How can I stop my Yorkie from chewing through wires?!?

Question

My 1 year old Yorkie seems to have a growing fetish for wires. For example, there is a floor lamp in my sister's room, and it was plugged into the wall (however it was not on, thank goodness!) and she chewed right through the wire. I came home and the plug was still in the wall, but it was no longer attached the lamp! She's even chewed through one of the wires that connects our DVD player to the surround speakers! Help! I love my electronics, but she is slowly making her way to all of them... I have bandaged up soo many things with the ugly black electrical tape, that it's not funny...

Answer 1

You can use a spray bottle when she is actually doing it and just keep her in the kitchen or some wire free environment when you are out. My dog chewed through a wire and started a minor fire ..thankfully I was in and noticed immediately. So be careful it might not be just black tape to worry you.

Answer 2

Put something on the sides so the wires are not easily reachable to her.

You can also try PVC piping... my parents did this with a bunny rabbit we had as kids with the same issue.

Secure her in an area where there are no wires when you are not at home (such as a hallway) with baby gates. Watch her closely when you are home - Keep a water bottle handy and when you see her start going for the wire, make a big noise, stomp your feet, etc. tell her No! and spray the water once or twice at her.

Answer 3

try buy dog toys from the pet shop .

Answer 4

Hi,

Yorkies are generally very smart and easy to train. So let get started:

1. A one year old is still a pup and puppies chew!!! You need to find a safe chewable bone that the dog will prefer on the wires. Get some wires similar to the ones you have at home and through them on the floor. Now watch the dog closely and every time the dog is trying to tough the wires draw his attention by saying:"eh eh" or "pssssst" and give him the bone you have got. It takes a while but he will learn that the bone is better.

2. NEVER EVER HIT OR YELL AT HIM FOR CHEWING!!!!!!! I hope you did not but, if you have done so after finding chewed wires it was way too late and he does not know why you have got wild. Dogs learn by association and the only thing he has learned from it is that when you come home you go wild and you will grow a scared dog for ever.

3. When you leave the dog home alone, try to confine him in an area that there are no wires and leave with him plenty of toys. Not the bone or rawhide as these need to be supervised when chewed and can be dangerous chokers.

4. Another simple solution would be to wrap the wires with a metal spring. Dogs hate the taste of metal. You can buy long springs on line and insert the wires through. It takes a little electrical work to do but will probably fool solve the problem. Yet, will not train your dog.

I hope this helps. If you need further behavior issues to solve I can do it per hour fee basis. If you happen to live in Southern NH area, I can work with you closely. Call 603.791.4247 and ask for Gil.

Answer 5

This stuff works great, but isn't cheap: http://www.crittercord.com/.  You might also try hot sauce, which works for some dogs when the bitter stuff doesn't.  For now, keep her out of the areas with cords when she isn't supervised.  If she grabs one, clap your hands and say 'No!' sharply.  Most of my cords are put out of sight, either behind furniture, under the carpet, or covered with some type of cord protector.  Neither of mine are big on cords, but I figure better safe than sorry!