Help! Can't leave puppy alone!
 

We've had 6 month old Nikko for 2 weeks now and while he's a very sweet dog, he's driving us insane with the barking and crying. We know that he's probably still feeling out of his element as he was used to being surrounded by a group of Yorkies at the breeder's house, so we're being patient with him BUT we don't know what exactly to do to help him.

He's getting better at night. He sleeps in a playpen with his bed (which he loves), one of our old t-shirts, a puppy dog with a warmer inside(that used to have a heartbeat until the battery died-need to replace that!), his water bowl and a pee pad. We put him to bed after he's fallen alseep on one of our laps and he'll wake up and bark anywhere from 2-30 minutes, but he will eventually go to sleep. Sometimes he wakes up and barks in the middle of the night, but he'll go back to sleep within 2mins to an hour usually-that's when it gets kinda rough!

The biggest problem is when we're home during the day. The puppy is confined to the kitchen because he's only using his pee pads about 50% of the time and he's not happy unless we're in there with him. He's SLOWLY getting better, but usually he'll cry, then bark, then wail and howl (making noises like we're torturing him) if we go upstairs to do something. Even when we're in the next room (which he can easily see into with the open floor plan and see through gate) he'll throw a fit. It's impossible to do anything around the house and maintain your sanity with him carrying on! He even barked like mad when I tried to fold laundry in the living room with him right next to me in his playpen.

When we go out he's in his crate (after he broke out of his playpen a few times) and of course he cries and barks the second we put him in it. We've even returned home hours later to him still barking (although this isn't always, he does fall asleep at times). From what I've read, he appears to have separation anxiety and we're not finding a lot of helpful information on how to help him overcome it. We have gathered that we shouldn't try to just make him stop barking (he really doesn't bark at all aside from when we aren't right next to him) but we don't know what we can do. We definitely don't want to encourage this behavior, as it's driving us both a bit crazy! :confused:

Aww, poor Nikko, and you. Any chance you would consider a second Yorkie to keep him company?

Try draining his energy with long walks, numerous short play sessions, and trick training. Give him some structure and a schedule incorporating these things to help him settle into a routine.

Do you know anyone with appropriate dogs to maybe schedule some playdates with Nikko?

:yeahthat:

Thanks so much for the response! We definitely need to get on daily walks, I think that is a great idea! We are also lucky to live right by a couple who have a Yorkie, a Morkie and another designer breed small dog, all but one get along great with Nikko. We'll have to set up more play dates with them! He also likes my parent's dog who is a 30lb mutt, but it's hard to let them "play" too much together because of the size difference.

That is great that Nikko will have buddies! Definitely get into a routine of walks, little play and training sessions (10 minutes or more), etc. Having things to look forward to at specific times every day helps reduce anxiety.

My second Yorkie, Teddy, was 8 months old when I brought him home. Like Nikko, he was accustomed to having lots of other dogs around. Teddy definitely needs interaction with other dogs. My older boy was fine believing he was the only dog in the world. :p

Have you thought of using a belly band until he's mastered the potty thing? At least while he is in the other room with you?

I have thought about that, but he also does #2 not always on the pee pad :( He is also a "closet" mess-maker . . . He's very private when it comes to doing his business and will hold it for a long time, only to very quickly "go" the second you take your eyes off him. I'm worried that he'd quickly disappear behind furniture and make a mess on the carpet. His refusal to "go potty" infront of anyone makes for very interesting potty training! :rolleyes:

How about pee pads ? Use them where he would go potty in the home and place several down. That way he could be with the family , and not cry or howl. He just wants to be with you guys ..... and be social . It must be very difficult to hear him crying all the time to be with you . Belly bands is a great option too.

In that case Nikko has to earn his right to free reign of the house. If you can't watch him like a hawk, it's best you put him in his ex-pen or kennel (whatever you use). A schedule is important for potty breaks too. If you're consistent he'll eventually learn when it's potty time, whether it's potty outside or potty on the pad. Keep closet doors closed, and doors to rooms that he shouldn't be in also closed to help you keep an eye on him when he is out of his ex-pen/kennel. Baby gates are also a good way to keep him confined to a small space like the kitchen (easy cleanup of potty messes if the rest of the house has carpet).

You should walk with him and yes playing with some other dogs would be helpfull.

Im only wondering,. don't you go for walks at all?
Like i hear it sometimes,. but im not used to people who have dogs and dont walkk them. I dont want to offend anyone in here.. but its a good base to go outside with your puppy after the naps, playtime, and befor dinner. its goodmto train them on pottypads.. i want to do that too. but i think its very good for puppys toget social too and play around with other puppys/ dogs in the park , beach or regular street.

:D
good luck.
btw: would it hep to put the crate in your bedroom so he sees you when your sleeping, just for the beginning?
My doggie Snickers was sleeping all night ,. and he didnt bark,. or make noises then.

That is sound advice. Puppies, once fully vaccinated and with full immunity, should be walked and exercised to get all their pent up energy out. Otherwise, it can result in bad behavior. It also helps to teach them their surrounding area so in case (biting my tongue) they get out, they know the area and could find their way home.