Please help me tame my biting Yorkie! - YorkieTalk.com Forums

Alissa Landry · 04-21-2014, 07:17 AM

MY NEW YORKIE PUPPY WON'T STOP BITING! I know that he is teething. He is 15 weeks old & I am very aware that this is normal, to an extent. I have read & read & read on how to prevent him from biting me or my children & NOTHING works. I make loud high pitched noises when he bites my fingers or I push him away & he just comes back more or bites harder. He has even jumped & bit myself & my youngest daughter in the face! When he is sleeping/sleepy is the only time that I can show him any affection without him gnawing my fingers off. Other than that I can't touch him, not even breafly, w/out him starting to bite me. I give him rawhide sticks & lots of toys he CAN chew on. I love him, & I don't want to constantly lock him up or not be able to love on him b/c he won't stop nipping our feet or biting us too hard. I can't bring him outside to play b/c he goes crazy on the leash. He jumps like a bucking horse or attacks the leash & then starts growling or attacking me when i try to take it off. If i dont put him on a leash he runs away from me. The thing that seemed to work the best was a 2 finger tap to the neck area when he's doing something he shouldn't be. Anyone have any other suggestions? I really need some help here!

kjc · 04-21-2014, 10:10 AM

Hi and Welcome to YT!

Growl at him, like his real mommie would.

yorkietalkjilly · 04-21-2014, 10:39 AM

He's very young so you might try just grabbing his little muzzle and holding onto it for longer than he likes to discourage him. In time, he'll begin to remember that he's just going to get his muzzle held and will begin to control his desire to bite, knowing what is to come. Once he starts playing hard and biting, diverting the dog onto squeaky or scrunchy toys they can chew on usually sidetracks them onto that.

As for as his wildness, begin to help him gain impulse control by teaching him some basic obedience, which he will do in order to get a nice treat and praise from you. Train him to "Watch me"(focus on your eyes no matter what is going on around him) for 10 seconds and then he gets a treat, praise. Train him to come, sit, lie down, up(get up from a sitting/lying position), wait, stay, go around in circles, shake paw, crate up and so forth. He'll love the working, the bonding you two will have developed, gain control of his impulses, will behave himself on command, gain respect of you as his leader and actually learn to do what you say as a routine part of his life. Then, when he starts to jump up and romp instead of waiting for his leash to be clicked on, you can tell him to "Sit" and "wait" and he should do it if you've trained him.

Mimi 510 · 04-21-2014, 10:48 AM

My baby Leila was a biter too when we first got her. Every time we would try to pet her she would think we were playing and try to bite our fingers. It takes a lot of patience and hard work to get them to stop that bad habit. Every time she would start that I would yell "OOWWW" loud enough to startle her then right away replace it with something she could bit on. For the longest time, we would have to carry around dog toys and chew toys in our pockets. When she gets to excited I would stop playing with her and wouldn't show her any affection or acknowledge her until she calmed down. When you push them away, they still think that you are playing with them....Also, I would switch the rawhide sticks with something else since they can cause a lot of problems for small dogs.
Leila just turned a year old in March and is pretty much good with her biting issue. We do however still run into some issues with her biting on things in our home that she isn't suppose to get into. Good Luck!

joyce evans · 04-21-2014, 12:26 PM

Have you thought about sending him for obedience training? Just a thought since you have children and since he's going for the face. I'm sure it's all part of him being a puppy and he's not meaning to be aggressive but they do have sharp little teeth. OUCH!

windwalker · 04-21-2014, 01:59 PM

Teach a "No" command, this will also come in handy when teaching other commands and tricks. I don't know what others here think about a "Rattle Can" now as many methods have changed, but works great for out of reach and instant freeze attention getting. A sharp shake of a can with some pennies will stop a puppy in their tracks and get their attention. Great for teaching "Stay" and "Place" commands too.

woofwoofwoof · 04-24-2014, 07:45 AM

i am having the same issue with my 20 week old yorkie and finally found something that works but now have another problem. I tried positive reinforcement whereby I say NO BITE and tell him to sit. As soon as he does it I give him a treat. Soon he got it and the minute I say no bite he stops and sits. However, once I treat him , he comes back and bites again because he figures if he bites and I say no bite he will get another treat. Any ideas?

lynzy420 · 04-24-2014, 09:05 AM

This is normal behavior for ANY puppy, they all do this. Consistency, a schedule and obedience training. This behavior will continue for awhile, they are puppies! Welcome to YT keep us posted!

Mimi 510 · 04-24-2014, 09:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by woofwoofwoof

i am having the same issue with my 20 week old yorkie and finally found something that works but now have another problem. I tried positive reinforcement whereby I say NO BITE and tell him to sit. As soon as he does it I give him a treat. Soon he got it and the minute I say no bite he stops and sits. However, once I treat him , he comes back and bites again because he figures if he bites and I say no bite he will get another treat. Any ideas?

Man that is too funny! I swear these Yorkies are way to smart! Im not quite sure how to fix that one but maybe you should have him in the sitting position a little longer or at least until he calms down before rewarding with the treat....or instead of the treat replace with a chew toy. I normally don't reward with treats...I just replace it with something that she can chew on.

kjc · 04-24-2014, 08:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by woofwoofwoof

i am having the same issue with my 20 week old yorkie and finally found something that works but now have another problem. I tried positive reinforcement whereby I say NO BITE and tell him to sit. As soon as he does it I give him a treat. Soon he got it and the minute I say no bite he stops and sits. However, once I treat him , he comes back and bites again because he figures if he bites and I say no bite he will get another treat. Any ideas?

You've taught him that biting is bad, and he gets a treat for stopping. Teach him a good behavior, like licking (a small dab of peanut butter on your hand should do it) and when he licks it off, tell him 'Good Boy' and give him a treat.

GrammyNina · 04-25-2014, 12:09 PM

I had tried almost everything to try and get our puppy to stop biting our feet, I read on here to look her in the eye and loudly say NO. I have done this for a few days now and she is learning. Yesterday I only had to do this twice

renbyar · 04-25-2014, 03:10 PM

Our Little Mindy was born 2/14/14 and is chewing everything! She really like fingers and the tails of our three cats, who are not sure what to think of this little fur ball. Question. Do you have a YT who likes to burrow?

04-21-2014, 07:17 AM	#1
Alissa Landry YorkieTalk Newbie! Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Schriever, LA Posts: 2	Please help me tame my biting Yorkie! MY NEW YORKIE PUPPY WON'T STOP BITING! I know that he is teething. He is 15 weeks old & I am very aware that this is normal, to an extent. I have read & read & read on how to prevent him from biting me or my children & NOTHING works. I make loud high pitched noises when he bites my fingers or I push him away & he just comes back more or bites harder. He has even jumped & bit myself & my youngest daughter in the face! When he is sleeping/sleepy is the only time that I can show him any affection without him gnawing my fingers off. Other than that I can't touch him, not even breafly, w/out him starting to bite me. I give him rawhide sticks & lots of toys he CAN chew on. I love him, & I don't want to constantly lock him up or not be able to love on him b/c he won't stop nipping our feet or biting us too hard. I can't bring him outside to play b/c he goes crazy on the leash. He jumps like a bucking horse or attacks the leash & then starts growling or attacking me when i try to take it off. If i dont put him on a leash he runs away from me. The thing that seemed to work the best was a 2 finger tap to the neck area when he's doing something he shouldn't be. Anyone have any other suggestions? I really need some help here!

04-21-2014, 10:10 AM	#2
kjc I♥PeekTinkySaph&Finny Donating Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Baltimore, Maryland Posts: 18,866	Hi and Welcome to YT! Growl at him, like his real mommie would. __________________ Kat Chloe Lizzy PeekABooTinkerbell SapphireInfinity

04-21-2014, 10:39 AM	#3
yorkietalkjilly ♥ Love My Tibbe! ♥ Donating Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: D/FW, Texas Posts: 22,140	He's very young so you might try just grabbing his little muzzle and holding onto it for longer than he likes to discourage him. In time, he'll begin to remember that he's just going to get his muzzle held and will begin to control his desire to bite, knowing what is to come. Once he starts playing hard and biting, diverting the dog onto squeaky or scrunchy toys they can chew on usually sidetracks them onto that. As for as his wildness, begin to help him gain impulse control by teaching him some basic obedience, which he will do in order to get a nice treat and praise from you. Train him to "Watch me"(focus on your eyes no matter what is going on around him) for 10 seconds and then he gets a treat, praise. Train him to come, sit, lie down, up(get up from a sitting/lying position), wait, stay, go around in circles, shake paw, crate up and so forth. He'll love the working, the bonding you two will have developed, gain control of his impulses, will behave himself on command, gain respect of you as his leader and actually learn to do what you say as a routine part of his life. Then, when he starts to jump up and romp instead of waiting for his leash to be clicked on, you can tell him to "Sit" and "wait" and he should do it if you've trained him. __________________ Jeanie and Tibbe One must do the best one can. You may get some marks for a very imperfect answer: you will certainly get none for leaving the question alone. C. S. Lewis

04-21-2014, 10:48 AM	#4
Mimi 510 Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Hayward, CA Posts: 55	My baby Leila was a biter too when we first got her. Every time we would try to pet her she would think we were playing and try to bite our fingers. It takes a lot of patience and hard work to get them to stop that bad habit. Every time she would start that I would yell "OOWWW" loud enough to startle her then right away replace it with something she could bit on. For the longest time, we would have to carry around dog toys and chew toys in our pockets. When she gets to excited I would stop playing with her and wouldn't show her any affection or acknowledge her until she calmed down. When you push them away, they still think that you are playing with them....Also, I would switch the rawhide sticks with something else since they can cause a lot of problems for small dogs. Leila just turned a year old in March and is pretty much good with her biting issue. We do however still run into some issues with her biting on things in our home that she isn't suppose to get into. Good Luck! __________________ Leila Champion Mila

04-21-2014, 12:26 PM	#5
joyce evans YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: houston Posts: 1,519	Have you thought about sending him for obedience training? Just a thought since you have children and since he's going for the face. I'm sure it's all part of him being a puppy and he's not meaning to be aggressive but they do have sharp little teeth. OUCH! __________________ Hannah's Mom

04-21-2014, 01:59 PM	#6
windwalker Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Tucson,AZ Posts: 244	Teach a "No" command, this will also come in handy when teaching other commands and tricks. I don't know what others here think about a "Rattle Can" now as many methods have changed, but works great for out of reach and instant freeze attention getting. A sharp shake of a can with some pennies will stop a puppy in their tracks and get their attention. Great for teaching "Stay" and "Place" commands too.

04-24-2014, 07:45 AM	#7
woofwoofwoof Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 114	i am having the same issue with my 20 week old yorkie and finally found something that works but now have another problem. I tried positive reinforcement whereby I say NO BITE and tell him to sit. As soon as he does it I give him a treat. Soon he got it and the minute I say no bite he stops and sits. However, once I treat him , he comes back and bites again because he figures if he bites and I say no bite he will get another treat. Any ideas?

04-24-2014, 09:05 AM	#8
lynzy420 Donating YT 3000 Club Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: USA Posts: 7,652	This is normal behavior for ANY puppy, they all do this. Consistency, a schedule and obedience training. This behavior will continue for awhile, they are puppies! Welcome to YT keep us posted! __________________ The Above advice/comments/reviews are my personal opinions based on my own experience/education/investigation and research and you can take them any way you want to......Or NOT!!!

04-25-2014, 12:09 PM	#11
GrammyNina Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: With my fur baby Posts: 89	I had tried almost everything to try and get our puppy to stop biting our feet, I read on here to look her in the eye and loudly say NO. I have done this for a few days now and she is learning. Yesterday I only had to do this twice __________________ my little Willow

04-25-2014, 03:10 PM	#12
renbyar YorkieTalk Newbie! Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: CA Posts: 2	Our Little Mindy was born 2/14/14 and is chewing everything! She really like fingers and the tails of our three cats, who are not sure what to think of this little fur ball. Question. Do you have a YT who likes to burrow?