Contact this group. It is right there in Peoria, where you live:
Dog Adoption and Dog Rescue --- Peoria, Illinois
It sounds to me that this poor little yorkie spends the majority of her life in a crate. How sad that makes me. It seems like such a sad life with little or no positive attention and exercise.
Does anyone ever take her for nice, long walks?
Does anyone ever take her to a dog park or any social interaction with other people and dogs?
Biting is unacceptable, however, I can only wonder what has brought about this kind of reaction. This little yorkie IS reacting to her situation, I believe. You say you have trained dogs successfully, then you should already know that hitting or striking any dog, especially one so small, is totally unacceptable as a training technique.
An ex-pen is a much better alternative with the bed at one end, food and water, and piddle pads at the other end.
I really feel sorry for this little dog. It sounds like such a pitiful life for her to me. It doesn't sound like much of a life at all, to be truthful. That is why I recommend that you talk your girlfriend into surrendering this little one to a rescue. They would be able to foster this little girl for awhile to see how she acts in the foster home and then could place her in a home where she would be treated like the little princess she is and would get the required attention and exercise that she needs. This whole situation just makes me want to cry. It's really very sad.
