Separation Anxiety or Just Normal?

[BellaYorkie]

Hi all, I have lately been concerned about Bella developing or possibly having separation anxiety. She is crate trained/pen trained. She sleeps through the night no problems. From day one she has been in the crate when we leave or even if I need alone time. She will bark, whine and sometimes howl when she is first in there. I try and put her there about 10-15 minutes before I leave the house so she can calm down and this seems to work, or at least I feel better knowing that she is not howling while I am gone.
My concern is that she follows me arouns the house and really barks, whines and howls when I lave her in a room alone or even with another family member. Should I just keep practicing leaving her in a room and only come back when she has settled down?
Will she always cry when I put her in her pen, or will this eventually stop? I want to curb any possible separation anxiety problems early, but I also don't want to make anything worse.

Any suggestions? Similar experiences?

[marcerella02]

Hello fellow Canadian I feel you completely! i have the same issues with layla. she is completely crate trained, she sleeps through the night no problem she will even stay in her crate in the car if i am running in somewhere and doens't care that i am gone, however her play pen is a whole other issue. When we are sitting down to dinner, layla is not allowed to wander, so she goes in her pen.. no problem.. naps and whatever... but with winter coming she can't come in the car if i have to do errands because it is too cold. so i have started putting her in there with her Kong (her most favorite toy ever!!). i leave her while i am downstairs maybe doing laundry.. just something so she can't see me... she makes a HUGE fuss... but eventually settles down... i come take her out.. and don't make a big deal about it... if you make it into a huge event...she willl too. kinda like crate training.. layla cried at first... but eventually she got used to it. now what i do is i'll go out and leave her.. for maybe 20 mins... and i'm able to look through a window to see her without her seeing me.. and i can see that she does settle down... which helps... but she still cries when i leave... try putting her crate in the pen.. i do that in case she gets too overwhelmed.. she can go to her safe spot. layla also has toys she gets ONLY when she is in her crate... to make it a special place... sorry for the rambling but i am in the same place... stay stong.. let her know YOU are in control and you call the shots! let me know how it goes! i'll be thinking of ya!

[BellaYorkie]

What a relief! It sounds like the same situation. I will keep working with her, I know it's not severe and can be managed. Thanks so much for sharing!

[SnowWa]

I think it's amazing how dogs get used to different routines.

My pup (now a year old) has never cried or whinned when I go to work. In fact, now right before I leave, when I turn off the TV, and turn on the radio, and walk toward the door --- he goes and gets in his bed, stretches, and gets ready to take a nap.....totally happy little guy - ready to sleep away.


BUT - on the days when I stay home - and believe me - he knows the difference. If I walk out the same door or go out another door into the yard -- he throws a fit and wants to go with me.

I'm sure all of us women have a routine getting ready for work - and our pets know every bit of it .....plus, I'm sure - the time of day we leave is a clue for them.

Whatever - my dogs have me figured out - and act accordingly.

Good luck! Carol Jean

[FirstYorkie]

Originally Posted by BellaYorkie

Should I just keep practicing leaving her in a room and only come back when she has settled down?

Yes!

Also, try not to make too big a fuss over leaving or coming back.

[TLC]

Originally Posted by SnowWa

I think it's amazing how dogs get used to different routines.

My pup (now a year old) has never cried or whinned when I go to work. In fact, now right before I leave, when I turn off the TV, and turn on the radio, and walk toward the door --- he goes and gets in his bed, stretches, and gets ready to take a nap.....totally happy little guy - ready to sleep away.


BUT - on the days when I stay home - and believe me - he knows the difference. If I walk out the same door or go out another door into the yard -- he throws a fit and wants to go with me.

I'm sure all of us women have a routine getting ready for work - and our pets know every bit of it .....plus, I'm sure - the time of day we leave is a clue for them.

Whatever - my dogs have me figured out - and act accordingly.

Good luck! Carol Jean

Me too! For the past 6 months, TJ and Roxy are allowed to stay downstairs when no one is home. Just this past month, finally, I can leave to go to work without anyone throwing a fit! Before, they (exspecially Roxy) would follow me to the garage door, barking and jumping at me...then Roxy would immediate go and pee on the kitchen matt. Now, they stay on the couch and look out the window for me (in my car) to drive away. Before I leave, I place them on the top of the couch (lined in a nice big warm fleece banket). I kiss them each on their heads and I look them both in their eyes and say "I'll see you laaattterrr" and then I go. They don't follow me and no more pee on the rug! Now, on the weekends, Roxy is on me like white on rice (TJ too, just not that white...)

[Elisandra]

I get ready in the morning when i go to put on perfume he hears the squishes of the bottle and he come running over to smell the floor. Then as i put up the gate to close him off in a confined area not to big and not to small i live in a two bedroom apt. He goes and hides under the dining room table i turn on the radio i get him three small little snacks take out his toys which have been hiding since i got home the night before so he wont be bored. Then when i grab him and put him behind the fence he goes awol, crying and whinning when i start putting on my jacket ohh i also leave the radio and the light on for him when he hears me open the door he howls louder i said my neighbors are going to think i am doing something to my poor baby. I was thinking of getting that plug in thing that soothes them but i dont want to waste my money if it's not going to work. I never make a fuss when i leave or when i get back i just dont know what to do. He also chewes on the plastic part of the gate i put up i am on my second one because the first he bite threw it and made a whole where he escaped and was roaming the house free

Wow this was a long post maybe someone has suggestions for me too