Yorkie puppies are some of the sweetest and most lively puppies you’ll ever meet, but how to stop a Yorkie puppy from biting, they’re also prone to mouthing, just like any other puppy. To some extent, it is pretty standard, but if the frequency or force with which the biting occurs becomes excessive, you may need to take more action on How to Stop a Yorkie Puppy from Biting!
What is the best way to keep a Yorkie puppy from biting? Start training your Yorkie puppy as soon as possible if you want to keep him from biting. Give them an audible signal that you are in agony when they bite you, and then get yourself out of the situation as soon as you possibly can. Return only after a few minutes if they have regained their calm.
However, while the strategy described above is probably the most effective of the ones I will produce, there is a delicate balance that must be struck between encouraging your pup’s playful nature while also training them to be less aggressive in their behavior. Continue reading to learn six techniques to ensure that biting does not continue into maturity, as well as seven particular reasons why Yorkie puppies bite and how these reasons may alter your training approach to Yorkie puppies.
How to stop a Yorkie puppy from biting
6 Techniques for Preventing Your Yorkie Puppy from Biting
At some point, all puppies are likely to be caught biting someone. It isn’t something kids can refrain from doing because it is a natural part of how they play and learn about the world around them.
According to experts, Yorkshire terrier puppies that softly bite or mouth their humans from time to time are mostly just exploring or trying to keep themselves comfortable when teething.
Because they will quit biting on their own as they grow bigger, this behavior can usually be ignored.
Puppies with excessive, territorial, or even violent biting tendencies, on the other hand, should have these behaviors handled before they reach adulthood when they are more likely to inflict serious injury.
#1: Introduce Your Puppy to Other People
The importance of socialization in teaching dogs how to behave around other canines and people cannot be overstated.
This is especially important for breeds like Yorkies, which are notoriously anti-social when socializing with other dogs.
When Yorkies are young, it is most beneficial to socialize them with other dogs. Within the ages of three and twelve weeks, a Yorkie’s most critical formative stage for socialization takes place.
The fact that they are separated from their mother and the rest of their litter can immensely damage a puppy’s social well-being and mental stability in the long run.
While it is most beneficial to socialize your Yorkie at a young age, do not feel you have missed the boat entirely if your Yorkie is a little older than this.
The benefits of socialization can be seen even in mature dogs, but they are most beneficial when your dog is growing and developing.
Meeting and engaging with as many new people and other animals in as many different situations as possible is an essential part of socialization for dogs.
In particular, this is vital for dogs who are kept in households with no other pets and no children, as loneliness and isolation can lead to fear and anxiety in some dogs.
Ensure that you have some little treats with you at all times to praise your Yorkie for any pleasant encounters they have with other people or animals.
#2 Teach Bite Inhibition to Children
“Bite inhibition” is one of the earliest and possibly most important lessons you can teach a young puppy. It is a skill that may be conducted at a young age.
In their daily lives, dogs frequently contact children and other dogs, which often leads to bites and nips, even if they are simply unintentional.
Using bite inhibition, the concept is that you should let puppies mouth and bite you a little as they would typically unless they put too much pressure on your face.
When they bite too hard, make a distinct “Ouch!” or “Ow!” sound and allow your hand to become limp or remove it from the situation.
This training allows your puppy to become aware of the strength of their jaws and will teach them how hard it is too hard when it comes to biting or mouthing objects or people.
In their natural play with one another, puppies can teach each other bite inhibition to some extent.
As they play and bite one other, things frequently get out of hand for them. If things grow too complex for a puppy, they may yell and collapse for a brief period.
This is only one of the many reasons that regular socialization with other dogs from a young age is essential for success.
Bite inhibition will benefit your dog in a variety of other circumstances that may arise later in life.
If they have puppies, they should be compassionate and communicate their concern to their owners (which I will discuss later).
#3 Instruct them that biting is equivalent to “game over.”
Once your puppy has mastered bite inhibition and has reached a certain age, you should begin to take a more firm stance against the gnawing orbiting of human appendages on a general basis.
In addition to teaching your puppy how to manage their pressure early on, this “game over” method shows that biting (even if it is gentle) is no longer allowed.
If your Yorkie is playing with you (or even if it isn’t), and it starts mouthing or nibbling your hands, employ the following method:
- You use an auditory indication like “ouch!” to indicate that your Yorkie is in pain.
- Put your hands under your armpits and close your eyes.
- Remove yourself from the room or location.
- If they have calmed down after a few minutes, you can return to them.
- If the inappropriate behavior persists, repeat the procedure.
After informing them that they will not receive any affection or attention if they continue, they should quit relatively fast.
Like many dogs, Yorkies like playing with their owners and seeking attention whenever the opportunity presents itself. Therefore, one of the most effective deterrents for adverse conduct is a lack of awareness from the owner.
#4 Chew Toys Can Take the Place of Your Hands
Puppies are frequently at their nippiest while they are playing.
This is expected from an animal that does not have any hands and instead communicates with the outside world through its mouth and tongue. It’s just the way dogs interact with one another and learn.
Instead of eliminating this biological activity initially, it is frequently simpler to merely divert it using items such as chew toys.
When your Yorkie is in a playful and energetic mood, encourage him to chew on chew toys instead of the skin on your legs.
Trying out a few different options will allow you to determine which is your Yorkies favorite. Fortunately, there are numerous solutions available.
Keep in mind to avoid toys with batteries, long ribbons, long strings, actual bones, or anything with tiny or sharp points that can come loose.
#5 Instruct the commands “Stop” and “Leave It” to your students.
According to the manufacturer, as your puppy grows older, they should also learn to put down what they are doing or leave anything alone.
These commands should be taught to all dogs at an early age. Their versatility makes them incredibly handy in a variety of scenarios.
To discourage biting or nipping in the case of a puppy that exhibits this behavior, firmly command your puppy to “Stop” or “Leave It” in an authoritative tone to communicate to your puppy that this is not a playful moment.
In addition to using the “biting is game over” technique, you may want to place your hands under your armpits to help convey to your dog what is expected of him.
If your dog stops biting or nipping at whatever it is biting or nipping at, you can instantly reward them with a goodie.
#6 Get rid of any excess energy
Puppies typically only bite when overexcited unless there is a more sinister reason for it, such as when provoked, territorial, or violent.
Ensure that you spend a fair amount of time playing with your dog each day and that you take them for regular walks.
This will help them discharge extra energy and keep them calm around the house, reducing the likelihood of them biting or nipping as a result of being overexcited.
Strategies to Avoid When Teaching Your Puppy Not to Bite
In addition to helpful methods of teaching your puppy not to bite, there are inefficient and even brutal training methods that you should avoid using at all costs.
These methods may be ineffectual, and in some cases, may even be harmful.
When training your puppy not to bite, you should avoid using the following methods:
- Slapping or beating your puppy for biting is not a good idea. This response may drive your puppy to become fearful of you or even more aggressive as a result of your actions.
- Using physical punishments such as shaking the dog, whacking him on the nose, or shoving your fingers down his throat are also acceptable.
- We are sending them to their crate in preparation for biting them. They may associate all cage time with punishment as a result of this. Their box should serve as a positive haven for them to rest in.
- Yelling or shouting at your puppy is not recommended. If you wish to employ words such as “Ouch” or “Stop,” make sure to train them as orders rather than as cries or yells during the training process.
- After your dog has bitten you, you should hold or clamp his jaw tight. This might also lead to more aggressive behavior or apprehension toward you.
Yorkie Puppies Bite for a Variety of Reasons (and What They Mean)
Puppies, like human babies, are hardwired to seek out new experiences. When humans are intrigued about something, they put it in their mouths, and dogs do the same thing.
There are numerous reasons why your puppy may be biting, but the majority of them are not motivated by hostility.
#1 Teething
Your puppy may be nibbling on everything (including your hands) if they are teething, and this is a common cause of the behavior.
Teething begins typically when your puppy is around three months old and continues until they are between six and eight months old. If biting occurs at this period, it is most likely due to something like this happening.
Even though teething can be a source of frustration and damage to your furniture and other items, it does not endure indefinitely.
Meanwhile, if your dog is chewing on anything that it shouldn’t, attempt to redirect their attention to a chew toy as soon as possible. They should, presumably, be able to distinguish between what is okay to bite on and what is not acceptable.
#2 As a result of excitement or childishness
Seeing family members after a long absence can cause puppies to become overjoyed. This is especially true when the family members are members of the same litter.
When playing, Yorkie puppies are prone to become overexcited. This can lead to them biting nearly unconsciously as a result of this.
Additionally, bite inhibition training is also beneficial in this situation since it teaches your puppy not to bite hard enough to cause any pain while also not hindering their normal playing behavior.
#3 To Catch Your Attention
When a puppy bites, it is sometimes simply because they want your attention or are attempting to communicate with you.
Yorkie puppies may bite to gain attention for a variety of reasons, including:
- They have a intense desire to play
- they require permission to go outside to potty
- they need food or water.
- They are looking for some affection.
This can be endearing and, in some cases, reasonably understandable at the same time. Despite their cuteness, puppies are pretty restricted in their ability to interact with us.
Biting excessively to attract attention, on the other hand, is not acceptable. Once again, training them to bite inhibition will save them from causing any injury in these situations.
Also, make an effort to stay one step ahead of the game and to ensure that all of your puppy’s needs are addressed. This will support to keep them from becoming accustomed to the behavior.
Take into consideration that if they achieve the desired consequence after biting you for attention, this will almost certainly reward the behavior, leading to more biting in the future.
After some time, as dogs grow older, they frequently discover new methods of communicating their requirements more subtly. Examples include squeaking in front of the food bowl or opening and closing the door while waiting for food or when they need to go potty.
Make every effort to recognize and treat these more subtle cues as quickly as possible instead of rewarding the nibbling.
#4 They are experiencing discomfort or pain.
According to the ASPCA, dogs can bite when they are in pain or discomfort, and in these cases, they often want to be left alone.
If your puppy’s behavior is out of the ordinary and they suddenly begin biting, they may be suffering from a medical condition that has to be addressed.
This type of behavior is typically seen in adult dogs, but puppies can also exhibit this behavior in certain situations.
As previously stated, biting due to pain in pups is almost always due to teething discomfort.
On the other hand, if your puppy is not yet of teething age and suddenly begins biting excessively when you approach them, you should consider taking them to the doctor.
Get them checked out by a medical professional to rule out any underlying causes of their pain and irritability.
#5 They bite out of habit.
Puppy nibbles and bites for a variety of reasons.
However, if they are not taught to stop biting from a young age, they may develop a habit of biting to grind in the future.
It is critical to begin consistent training as soon as possible to limit the likelihood of them forming a bad habit that will be difficult to break down the road.
This is extremely important to guarantee that your puppy does not cause injury to himself or anybody else later in life.
#6 They are being mistreated
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When a puppy bites, it is possible that it is justified in some way. Someone mistreating the dog is likely to elicit a harsh response from him.
This frequently occurs when they are in the company of younger children who are not familiar with behaving around dogs.
Yorkies are highly vulnerable to injury due to their small size. Yorkies can become quite stressed when a tiny child (enormous by Yorkie standards) gets in their face or is handled too harshly.
The most effective strategy to prevent your Yorkie from feeling threatened is to keep it from feeling intimidated in the first place.
Make essential to teach younger children how to properly care for puppies, significantly smaller breeds such as Yorkie puppies.
Additionally, biting inhibition training will be beneficial in this case, as it has been previously.
When a dog has been taught proper bite inhibition, they will frequently only mouth the offender softly as a warning, giving no pain or injury to the offender.
The use of this method is quite efficient in convincing a youngster to cease whatever it is that they are doing without causing them any harm.
This can prevent a dog from being chastised by the authorities for biting a child who was causing it distress. This is especially true given that certain jurisdictions mandate that all dog bites that cause skin breakdown be recorded.
#7 Because of apprehension or anxiety
When a puppy frequently bites in unfamiliar environments or among strange people or pets, it is most likely because the puppy has not been adequately socialized.
Biting is most likely caused by fear or anxiety if you witness any of the following behaviors occurring in conjunction with biting:
- Tail kept low or tucked between the hind legs is a good choice.
- Whining
- Growling
- Pacing
- Overeating and excessive panting
The most complicated part of teaching your dog not to bite as a response to fear and anxiety is desensitizing them to the conditions that make them feel threatened.
The most powerful method of achieving this is through numerous brief but pleasant interactions with the object of dread.
However, do not plunge your dog into the deep end without first seeing your veterinarian. This could have negative consequences.
Make gradual, step-by-step progress with them and reinforce their progress with treats anytime they demonstrate more acceptable behavior.
The Best Way to De-Sensitize a Fearful or Anxious Yorkie Puppy or Adult
It is fundamental to desensitize your dog to things that cause him anxiety to prevent him from biting in these instances.
The object of their dread (another dog, a person, or a place) should be immobile to achieve this.
If other people or dogs are the sources of the problem, you may need to enlist the assistance of a friend or a friend who has a well-socialized dog to assist you.
Method:
- Take your dog to a reasonable distance where its attention is still half on you, the owner, and half on the subject that is causing them to be scared, as described above.
- The concept behind this is that your dog shouldn’t become so stressed out by the circumstance that it loses all control over itself. To make any progress, though, you must be willing to take your Yorkie out of its comfort zone regularly.
- When your dog’s attention is still half-focused on you and half-focused on its scared issue, work to bring its attention completely back to you.
- Your body language must be confident, and you must utilize the voice to relax your Yorkie and refocus its attention on what you are saying.
- When your Yorkie is in the same position as you, and their attention is ultimately returned to you, could you give it a treat?
- Once they are comfortable in this position, you can begin to move them closer to the object of their anxiety and then repeat the procedure.
It may take several sessions and a lot of tiny steps, but you should be able to achieve your goal eventually.
Final Words
It can be quite difficult to train a Yorkie puppy not to bite, and it takes a great deal of patience and determination.
Identifying the cause of your puppy’s biting is vitally important to discover the most effective solution. Please make an effort to determine the events that led to this behavior and choose the explanation for their biting behavior.
- What were you doing in the moments preceding up to the bite? Were they prompted by this?
- Were they in a new group of individuals or an unfamiliar environment? If that’s the case, might this be considered territorial behavior?
- What was your reaction to this? Is it possible that it is supporting their behavior or that it is provoking further aggression?
If your puppy is biting excessively for reasons other than aggression, it is essential to realize that this is still a problem and should be addressed while teaching your dog.
Start teaching your puppy while they are still a puppy, and remember that consistency is vital.
The appropriate frame of mind, proper training, and a little bit of luck should ensure that this stage in your puppy’s life is only transitory.
