separation anxiety - YorkieTalk.com Forums

MyPann · 03-21-2011, 08:52 PM

Pann has some horrible separation anxiety. When I take him outside to play on his lead and go back into the house to grab something, or pick up really quick he barks like a mad dog until he can see me again.(I can see him the whole time he's in the front yard and the front of my house is all windows) When he knows I am leaving for work or to run errands he barks. I need him not to be so crazy! This summer we will be living with my bf's parents and they are going to be very agitated if they have a dog in their basement constantly barking. Any ideas on how to correct this behavior or how to deal with it in the best way? Thanks in advance for any and all advise!

concretegurl · 03-21-2011, 11:21 PM

If it's just barking you need to work on the barking issue...be sure its actually separation anxiety as opposed to "hey you left me outside" trying to get your attention...

Scoobers has separation anxiety...causes some issues with the boy here he calls him the "annoying neurotic one"

Scoober also had fear aggression, sedatives and anti-anxiety meds were recommended for him-I was not okay with behavior issues causing him to take meds that could harm him physically.

I started using Dogswell Mello Mut to ease the training process..but learned many people on here use Rescue Remedy...both are homeopathic (which is critical) mood altering herbal supplements-sedatives if you will that will not have the common side effects or risks of sedatives. These are a tool to ease training not in lou of it.

So I'd give the recommended (or this is what I did and still do) dosage for a test run and no training then and wait 12 hours to ensure the supplement works for your dog safely...I actually tested Mellow Mut chicken jerky on myself to the shock of the BF LOL then tested it on Scoobers-it's safe he ate the entire bag one Fourth of July and he watched the city fireworks laying upside down completely relaxed....

After the test then begin give dosage, and begin training, leave the room, and wait about a minute show you will return, try to wait until barking ceases after you are sucessful in showing you will return...then go two minutes...and so fourth.

There's a lot of conflicting behaviorist/trainer opinions on weather or not you should give immediate praise when returning...I was told to ignore my dogs when I first return for about two minutes until they are calm and then greet them...so hard but it has really eased for us here getting in the door and calming a very anxiety prone dog.

Eventually you will not use the homeopathic sedation supplement...it simply eases the process of training until training takes over as anxiety can lead to dogs hurting or stressing themselves which is dangerous.

Good Luck- we still struggle with Scoobers separation anxiety-he is a pup mill rescue so he has some pretty lasting issues...but the improvement has been incredible! Previously he would "cry" which sounded more like a scream...for over an hour...but this really worked for our extreme case.

If this doesn't work for you...find whatever does that will aid your dog in being safe, calm and confident.
MELLOW MUT®
Natural stress relief for pets - Rescue® Remedy Pet

MyPann · 03-22-2011, 08:35 AM

Thank you so much I will look into this. When I leave him alone outside it's the worst he sounds like he's dieing sometimes!

concretegurl · 03-22-2011, 08:58 AM

Scoobers does what we call a banshee scream...no dog should ever or has ever made a sound like that that anyone who has heard him has ever heard another dog make...it's like Chewy from Star Wars only high pitched and prolonged...

I knew it was bad when the construction workers remodeling and building on to the next door neighbor's house informed me of how they heard it over their power tools and felt the need to look over the fence to ensure he wasn't being tortured...he was accidentally shut out when I was getting in the shower and closed the doors to the back yard...

Quote:

Originally Posted by MyPann

Thank you so much I will look into this. When I leave him alone outside it's the worst he sounds like he's dieing sometimes!

Gatord · 03-22-2011, 09:05 AM

I wonder if Jack has "seperation anxiety". When I am getting dressed for work in the morning when he sees me start to put my clothes on he goes to his bed and lays there with the sadest eyes. They are both very happy when I get home and I do spend alot of time with them when I get home. I leave a radio in their room on and one in the kitchen on. Those are the only two places they have access to when I am gone.

concretegurl · 03-22-2011, 09:08 AM

Gator unless your dogs exhibit excessive distress...no they are normal and being sad you are leaving isn't separation anxiety...it means they love you.
Separation anxiety can vary in symptoms and degrees greatly and usually the biggest signs are those of severe distress...unending whining, barking, scratching, running/pacing around, destructive behavior, self injury due to panic and compulsion etc.

Gatord · 03-22-2011, 09:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by concretegurl

Gator unless your dogs exhibit excessive distress...no they are normal and being sad you are leaving isn't separation anxiety...it means they love you.
Separation anxiety can vary in symptoms and degrees greatly and usually the biggest signs are those of severe distress...unending whining, barking, scratching, running/pacing around, destructive behavior, self injury due to panic and compulsion etc.

Thank you, that makes me feel better. Except when I see those eyes.

stanziog · 03-22-2011, 09:22 AM

Rocco does the same when I am about to leave for work in the morning. Once i go to the closet for my coat he goes in his bed and just looks at me with those sad eyes...

Gatord · 03-22-2011, 09:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stanziog

Rocco does the same when I am about to leave for work in the morning. Once i go to the closet for my coat he goes in his bed and just looks at me with those sad eyes...

Don't it just break your heart. I try not to look at Jack. I just say, I am going to work be back later, love ya'll. I do kisses earlier when I close their gate.

stanziog · 03-23-2011, 10:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gatord

Don't it just break your heart. I try not to look at Jack. I just say, I am going to work be back later, love ya'll. I do kisses earlier when I close their gate.

Yes it does break your heart. and again i do the same, i tell him i have to go to work and how much i love him and how if i could i would stay home with him... and as i am just about to go out the door i throw kisses and i tell him 'mommy loves you bushky' (my little nickname for him)...

chandracz · 03-23-2011, 11:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by concretegurl

If it's just barking you need to work on the barking issue...be sure its actually separation anxiety as opposed to "hey you left me outside" trying to get your attention...

Scoobers has separation anxiety...causes some issues with the boy here he calls him the "annoying neurotic one"

Scoober also had fear aggression, sedatives and anti-anxiety meds were recommended for him-I was not okay with behavior issues causing him to take meds that could harm him physically.

I started using Dogswell Mello Mut to ease the training process..but learned many people on here use Rescue Remedy...both are homeopathic (which is critical) mood altering herbal supplements-sedatives if you will that will not have the common side effects or risks of sedatives. These are a tool to ease training not in lou of it.

So I'd give the recommended (or this is what I did and still do) dosage for a test run and no training then and wait 12 hours to ensure the supplement works for your dog safely...I actually tested Mellow Mut chicken jerky on myself to the shock of the BF LOL then tested it on Scoobers-it's safe he ate the entire bag one Fourth of July and he watched the city fireworks laying upside down completely relaxed....

After the test then begin give dosage, and begin training, leave the room, and wait about a minute show you will return, try to wait until barking ceases after you are sucessful in showing you will return...then go two minutes...and so fourth.

There's a lot of conflicting behaviorist/trainer opinions on weather or not you should give immediate praise when returning...I was told to ignore my dogs when I first return for about two minutes until they are calm and then greet them...so hard but it has really eased for us here getting in the door and calming a very anxiety prone dog.

Eventually you will not use the homeopathic sedation supplement...it simply eases the process of training until training takes over as anxiety can lead to dogs hurting or stressing themselves which is dangerous.

Good Luck- we still struggle with Scoobers separation anxiety-he is a pup mill rescue so he has some pretty lasting issues...but the improvement has been incredible! Previously he would "cry" which sounded more like a scream...for over an hour...but this really worked for our extreme case.

If this doesn't work for you...find whatever does that will aid your dog in being safe, calm and confident.
MELLOW MUT®
Natural stress relief for pets - Rescue® Remedy Pet

Onyxmozart · 03-26-2011, 09:12 AM

Onyx has kind of a separation issue.

If I'm leaving for the first time in the day, he's kind of okay. If I'm gone for more than 4 hours though, I usually found wet presents in the carpet. So I put a baby gate in my kitchen where I put him in there with a doggie bed, his water bowl and potty pads.

If I come back and have to leave again, that's when he puts up a fuss. I can here him barking for a couple of minutes after I step out of my apartment. He used to spaz out for a good 15 minutes whenever I come home, during which I usually just ignore him and remain calm until he calms down to pet him or greet him. Now it's just around 5 minutes.

What you can probably try to do is do very short leaving and coming back exercises to help desensitize your puppy to you leaving.

03-21-2011, 08:52 PM	#1
MyPann Donating YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Toledo, Ohio Posts: 883	separation anxiety Pann has some horrible separation anxiety. When I take him outside to play on his lead and go back into the house to grab something, or pick up really quick he barks like a mad dog until he can see me again.(I can see him the whole time he's in the front yard and the front of my house is all windows) When he knows I am leaving for work or to run errands he barks. I need him not to be so crazy! This summer we will be living with my bf's parents and they are going to be very agitated if they have a dog in their basement constantly barking. Any ideas on how to correct this behavior or how to deal with it in the best way? Thanks in advance for any and all advise! __________________ Pann!

03-21-2011, 11:21 PM	#2
concretegurl Between♥Suspensions Donating Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Vaissades Posts: 7,979	*If it's just barking you need to work on the barking issue...be sure its actually separation anxiety as opposed to "hey you left me outside" trying to get your attention...* Scoobers has separation anxiety...causes some issues with the boy here he calls him the "annoying neurotic one" Scoober also had fear aggression, sedatives and anti-anxiety meds were recommended for him-I was not okay with behavior issues causing him to take meds that could harm him physically. I started using Dogswell Mello Mut to ease the training process..but learned many people on here use Rescue Remedy...both are homeopathic (which is critical) mood altering herbal supplements-sedatives if you will that will not have the common side effects or risks of sedatives. These are a tool to ease training not in lou of it. So I'd give the recommended (or this is what I did and still do) dosage for a test run and no training then and wait 12 hours to ensure the supplement works for your dog safely...I actually tested Mellow Mut chicken jerky on myself to the shock of the BF LOL then tested it on Scoobers-it's safe he ate the entire bag one Fourth of July and he watched the city fireworks laying upside down completely relaxed.... After the test then begin give dosage, and begin training, leave the room, and wait about a minute show you will return, try to wait until barking ceases after you are sucessful in showing you will return...then go two minutes...and so fourth. There's a lot of conflicting behaviorist/trainer opinions on weather or not you should give immediate praise when returning...I was told to ignore my dogs when I first return for about two minutes until they are calm and then greet them...so hard but it has really eased for us here getting in the door and calming a very anxiety prone dog. Eventually you will not use the homeopathic sedation supplement...it simply eases the process of training until training takes over as anxiety can lead to dogs hurting or stressing themselves which is dangerous. Good Luck- we still struggle with Scoobers separation anxiety-he is a pup mill rescue so he has some pretty lasting issues...but the improvement has been incredible! Previously he would "cry" which sounded more like a scream...for over an hour...but this really worked for our extreme case. If this doesn't work for you...find whatever does that will aid your dog in being safe, calm and confident. MELLOW MUT® Natural stress relief for pets - Rescue® Remedy Pet __________________ Shan & 8 kids now! Last edited by concretegurl; 03-21-2011 at 11:23 PM.

03-22-2011, 08:35 AM	#3
MyPann Donating YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Toledo, Ohio Posts: 883	Thank you so much I will look into this. When I leave him alone outside it's the worst he sounds like he's dieing sometimes! __________________ Pann!

03-22-2011, 09:08 AM	#6
concretegurl Between♥Suspensions Donating Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Vaissades Posts: 7,979	Gator unless your dogs exhibit excessive distress...no they are normal and being sad you are leaving isn't separation anxiety...it means they love you. Separation anxiety can vary in symptoms and degrees greatly and usually the biggest signs are those of severe distress...unending whining, barking, scratching, running/pacing around, destructive behavior, self injury due to panic and compulsion etc. __________________ Shan & 8 kids now!

03-22-2011, 09:22 AM	#8
stanziog Donating YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Manhattan, NYC Posts: 655	Rocco does the same when I am about to leave for work in the morning. Once i go to the closet for my coat he goes in his bed and just looks at me with those sad eyes... __________________ "Be the person your dog thinks you are" ..author unknown

03-22-2011, 09:05 AM	#5
Gatord ♥ Jack & Josie ♥ Donating Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: FL Posts: 1,235	I wonder if Jack has "seperation anxiety". When I am getting dressed for work in the morning when he sees me start to put my clothes on he goes to his bed and lays there with the sadest eyes. They are both very happy when I get home and I do spend alot of time with them when I get home. I leave a radio in their room on and one in the kitchen on. Those are the only two places they have access to when I am gone.

03-26-2011, 09:12 AM	#12
Onyxmozart Yorkie Talker Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Tallahasee,FL, US Posts: 16	Onyx has kind of a separation issue. If I'm leaving for the first time in the day, he's kind of okay. If I'm gone for more than 4 hours though, I usually found wet presents in the carpet. So I put a baby gate in my kitchen where I put him in there with a doggie bed, his water bowl and potty pads. If I come back and have to leave again, that's when he puts up a fuss. I can here him barking for a couple of minutes after I step out of my apartment. He used to spaz out for a good 15 minutes whenever I come home, during which I usually just ignore him and remain calm until he calms down to pet him or greet him. Now it's just around 5 minutes. What you can probably try to do is do very short leaving and coming back exercises to help desensitize your puppy to you leaving. __________________ I own a real life Pokemon!