Nipping and Starting to Bark

[Nikitta34]

My 4 mo old Yorkie chews all the time. If she's awake and not eating, she's chewing. I am sure she is just teething and I have provided a huge variety of toys for her around the house. The problem is that she loves to chew on people: fingers, toes, shirts, jeans, my chin, ears, neck, stomach (through my shirt!), etc.

The biting is more playful than aggressive, but it's not acceptable regardless. I don't want her to bite strangers, guests, or especially children. Anyone have any ideas?

I have tried switching fingers (shirt, toes, etc) for a good chew toy, but that only works half the time. I considered spraying my hands/etc with that "no chew" spray for furniture, but that seems a bit drastic.

She hasn't barked really at ALL, but she is slowly starting to get more of a bark/growl. When is the normal age for a dog to develop her bark? Any ideas on how to nip this in the bud?

[chachi]

Mine started little barks around 5 months. When Chachi was chewing we did spray our fingers with bitter apple. Our toes also. Other things we would do is put a toy in his mouth and tell him no bite or grab his muzzle gently and say no bite. You just have to find what works for you and they do outgrow that so just be patient. It is all part of being a puppy

[Nikitta34]

Okay. I understand that nipping is part of being a puppy, but I do want to make sure that Meg isn't learning habits she is going to keep for her entire life.

Any ideas on how to not encourage the barking? I have been basically ignoring her when she barks so that she doesn't learn that she can get attention by barking.

[chachi]

Get a can and put change in it and when she barks shake it at her. Do this when she starts barking even though when they first do it is cute. It startles and distracts them and they quit barking. Also tell her no bark so she learns that command and later on all you may have to do is say no bark. The whole key is to start when they are young and be consistant

[Nikitta34]

I'll try the can! Thank yoU!

[cdawnfine]

Originally Posted by chachi

Get a can and put change in it and when she barks shake it at her. Do this when she starts barking even though when they first do it is cute. It startles and distracts them and they quit barking. Also tell her no bark so she learns that command and later on all you may have to do is say no bark. The whole key is to start when they are young and be consistant

This is what we did with the Barking and it works great. Milo's sister was a chewer my sister who has him would exchange the toy for the fingers but if it is only working part of the time you may need to give the toy and walk away so the fingers are not an option. They do get, and I have found of all the mistakes I made with Milo most of them were my fault for not paying close enough attention, and was not consitant enough at the time I thought I was but looking back I realize I was not, so just relax have fun and enjoy her.

[JoeyP]

Barking starts at different ages

My Little Mike barked at me when I was picking him out and he was just 8 weeks old ..... It was like he was saying Look At ME! Look At ME!!

Zach his brother didn't bark until he was 12 weeks old

I would tell you ... don't rush it
Because once they start they won't stop
Yorkies are very vocal dogs

as far as the biting .... don't offer yourself as a chew toy
Yes .... they will chew anything
and when they are teething they need to bite and chew
but puppies chewing on people is never a good idea
it gives them permission to mouth later on in life
when they bite... it's UH!
and the hands or toes or whatever part they are biting on goes away
no scolding no attention
they are left alone
puppies and dogs want nothing more than our attention
when you take that away that is a very powerful training tool

[Critter]

we also used the bitter spray on our hands and toes. We would also get up and walk away if they tried to do this. one thing about these little ones is that they love attention and to be next to you. this sends the message I won't sit next to you if you use me as a chew toy. We also replaced our hands with the bully sticks. these are the greatest things and both my dogs love them.

[Nikitta34]

Alright, I will try all of that. It all sounds like great advice! I have a friend who has two poodles and they bark non-stop. It's the most obnoxious thing in the world. I know that Yorkies tend to be vocal, but I also want to train her that there is a time and a place for barking. Hopefully it works! I wish I could get a trainer over here in Korea, but alas - there aren't many English-speakers in the country.