Tia is turning into a CHICKEN?????? - YorkieTalk.com Forums

baby yorkie · 02-19-2011, 03:59 PM

Why is Tia becoming increasingly afraid of things? She turned one year on 1/23. Sometime around Christmas, the broom became an evil thing and she is just terrified of it every time I take it out (even the little broom w/dust pan). Now it is the recliner. A family member sat in it a couple of days ago and she started shaking and running around in a panic. My husband is in it now and it is freaking her out, whether it is reclined or not. Loud noises have always bothered her since the 4th of July. Thunderstorms are the worse! Why is she doing this? Nothing has happened to make her behave this away either.

Ally has never gone thru this.

SWHouston · 02-19-2011, 11:10 PM

BY,

This sounds suspicious...
There's a disease called Fibromyalgya which may be causing this hypersensitivity.

It would be wise to have her checked out by a Vet.
However, I'd call your Vet first, and see if they are
equipped to test for this.

baby yorkie · 02-23-2011, 06:23 AM

I don't think Tia has Fibromyalgya. I now think it is only a night time issue with the recliner, but an all-the-time issue with the broom. Last night, dh sat in the recliner after dinner. Tia came running to me on the couch, running the edge of the family room. I had dh move to the kitchen table and I moved to the recliner. She ran to him. I called her and she was hesitant. I called Ally because I knew she would come because she wants everything first. She came and ran away, very hesitant. I later found out that she was so scared, she pooped on my carpet in the other room! Now, earlier that day, I was sitting in the recliner and she was at my feet, no problem. Does the recliner come to life after dark???? Should I condition her during the day, by sitting in the recliner more often???? I used to sit in the recliner all the time, but had to move to the couch because it's easier for both girls to move up and down easier on the couch.

babbsiam44 · 02-23-2011, 06:30 AM

Must be something witht the name...TIA! lol My little momma had babies and I am keeping one of them and named her TIA(12 wks old). Mind you, I was there at birth, rubbed the sac off and cut the cord. I was there the second she took her first breath. She will come to me when I call her but when I bend to pick her up she runs off like she is scared. She runs from anyone who wants to pet or pick her up. I don't know what it is but it hurts my feelings like I have done something to her.

MiasMomandDad · 02-23-2011, 07:13 AM

We went through something simillar with our Doberman when she turned two. She litterally became afraid of her own shadow (or any shadow). We talked with the vet and her trainer about the problem. We were told it's a common problem at that age and that she would outgrow it. Luckily she did. She's almost 10 now and the only things that scare her are thunderstorms, fireworks and a 3lb Yorkie.

Lilyshuman · 02-23-2011, 07:18 AM

First let me say I am no expert in this department but I saw some herbs at my local Organic shop. Some said they helped with nervousness, I was getting Omega's for our girls and didn't read too much. Does anyone else know about these and if they may work?

SWHouston · 02-23-2011, 08:10 AM

Focusing on the Recliner issue for just a moment...

Both mine like to lay by my feet, when I'm watching TV.
I have a Bunk under the Coffee Table, and a blanket (now)
out in front of that, because there's not enough room in the
Bunk for two. (have just recently added a Female to our Fam)

I can't see over the edge of the Recliner to see if one of them
is laying too close, where if I pull the leaver, outward movement
of the footrest will scoop or hit one of them.

YEA YEA, I know, I should have looked over/down and seen
who was in the way, BUT, I just didn't think of that at first.

Anyway, I "scooped" my Female a couple times before I got
in the habit of looking, and it took several days for Her to
get over that. She would stand out away from the Recliner
and sorta cry to join "us", My Male is quite used to dodging
the footrest.

What I'm trying to say is, there may have been a similar incident
which will take time to recover from.

Procedure now established...
A little "warning" whistle before a slow pull on the handle
of the footrest, gives everyone time to position themselves
to jump up and attempt to acquire prime locations (my lap mainly).

MI Yorkielover · 02-23-2011, 08:39 AM

Sophie had a super awareness of everything going on in her new world. She would skitter about and sometimes bark when something larger than her, like the vacuum would come out. If something dropped to the floor she would run first and investigate later. Yorkies are such small little creatures that anything large or noisy in our "big" world is bound to intimidate them until they know it won't harm them. It's something Sophie outgrew when she was close to two years old. Now she is quite bold for her size

.

LaurenPatrice · 02-23-2011, 09:16 AM

Hi I watched a dog whisperer episode yesterday about a pit/chow mix that had anxiety issues. He was afraid of the stove for no reason. He was made to face his fear by being on a leash by the stove when it was turned on. The trainer said they can't stay in that state of fear/anxiety but only for a few minutes. So you wait it out till they get over it and calm down. I'm not saying try this because it may make it worse just might be helpful to look up the episode

.

Wabbit · 02-23-2011, 09:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LaurenPatrice

Hi I watched a dog whisperer episode yesterday about a pit/chow mix that had anxiety issues. He was afraid of the stove for no reason. He was made to face his fear by being on a leash by the stove when it was turned on. The trainer said they can't stay in that state of fear/anxiety but only for a few minutes. So you wait it out till they get over it and calm down. I'm not saying try this because it may make it worse just might be helpful to look up the episode

.

My sisters dog had severe anxiety over the silliest of things...and they always let her avoid them....we started making her confront her fears....and now she's totally fine! I'd definitely use the chair more often...don't avoid it...and she'll see there's nothing to be afraid of.

SWHouston · 02-23-2011, 09:29 AM

HA, I'm not sure that I would use the word "timid" for either of mine...
ANYTHING that hits the floor around here, is THEIRS, or, if it moves
suspiciously for any reason, it's fair game for a direct attack !

Buster Brown · 02-23-2011, 09:39 AM

With Buster whenever some sound startles him I slowly desensitize him to it. If the gardeners are out with the mowers and blowers I show him through the door what is going on while talking normally so that he see's that it is not an issue. And then we went outside closer to the sounds until they are not an issue. I found the more I got him used to things the less fearful he was of new ones. With the chair perhaps if you slowly desensitize her to it with treats placed nearer and nearer. Then perhaps sit in it and give her treats. I would pay attention to the above scooping issue which I am sure that the motion and noise must be scary to a little Yorkie. Also there are wrap around shirts that are called Thunder shirts that fit snugly around a dog to comfort them and help reduce anxiety. Good luck with poor Tia I hope she conquers her fears.

baby yorkie · 02-23-2011, 09:46 AM

I'm not getting my emails from YT to say someone has responded to this???

There have not been any issues with the recliner or any of my babies. I have a pillow underneath the back and we watch the front. I am sitting it in now and she doesn't have any issues. Now I am a very light person and don't weigh as much as dh. I've noticed that the recliner creeks a little (noises) when he sits in it and moves around. Maybe that combined with the dark? Who knows! As for the broom, I've gently put it on the floor and she will go nowhere around it. Ally will bark at things first and then try to figure out what it is. She will actually try to drag it (or anything) away. My tiny one is mightier than the bigger one! lol Tia doesn't like the vacuum, but is less fearful of it than the broom??????? I'm going to trade places with dh tonight and see what happens (no noise). Maybe I'll keep it brighter in the room too. I don't think it's healthy for her to be so frightened. I don't want her to get sick!

yorkietalkjilly · 02-23-2011, 10:08 AM

My Tibbe has some fear issues from apparently living most of his first 9 months OUTSIDE in a crate and I work with him facing them directly whenever they crop up. Tibbe hates many loud or new sounds. In Tia's case, do not get emotionally involved with her or act concerned when she shows fear. Just matter-of-factly breathe deeply, become just a dog trainer, guide her to the object using positive reinforcement but little or no talking and wait beside the fearful thing with her a while - just very briefly at first. Then, back her off and let her retreat from her new fear. The key here it to keep returning her unemotionally with positive reinforcement to the area of fear, waiting there with her and letting her back away. Repeated exposure with little talking from you while she is fearful will soon show that bright little brain that that big Boogy isn't so bad and if your positive reinforcement is something like peanut butter - well, hey, Boogy brings peanut butter will soon be her association. You will be her key here. Showing you control the moment, control her and control the Boogy and that you don't condemn her for her reaction and keeping your tension down(ha! Not so easy-you LOVE her and care) will show her that you are the leader and she will begin to trust your ability to keep her safe as she confronts her fears and laps some peanut butter. After a bit, begin to leave off the food treat and just guide your baby matter-of-factly to Boogy, wait a bit longer and retreat. Or if you prefer not to treat, use a squeaky toy or chewie or any other positive reinforcement as you guide her to the Boogy area. Some Yorkies are fearful by nature, some because of early trauma, some learned from the home environment etc., but are super smart and love to learn to best their Boogy. I'm somewhat disabled and I think Tibbe picks up on my pain/disability and that makes him more fearful as he senses my discomfort and stresses. But working with him as he comes across any new Boogy has taught him that Mom may be hurting and stressed but she is in control so he doesn't need to fear. Most of the time Tibbe is a full-time consumer of all things Life, is extremely self-confident, brave, super energetic, feisty, somewhat aggressive and the biggest ham in the world. He is the merriest little creature alive and "smiles" most of the time. He LOVES life and living and makes you happy just thinking of him. But like most Yorkies, he's sensitive to his Mom and with his bad, bad start in life, he's got some issues which we work through together as they show up. Yorkies are a work in progress, as are we all. Tibbe has been the best thing that happened to me in the last 2 1/4 years since I got him. Life is WAY better with a Yorkie.

SWHouston · 02-23-2011, 10:18 AM

baby yorkie,
This has happened to me as well...
It may be helpful if you were to go to the Main Forum's Page, scroll
down to the bottom, and click on "Mark Forums Read".
This will/should clear any restrictions on notifications.

Now back to the Topic...
Are you guys sure you got Yorkies ! ?

Mine are just TERRORS and afraid of NOTHING when it comes
to a local violation of their space !!!

I've had my Male for two years, and he's SO territorial it's sad.
And when my Female Becca (a puppy) came, she would hold back
a few feet to watch him, see what he was objecting to, and NOW
she will beat him to the "threat" and is absolutely fearless !
(and She's only 6 months old)

02-19-2011, 03:59 PM	#1
baby yorkie YT 500 Club Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: USA Posts: 947	Tia is turning into a CHICKEN?????? Why is Tia becoming increasingly afraid of things? She turned one year on 1/23. Sometime around Christmas, the broom became an evil thing and she is just terrified of it every time I take it out (even the little broom w/dust pan). Now it is the recliner. A family member sat in it a couple of days ago and she started shaking and running around in a panic. My husband is in it now and it is freaking her out, whether it is reclined or not. Loud noises have always bothered her since the 4th of July. Thunderstorms are the worse! Why is she doing this? Nothing has happened to make her behave this away either. Ally has never gone thru this. Attached Thumbnails

02-19-2011, 11:10 PM	#2
SWHouston YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Houston, Tx. U.S.A. Posts: 1,537 Blog Entries: 1	BY, This sounds suspicious... There's a disease called Fibromyalgya which may be causing this hypersensitivity. It would be wise to have her checked out by a Vet. However, I'd call your Vet first, and see if they are equipped to test for this. __________________ Dogs know that you love them, weather you own them or not Mbrs of YT Teapot Club: SNEAKERS since Apr 2011, Ichabod SOON ! RIP my darling Becca.

02-23-2011, 07:18 AM	#6
Lilyshuman Donating Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Calgary Posts: 520	First let me say I am no expert in this department but I saw some herbs at my local Organic shop. Some said they helped with nervousness, I was getting Omega's for our girls and didn't read too much. Does anyone else know about these and if they may work? __________________ Nicole:

02-23-2011, 08:10 AM	#7
SWHouston YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Houston, Tx. U.S.A. Posts: 1,537 Blog Entries: 1	Focusing on the Recliner issue for just a moment... Both mine like to lay by my feet, when I'm watching TV. I have a Bunk under the Coffee Table, and a blanket (now) out in front of that, because there's not enough room in the Bunk for two. (have just recently added a Female to our Fam) I can't see over the edge of the Recliner to see if one of them is laying too close, where if I pull the leaver, outward movement of the footrest will scoop or hit one of them. YEA YEA, I know, I should have looked over/down and seen who was in the way, BUT, I just didn't think of that at first. Anyway, I "scooped" my Female a couple times before I got in the habit of looking, and it took several days for Her to get over that. She would stand out away from the Recliner and sorta cry to join "us", My Male is quite used to dodging the footrest. What I'm trying to say is, there may have been a similar incident which will take time to recover from. Procedure now established... A little "warning" whistle before a slow pull on the handle of the footrest, gives everyone time to position themselves to jump up and attempt to acquire prime locations (my lap mainly). __________________ Dogs know that you love them, weather you own them or not Mbrs of YT Teapot Club: SNEAKERS since Apr 2011, Ichabod SOON ! RIP my darling Becca.

02-23-2011, 08:39 AM	#8
MI Yorkielover Donating YT 3000 Club Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Michigan USA Posts: 3,317	Sophie had a super awareness of everything going on in her new world. She would skitter about and sometimes bark when something larger than her, like the vacuum would come out. If something dropped to the floor she would run first and investigate later. Yorkies are such small little creatures that anything large or noisy in our "big" world is bound to intimidate them until they know it won't harm them. It's something Sophie outgrew when she was close to two years old. Now she is quite bold for her size . __________________ Jackie Loves Sophie R.I.P ."Baby"* our little girl 1993-2009*

02-23-2011, 06:23 AM	#3
baby yorkie YT 500 Club Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: USA Posts: 947	I don't think Tia has Fibromyalgya. I now think it is only a night time issue with the recliner, but an all-the-time issue with the broom. Last night, dh sat in the recliner after dinner. Tia came running to me on the couch, running the edge of the family room. I had dh move to the kitchen table and I moved to the recliner. She ran to him. I called her and she was hesitant. I called Ally because I knew she would come because she wants everything first. She came and ran away, very hesitant. I later found out that she was so scared, she pooped on my carpet in the other room! Now, earlier that day, I was sitting in the recliner and she was at my feet, no problem. Does the recliner come to life after dark???? Should I condition her during the day, by sitting in the recliner more often???? I used to sit in the recliner all the time, but had to move to the couch because it's easier for both girls to move up and down easier on the couch.

02-23-2011, 06:30 AM	#4
babbsiam44 YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Virginia Posts: 1,132	Must be something witht the name...TIA! lol My little momma had babies and I am keeping one of them and named her TIA(12 wks old). Mind you, I was there at birth, rubbed the sac off and cut the cord. I was there the second she took her first breath. She will come to me when I call her but when I bend to pick her up she runs off like she is scared. She runs from anyone who wants to pet or pick her up. I don't know what it is but it hurts my feelings like I have done something to her.

02-23-2011, 07:13 AM	#5
MiasMomandDad Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Charleston, SC, USA Posts: 38	We went through something simillar with our Doberman when she turned two. She litterally became afraid of her own shadow (or any shadow). We talked with the vet and her trainer about the problem. We were told it's a common problem at that age and that she would outgrow it. Luckily she did. She's almost 10 now and the only things that scare her are thunderstorms, fireworks and a 3lb Yorkie.

02-23-2011, 09:16 AM	#9
LaurenPatrice YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Louisiana Posts: 555	Hi I watched a dog whisperer episode yesterday about a pit/chow mix that had anxiety issues. He was afraid of the stove for no reason. He was made to face his fear by being on a leash by the stove when it was turned on. The trainer said they can't stay in that state of fear/anxiety but only for a few minutes. So you wait it out till they get over it and calm down. I'm not saying try this because it may make it worse just might be helpful to look up the episode . __________________ Mommy to Remy and Winston

02-23-2011, 09:29 AM	#11
SWHouston YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Houston, Tx. U.S.A. Posts: 1,537 Blog Entries: 1	HA, I'm not sure that I would use the word "timid" for either of mine... ANYTHING that hits the floor around here, is THEIRS, or, if it moves suspiciously for any reason, it's fair game for a direct attack ! __________________ Dogs know that you love them, weather you own them or not Mbrs of YT Teapot Club: SNEAKERS since Apr 2011, Ichabod SOON ! RIP my darling Becca.

02-23-2011, 09:39 AM	#12
Buster Brown Donating YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Toluca Lake, CA Posts: 5,491	With Buster whenever some sound startles him I slowly desensitize him to it. If the gardeners are out with the mowers and blowers I show him through the door what is going on while talking normally so that he see's that it is not an issue. And then we went outside closer to the sounds until they are not an issue. I found the more I got him used to things the less fearful he was of new ones. With the chair perhaps if you slowly desensitize her to it with treats placed nearer and nearer. Then perhaps sit in it and give her treats. I would pay attention to the above scooping issue which I am sure that the motion and noise must be scary to a little Yorkie. Also there are wrap around shirts that are called Thunder shirts that fit snugly around a dog to comfort them and help reduce anxiety. Good luck with poor Tia I hope she conquers her fears. __________________ CarolynBuster Brown "The happiest people don't have the best of everything, they just make the best of everything."

02-23-2011, 09:46 AM	#13
baby yorkie YT 500 Club Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: USA Posts: 947	I'm not getting my emails from YT to say someone has responded to this??? There have not been any issues with the recliner or any of my babies. I have a pillow underneath the back and we watch the front. I am sitting it in now and she doesn't have any issues. Now I am a very light person and don't weigh as much as dh. I've noticed that the recliner creeks a little (noises) when he sits in it and moves around. Maybe that combined with the dark? Who knows! As for the broom, I've gently put it on the floor and she will go nowhere around it. Ally will bark at things first and then try to figure out what it is. She will actually try to drag it (or anything) away. My tiny one is mightier than the bigger one! lol Tia doesn't like the vacuum, but is less fearful of it than the broom??????? I'm going to trade places with dh tonight and see what happens (no noise). Maybe I'll keep it brighter in the room too. I don't think it's healthy for her to be so frightened. I don't want her to get sick!

02-23-2011, 10:08 AM	#14
yorkietalkjilly ♥ Love My Tibbe! ♥ Donating Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: D/FW, Texas Posts: 22,140	My Tibbe has some fear issues from apparently living most of his first 9 months OUTSIDE in a crate and I work with him facing them directly whenever they crop up. Tibbe hates many loud or new sounds. In Tia's case, do not get emotionally involved with her or act concerned when she shows fear. Just matter-of-factly breathe deeply, become just a dog trainer, guide her to the object using positive reinforcement but little or no talking and wait beside the fearful thing with her a while - just very briefly at first. Then, back her off and let her retreat from her new fear. The key here it to keep returning her unemotionally with positive reinforcement to the area of fear, waiting there with her and letting her back away. Repeated exposure with little talking from you while she is fearful will soon show that bright little brain that that big Boogy isn't so bad and if your positive reinforcement is something like peanut butter - well, hey, Boogy brings peanut butter will soon be her association. You will be her key here. Showing you control the moment, control her and control the Boogy and that you don't condemn her for her reaction and keeping your tension down(ha! Not so easy-you LOVE her and care) will show her that you are the leader and she will begin to trust your ability to keep her safe as she confronts her fears and laps some peanut butter. After a bit, begin to leave off the food treat and just guide your baby matter-of-factly to Boogy, wait a bit longer and retreat. Or if you prefer not to treat, use a squeaky toy or chewie or any other positive reinforcement as you guide her to the Boogy area. Some Yorkies are fearful by nature, some because of early trauma, some learned from the home environment etc., but are super smart and love to learn to best their Boogy. I'm somewhat disabled and I think Tibbe picks up on my pain/disability and that makes him more fearful as he senses my discomfort and stresses. But working with him as he comes across any new Boogy has taught him that Mom may be hurting and stressed but she is in control so he doesn't need to fear. Most of the time Tibbe is a full-time consumer of all things Life, is extremely self-confident, brave, super energetic, feisty, somewhat aggressive and the biggest ham in the world. He is the merriest little creature alive and "smiles" most of the time. He LOVES life and living and makes you happy just thinking of him. But like most Yorkies, he's sensitive to his Mom and with his bad, bad start in life, he's got some issues which we work through together as they show up. Yorkies are a work in progress, as are we all. Tibbe has been the best thing that happened to me in the last 2 1/4 years since I got him. Life is WAY better with a Yorkie.

02-23-2011, 10:18 AM	#15
SWHouston YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Houston, Tx. U.S.A. Posts: 1,537 Blog Entries: 1	baby yorkie, This has happened to me as well... It may be helpful if you were to go to the Main Forum's Page, scroll down to the bottom, and click on "Mark Forums Read". This will/should clear any restrictions on notifications. Now back to the Topic... Are you guys sure you got Yorkies ! ? Mine are just TERRORS and afraid of NOTHING when it comes to a local violation of their space !!! I've had my Male for two years, and he's SO territorial it's sad. And when my Female Becca (a puppy) came, she would hold back a few feet to watch him, see what he was objecting to, and NOW she will beat him to the "threat" and is absolutely fearless ! (and She's only 6 months old) __________________ Dogs know that you love them, weather you own them or not Mbrs of YT Teapot Club: SNEAKERS since Apr 2011, Ichabod SOON ! RIP my darling Becca. Last edited by SWHouston; 02-23-2011 at 10:21 AM.