howling, or whining as soon as you start getting ready to leave
• Eating only in the presence of the owner
• Repetitive movements like walking in circles in the area where the owner left – usually by the door
• Self-mutilation
• Indoor soiling

 

Fear

Yorkies might also cry due to fear. A frightened Yorkie will whine, cower, hide, shake, or show a fearful reaction that is often mistaken for aggression.

Common causes of fear in this small dog breed are things like fireworks, being left alone (separation anxiety), children, stairs, trips to the vet, car rides, strangers, and more.

 

Excitement

An excited Yorkie will also cry to convey its heightened emotional state. All dogs use their vocal cords to communicate with their owners and Yorkies are no different.

Signs of excitement in Yorkies include crying, wagging the tail, jumping, yapping, running around in circles, excitable urination, and more.

 

For Attention

Young Yorkie puppies cry for attention from their owners. In the first few days when your puppy comes home from the breeder, it might cry during crate training or at night (while you are training it to sleep in another room).

This form of crying is an indication that your puppy wants you to come and pick it up and cuddle with it. It is absolutely normal, since your little fur baby is missing its mother and littermates.

However, if an older Yorkie continues crying, nudging, jumping, whining, or bringing toys to the owner, then it is clearly seeking attention. You need to be firm and ignore the behavior. Otherwise, it can become a habit in your pet.

 

Inherent Trait Of The Breed

The Yorkshire Terrier breed is generally considered needier than other dog breeds. And since they are small and cute, most pet parents baby them, which only encourages this trait.

They rush to pick up their whining pets immediately, and some even treat the dog every time it follows them into the kitchen.

This inherent clinginess combined with the encouragement from the owner tends to make Yorkies super needy. As a result, they might cry constantly for their owner’s attention.

 

Stress Or Frustration

Stress or frustration could also cause a Yorkie to cry or whine constantly. It could be simple things like requiring the owner to retrieve a toy that is out of the dog’s reach or even if there is a change in the pet’s schedule or environment.

This type of crying is also a form of attention seeking, but one that also expresses the dog’s stress and frustration.

 

Unmet Needs

Dogs usually cry when they have unmet needs. This could be hunger, or the need to go outside to relieve themselves. Or perhaps, it just wants to be entertained.

If your Yorkie normally does not cry, a sudden onset of crying could be a signal to you that it has a need that it wants fulfilled.

 

Pain Or Illness

There may come a time in a Yorkie’s life that it suffers great pain that causes it to cry. Pain could stem from an abdominal problem, infection, sprains, or a host of other issues.

In addition to showing pain by whimpering or vocalizing, your Yorkie might also express the pain in the form of facial expressions. Some dogs become anti-social or aggressive due to pain. Depending on the cause of pain, your Yorkie might tremble, shake, limp, or pant.

 

7 Ways To Stop Yorkie Whining

A little whining now and then is normal in most Yorkies and usually a form of attention-seeking behavior. But if your Yorkie seems to cry constantly, the following steps can help.

 

Pay Attention To The Noises It Makes

With careful attention, you will soon be able to tell exactly why your Yorkie is crying. For example, a low constant crying on and off means your pet simply wants your attention.

A high-pitched whining might indicate it wants food or needs to go potty. Crying accompanied by shaking or hiding could indicate something more serious.

Every dog is different but a smart pet owner can learn to decode their pet’s crying.

 

Ensure Your Dog’s Well-Being

If your Yorkie is crying due to pain, it might also exhibit behavioral changes like hiding, cowering, or shaking. It could even show its pain through facial expressions.

Approach your dog carefully (some Yorkies tend to bite when they are in pain). If needed, call your vet to examine your pup.

 

Only Use Positive Reinforcement

Never hit, shout, or scold your Yorkie for crying. This will only worsen the behavior and might even make your Yorkie shy, timid, or aggressive.

 

Consider Training And Desensitization

If your Yorkie is always crying due to fear or anxiety, consider training and desensitizing it. Desensitization consists of gradually (and safely) exposing your pet to the object of its fear. If needed, consult a canine behaviorist or an experienced dog trainer to guide you.

 

Give Your Dog What It Wants

Most crying behaviors in Yorkies can be overcome by fulfilling the dog’s basic needs. If your Yorkie is crying to be let outside, then do it right away instead of forcing it to eliminate indoors.

You will need to be very selective with your dog’s whining. If you’re sure there is no real or pressing need, then it may be best to ignore it.

 

Do Not Encourage Clinginess

If your Yorkie is simply crying for attention, then do not encourage the behavior. This includes not scolding it, because even negative attention is still attention. Ignore the behavior. If needed, leave the room. Once your dog is calm, you can treat and praise it.

 

Stimulate Your Yorkie Mentally And Physically

Enrich your Yorkie’s life by exercising it, providing it with plenty of toys to play with, and puzzles to solve. A tired and well-stimulated dog is always a better-behaved dog, so make sure your pet gets to go out and play at least 2 to 3 times a day.

 

Do Yorkies Whine A Lot And Are They Emotional?

Dogs are like humans and Yorkies are an especially emotional breed. They are certainly more emotional than most other dog breeds.

Not only do Yorkies sense their owner’s emotions, but they are also perfectly capable of comforting them. This makes Yorkies wonderful emotional support dogs for people with depression, anxiety, or other mental health issues.

Yorkies are extremely sensitive as well. That is why they like spending all their time with their owners. If you are feeling blue, your Yorkie will immediately cuddle with you to make you feel better.

 

Yorkie Crying For No Reason When You Leave?

Yorkies are emotional, sensitive, and intelligent dogs. They get attached to their owners and form a lasting and unbreakable bond with them.

If you spend all your time with your Yorkie, it gets used to your presence. If you have to leave your dog, it experiences sadness. It might also anticipate suffering in your absence, which causes fear.

Getting a second dog can often help with this, especially a good companion breed for Yorkshire terriers. Alternatively, you could get a cat for your Yorkie to play with. As long as you introduce them properly, most Yorkies get along just fine with cats.

 

Is Anxiety Common In Yorkies?

Anxiety is, unfortunately, quite common in the Yorkshire Terrier breed. Yorkies are known to suffer from different forms of anxiety, such as anxiety of loud noises (thunder or fireworks), separation anxiety, etc. Some also display anxiety about traveling in the car and being around strangers or kids.

Some Yorkies have more anxiety-related issues than others. Here are some possible reasons for this.

 

Lack Of Puppy Socialization

There is little doubt that a dog’s upbringing will determine its temperament. Dogs that are well socialized and exposed to different experiences are more likely to be confident, bold, curious, and independent.

If you failed to socialize your Yorkie when it was a puppy, it might display more anxiety symptoms in adulthood than other dogs.

 

Traumatic Experiences

Dogs, like humans, can retain trauma and that can impact their personality. A Yorkie that was traumatized during a car ride or teased or bullied by children will continue to relive that trauma over and over. This can easily trigger anxiety in the little dog.

 

Age Or Health-Related Causes

The sudden onset of a medical condition, like dementia in older dogs or pain or any other illness, can also make a Yorkie anxious.

If a Yorkie is losing its eyesight or sense of hearing, it might become anxious about bumping into things and that could heighten its stress and anxiety.

 

Why Is My Yorkie Whining: Conclusion

Yorkies cry and whine, just like any other dog. That said, they are perhaps a bit more prone to crying than most other breeds.

But even with Yorkies, most just whine a bit and then stop. And they don’t whine constantly. If your Yorkie is crying all the time, there might be something wrong.

The most likely problem is that it is suffering from separation anxiety. But it could also be an injury or simply that it needs food or potty time.

If your pup is crying a lot, try to figure out exactly wat is going on. Then take steps to fix it. This may mean involving a vet, or even a dog behavior specialist.