Separation Anxiety

[candacejaydee]

Hi Everyone!

My girl Lexi turned 1 years old March 8th.
For as long as I could remember she has had separation issues.
It has gotten out of control, and to the point that I cant go anywhere without her following me.
At my apartment, she is fine. If I go to school, work, see friends, she is fine but at my mom's house I can't leave without her crying at the door and I assume its because she is scared that I wont be coming back but I have always left because I know she needs to learn.
It's worst in a vehicle. Whenever we stop at a red light, stop sign, at a store, anywhere, she always freaks out. I always hold her in the vehicle or she will sit beside me, she is not caged. When I go in to pay for gas, or go buy something I hand her to my boyfriend and she loses her mind until I get back.
I don't know how to correct this behavior, and I am confused because I always leave to go places, you think she would be used to it now...I need some advice.

[mygirlHalo]

I have the same problem with Halo, so I'm going to follow the replies.

[nanahas3]

Our Laddy is 5 years old and he still has this problem. Traveling with him in a couple of weeks on an extended vacation so we will see how that works out lol. If I leave him out in the house when I run errands he will literally scratch the paint off the door and woodwork around it jumping on it until I return so he has to be crated when we leave for even short periods. I hope someone has answers for you because I could use their advice to.

[mygirlHalo]

Wow, I know what you mean. Halo actually dug a small hole in my front door. I came home to splinters all over the floor and paint chips ! I keep her in the kitchen when I have to leave her now with a pet gate between the dining room and living room. It's become a real problem for me. There's times when you just can't take them with you. The Thunder Shirt didn't help, she's not afraid of thunder (like I am) she just doesn't want me out of her sight.

[Cha Cha]

I'd be very scared that she would get away from your bf, out of your car door and run scared (speaking from experience). Not to mention that while he's trying to grip her she could be injured. No way would I leave them in a car unrestrained, especially when they are anxious. I think restraining your dog to a harness/car seat would actually help her with her issues. I can tell you from experience through training it gets better. It takes a lot of time and patience, and consistency, but they are intelligent animals. Having your pup in a restraint relieves a lot of pressure and anxiety for everyone because you are anticipating an issue and she feeds off that energy. Even when you hand her to your BF and he puts a "hold" on her it's telling her something's up and she reacts. A restraint helps everyone in that situation.

[JuanRamos]

I'm currently teaching my 4 months old to have fun by herself while I'm away since she's way too attached to me. I'm doing this while I'm at home working, but I still keep an eye on her in case she feels like biting furniture instead of her chewtoy or jumping on our small tables and chairs, which thankfully she hasn't tried yet. She still gets a bit jealous when I'm out feeding my other dogs, but the whining and barking isn't as bad as it used to.

Not all dogs enjoy playing with toys, though. My labs (11yo and 10yo) never really enjoyed playing with balls or toys after they matured, but they have fun chasing birds and watching people pass by from the second floor of our house. My 8yo golden on ther other hands treats her equally old ball as if it were a baby and always places it on a comfy place after she's done playing with it.

[periwinkle]

My Yorkie is 10 years old, and has separation anxiety. Seriously, I don't think there is anything you can do about it. They like to be with their owners. I have bought three different puppy gates of various sizes, gated her in my laundry room, and guess who is standing on the other side of the gate when I get home?!! I don't know how she ever climbed the gates as I had oak chairs in front of it for reinforcement.

What I do now is take her for a good 20 minute walk before I leave. I don't lock her up anymore, and by the time we get back from the walk she has worked off all her nervous energy. It is very important to walk your Yorkie daily. An unwalked Yorkie is a neurotic Yorkie. Your dog will make a big dramatic scene, panting, etc. but will soon fall asleep after you leave.

Good luck, I hope this helps.

Periwinkle

[ploom]

I know exactly what you are going through! My lallas has a serious problem if I'm not in her sight! She also has scratched paint off the bathroom door when I put all the dogs in their to sleep and when I go out! She throws a real tantrum! When I get home from going out she cries with joy, I heard that its not healthy for them but what are we supposed to do? There is absolutely no way you can ignore these adorable babies! What I heard does help, is when you get home and walk through the front door, let them calm down before you give them any attention, only once they settled down can you give them treats, etc. I would try it if lallas wouldnt climb my trousers to get to me every time I come home! Best of luck! And your baby is soooo cute!!!

[periwinkle]

I thought having more than one Yorkie would calm the other one down. From what I am reading, it's not always the case.

[nanahas3]

In the car we have found that putting Laddy in his car seat that he can see out the window in and restraining him helps a lot there as far as the ride goes. But after we stop and one or the other gets out he sounds like you are killing him until the other comes back. It really is sad because he loves to go places, but if it is not somewhere he can go inside with us we don't usually take him anymore. Kyra is a dream in the house and car both. I honestly think Laddy is like this due to bad breeding. We are getting ready for a very long road trip and have gotten him the Tube (thank you Wylies Mom for suggesting it). We are praying this trip will help him with his issues, but not holding our breath lol.

[scopeland]

I'm not sure whose separation anxiety is worse - my 2 year old Yorkie or me! :-)

[nanahas3]

Originally Posted by scopeland

I'm not sure whose separation anxiety is worse - my 2 year old Yorkie or me! :-)

Lol I am the same. That is why mine are going on this extended vacation instead of staying home with our 19 year old grandaughter whom they adore. I could not stand being away from them that long. Of course I use the excuse they would miss me to much.

[scopeland]

Oh good - I thought I was the only one! We went to Padre Island last year and ours HAD to go with us because I just couldn't leave him with anyone. Not even my grown sons! We are going on a trip in December (my son is getting married) where I can't take him. Not sure I'm going to survive the trip!!

[Potter]

My Yorkie, Pao is 8 in June and he has always had separation anxiety. We have had him since he was 12 weeks old and we have learn to manage it over the years but he is never going to be all calm like the Shih Tzu I used to have. The only good thing is he doesn't destroy anything in the house, just cries and whimpers so I do let him run around on the upper level of my house with access to the hallway, all the bedrooms upstairs and gated the stairs. He won't do stairs so he won't jump over the baby gate. I used to leave him on the main floor but he does better upstairs because I guess we spend more time upstairs and he feels safer there. He will grip my arm or leg with both front paws begging me not to leave. It is very hard to leave and I do stay home with him as much as I can and hubby works from home most days. And...I do leave the radio or tv on for him so it is not dead quiet in the house when we are out.

In the car, he has his own car seat at the back which is the safest and he is harnessed in to the seat. He screams really loud when when the car is stopped because he gets so excited lol. I will not leave him in the car or bring him if I know I can't bring him in to the place I am going. He either goes in with me in my arms or in his bag lol or stays at home. It is just safer that way. A car can be broken in easily in just minutes.

[periwinkle]

I know how you feel, my Yorkie goes with me a lot. However, sometimes you just can't take them inside buildings.

I am going on vacation and have to board her for 5 days, I am already having anxiety thinking about it. I am not worried about the daytime, I just worry about her being in a cage in a strange place at night. They assure me she will be fine and the ladies will take good care of her. Even thought she is a big pain in the but - I will miss her like my own kid!