Yorkies can be very energetic. More so than most dogs. They are terriers and have an instinct to bite and chew as they were bred to chase and kill rodents.
When Gracie was a puppy I seriously wondered if she was vicious! She would roll on her back and growl and show me her teeth. It scared me at first. Actually, her idea of play is a good fight. It is kind of like how kittens will pretend they are hunting and pounce at things and play fight.
You do have to make rules and boundaries. I realize you play with her but play is not going to solve this. It can actually make it worse. Taking her out to run is one of the best things you can do, several times a day. Take her for long, fast paced walks to get rid of some of the energy level. Teach her to play fetch. NEVER let her chew your fingers. That has to be a big "NO." Get her some things she should chew, like some bully sticks. Bully sticks were a big help with our little chewer. She chewed for a full hour when she got her first stick. They helped her to deal with her desire to bite and chew so that she did not try it on things she was not supposed to latch onto.
If she does bite you make a loud, painful sound to let her know she has hurt you and then tell her "NO!" She sees the movement of your hands and feet as a challenge and something to practice her attack mode on. It is a terrier instinct. You need to find ways to keep her calm when you are not in an actual exercise or training session. Try not to move your hands in a way that may attract her attention. Speak calmly and let everyone in your family know that they should not excite her because you are working on teaching her not to chew or bite.
Most people want to excite a puppy and play around with them with their hands but when you have this kind of situation you have to do just the opposite. Never use your hands to attract or excite the pup. Walking and running on a leash are the best way to get her wear her out and make her more docile. Fetch is a thing you can do with her inside or outside. It burns off energy and is a good learning experience. When play time is over give her her stick to chew so she has a chance to change from high energy mode to a more low key behavior. |