Need Help With My Yorkie! Please!

[Duhxo000]

Not quite sure where to post this since this is my first time posting on here. I have an almost 9 month old male yorkie (Rusty). When I got him he was a very sick puppy he had kennel cough, giardia, and within a week of me having him had to take him to the vet 3 times and spent $700 because he had pnuemonia. I was so scared that something would happen to him I was always with him. At the time I picked him up I got laid off of work right after so for the last 4 months he has been with me almost 24/7. Unfortunately it's starting to really take it's toll on me. I love my dog with all my heart but I'm 21 years old and need some time to myself. If I as much as leave my room for more than 5 minutes he goes crazy and barks and cries until i come back. I know it's my fault that he's like this but I really need to have my alone time. I'm hoping to start work soon and I really need to get him to be okay with being away from me or he's gonna drive my mother up the wall while I'm gone. Any suggestions would be awesome. Also, I've tried crate training him since i got him but he freaks out and barks and cries until you let him out. I've tried starting off with 2 minutes and slowly working the time up that he's in there but it doesn't work. I'm so frustrated. I can't go to dinner with friends because I can't bring him and I'm afraid he's going to cry so much that he'll make himself throw up again(He's done it numoerous times). I have a carrier for him that I leave at the end of my bed and if he sees me getting dressed he grabs his coat and goes over to his bag. I just don't know what to do. Any suggestions would be helpful. Like I said right now I'm out of work. I have enough money to buy him clothes and treats and his groomers along with everything he needs but unfortunately as much as I would like to I cannot afford a dog walker, dog sitter, or a doggy daycare. Right now I still live with my mother and she'll play with him every once in a while if I do leave without him but it's gotten so bad at times where she's had to call me and tell me to come home because he's crying tears and all and won't stop no matter how much she pays attention to him.

So Please Help, My Sanity Relies On It!!!!

[Judy in Waco]

Wow, this is a really difficult situation for you isn't it? He seems really stressed. If you have money for clothes and treats and such, and you have the time right now, maybe you could consider an obedience course? I think it might really help. Also, you said you can't afford a dog walker, but do you walk him?

Maybe others will have more suggestions. I really hope things get better soon for you and your pup.

[smallmans]

Take a few deep breaths and wait. There are so many wonderful, helpful people on this forum. You will have help shortly. I know how frustrating it is in the beginning with a new Yorkie pup. But, training is the key. It will be hard, but if you folliow the advice others will share you will be successful. Don't give up. The rewards your furbaby will share with you are well worth all the effort. I'm no expert so I'll leave the advice to those that are. Just wanted to let you know that you are not alone and you will have LOTS of help to get through this difficult "mommy" time. Hugs to you!

[jeanm1963]

HI,

Do Think maybe your mom could start feeding him and taking him for a couple of little short walks a day , so maybe he can bond with her and he will know that he is okay while your not around? Another suggestion may be if you have a teenager in your neighboorhood that could come over and just play with him in the back yard , maybe even throw him 5 bucks!! Being away from you and having " fun" is a good place to start... Even if one of your friends can come over and take him for a short walk outside with a ball or something... he just has to know that he is going to be okay while your gone. Start out with just 5 minutes and then extend it longer.....
There are other people here that have had good luck with rescue remedy... Hopefully they will come along and let you know how it works!

[yorkie mad]

I feel for you I really do however yorkies can be very demanding, Im presuming you done some research before buying. My opinon is he has seperation anxiety (many do , they really are like little kids and want to be involved in everything) This may sound crazy but you need to leave him a little bit longer each day, yes he will cry but he will get over it. Give him a treat when you return and lots of praise. Leave him something to play with to . maybe a kong.Trust me you need to do this otherwise you won't have a life.
Believe me I have just looked after my mums dog for a month and he had the same problem. He is never left alone which made it hard work for me . It took 2 weeks of him screaming the house down and giving my yorkie a headache but now he is coming round and realises humans do need to leave them behind sometimes.As for the crate. great . I love and used one for Tia when she was a pup however do not let him out when he is barking , wait until he stops or he will bark everytime as he will know you will let him out. Im no expert but learning fast with my own, hope it helps.

[luckylady]

Gosh, so sorry to hear you are having this problem with your yorkie. I don't think I've ever had this issue....maybe because I've always had more than one dog. However, I've seen this issue dealt with on "It's Me or the Dog" with Victoria Stillwell on Animal Planet and some of the advice given here is what she recommends. From watching her shows I have definitely learned that repetition and consistency are the keys and necessities to success. Since it sounds like you don't go out much there may not be a pattern is how/when you leave, but if there is, BREAK THE PATTERN. Change the routine in whatever it is you do when you leave; do it differently and make no fuss about your leaving. Getting other people more involved in your yorkies life/activities will also help with his attachment to you.
Here is a link to a thread I found here about another member's problem with separation anxiety with their yorkie. I hope it helps.
http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/gen...ration+anxiety

[red98vett]

Originally Posted by luckylady

Gosh, so sorry to hear you are having this problem with your yorkie. I don't think I've ever had this issue....maybe because I've always had more than one dog. However, I've seen this issue dealt with on "It's Me or the Dog" with Victoria Stillwell on Animal Planet and some of the advice given here is what she recommends. From watching her shows I have definitely learned that repetition and consistency are the keys and necessities to success. Since it sounds like you don't go out much there may not be a pattern is how/when you leave, but if there is, BREAK THE PATTERN. Change the routine in whatever it is you do when you leave; do it differently and make no fuss about your leaving. Getting other people more involved in your yorkies life/activities will also help with his attachment to you.
Here is a link to a thread I found here about another member's problem with separation anxiety with their yorkie. I hope it helps.
http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/gen...ration+anxiety

good post ! I bolded in red what I've always heard too - the less fuss you make when leaving the better. There are lots of sites that have great info on seperation anxiety and it seems your puppy has a pretty severe case of it.

My girls had a hard time when I had to move and work full time after my husband died....I'd just tell them I was going to work - be good girls and I'll be back - then give them their treat.

It took a bit but finally they started understanding I WAS coming back but holy cow - Cheri would scream. Luckily she stopped right away (I snuck back to listen a few times) but still - it hurt to hear her that upset.

Someone said they're like little kids and that's so true. They are and can be alot of work. I always felt I did mine a dis-service because when my husband was sick, he was with them ALL the time so they weren't used to being alone - - it's much better for dogs to see us coming and going without making a big deal out of it.

Giving him a really safe toy - like a kong is good too - anything to occupy his thoughts while you walk out the door.

[SophieKatesMom]

I am so sorry but I can relate, my Yorkie is extremely attached to me also. I was laid off for the first 4 months that she lived with us and unfortunately I spent a majority of that time spoiling my puppy (I do not regret it one bit).

You received some very good advice here, the same information I was given.

1. You need to get out and leave you Yorkie regardless to how much he barks and throws a fit. Make sure he is safe and has all the necessary comfort items he needs.

2. When he starts barking and wanting your attention and you are leaving don't baby him or pick him up, just tell him goodbye - he needs to learn that you will always come back.

3. Let other people hold him, walk him and feed him (someone trusted of course).

You need to be able to have time out with your friends. away from your Yorkie.

Good luck and keep us posted.

[red98vett]

Originally Posted by SophieKatesMom

I am so sorry but I can relate, my Yorkie is extremely attached to me also. I was laid off for the first 4 months that she lived with us and unfortunately I spent a majority of that time spoiling my puppy (I do not regret it one bit).

You received some very good advice here, the same information I was given.

1. You need to get out and leave you Yorkie regardless to how much he barks and throws a fit. Make sure he is safe and has all the necessary comfort items he needs.

2. When he starts barking and wanting your attention and you are leaving don't baby him or pick him up, just tell him goodbye - he needs to learn that you will always come back.

3. Let other people hold him, walk him and feed him (someone trusted of course).

You need to be able to have time out with your friends. away from your Yorkie.

Good luck and keep us posted.

great post

[DvlshAngel985]

You have received great advice! the only thing I would add is in addition to making your exit unemotional make your return the same. I know it sounds crazy, but it helps make your coming and going seem more normal. I was told to ignore him for 5 mins after I return. Just go about your business and after 5 mins you can greet him. Believe me, 5 mins will feel like an eternity but you're actually doing him a favor. I know you mentioned crate training, seeing as he already associates them with acting up how about a switch to an expen? He can have all his comfort things including food and water, he's confined so he'll be safe but still has space to play and that can give you peace of mind while you're out.

[Duhxo000]

Thank You Everyone for all of your suggestions! I'm going to start working with him more with it and hopefully it will work. He does get regular walks all the time depending on the weather. Since he was so sick when I got him I am very scared to take him out when its too cold but he does go out alot. I have heard alot about an expen but I'm not sure what it is. I will look into that. Again, Thank you all so much for your help I just hope it works. I'll keep you all updated!.

[zekie's mom]

The more tired you make him before you need to leave him alone, the happier he will be. I always leave mine with a kong filled with peanut butter and cherrios and he actually looks forward to my leaving so he can have his goodie. It keeps him occupied for quite a while. Also leave the TV or a radio playing on low and leave a light on.

[lil fu fu girl]

Originally Posted by zekie's mom

The more tired you make him before you need to leave him alone, the happier he will be. I always leave mine with a kong filled with peanut butter and cherrios and he actually looks forward to my leaving so he can have his goodie. It keeps him occupied for quite a while. Also leave the TV or a radio playing on low and leave a light on.

That is an excellent idea. That way he associates the leaving with a treat, instead of isolation. Plus it will keep him busy while she is gone.
Great suggestion......

[Duhxo000]

Originally Posted by zekie's mom

The more tired you make him before you need to leave him alone, the happier he will be. I always leave mine with a kong filled with peanut butter and cherrios and he actually looks forward to my leaving so he can have his goodie. It keeps him occupied for quite a while. Also leave the TV or a radio playing on low and leave a light on.

That's an awesome idea! I didn't think of that. He loves his peanut butter and kong but he goes through it so quick! he can have all of the peanut butter out in a matter of like 2 minutes, he's got like a super tongue or something! LOL.