Night Shift and Separation Anxiety? - YorkieTalk.com Forums

emykay · 01-20-2012, 01:02 AM

Hi all! I'm new here, and I just got my 3 year old yorkie, Louie 2 days ago. I work night shift and my husband is currently unemployed, so he is always at home with Louie. I am at work tonight for my first night since we got Louie and my husband just called because he's worried that Louie isn't going to sleep. He thinks he's waiting for me to come home. Could this be a sort of separation anxiety?

He's not alone, so I didn't think it would be a problem. Any ideas on how to help him with this would be appreciated, since both Louie and my husband need to sleep, and I am working the next 6 nights in a row.

Thanks!

MikaTallulah · 01-20-2012, 10:09 AM

I work 7p to 7a- 3 x/wk. My dogs stay at my parents house those nights. The 3 littlest sleep with my parents or brother. While Cozy and Buddy stay downstairs "guard" the back door. They are fine without me. I have more anxiety about leaving them they do.

emykay · 01-20-2012, 08:04 PM

See, I'm hoping that this is more me and my husband worrying about it than Louie. I think we are just new to this dog parents business and we are jumpy

I hope he sleeps a little better tonight.

KaseyLyn05 · 01-21-2012, 11:09 AM

A good idea is to leave one of your shirts or some article of clothing with him/her with your scent on it. That's what I always used to to with Bailey when I would leave for work.

margaritaville · 01-21-2012, 11:24 AM

Occasionally, I will travel for work or pleasure. My husband is generally a non-traveler. The first time I left them alone with dh, they were up wandering around all night. So, now when I'm going to be gone over night I leave my worn pj's and bathrobe on the bed. My dh says that they sleep on top of them.

navillusc · 01-21-2012, 11:47 AM

Hi! Congratulations on your new baby!!!

His whole world is now changed and he has a lot of getting used to it to do. You, as my DH would say, are "the mommy" and 'cuz he loves you already and is forming that forever attachment to you he will miss you when you are gone especially until he gets used to you leaving and returning. We had that here at first, too, but it should get better. DH seems to deliberately excite them

but, based on all my previous experiences with animals, I just leave as matter-of-factly as possible..."love you"..."back in a" then "little while" vs "few minutes" vs "one minute" vs "right back" then come back just as calmly..."see? right back." They sleep on my pillow...I can tell by the 'dents' which is comforting and snuggly to them...and keeps them 'near me 'cuz they sleep there with me at night, too. They still get excited and happy to see me when I return home and bounce and wriggle like little sausages on a hot griddle, but I maintain a very calm, "hi...how're you doing" exterior and just let them bounce...and they no longer whimper anxiously like at first...especialy Mia who is kinda high strung and hyper. I do my thing first, then pick them up for huggies and kissies and a quick play session...they know the drill now. My aim is to keep them as calm and stabilized as possible and indicate my 'in charge' position by being as consistently calm and stabilized as possible myself...even though I am equally happy to be home with them.

Good luck with your new fur kid!

emykay · 01-21-2012, 01:03 PM

Thanks so much for the insight! DH says Louie did MUCH better last night. He basically went to sleep right after I left and didn't wake up until I got home. I think he is beginning to feel more comfortable with us, which makes things easier. He's had a rough time of it and I just want him to feel like this is his home, and to know that I don't plan on deserting him!

01-20-2012, 01:02 AM	#1
emykay Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Saint Louis, MO Posts: 74	Night Shift and Separation Anxiety? Hi all! I'm new here, and I just got my 3 year old yorkie, Louie 2 days ago. I work night shift and my husband is currently unemployed, so he is always at home with Louie. I am at work tonight for my first night since we got Louie and my husband just called because he's worried that Louie isn't going to sleep. He thinks he's waiting for me to come home. Could this be a sort of separation anxiety? He's not alone, so I didn't think it would be a problem. Any ideas on how to help him with this would be appreciated, since both Louie and my husband need to sleep, and I am working the next 6 nights in a row. Thanks!

01-20-2012, 10:09 AM	#2
MikaTallulah YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: NJ Posts: 1,812	I work 7p to 7a- 3 x/wk. My dogs stay at my parents house those nights. The 3 littlest sleep with my parents or brother. While Cozy and Buddy stay downstairs "guard" the back door. They are fine without me. I have more anxiety about leaving them they do. __________________ Beware of Nestle Purina Cozy (4/06), Roxy & Zoey (2/08), Lucy (4/09); Buddy 4/09- Rescued 12/11); Mika ('98) & Tallulah ('00) RIP Harley 4/2009; Lucky 11/2010; Zoey 4/2012

01-21-2012, 11:09 AM	#4
KaseyLyn05 Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: May 2011 Location: GEORGIA Posts: 238	A good idea is to leave one of your shirts or some article of clothing with him/her with your scent on it. That's what I always used to to with Bailey when I would leave for work. __________________ Kasey and the love of my life, Bailey

01-21-2012, 11:24 AM	#5
margaritaville Donating YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: west long branch, n.j. Posts: 4,457	Occasionally, I will travel for work or pleasure. My husband is generally a non-traveler. The first time I left them alone with dh, they were up wandering around all night. So, now when I'm going to be gone over night I leave my worn pj's and bathrobe on the bed. My dh says that they sleep on top of them. __________________ Joan, Bubba and Sissy-BEWARE OF PUPPY MILLS breathe in, breathe out, move on -jb

01-21-2012, 11:47 AM	#6
navillusc Donating YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: FL, USA Posts: 2,767	Hi! Congratulations on your new baby!!! His whole world is now changed and he has a lot of getting used to it to do. You, as my DH would say, are "the mommy" and 'cuz he loves you already and is forming that forever attachment to you he will miss you when you are gone especially until he gets used to you leaving and returning. We had that here at first, too, but it should get better. DH seems to deliberately excite them but, based on all my previous experiences with animals, I just leave as matter-of-factly as possible..."love you"..."back in a" then "little while" vs "few minutes" vs "one minute" vs "right back" then come back just as calmly..."see? right back." They sleep on my pillow...I can tell by the 'dents' which is comforting and snuggly to them...and keeps them 'near me 'cuz they sleep there with me at night, too. They still get excited and happy to see me when I return home and bounce and wriggle like little sausages on a hot griddle, but I maintain a very calm, "hi...how're you doing" exterior and just let them bounce...and they no longer whimper anxiously like at first...especialy Mia who is kinda high strung and hyper. I do my thing first, then pick them up for huggies and kissies and a quick play session...they know the drill now. My aim is to keep them as calm and stabilized as possible and indicate my 'in charge' position by being as consistently calm and stabilized as possible myself...even though I am equally happy to be home with them. Good luck with your new fur kid! __________________ - Cat Brody Mia BriaStormy

01-20-2012, 08:04 PM	#3
emykay Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Saint Louis, MO Posts: 74	See, I'm hoping that this is more me and my husband worrying about it than Louie. I think we are just new to this dog parents business and we are jumpy I hope he sleeps a little better tonight.

01-21-2012, 01:03 PM	#7
emykay Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Saint Louis, MO Posts: 74	Thanks so much for the insight! DH says Louie did MUCH better last night. He basically went to sleep right after I left and didn't wake up until I got home. I think he is beginning to feel more comfortable with us, which makes things easier. He's had a rough time of it and I just want him to feel like this is his home, and to know that I don't plan on deserting him!