Adult Separation Anxiety

[Clazziquai]

Hey guys, I got an account today to ask a very pressing question for my little guy. I adopted him about 5 days ago and every time I leave the house he cries constantly! Even if it's just to go get the mail. He also poops in the house and pees despite the fact that he is perfectly house trained. I am his third owner and I love him to bits but if we can't fix this seperation anxiety thing I'm afraid I won't be able to keep him!

His name is Lincoln and he is 7 years old, I have never owned a Yorkie before!

[rubymoon2072]

Hello it's only been 5 days. you have to give him time to get comfortable and learn the ropes and such. try leaving a shirt that smells like you down for him to lay on and be comforted by when you are leaving. also do you have potty pads down for him? is he maybe confused if there is carpets? mine confuse carpet and potty pads I had to get an old truck mat and place that down and then potty pads on that. that helped clear the confusion and stopped accidents. it is going to take him time to adjust especially if he has been to multiple homes already. thank you for saving him and please try to be patient and understanding and give him the time he needs to learn what you expect of him.

[Clazziquai]

Will do! I will definitely give him awhile longer. I am such a noob, I was just worried haha. He used to be my mother's dog and I took him since he was just too much to keep up with for her. Thank you for your help <3

[Batgirl38]

You're his 3 owner. He's probably afraid he's going to be given away again...poor guy. Just pour all the love you have on this puppy. My puppy has diarrhea this morning and I just clean it up, gave her a bath and kept it moving. She's my baby for life, poop and all. Plzzzz don't give up on this pup.

[Clazziquai]

Also, is it normal for them to sleep pretty much all day? He runs a bit when we go out for a walk but he's not interested in playing with anything really. He comes in, gets a treat for going out then plops himself in his bed and is out for a couple more hours. I haven't had a dog in well...a very long time and she was a very easy going mutt, not a Yorkie you know? I have no clue what's normal at this age haha. He's 7 1/2 right now!

[Jayspee]

I rehomed a 3 yr old and I am the 3rd owner, second owner in a year. At first she cried so much when I left her anywhere, with or without other people. Then as part of the obedience training we're doing, she learned the magic word "wait". I would say wait and she didn't cry anymore - might be worth a try..... Best of luck, it's heartbreaking when they're upset

[Clazziquai]

Also, is it normal for them to sleep so much? He runs and walks with me when we go out but once we're in he doesn't want to play or anything. He's a complete cuddle big though, he loves sitting with me and my family, just when it comes to playing he's just not interested, instead he just sleeps all the time. Is it just because he's new? Or his age maybe? He's 7 I think so he's no puppy.
I apologize for all the stupid questions haha, these are just the ones I couldn't answer from the internet. I'm sure in a few weeks he'll be alright. It is a transition for both of us.

[Jayspee]

I think they all sleep a fair bit but all that anxiety is exhausting too

[shelbysmom]

Some Yorkies don't care about toys after a certain age, mostly they just want to hang with their people. He may play more after he gets used to his new surrounding as long as you play with him. (act like you want his toy and he will want it, everything is his yaknow) I think it's pretty normal for Yorkies to be kind of needy (separation anxiety), that is one thing you find over and over in doggie descriptions. They do not like being left alone. I have never been able to figure out how to leave so I never go anywhere Well, I do but there is plenty of guilt.

[Clazziquai]

A big thank you to everyone who's helped me here ^__^. I was not expecting such a high maintenance addition to our family so soon so I have many questions about this little guy. Yorkies seem to be in their own ball parks when it comes to personaility as this tiny guy is packed full of it. We're both still getting to know each other and learn what the other one likes so it's certainly a learning experience.

Lincoln here has a vet appointment tomorrow to get him checked out for an ear infection and possible skin problem (and maybe give me some answers!)

[shelbysmom]

Yes, Yorkies are pretty high maintenance thus the reason for such an active message board They are also the cutest, most loving, wonderful, funny pets in the world. I hope you get hooked, he will be worth it!

[rubymoon2072]

I feel it;s normal..I have an almost 7 year old and a 10 year old foster at the moment and they both sleep alot

[TorontoYorkie]

We 'rescued' a 3 year old Yorkie. What a surprise! Our previous dogs were housebroken and simply slept when we went out. Not our Yorkie!

He will poop if he is taken out for a walk on a leash about 50% of the time. Always asks to go out at the back door and pees outside (95%). But we find the poops by following our noses when he has gotten out of his den areas.

He is a real sweetie and loves to cuddle. But if we go out and leave him on his own he literally goes 'nuts' with separation anxiety. He sounds angry. First time out we came home to find he had broken out of his den area and had scratched the paint off the back of the front door to the extent that his paws were bleeding. He does NOT like being left alone. At all.

If we can get these two issues under control he is a keeper; otherwise we simply cannot stand what is going on despite the fact that he is a cutie and a sweetie. It makes us crazy.

1. Housetrain
2. Seperation anxiety
3. Celebrate

Thanks for all of the suggestions and references - we will be trying them all.

[TorontoYorkie]

Originally Posted by shelbysmom

Yes, Yorkies are pretty high maintenance thus the reason for such an active message board They are also the cutest, most loving, wonderful, funny pets in the world. I hope you get hooked, he will be worth it!

Our Yorkie lived with two Chihuahuas who were alpha. Our Yorkie goes to the food bowl (sneaks to the food bowl, tippy toe) grabs a chunk of food and then zips at lightspeed to his crate where he takes his time eating. He will take a bit of food and fling it across the room, then zip over to it and grab it and head for the crate or a 'quiet spot', to eat. It is totally hilarious to watch.

He is wanting to be the alpha male in the house and will attack anyone coming near wearing dark shoes or socks.... not really biting but making contact. And then if you lay down on the couch to watch TV he will climb up on top of you, curl up and go to sleep.

100% lovable and cute, but oh the work trying to get him trained. We hope that finding this board is going to be a leg up.