leg lifting and seperation anxiety - YorkieTalk.com Forums

DvlshAngel985 · 08-10-2009, 12:29 PM

Sorry if my countless threads get annoying, but I want to do what is best for my little one.
He has a habit of lifting his leg, which I was well aware of, but I would like a few opinions on how to go about training him.
Here at home, there are 2 other doggies. One belongs to my roommate, and the other to her boyfriend who doesn't live here. Both dogs have had accidents in the past, usually in the living room. My boy Kaji has not once tried to lift his leg in my room, the living room is another story. I also thought he might try to lift his leg at my parents house seeing as it was all new territory he could mark. Not once did he try to lift his leg there. I thought his lack of leg lifting upstairs or at my parent's house was because I watched him like a hawk, now I'm not so sure. He was neutered last Thursday (8/06) and I understand I won't see a change in him for a few weeks.
As soon as I we got back and he saw the other dog he lifted his leg inside the house.
Do you think this was an accident or was he trying to show the other dog that the stairs were his?
Can this be corrected or am I fighting for a lost cause?

Oh, I also have another issue I would like to nip in the bud. I'm afraid little Kaji might have gotten to attached to me and might suffer from seperation anxiety because of it. Any tips on how to correct this behavior also?

Zanders' mom · 08-10-2009, 12:53 PM

I have read of people that use a belly band, so when they lift their leg, the wet goes on the band, after a few times of realizing that they are not leaving a mark they may stop doing this. If it were me I would say NO! when I see him lifting and distract with something else or take him outside.

I leave the radio on, also if you leave for a few minutes and come back, this helps them realize you will be coming back soon. I saw an episode of dog Whisperer, where they worked with a dog that cried loudly when the owner was gone, so maybe you can look it up on you tube? or rent it?

Good luck

YorkieMother · 08-10-2009, 02:51 PM

Not sure what you are seeing in the cues that he may have sepration axiety going on.
Was wondering if you can give us more info on that so we have a better Idea as to what you are seeing so we can give you some small ideas that may help.

JL

Marissa101 · 08-10-2009, 02:58 PM

Does he whine when you leave? Does he bark? Does he destroy things? Snickers used to bark like no other and whined. I trained him out of it, maybe I could help you with some advice

DvlshAngel985 · 08-10-2009, 05:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marissa101

Does he whine when you leave? Does he bark? Does he destroy things? Snickers used to bark like no other and whined. I trained him out of it, maybe I could help you with some advice

Yes please! I was told he whines like no other. He's not a barker, but he will yip or bark once or twice, which is a lot for him. He will pace and desperately look for me. Usually he is left alone and I can hear him whine as I leave, it's heartbreaking! And it makes the other dogs bark.
This weekend I went to the grocery store and ran other errands with my dad and left Kaji with my brothers and mom. They kept texting me that Kaji would not settle down. He kept pacing all over the house and would settle to follow my mom for a few mins (we think because she and I look alike) but he would eventually go back to pacing and whining until he found me. While his actions might not sound like much now, I wouldn't want him to go into a full blown panic. He has turned over his food and water bowl a few times and I come back to find him sitting in a mess of water and wet food.
Any advice?

Marissa101 · 08-10-2009, 06:34 PM

Copying this right from my other post

"Snickers had a little bit of separation anxiety when I first got him, he would bark and whine and just not want to be left alone. Do you usually watch t.v. with him? Do you have a certain channel you like to watch? Maybe leave the t.v. on for some noise to distract him a little while you're gone. If you like to listen to music too, that could do the trick.

What I did to stop it was that I would walk outside for a few minutes, leave him in there barking up a storm, come back in, say no bark, walk back out. I had his favorite treat ready for him when he didn't bark and now the times get longer when we are gone out shopping and I usually have a treat for him, if I remember. He still barks some but then he quiets down. This also reinforces that when you leave you are coming back.

It's probably a little scary for your pup all alone in your apartment without you there, maybe just a little backround sound will do the trick. Good luck

"

Copied it right from my other post a while back, I hope it can help you in any ways possible.

DvlshAngel985 · 08-10-2009, 08:36 PM

Right now what I am doing is waiting for him to be quiet. See, my room is upstairs, and even if I leave something on for him he always notices if I slip out to use the kitchen or something. I use to tell him to be quiet, but I think he was enjoying the attention, whether it was a correction or lovins. So now I wait for there to be quiet.
I already taught him to "sit like a gentleman" to be let out of his pen and to wait for me to invite him out.
Is this ok to do, or should I try something different?

YorkieMother · 08-10-2009, 08:50 PM

Going to toss some quick thoughts out.

What about leaving him with a kong with kibble corked with frozen Peanut butter.
What about changing your route so that it less predicatable when you leave.

Google sepration anxiety and a desenstization program should pop up.

Separation Anxiety | The Humane Society of the United States

JL

DvlshAngel985 · 08-10-2009, 09:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by YorkieMother

Going to toss some quick thoughts out.

What about leaving him with a kong with kibble corked with frozen Peanut butter.
What about changing your route so that it less predicatable when you leave.

Google sepration anxiety and a desenstization program should pop up.

Separation Anxiety | The Humane Society of the United States

JL

Thank you so much for the link!!! I'm reading it right now.

YorkieMother · 08-10-2009, 09:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DvlshAngel985

Thank you so much for the link!!! I'm reading it right now.

Hope you find something useful and it helps you dog.

JL

08-10-2009, 12:29 PM	#1
DvlshAngel985 YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Los Angeles, California, USA Posts: 1,532	leg lifting and seperation anxiety Sorry if my countless threads get annoying, but I want to do what is best for my little one. He has a habit of lifting his leg, which I was well aware of, but I would like a few opinions on how to go about training him. Here at home, there are 2 other doggies. One belongs to my roommate, and the other to her boyfriend who doesn't live here. Both dogs have had accidents in the past, usually in the living room. My boy Kaji has not once tried to lift his leg in my room, the living room is another story. I also thought he might try to lift his leg at my parents house seeing as it was all new territory he could mark. Not once did he try to lift his leg there. I thought his lack of leg lifting upstairs or at my parent's house was because I watched him like a hawk, now I'm not so sure. He was neutered last Thursday (8/06) and I understand I won't see a change in him for a few weeks. As soon as I we got back and he saw the other dog he lifted his leg inside the house. Do you think this was an accident or was he trying to show the other dog that the stairs were his? Can this be corrected or am I fighting for a lost cause? Oh, I also have another issue I would like to nip in the bud. I'm afraid little Kaji might have gotten to attached to me and might suffer from seperation anxiety because of it. Any tips on how to correct this behavior also? __________________ Team EMMA

08-10-2009, 12:53 PM	#2
Zanders' mom Donating YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 1,260	I have read of people that use a belly band, so when they lift their leg, the wet goes on the band, after a few times of realizing that they are not leaving a mark they may stop doing this. If it were me I would say NO! when I see him lifting and distract with something else or take him outside. I leave the radio on, also if you leave for a few minutes and come back, this helps them realize you will be coming back soon. I saw an episode of dog Whisperer, where they worked with a dog that cried loudly when the owner was gone, so maybe you can look it up on you tube? or rent it? Good luck __________________ Jazzie's InsPAWrations Affordable Custom Pet Clothing With GOD .... All things ARE possible!

08-10-2009, 02:51 PM	#3
YorkieMother YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: North Posts: 1,042	Not sure what you are seeing in the cues that he may have sepration axiety going on. Was wondering if you can give us more info on that so we have a better Idea as to what you are seeing so we can give you some small ideas that may help. JL __________________ "The truth about an animal is far more beautiful than all the myths woven about it." Konrad Loranz

08-10-2009, 02:58 PM	#4
Marissa101 YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Northern Nevada USA Posts: 808 Blog Entries: 1	Does he whine when you leave? Does he bark? Does he destroy things? Snickers used to bark like no other and whined. I trained him out of it, maybe I could help you with some advice __________________ Yes, we made a fan club for our obssession of Johnny Depp Snickers Not just a delicious candy bar

08-10-2009, 06:34 PM	#6
Marissa101 YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Northern Nevada USA Posts: 808 Blog Entries: 1	Copying this right from my other post "Snickers had a little bit of separation anxiety when I first got him, he would bark and whine and just not want to be left alone. Do you usually watch t.v. with him? Do you have a certain channel you like to watch? Maybe leave the t.v. on for some noise to distract him a little while you're gone. If you like to listen to music too, that could do the trick. What I did to stop it was that I would walk outside for a few minutes, leave him in there barking up a storm, come back in, say no bark, walk back out. I had his favorite treat ready for him when he didn't bark and now the times get longer when we are gone out shopping and I usually have a treat for him, if I remember. He still barks some but then he quiets down. This also reinforces that when you leave you are coming back. It's probably a little scary for your pup all alone in your apartment without you there, maybe just a little backround sound will do the trick. Good luck " Copied it right from my other post a while back, I hope it can help you in any ways possible. __________________ Yes, we made a fan club for our obssession of Johnny Depp Snickers Not just a delicious candy bar

08-10-2009, 08:36 PM	#7
DvlshAngel985 YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Los Angeles, California, USA Posts: 1,532	Right now what I am doing is waiting for him to be quiet. See, my room is upstairs, and even if I leave something on for him he always notices if I slip out to use the kitchen or something. I use to tell him to be quiet, but I think he was enjoying the attention, whether it was a correction or lovins. So now I wait for there to be quiet. I already taught him to "sit like a gentleman" to be let out of his pen and to wait for me to invite him out. Is this ok to do, or should I try something different? __________________ Team EMMA

08-10-2009, 08:50 PM	#8
YorkieMother YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: North Posts: 1,042	Going to toss some quick thoughts out. What about leaving him with a kong with kibble corked with frozen Peanut butter. What about changing your route so that it less predicatable when you leave. Google sepration anxiety and a desenstization program should pop up. Separation Anxiety \| The Humane Society of the United States JL __________________ "The truth about an animal is far more beautiful than all the myths woven about it." Konrad Loranz