Anxiety Disorder - YorkieTalk.com Forums

3Yorkies · 11-30-2005, 08:21 PM

I have 3 Yorkies and one of them, Tia, has several disorders. She has an eating disorder where she won't stop eating and eats VERY fast - barely chewing. We have to monitor her food. But, her anxiety disorder is the one I need help with. She is afraid of new people and barks and runs circles and is totally obnoxious when other people are around. She will go outside on the deck and bark at the people inside because she doesn't want to be too close. And she is terribly jealous of the other 2 dogs. If you talk to one of the dogs, she'll come running out and start "talking" and insisting on attention. If you are sitting down and petting another dog, she'll jump on your lap and situate herself closer to your face than the other dog. If you move her back, she freaks out! She has a "security teddy" that she carries around in her mouth most of the time, but I could really use some suggestions on how to modify her behavior. Thanks

rnnw62 · 11-30-2005, 11:33 PM

Wow...she does seem to have a few issues doesn't she?
I don't have any solutions for you except to say maybe
you should check into having a behavior specialist come
into your home and give you an assessment as well as
some suggestions. Sometimes the expense is worth it
to understand the under lying cause behind the behavior.
It's hard to give suggestions without knowing her complete
history, but maybe FirstYorkie has some for you she seems
to really know her stuff when it comes to both communicating
and understanding behavior of animals.

FirstYorkie · 12-01-2005, 01:42 AM

Gosh, THANKS for the kind words!!! You made my day!

I second your advise to consult a trainer. Most likely, the trainer could tell YOU how to fix the problem so that you aren't having to pay for multiple sessions.

I feel sure her behavior can be improved but it will take some work on your part.

rnnw62 · 12-01-2005, 02:00 AM

Oh no problem the compliment is well deserved...Your views on
behavior issues always seem to be very similiar to my own and
you definitely have my respect.

3Yorkies · 12-01-2005, 10:47 AM

Thanks for the suggestions. She is on Amitriptylene (sp?) for her nervousness and I just got the DAP plug in and am hoping that helps. She is not aggressive toward the other 2 dogs or mean in any way. She just really demands attention from us and is very fearful of other people. Any other suggestions on how to react to her behavior would be appreciated.

livingdustmops · 12-01-2005, 10:54 AM

I have a couple of question? Do you know where she came from? How old was she when you got her? Are the other 2 Yorkie's from the same litter? or different? What size is she compared to the other dogs? What is the sex of the other two dogs? Are all 3 neutered/spayed? How old was she when you got her? How big was the litter? What was her mothers temperment?

3Yorkies · 12-01-2005, 12:09 PM

Tia came from a breeder near Watertown, South Dakota. She was only 8 weeks old when we got her. The other two Yorkies are from a breeder in Piedmont, South Dakota and those 2 have the same father, but different mothers. All 3 are very close in size and all 3 are female and spayed. Tia's litter only had 2 and I don't know much about the mother. We had Zoey (7) for 1 1/2 years before we got Tia. Last Christmas, we "temporarily adopted" 6 year old Abby. She is our daughter's dog and we have her for 3 years while they are stationed overseas. She adjusted well and Tia and Abby play together alot. Tia (5) has always been a little "different" but we notice that her jealousy has gotten worse along with her barking and fear.

FirstYorkie · 12-01-2005, 12:16 PM

More questions - you say she barks, runs in circles and acts obnoxious around people. These aren't necessarily fear-based behaviors. Does she do something else that tells you she is afraid?

When you say she "freaks out" when you move her away, what does that look like?

Sorry. Just trying to get a clearer picture.

{Note to LivingDustMops: THAT was a "couple" of questions. YOU asked TEN!!! (Tee Hee! Just Kidding!)

}

3Yorkies · 12-01-2005, 12:21 PM

She will run out her doggie door to be outside, away from the people and bark continually from out there. When you try to move her back from your face, she gets very upset, nervous and will push as hard as she can to get back up closest to your face. During this "anxious" time, she really doesn't even hear what you are saying to her... Then, she will pace with her Teddy until you pick her up and give her the "sole" attention.

Diego · 12-01-2005, 12:22 PM

Mitsou was very fearful of peoples too . I took her in her little bag and went for little walks at places with peoples . I didn't talk to her when she was afraid because I found out it was reinforcing her fear , I only told her she was a good girl when we arrived home .After a few weeks she was ok . I don't know if this can be alright with your little one .

11-30-2005, 08:21 PM	#1
3Yorkies YorkieTalk Newbie! Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: South Dakota Posts: 4	Anxiety Disorder I have 3 Yorkies and one of them, Tia, has several disorders. She has an eating disorder where she won't stop eating and eats VERY fast - barely chewing. We have to monitor her food. But, her anxiety disorder is the one I need help with. She is afraid of new people and barks and runs circles and is totally obnoxious when other people are around. She will go outside on the deck and bark at the people inside because she doesn't want to be too close. And she is terribly jealous of the other 2 dogs. If you talk to one of the dogs, she'll come running out and start "talking" and insisting on attention. If you are sitting down and petting another dog, she'll jump on your lap and situate herself closer to your face than the other dog. If you move her back, she freaks out! She has a "security teddy" that she carries around in her mouth most of the time, but I could really use some suggestions on how to modify her behavior. Thanks

11-30-2005, 11:33 PM	#2
rnnw62 Donating Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Gilbert, Arizona Posts: 1,610	Wow...she does seem to have a few issues doesn't she? I don't have any solutions for you except to say maybe you should check into having a behavior specialist come into your home and give you an assessment as well as some suggestions. Sometimes the expense is worth it to understand the under lying cause behind the behavior. It's hard to give suggestions without knowing her complete history, but maybe FirstYorkie has some for you she seems to really know her stuff when it comes to both communicating and understanding behavior of animals. __________________ Shelly, Teddy, Toby,Hanne & Indigo

12-01-2005, 02:00 AM	#4
rnnw62 Donating Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Gilbert, Arizona Posts: 1,610	Oh no problem the compliment is well deserved...Your views on behavior issues always seem to be very similiar to my own and you definitely have my respect. __________________ Shelly, Teddy, Toby,Hanne & Indigo

12-01-2005, 10:47 AM	#5
3Yorkies YorkieTalk Newbie! Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: South Dakota Posts: 4	Anxiety Disorder Thanks for the suggestions. She is on Amitriptylene (sp?) for her nervousness and I just got the DAP plug in and am hoping that helps. She is not aggressive toward the other 2 dogs or mean in any way. She just really demands attention from us and is very fearful of other people. Any other suggestions on how to react to her behavior would be appreciated.

12-01-2005, 10:54 AM	#6
livingdustmops Princess Poop A Lot Donating Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Colorado Posts: 6,728	I have a couple of question? Do you know where she came from? How old was she when you got her? Are the other 2 Yorkie's from the same litter? or different? What size is she compared to the other dogs? What is the sex of the other two dogs? Are all 3 neutered/spayed? How old was she when you got her? How big was the litter? What was her mothers temperment? __________________ Cindy & The Rescued Gang Puppies Are Not Products!

12-01-2005, 01:42 AM	#3
FirstYorkie YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: American in London Posts: 1,739	Gosh, THANKS for the kind words!!! You made my day! I second your advise to consult a trainer. Most likely, the trainer could tell YOU how to fix the problem so that you aren't having to pay for multiple sessions. I feel sure her behavior can be improved but it will take some work on your part.

12-01-2005, 12:09 PM	#7
3Yorkies YorkieTalk Newbie! Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: South Dakota Posts: 4	Tia came from a breeder near Watertown, South Dakota. She was only 8 weeks old when we got her. The other two Yorkies are from a breeder in Piedmont, South Dakota and those 2 have the same father, but different mothers. All 3 are very close in size and all 3 are female and spayed. Tia's litter only had 2 and I don't know much about the mother. We had Zoey (7) for 1 1/2 years before we got Tia. Last Christmas, we "temporarily adopted" 6 year old Abby. She is our daughter's dog and we have her for 3 years while they are stationed overseas. She adjusted well and Tia and Abby play together alot. Tia (5) has always been a little "different" but we notice that her jealousy has gotten worse along with her barking and fear.

12-01-2005, 12:16 PM	#8
FirstYorkie YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: American in London Posts: 1,739	More questions - you say she barks, runs in circles and acts obnoxious around people. These aren't necessarily fear-based behaviors. Does she do something else that tells you she is afraid? When you say she "freaks out" when you move her away, what does that look like? Sorry. Just trying to get a clearer picture. {Note to LivingDustMops: THAT was a "couple" of questions. YOU asked TEN!!! (Tee Hee! Just Kidding!) } Last edited by FirstYorkie; 12-01-2005 at 12:19 PM.

12-01-2005, 12:21 PM	#9
3Yorkies YorkieTalk Newbie! Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: South Dakota Posts: 4	She will run out her doggie door to be outside, away from the people and bark continually from out there. When you try to move her back from your face, she gets very upset, nervous and will push as hard as she can to get back up closest to your face. During this "anxious" time, she really doesn't even hear what you are saying to her... Then, she will pace with her Teddy until you pick her up and give her the "sole" attention.

12-01-2005, 12:22 PM	#10
Diego Donating YT 3000 Club Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Canada Posts: 3,617	Mitsou was very fearful of peoples too . I took her in her little bag and went for little walks at places with peoples . I didn't talk to her when she was afraid because I found out it was reinforcing her fear , I only told her she was a good girl when we arrived home .After a few weeks she was ok . I don't know if this can be alright with your little one .