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Yorkshire Terriers are a vocal breed, alerting you of potential danger at every turn. Some Yorkies can be so yappy that they become a nuisance for not only you but your neighbors, too.
Humane bark collars are a solid option if other training techniques haven’t been successful. However, the majority of bark collars are not made small enough for the tiny Yorkie dog breed, and some shock collars may be considered too cruel for use on your pup.
In this guide, we’ve listed some of the best bark collars for Yorkies that specifically target their small size and utilize humane methods to train your pup.
In this review:
- At a glance: Top Yorkie bark collars
- Best bark collars for Yorkies (reviews)
- Shock collars for Yorkies: Are they safe?
- What to look for when choosing a bark collar for your Yorkie
- Other ways to manage Yorkie barking
Yorkie bark collars: At a glance
Types of collars
There are a variety of anti-bark collars for Yorkies. You‘ll need to familiarize yourself with the options to determine the best option for your pup.
- Automatic bark collars: Upon sensing barking, the collar automatically releases an unpleasant stimulus, such as vibration or sound, to inhibit barking
- Training collars: These remote-activated collars allow owners to deliver an unpleasant stimulus to control a variety of unwanted behaviors
- Shock collars: A type of bark or training collar that delivers a static shock; some collars have alternative beep and vibrate modes
- Citronella collars: A type of bark or training collar that releases an unpleasant citronella spray correction around the dog’s muzzle
Best bark collars for Yorkies
Best value for your money
What we like
The Authen No-Shock Dog Bark Collar is a great choice if you want to balance price with quality. It is made with two motors for two levels of intensity. The light mode is perfect for Yorkies. Both training modes have five levels of vibration which increase if barking continues. This collar is equipped with technology to reduce the chance of false corrections triggered by other barking dogs or loud noises.
This lightweight collar measures 1.3″ x 2.4″ and comes with two adjustable collar options:
- Reflective, nylon collar
- Belt style, plastic collar
The controller is waterproof (IP67) and contains a lithium battery that lasts approximately 10 days before requiring a recharge. It fully recharges within two-to-three hours on a USB charging cable. The vibration prongs are covered with silicone caps for comfort.
What we’d change
The program does not allow for turning off the vibration to use beep mode only. Also, the collar does not have an auto shut-off for continued barking; it will stay in full vibration mode. The nylon collar band is slightly wider than a typical collar for a small breed, but it’s still effective.
Smallest bark collar
- Created for toy breeds 4 lbs. – 50 lbs. with neck sizes 6 in. – 20 in.
- No uncomfortable prongs at the contact point
- Auto-bark sensor; no remote
What we like
The Elecane bark collar is truly made for toy breeds; it works for dogs as small as 4 pounds, and is one of your only options if you have a teacup Yorkie. It comes with a lightweight controller that measures 1.4″ x 1.1″, and an updated microchip helps prevent false triggers from loud noises or other barking dogs.
The Elecane is programmed to automatically send out a response at the sound of a bark. On the first and second bark it alerts your dog with a beep, and on the third bark it beeps and then vibrates.
The water resistant controller does not have prongs on the back, so it won’t irritate your pup when they’re not barking. This collar can be charged in about 1-to-1.5 hours using a USB cable, and it can hold a charge for up to 14 days.
What we’d change
The green “On” indicator light stays on the entire time the collar is on, which may be a minor nuisance based on preference. Also, neither the sound nor the beep can be turned off independently from one another due to the collar’s simple and straightforward design, which can be good or bad, depending on your needs.
Because this model does not have prongs, you may need to keep your Yorkie’s neck hair trimmed short to make the collar most effective.
Best Yorkie training collar
- Created for smaller dogs, 5 lbs. – 15 lbs.
- Remote-controlled training collar with one intensity level for sound and nine levels of vibration
- The remote control has a simple, straightforward design with no excessive buttons or settings
What we like
The Goodboy Mini training collar goes beyond normal anti-bark collars. With the use of the remote control, you can use this collar to train your pup not to engage in many negative behaviors, such as biting, jumping up on people or furniture, or running away.
The clear, straightforward buttons on the controller make it easy to give your pup a warning beep or, if misbehavior continues, nine levels of increasing vibration. The collar also does well outside due to its range of 1,000 feet.
This lightweight, waterproof collar measures 2″ x 1.3″. It comes with two different sizes of prongs in case your Yorkie has longer hair, and the remote control can pair with a second collar in case you have two dogs.
The receiver contains a lithium battery that lasts approximately a week before needing a recharge. To save on battery power, the receiver goes into standby mode after five minutes of no activity.
What we’d change
This model does not have an auto anti-bark mode; it only works with the remote, so you’ll have to keep the remote handy to activate the collar. It also cannot be attached to a regular collar due to the vibration prongs, unless you punch two holes yourself.
Best citronella spray bark collar
- Adjustable silicone collar fits dogs with a neck girth of 5.9 in. – 25 in.
- Remote-controlled citronella spray plus an auto-bark mode option
- Remote control range of up to 500 feet
What we like
The My Pet Command collar is a 2-in-1 water-resistant bark collar: remote control trainer plus an auto bark collar, for use without the remote. At the touch of a button, the collar releases a harmless but unpleasant citronella scent around the dog’s muzzle. The remote is easy to use with buttons for high/low beep and long/short spray, so you can control how and when to train your pup. The remote is usable up to 500 feet.
The lithium-ion battery recharges on a USB cable, and the remote uses two AAA batteries, which are included. Depending on how much you need to reprimand your dog, one charge will provide up to 40 hours of use. The collar recharges in two hours.
If you have two dogs, you can pair up to two collars with the remote (second purchased separately).
The manufacturer states that false activations will be reduced with the updated technology. Unlike most collars that vibrate or shock, this adjustable silicone collar does not have prongs. LED lights will turn on, indicating when it’s time to refill or recharge. Also included are a lanyard, training whistle, and operating guide.
What we’d change
The citronella spray is sold separately. Also, this model is smaller than some of the larger high-capacity models available and therefore will require more frequent refilling; however, the collar’s size is also what makes it suitable to such small dogs. The price point is a bit higher than some of the other bark collars on the market, but many owners have found spray collars to be highly effective and humane (see the Cornell study cited below for more info).
>> Get real-time barking alerts with the Furbo Dog Camera
Best shock collar
There are several effective collar options that discourage Yorkshire Terriers from barking without the use of electric shock. We have not included any shock collar options in this product guide due to the small size of the breed and the safety considerations covered below.
Read more: Best Yorkie Collars: Not All Collars Are Safe!
Shock collars for Yorkies: Are they safe?
Shock collars work similarly to the other training collars. But instead of delivering a sound, vibration, or spray, they deliver a static stimulation to the dog, similar to the small shock you’d get from shuffling your feet through carpet and touching somebody.
There are a few concerns with shock collars that are worth highlighting.
Some dog owners worry about shock collars being an inhumane way to train your pet. They tend to be effective, but Cornell University’s Animal Behavior Clinic conducted a study stating that dog owners found citronella collars to be “more effective and more humane” than shock collars.
Another factor to consider is the size of the dog. The collar could deliver too much of a correction stimulation to such a petite pup. Most shock collars are designed for larger dogs, but the average Yorkie weighs only 4 to 7 pounds.
In my personal opinion, all alternative avenues should be tried before using a shock collar on any dog. These include the anti-bark collars reviewed above, as well as the other training methods we link to at the bottom of this post. And if for some reason none of these methods work, seeking out professional help from a trainer may be a final option.
Lastly, it’s possible that using shock could have an undesirable effect. Some dog owners have reported their pet becoming more aggressive after using a shock collar. Because of this, we recommend always using positive reinforcement, like a tasty treat and verbal praise, any time your dog responds the correct way.
>> Read more: Training a Yorkie Puppy: Tricks & Secrets
What to look for when choosing a bark collar for your Yorkie
Method & mode
Various methods are used for mitigating Yorkie barking: sound, vibration, static stimulation, and spray. You’ll need to decide which method or methods you prefer for your pup.
Some of the bark training collars use user-selected correction, only delivering a stimulus to the dog after you push a corresponding button on a remote. Others operate in a progressive correction cycle, while yet others have several modes that need to be pre-selected to deliver appropriate stimulus.
Most automatic collars begin with a warning beep. If barking has not stopped, they tend to transmit a short stimulus, such as spray, shock, or vibration. With continued barking, many of the collars have progressive training cycles that kick in and increase in intensity with each bark.
Some collars restart the cycle after a specific amount of time (e.g. 30 seconds) has passed when there is no barking. Others have an auto shut-off after one minute of incessant barking for the safety of the dog.
Sensitivity levels
The best bark collars have multiple levels of sensitivity so you can deliver the least amount of intensity needed to train your Yorkie. Additionally, these levels are helpful in gradually transitioning them off the collar.
False triggers
There may not be anything more confusing and frustrating for your collar-wearing pup than receiving a stimulus for another dog’s bark or for shaking. To remedy false activation, several manufacturers have updated their technology to include what they call “bark recognition.” Look for brands that mention having this feature.
Battery life
For long-lasting battery power, you’ll want to look for a lithium-ion battery. Most collars will run for the better half of a week to two weeks and are rechargeable within a few hours with a USB cable. The remote controllers usually require AAA batteries.
Price
Anti-barking collars run the gamut from $20 to $150. However, most decent mid-range collars cost around $35, with remote-controlled training collars going for a bit more.
A simple, straightforward design may be all you need, but some of the more expensive training collars will have better or additional features like a further range, increased waterproofing, the ability to pair with multiple collars, or a better warranty.
Weight
The weight range of the controller on the collar and the weight of your Yorkshire Terrier are both important aspects to take into consideration when looking for the perfect Yorkie bark collar. Dog collars made for larger dogs may be uncomfortable for such a small dog breed, eventually leading to pain or more serious problems like collapsed trachea, which is a common Yorkie health issue.
Following the manufacturer’s recommendations for the dog’s weight will help prevent pain or injury.
Neck size
The circumference of the adjustable strap and your dog’s neck size are also important factors to consider. If the vibration prongs are not aligned closely on the Yorkie’s vocal cords, the collar won’t be as effective. This is an especially difficult feature to find as most of the collars made for small dogs are still not quite small enough for a Yorkie’s petite neck.
Knowing your Yorkie’s neck size will help you narrow your search for a suitable bark collar. Use a soft tape measure and gently wrap it around your Yorkie’s neck until it’s snug, not tight. One finger width or less should fit between the collar and the dog’s neck.
Waterproofing
Investing in a collar that is waterproof to some degree is a good idea if your Yorkie is ever around mud, rain, or standing water. It may not be as big of a deal if you do not plan on using the collar outside of the house.
Read more: Yorkie Supplies: All the Stuff You Need for Your New Puppy
Other ways to manage Yorkie barking
Bark collars tend to be the most immediate and effective fix for barking Yorkies. But some owners have found that their dogs become “collar-wise” over time. This means they learn to quiet themselves while wearing the collar but resume barking once you remove it. This certainly does not happen to all dogs, but it is good to be aware of this possibility.
To combat this issue, make sure you’re truly training your dog on how to behave by rewarding them when they do the right thing.
If you’re concerned about your dog becoming collar-wise—or if you don’t like the idea of physically attaching a bark collar to your pup—you can also try out other bark control devices, such as a collarless ultrasonic sound remote that emits a positive or negative tone toward your pup when they do something wrong or right.
Finally, bark collars are only one way to deal with a yappy Yorkie. You can find alternative or supplemental methods in our guide to how to stop a Yorkie from barking. It’s important to remember that if one training method isn’t working, it’s ok to try something new.
