Yorkie separation anxiety issue

[ralagna]

Hello! I am having an issue with my yorkie lately. I generally take him with me a lot of places. He comes to work everyday and pretty much comes with me where ever they allow dogs (friends houses, family houses, etc). So now when I leave him he will not come out of the closet where his bed is for anyone but myself or my mom. He won't even come out for my fiancé who he loves and lives with! He starts acting agressive and growls at people. We left him w a babysitter a few months ago at our house he literally stayed in the closet for two days! I don't know what to do any advice would be greatly appreciated!

[concretegurl]

This isn't separation anxiety.

Consult a behavioralist.

[GeorgiesMomma]

Have you talked to your Vet about it? Also, have you considered moving his bed outside the closet? I am sure other people here will have suggestions as well.

[yorkietalkjilly]

Move his bed from the closet, shut the door and give him a new start. Surround his bed in its new location with high-value treats(such as boiled chicken pieces) and occasionally drop a little piece of chicken in his bed in its new location for the next two weeks - this is very important. He's got to think this change is just wonderful and brings him lots of rewards - delish FOOD! Unexpected FOOD! He'll love it after a bit, thinking wow, I've won the lottery here. His bed has become his position of power in the closet and it's not good for him or he wouldn't be growling and retreating to it when he's insecure.

Start him on the Nothing In Life Is Free type program so that he has to earn everything, even his dinner, by performing a small task, such as sitting and waiting for 60 seconds until he can approach the bowl. Just keep him back with your hand until he gets the idea no food until you say "Dindin" or "Release" of whatever word you want. Have him sit before he goes potty outside. Have him lie down on command before you hand him a toy - that sort of thing. Feral and wild dogs and wolves are happy in their homes and they live in this heirarchal type atmosphere just great and have no anxieties and need to feel insecure. They know they have to behave to get what they need and they become a happy member of their little wild family by fitting in - not acting out. But they work for and respond to their leader and behave absolutely according to their alpha leader's wishes - period. The NILIF program will help to reteach this. This will re-orient him that he does indeed have a leader and his leader will protect him and keep him safe and secure.

Also, work on leaving with him. Take up his bed where he can't get to it. Give him a lovely food-stuffed kong toy when he's been food-free for 4 or 5 hours, sit down and watch him playing with it, take up your keys and purse to go and sit back down and watch him. Don't go anywhere. Just sit there. 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, 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, walk out of your door outside. Shut it. Stand there 60 seconds and walk back in, DO NOT NOTICE HIM AT ALL, 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 know momma will be back. He'll 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, you can put his bed back down - he won't need it for power or insecurity - only for napping while waiting patiently for momma. Good luck!

[yorkietalkjilly]

I needed to add that whenever he does growl at someone, you as his leader should step toward him looking into his eyes, one finger held in the air or pointing directly at him and say in a very low, unexcited tone "Uh oh" or "no", whatever word you use to let your dog know he has stepped over a boundary. Hold that position with your body leaned forward, finger up or pointing at him, eyes boring into his and stare him back, just like an alpha dog or wolf would do in a wild setting. Difference is a wolf would use his body language, a stare and a low growl or bared teeth to show the offender he was stepping out of bounds. Hold your ground until the moment he breaks attention, looks away, backs off, then just go about your business instantly. The very instant he gives in, you back off and all is over and done with. He will learn that the growl is what causes this uncomfortable moment and associate the natural rebuke with an unhappy leader and also learn that the moment he backs off, it's over. Together with the NILIF program and a good behavior modification positive reward training program you can do at home, he should shape up nicely.

[ralagna]

Thank you for all of your suggestions! I am working on this with him!