I'm new! A bit worried about my little boy!
 

First off, I'd like to apologize in advance because this message may be similar to some posted in the past. I just registered here but I've had my Yorkie since 06, he's going to be 5 in June. He's my life and I love him to death but he acts strange sometimes. Like at night he'll stand at the stairs to the front door and cry for no reason at all! He's not hinting to go out because he never uses the front door. He obsessively chases his "tail" (or his stub) and runs in circles, stressed out because he can't get it. He has some kind of OCD, I know it. He's such a clever little guy, always at my side, but he has strange habits. He picks up his kibble with his mouth and throws it across the floor, which is funny, but I don't know if it's all normal. I may be paranoid but my biggest fear is that there's something wrong and im ignoring it. I've told his vet numerous times but I've never been given much information. I figure you are all experts and I'd love to hear if anybody else finds this normal! Thank you so much!

There may be something he detects on the other side of the door that you can't. Maybe he smells something, hears something, or just thinks that something might be about to come through the door. I used to have a Yorkie that used to go nuts to get outside, like it was time for "fight club." When I opened the door to let her out, I could detect a very faint skunk odor. She could smell it indoors, but I couldn't.

When he starts to get obsessed about his tail, see if you can distract him. Get a toy, and give him something real to chase, and give him treats. He could just be bored.

And, throwing things in the air ... all of mine have done that. They will take a toy or a treat and they get in their own little world. It is suddenly as if the object becomes a living creature to them. They throw it, jump around after it, "capture" it, they throw it again (their prey is escaping!). On, and on, just self-entertainment with their "imaginary live prey." Completely normal.

See, this is why I'm so happy I joined! Just hearing that from another Yorkie parent makes me feel better. I appreciate your reply - thank you!

Have you googled tail chasing in older dogs?? Sometimes that can be a sign of stress. Now don't start worrying....in your case it may be nothing. My old dog would howl for no reason too, but he was older when he started that and I never knew why.
Maybe he needs some brain toys or bully sticks. Those are great stress relievers.
Do you have pics?? We'd love to see him :)

Well it doesn't really sound necessarily like ocd. The door thing may be because he can hear, smell or see something you cant. Callie (my yorkie) will cry for many reasons and not necessarily where the problem is like if she wants someone to sit with her she will cry sitting in random places of the house. Do you see anything noticeably wrong with his hinny when he is chasing his tail? Maybe his hinny itches or a little tiny piece of poo poo hanging off of it? Also Welcome to yorkietalk :D

Hmmm... Interesting... I hit "reply" and immediately hear the little guy start chasing his stub again! He keeps pausing and looking at me like I'm the crazy one, then keeps going. What a punk haha... I just grabbed some of his toys and luckily I got him playing again. God knows I give him all of my attention already, but perhaps I just need to pay more attention to when he seems stressed so I can try to calm him down. He's usually a cuddly boy.

As for a little piece of poo poo hanging (I call them "dingleberries" ha) it definitely isn't that! Ive considered the possibility of there being an itch or a problem back there but thankfully that's not the case!

I'm working on putting up a picture right now, I feel left out with my name being blank while everyone else has adorable pictures of their loves under their names!

There are a number of dog lovers and experts who believe that dogs chase their tails for one reason. The dogs are bored. If your dogs chase their tails frequently, it may be time to provide some other amusements that will occupy the pet’s attention. OR...
A basic in the behavior pattern of many household dogs is a desire to receive attention and affection from their owners. There is a possibility that the dog has learned that when dogs chase their tails, owners pay attention and often respond by laughter. Since the behavior produces an effect that the animal finds highly desirable, the tail chasing may be repeated when the pet wants to be petted or hear a kind tone from the owner. OR...
Dogs may also choose to chase their tails because there is physical discomfort of some type. Fleas may be present on the tip or the base of the tail. It is also possible that some sort of irritation in the area of the anus is causing itching or some other form of discomfort. Dog behavior demands that the animal attempt to address the origin of the discomfort, so the chase is on. If a physical complaint is suspected of being the origin of why your dogs chase their tails, a trip to the vet will help alleviate both the activity and the suffering that causes the behavior.

I hope some of this helps on his tail chasing. As for sitting and crying at the door could be what others have suggested...ghost! Just kidding, he probably just senses something that you can't sense. You might just reassure him everything is alright

Have you checked to see if his anal glands might need to be expressed? Sometimes mine will bite/lick their backsides when it is time for that. Have you noticed any scooting from him?

As for the front door, he might be hearing something as others have suggested. Could be the wind and the way it is blowing across the doorway. Sometimes mine will get all out of sorts at what I think is nothing-they go nuts and Hot Rod will make a really weird whiny-crying high pitched sound. Obviously something has his attention but I don't see anything at all.

Welcome to YT!

Hot Rod, what an awesome name! Jack seems to be okay, no scooting or anything like that. Good suggestion though, he did have a short problem with that a long time ago.

All of these suggestions I'm going to bring up during his next visit to the vet. He's due for some shot updates and a checkup pretty soon.

And babbsiam - it's so funny you said ghost because when I was little I thought my old dog would bark at ghosts so I would be petrified! LOL

I was just trying to find the recent thread about people saying how their dogs would sit and stare at walls or bark at things not there. I can't find it, but it's pretty weird. Keep us posted on your little one!

Oh jeez - I'll have nightmares haha... I'll definitely keep you posted - thank you!

If your avatar is Jack...he is absolutely adorable!!!

Ah thanks! He's the best! And who is that in Your avatar? :)

That's my Tia, she is my Elsa's baby. She is eight weeks there.

She is so sweet! She looks like a little queen haha, that was my first impression - all proper and ladylike. So cute!