How to Stop a Yorkie From Chewing Everything: Simple Training Tips
Yorkshire Terrier puppies explore the world mouth-first. Shoes, furniture legs, remote controls, phone chargers — if it's within reach, it's fair game. If your Yorkie has turned your home into an all-you-can-chew buffet, take a breath: this is one of the most common puppy stages out there, and it's very trainable.
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Training your Yorkie puppy now is one of the best gifts you can give them. A little consistency today goes a long way toward raising a happy, confident, well-mannered dog.
Chewing is normal, but that doesn't mean you should ignore it. The earlier you start teaching your Yorkie what's okay to chew and what's off-limits, the easier the whole process becomes — and the fewer shoes you'll lose along the way.
Why Does My Yorkie Chew Everything?
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There's rarely just one reason behind the chewing. A few of the most common culprits:
- Teething
- Boredom
- Excitement
- Exploring the world
- Wanting attention
- Anxiety or stress
- Leftover puppy energy
Puppies naturally use their mouths the way toddlers use their hands — to figure out how the world works. Your job is simply to teach your Yorkie what's fair game to chew and what isn't.
1. Yorkie-Proof Your Space
Before training even starts, make it easier on both of you. Keep shoes, cords, and anything tempting up off the floor and out of reach.
You don't have to redesign your whole home — just remove the obvious temptations while your Yorkie is still learning the rules.
2. Redirect to an Appropriate Chew Toy
The moment your puppy starts gnawing on something they shouldn't, calmly swap in a chew toy instead.
This teaches a clear, simple rule:
Toys are for chewing. Everything else is not.
Keep a few toys scattered around the house so you're always ready to redirect quickly, before the habit has a chance to form.
3. Reward Chewing the Right Things
Whenever you catch your Yorkie chewing their own toy instead of your favorite sneaker, let them know it worked. You can reward with:
- Praise
- Gentle attention
- Play
- A small training treat when it fits
Dogs repeat what pays off, so make sure appropriate chewing is the thing that gets noticed.
4. Keep Teething in Mind
Young puppies chew more when their teeth are coming in — it's uncomfortable, and chewing helps relieve the pressure. Giving your Yorkie safe, appropriate chew toys gives that instinct somewhere productive to go.
Stick to toys sized right for your dog, supervise when needed, and check with your vet if you're ever unsure whether something is safe.
5. Tackle Boredom Chewing Head-On
A bored Yorkie left alone with nothing to do will often find their own entertainment — and it's rarely the entertainment you'd choose.
Rotate toys, offer puzzle feeders, and leave something engaging out when you can't supervise directly.
6. Make Sure Your Yorkie Is Getting Enough Activity
A Yorkie sitting on unused energy is a Yorkie who's harder to settle down. Build in regular:
- Playtime
- Short walks suited to your dog's age and ability
- Simple training sessions
- Mental stimulation
- Rest and quiet time
Finding the right rhythm between activity and downtime helps keep the overexcitement — and the destructive chewing that comes with it — in check.
7. Teach "Leave It" and "Drop It"
These two commands are lifesavers for chewing situations. Useful ones to start with:
- Sit
- Stay
- Come
- Leave it
- Drop it
Practice during calm, low-distraction moments so your Yorkie can actually absorb what you're asking before you need it in the heat of the moment.
What Not to Do When Your Yorkie Chews
Don't Hit or Physically Punish Your Yorkie
It tends to create fear rather than understanding, which makes training harder in the long run.
Don't Chase Your Yorkie to Get an Item Back
Chasing often turns it into a fun game of keep-away, which only reinforces the exact behavior you're trying to stop.
Don't Expect Overnight Results
Puppies are learning in real time. Steady, consistent repetition beats reacting differently every time.
When Is Yorkie Chewing a Bigger Concern?
Normal puppy chewing looks different from behavior that seems compulsive, anxious, or unusually intense.
It's worth talking to a vet or a qualified dog behavior professional if your Yorkie:
- Chews to the point of injuring themselves
- Shows signs of pain or illness
- Seems anxious or distressed when chewing
- Swallows non-food items
- Becomes difficult to redirect no matter what you try
Need More Help Training Your Yorkie?
Chewing is just one piece of the puppy puzzle. Barking, nipping, jumping, leash pulling, and shaky command-following tend to show up around the same time.
That's where a structured training program can really take the pressure off. Instead of guessing your way through each new behavior as it pops up, you get a clear, step-by-step system built for exactly this stage of puppyhood — covering chewing and everything else on the list.
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Final Thoughts
Yorkie puppy chewing almost always improves with patience, consistency, and the right training approach.
Redirect to appropriate toys, reward the right chewing choices, tackle boredom before it becomes a habit, and make sure your Yorkie has a healthy balance of exercise, training, and rest.
Small, steady improvements add up fast. With consistent guidance, your Yorkie will learn better ways to explore — and your shoes will thank you.
