Break up changed yorkie's behavior
 

Hi everyone,

So, my boyfriend and I broke up over the weekend. It was a long time coming and needed to happen. BUT we got Howie together. Luckily, he's not trying to fight me for the dog. :thumbup: (Just some other ridiculous stuff like tickets to see Kathy Griffin :thumbdown )

Howie is only 6 months old, but he's pretty used to both of us being around. For the past 2 months my ex has been at my apartment with Howie all day while I'm at work. (Obviously he's a real winner that doesn't have a job :rolleyes: ) I actually put off the break up for a little bit so I could wean Howie off of him. Meaning I would have him around less and less. So he's been getting used to being home alone in the morning in his crate, I come home at lunch and let him out for potty and a snack and some ball playing, and then he goes in his xpen until I come home @ 5. He seems to be doing well with that, thankfully! My real trouble is at night. Whenever my ex wasn't there at night in bed Howie would "stand guard" all night. And now he won't stop doing it. It takes a good hour to get him settled down to go to sleep. AND he woke me up at 5AM THIS MORNING. What can I do to get him to relax again and sleep through the night?? Before when my ex was still present he would go right to sleep and would even sleep until 10am on the weekends!!!

Sorry this post was so long! I really appreciate anyone's input!

As with humans, I think it takes time for broken hearts to heal. Try to be patient. I think that, with time, he'll get used to the new situation.

Try to give it some time..........I am happy to learn that he is not fighting over the dog..........good luck!

Oh, I know how you feel. My hubby has to work nights sometimes with his job. At first, it would take Hobbs a good hour to settle down at night because he was so used to having both of us there. He would jump on and off the bed several times and sometimes even sleep in my hubby dirty clothes basket. :p It has been about 2.5 months now that hubby has started working one or 2 nights a week, and Hobbs has just gotten used to it. He settles down and goes right to sleep now. It will just take Howie some time to get used to now having 2 people there, but he will eventually get used to it and settle down.

I'm sorry you're going through this but I bet just like us humans, just give Howie some time to mend his broken heart. I'm sure he just misses him and wants to protect you. In time he will come back to bed and cuddle all night till 10 am!:p

It will take time. I hate when my husband works late because Loki will not settle down and he also "keeps watch" - keeping me up too.

Here's a real suggestion though - doggie daycare. Loki comes home so sleepy he heads right for his crate. Seriously! Once trip to daycare and he's asleep for 2 or 3 days. There's no way your little guy could stay up all night if he gets that much exercise!!

That's actually a great idea, Erin!!! Thanks! I know there's a place near my work. I'm going to stop by tomorrow.

I wouldn't call it a broken heart but a change in the routine. He just has to get used to the new one. Congratulations on giving this loser the boot. Many woman don't have the courage to be on their own and it's sad what they'll put up with. If Howie is the kind of dog that will enjoy doggie day care, that sounds like a great idea. You'll have to let us know how he does.

Routine
 

Congratulations!!!! A Break-up always seems bad......I went through my last one, he used my 2 Yorkie's as weapons against me! Since he claims to have paid for them, he forged my name on one of my checks, great guy!
In the end it's still me and my Dogs w/c you can't replace for any price.
Just remember Dogs live in the "Present" moment, Humans are the one that Live in the Past. Once he gets used to his new Routine he'll perk right up and forget all about your ex. LOL.

Update
 

Thanks everyone for the advice so far. Last night was a *little* better. We went to bed around 10. Howie decided to hop out of bed at 11:30 to pee on the floor within sight of a puppy pad:thumbdown . Sigh. He fell asleep shortly after that and actually slept through the night. No 5am wake up call, which is good:thumbup: !

I'm calling over to the doggy daycare place today to get prices. Hopefully they're reasonable. How closely do they watch the dogs at those places? I'm such a paranoid mommy. There's a long list of things in my head that I'm terrified would go wrong. :eek:

I agree with Rox, a change in rountine always upsets my girls. Even if I change the furniture!:rolleyes: , it takes them a few weeks and then they fall back into the regular rountine. I wondered if ALL YORKIES hate change in rountine or was in just mine... From what I hear a lot of our babies hate the change.. good luck

i would get him tired take him for a run or walk or play ball or something