Hi, Im new and need help Please !!! - YorkieTalk.com Forums

Dallas12 · 05-06-2014, 09:48 AM

Hi, my adopted a Yorkie is 1.5 years old, we got him 2 months ago but he is extremely anxious when we leave the house even if it's only for a very short period of time. We have tried going out for a little while and extending those periods but he just goes crazy, barks, whines, cries and is very loud !!! I live in a condo so we have a lot of complaints. We even got him a crate but if we need to go for a couple of hours we can't just leave him there, it's unfair. Pleas, we need any advice, thanks !!,

JuanRamos · 05-06-2014, 09:59 AM

Are there any vets that offer a boarding service where you live? Until you can manage his problem, I think the best thing to do in order to avoid more complaints from your neighbors is to board him when you have to go out for long periods of time.

and don't worry about leaving a dog in a crate for a couple of hours. As long as you give him proper exercise during the day he shouldn't have any issues, much less now that he's an adult and can control his bladder better than a puppy.

Rosies Mamma · 05-06-2014, 10:07 AM

Have you tried just holding him when you go outside and stroking him to keep him calm? Then if he stays quiet for about 5 minutes go inside give him cuddles and come back out again and try for a longer period of time. I know its probably not going to be the best answer but i think it might help him

Maximo · 05-06-2014, 10:08 AM

Welcome to Yorkie Talk. Separation anxiety can be difficult. Keep up with the training for leaving for short periods -- starting with 5 minutes. Use keywords and phrases like, "We'll be RIGHT back," or we'll be back in a few minutes. It's amazing how many words these little guys can learn.

Also, if it is safe, try giving him a small room instead of the crate. Was he crate trained before? That might be part of the anxiety.

Give him a comfy bed and a tshirt you have worn with your scent on it (if he isn't a chewer).

A calming pheromone scent diffuser helped my friend's dog overcome separation anxiety: Comfort Zone Diffuser with D.A.P. for Dogs at PETCO

You can also try a Thundershirt: Thundershirt | The Best Dog Anxiety Treatment

Maximo · 05-06-2014, 10:11 AM

One more idea -- as suggested above, plenty of daily exercise helps calm dogs. In addition, establishing a daily routine helps. Do things like meals, short play sessions, etc at about the same time each day if possible. Include leaving him for short periods at about the same. Yorkies have amazing internal clocks and fall into routines well. It is reassuring and calming for them.

yorkietalkjilly · 05-06-2014, 10:14 AM

Gradually working up will work if you do it in small enough increments and take all the time needed and suddenly, he will get it and, if he's a healthy dog, will begin to accept the inevitable. My neighbors dogs barked for almost non-stop except for brief respites for 4 1/2 years before she finally trained them right and took all the time and effort they needed - then, almost by magic, they learned how not to go crazy and bark all day and evening long and ever since, it's been normal dog barking and wonderfully peaceful.

If you'd like, I'll post a step-by-step training for Separation Anxiety you can try but it will take a bit of persistent dedication.

Dallas12 · 05-10-2014, 06:26 AM

Thanks for your messages, we bought the thunder shirt but it doesn't work !!! We have tried the crate for very short periods but he cries like he was being tortured, lol !!, when we let him wonder around he cries and does not stop barking. He tries to stay by the window and look outside to see if we are coming back, we don't know if it's better to leave the blinds opened or closed ??? We exercise him a lot, at least a 3 or 4 mile walk every day and he loves it. About the boarding I prefer to pay his health insurance, honestly can't afford both

.
We will wait to start our step by step training for separation and see how it works, we are very positive that it will help a lot. Thanks again

Lovetodream88 · 05-10-2014, 09:07 AM

You may need to have a vet check him out and then ask about anxiety medicine. They don't have to be on it forever sometimes just a few months.

yorkietalkjilly · 05-10-2014, 12:31 PM

Got your PM and here is the post I referred to - a step-by-step method I've used successfully for helping rehab various rescue dogs with separation anxiety. You must go very slowly with each step and repeat it several times before moving on to the next but it's a tried and true method.

I have used the below technique to train anxious and barking dogs how to accept being left alone without misbehaving or becoming destructive. It is long, wordy post from another thread about a another dog with similar problems and the copy/paste from my Word program can cause some of the words to run together but you might read it over and see if it might work for your baby. When enough time and repetition is used to teach this method, it has worked every time to desensitize the dog to the concept of being left alone and they learn to relax and accept this fact of their lives. But it takes a lot of dedication and repetition by the owner, working faithfully with the dog. I hope it can help your sweet dog feel less anxious when you leave her/him home alone:

Separation Anxiety

Most anxious dogs that aren't used to it get nervous and anxious when their owners leave the home. Firstly, take all emotion out of your leaving. Do not feel sad for him or tell him goodbye - just like pack leaders in the wild don't when they decide to go on a hunt or take a walk - they just walk away and nobody freaks. They are impersonal and matter-of-fact in how and what they must do. So no emotional goodbyes or hello's when arriving home. Act like a pack leader. Your dog is a pack animal and is genetically in tune with a firm but fair leader. As far as your actual leaving, just slowly desensitize him to your leaving and soon he will come to accept it. But you must desensitize him to it slowly and allow him to adjust to each step. Be patient with that baby - his anxiety can be overcome with time and patience and knowing what to do. Keep your training sessions short and impersonal, matter-of-fact. (You can reward him once each exercise is over with a big, loving play session and lots of loving hugs, kisses.)

Give him a lovely food-stuffed kong toy, sit down and watch him playing with it, take up your keys and purse and whatever else you do as if to leave home and sit back down and just watch him. Don't go anywhere. Just sit there. Now this is key: keep repeating this for a day or two on a weekend over and over, giving him different things to chew on or play with as you get ready to go but don't.

After a day or two of this, when he's playing with his kong and has accepted your getting your things together, get your keys/purse, watch him for a while then get up and without saying one word to him or looking in his direction, just like an alpha wolf who acts in its pack without question from one of his pack members, walk out of your door outside. Shut it. Stand there 10 seconds and walk back in, DO NOT NOTICE HIM AT ALL, no matter how he's dancing around your feet or whining in joy, put your things away and sit back down where you usually sit when you watch him with his kong toy. Repeat this over & over and keep increasing your times outside to let him learn slowly that though momma goes out the door, she will be back and I'm really okay. Slowly but surely as you stay out longer and longer but do come back in, he'll have grown to accept this action as inconsequential in his life and soon grow to accept your leaving without thinking a thing of it -he'll know he gets a good thing to play with and some good food, momma will be back and he'll accept it. B4 long, he will just accept your leaving without any toys or kongs or anything. After a while, include getting in the car in this training exercise, even starting it up and getting right back out and coming in the house without noticing him. Repeat repeat repeat - sitting in the car awhile with it running. Eventually, drive around the block and then back home, inside, not noticing your dog and putting your things away, coming to sit in the same place on the couch where you always sit during this training. Once you have sat there a while after each training session, now it is time to play and reward that anxious baby who is learning to be a goooood dog so now have a blast with him. Lots of love, hugs, kisses, tugowar, etc. Happy, happy rewards for his efforts are definitely in order!

If you are patient enough to do this, it works EVERY SINGLE time and turns an anxious, crying dog into one that accepts leaving as just a part of his day.They soon learn to adjust their day to sleep while we are away and be ready togo when we get home.

I would also start him on a good positive-rewards training program such as in Tamar Geller's The Loved Dog book. This will teach him to bond well with you as you develop a strong relationship that he will not question, no matter what as he knows momma is always gonna keep it fun, loving and always rewarding for him.

Ceci_schL · 05-10-2014, 02:32 PM

Have you tried the no bark systems for inside? They have some great products at Pet Smarts. I am sure you give him lots of love. I would try the no bark stuff and if your at work all day try a puppy day care or find someone to watch him/her during the day. For the short times your out try a crate with a warm blanket with a clock that tics and maybe get him her some safe chew toys. My Yorkies love pig ears. In the year I have had my three Yorkies they love attention and want to be with me at all times. Just make sure they know you love them.

05-06-2014, 09:48 AM	#1
Dallas12 YorkieTalk Newbie! Join Date: May 2014 Location: Fayetteville,NC Posts: 2 Blog Entries: 1	Hi, Im new and need help Please !!! Hi, my adopted a Yorkie is 1.5 years old, we got him 2 months ago but he is extremely anxious when we leave the house even if it's only for a very short period of time. We have tried going out for a little while and extending those periods but he just goes crazy, barks, whines, cries and is very loud !!! I live in a condo so we have a lot of complaints. We even got him a crate but if we need to go for a couple of hours we can't just leave him there, it's unfair. Pleas, we need any advice, thanks !!,

05-06-2014, 09:59 AM	#2
JuanRamos Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Mexico Posts: 99	Are there any vets that offer a boarding service where you live? Until you can manage his problem, I think the best thing to do in order to avoid more complaints from your neighbors is to board him when you have to go out for long periods of time. and don't worry about leaving a dog in a crate for a couple of hours. As long as you give him proper exercise during the day he shouldn't have any issues, much less now that he's an adult and can control his bladder better than a puppy. Last edited by JuanRamos; 05-06-2014 at 10:00 AM.

05-06-2014, 10:07 AM	#3
Rosies Mamma Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Northern Scotland, UK Posts: 117	Have you tried just holding him when you go outside and stroking him to keep him calm? Then if he stays quiet for about 5 minutes go inside give him cuddles and come back out again and try for a longer period of time. I know its probably not going to be the best answer but i think it might help him __________________ Proud mum to Rosie R.I.P Little Charlie✞14/4/13 R.I.P Big-Boy Rex

05-06-2014, 10:08 AM	#4
Maximo ♥ Maximo and Teddy Donating Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 25,041	Welcome to Yorkie Talk. Separation anxiety can be difficult. Keep up with the training for leaving for short periods -- starting with 5 minutes. Use keywords and phrases like, "We'll be RIGHT back," or we'll be back in a few minutes. It's amazing how many words these little guys can learn. Also, if it is safe, try giving him a small room instead of the crate. Was he crate trained before? That might be part of the anxiety. Give him a comfy bed and a tshirt you have worn with your scent on it (if he isn't a chewer). A calming pheromone scent diffuser helped my friend's dog overcome separation anxiety: Comfort Zone Diffuser with D.A.P. for Dogs at PETCO You can also try a Thundershirt: Thundershirt \| The Best Dog Anxiety Treatment __________________ Kristin, Max and Teddy

05-06-2014, 10:11 AM	#5
Maximo ♥ Maximo and Teddy Donating Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 25,041	One more idea -- as suggested above, plenty of daily exercise helps calm dogs. In addition, establishing a daily routine helps. Do things like meals, short play sessions, etc at about the same time each day if possible. Include leaving him for short periods at about the same. Yorkies have amazing internal clocks and fall into routines well. It is reassuring and calming for them. __________________ Kristin, Max and Teddy

05-06-2014, 10:14 AM	#6
yorkietalkjilly ♥ Love My Tibbe! ♥ Donating Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: D/FW, Texas Posts: 22,140	Gradually working up will work if you do it in small enough increments and take all the time needed and suddenly, he will get it and, if he's a healthy dog, will begin to accept the inevitable. My neighbors dogs barked for almost non-stop except for brief respites for 4 1/2 years before she finally trained them right and took all the time and effort they needed - then, almost by magic, they learned how not to go crazy and bark all day and evening long and ever since, it's been normal dog barking and wonderfully peaceful. If you'd like, I'll post a step-by-step training for Separation Anxiety you can try but it will take a bit of persistent dedication. __________________ Jeanie and Tibbe One must do the best one can. You may get some marks for a very imperfect answer: you will certainly get none for leaving the question alone. C. S. Lewis

05-10-2014, 06:26 AM	#7
Dallas12 YorkieTalk Newbie! Join Date: May 2014 Location: Fayetteville,NC Posts: 2 Blog Entries: 1	Thanks for your messages, we bought the thunder shirt but it doesn't work !!! We have tried the crate for very short periods but he cries like he was being tortured, lol !!, when we let him wonder around he cries and does not stop barking. He tries to stay by the window and look outside to see if we are coming back, we don't know if it's better to leave the blinds opened or closed ??? We exercise him a lot, at least a 3 or 4 mile walk every day and he loves it. About the boarding I prefer to pay his health insurance, honestly can't afford both . We will wait to start our step by step training for separation and see how it works, we are very positive that it will help a lot. Thanks again Last edited by Dallas12; 05-10-2014 at 06:28 AM.

05-10-2014, 09:07 AM	#8
Lovetodream88 Yorkie mom of 4 Donating YT Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: LaPlata, Md Posts: 23,247	You may need to have a vet check him out and then ask about anxiety medicine. They don't have to be on it forever sometimes just a few months. __________________ Taylor My babies Joey, Penny ,Ollie & Dixie Callie Mae, you will forever be in my heart!

05-10-2014, 12:31 PM	#9
yorkietalkjilly ♥ Love My Tibbe! ♥ Donating Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: D/FW, Texas Posts: 22,140	Got your PM and here is the post I referred to - a step-by-step method I've used successfully for helping rehab various rescue dogs with separation anxiety. You must go very slowly with each step and repeat it several times before moving on to the next but it's a tried and true method. I have used the below technique to train anxious and barking dogs how to accept being left alone without misbehaving or becoming destructive. It is long, wordy post from another thread about a another dog with similar problems and the copy/paste from my Word program can cause some of the words to run together but you might read it over and see if it might work for your baby. When enough time and repetition is used to teach this method, it has worked every time to desensitize the dog to the concept of being left alone and they learn to relax and accept this fact of their lives. But it takes a lot of dedication and repetition by the owner, working faithfully with the dog. I hope it can help your sweet dog feel less anxious when you leave her/him home alone: Separation Anxiety Most anxious dogs that aren't used to it get nervous and anxious when their owners leave the home. Firstly, take all emotion out of your leaving. Do not feel sad for him or tell him goodbye - just like pack leaders in the wild don't when they decide to go on a hunt or take a walk - they just walk away and nobody freaks. They are impersonal and matter-of-fact in how and what they must do. So no emotional goodbyes or hello's when arriving home. Act like a pack leader. Your dog is a pack animal and is genetically in tune with a firm but fair leader. As far as your actual leaving, just slowly desensitize him to your leaving and soon he will come to accept it. But you must desensitize him to it slowly and allow him to adjust to each step. Be patient with that baby - his anxiety can be overcome with time and patience and knowing what to do. Keep your training sessions short and impersonal, matter-of-fact. (You can reward him once each exercise is over with a big, loving play session and lots of loving hugs, kisses.) Give him a lovely food-stuffed kong toy, sit down and watch him playing with it, take up your keys and purse and whatever else you do as if to leave home and sit back down and just watch him. Don't go anywhere. Just sit there. Now this is key: keep repeating this for a day or two on a weekend over and over, giving him different things to chew on or play with as you get ready to go but don't. After a day or two of this, when he's playing with his kong and has accepted your getting your things together, get your keys/purse, watch him for a while then get up and without saying one word to him or looking in his direction, just like an alpha wolf who acts in its pack without question from one of his pack members, walk out of your door outside. Shut it. Stand there 10 seconds and walk back in, DO NOT NOTICE HIM AT ALL, no matter how he's dancing around your feet or whining in joy, put your things away and sit back down where you usually sit when you watch him with his kong toy. Repeat this over & over and keep increasing your times outside to let him learn slowly that though momma goes out the door, she will be back and I'm really okay. Slowly but surely as you stay out longer and longer but do come back in, he'll have grown to accept this action as inconsequential in his life and soon grow to accept your leaving without thinking a thing of it -he'll know he gets a good thing to play with and some good food, momma will be back and he'll accept it. B4 long, he will just accept your leaving without any toys or kongs or anything. After a while, include getting in the car in this training exercise, even starting it up and getting right back out and coming in the house without noticing him. Repeat repeat repeat - sitting in the car awhile with it running. Eventually, drive around the block and then back home, inside, not noticing your dog and putting your things away, coming to sit in the same place on the couch where you always sit during this training. Once you have sat there a while after each training session, now it is time to play and reward that anxious baby who is learning to be a goooood dog so now have a blast with him. Lots of love, hugs, kisses, tugowar, etc. Happy, happy rewards for his efforts are definitely in order! If you are patient enough to do this, it works EVERY SINGLE time and turns an anxious, crying dog into one that accepts leaving as just a part of his day.They soon learn to adjust their day to sleep while we are away and be ready togo when we get home. I would also start him on a good positive-rewards training program such as in Tamar Geller's The Loved Dog book. This will teach him to bond well with you as you develop a strong relationship that he will not question, no matter what as he knows momma is always gonna keep it fun, loving and always rewarding for him. __________________ Jeanie and Tibbe One must do the best one can. You may get some marks for a very imperfect answer: you will certainly get none for leaving the question alone. C. S. Lewis

05-10-2014, 02:32 PM	#10
Ceci_schL YorkieTalk Newbie! Join Date: May 2014 Location: Angleton Posts: 1	Have you tried the no bark systems for inside? They have some great products at Pet Smarts. I am sure you give him lots of love. I would try the no bark stuff and if your at work all day try a puppy day care or find someone to watch him/her during the day. For the short times your out try a crate with a warm blanket with a clock that tics and maybe get him her some safe chew toys. My Yorkies love pig ears. In the year I have had my three Yorkies they love attention and want to be with me at all times. Just make sure they know you love them.