My Yorkie might have Separation Anxiety Disorder

[vpanopoulos]

After having my 10 month old Yorkie male for a few months now I am starting to notice that he may suffer from separation anxiety disorder. At the begining I thought it was a common "Yorkie breed" thing to be very dependant and follow me around every second. I can't go to the bathroom, or kitchen or any other room in the house without him following me less than one foot step away. I don't mind it, but I think there might be more issues. Once or twice a week I will bring him to work with me, and he will start yelping the moment I leave him in my office alone for a few minutes.

Monday through Friday, if I don't take him to work, he is left alone at home. Someone does check on him every couple of hours. By now I thought he would be used to the idea of being left alone and realizing that I will always come home to him.

I have read many different options to relieve anxiety and most say that proper crate training can help. We have crate trained him, since we got him, but he still to this day is not very fond of it.

Any insight would be helpful.

[Julz]

I just wanted to say that many people get a second Yorkie to keep their first one company for when they are not home. It doesn't mean they intend to love the 2nd one any less and I'm pretty sure they never do, because in a lot of cases before they know it they are looking for a 3rd. I would seriously consider a 2nd Yorkie. Let me know if you think this is a good idea and good luck.
Julz

[Breeze]

Here is a great link that has info about separation anxiety that someone here posted.

http://www.ddfl.org/behavior/sep-anxiety.pdf

If you also go to their home page they have lots of info about several things related to animals and their behavior.

http://www.ddfl.org/tips.htm

[red98vett]

I agree...2 keep each other company and I WISH I could help - but have the same problem....

My youngest Cheri is a yelper when I leave also...She almost gets hysterical when she sees me go out the door...it's heartbreaking !...I joke that the neighbors are going to think she's being abused...it's THAT loud.

She has my hubby AND Chanel to keep her company - She is just so bonded to me she can't have me out of her site. It's gotten pretty bad these last few months so I'll be curious to read this thread also....By the way - Cheri is ALMOST 1 year old...she didn't do this as a baby - I have a feeling it's something in their make-up...

I'm not ALLOWED in the bathroom all by myself.

[red98vett]

Breeze...thank you for that link - I've tried lots of it - but there is way more information on there that I hadn't seen....Great info !

[milliecorrales]

My first yorkie, Whitby was a rescue from a military family. That poor pup had been to so many different countries in his four years and each country had different quarantine periods, so he had separation anxiey bad. I solved the problem (he would become very destructive if left alone) I hired a gentlemen that was on SS to dog sit while I was at work. It cost me $35 a week, helped someone on a limited income and took care of the problem. I now have two yorkies and it is much easier.

[schatzie]

Originally Posted by vpanopoulos

After having my 10 month old Yorkie male for a few months now I am starting to notice that he may suffer from separation anxiety disorder. At the begining I thought it was a common "Yorkie breed" thing to be very dependant and follow me around every second. I can't go to the bathroom, or kitchen or any other room in the house without him following me less than one foot step away. I don't mind it, but I think there might be more issues. Once or twice a week I will bring him to work with me, and he will start yelping the moment I leave him in my office alone for a few minutes.

Monday through Friday, if I don't take him to work, he is left alone at home. Someone does check on him every couple of hours. By now I thought he would be used to the idea of being left alone and realizing that I will always come home to him.

I have read many different options to relieve anxiety and most say that proper crate training can help. We have crate trained him, since we got him, but he still to this day is not very fond of it.

Any insight would be helpful.

I live your life!! Schatzie is the same exact way as your little one and she is over a year old. She is my shadow and I've come to the conclusion this is the way it will always be, LOL....

Actually, I've even tried to reverse the issue and think "Ok, is it me who has this disorder and can't stand to be away from her?" Yes, probaby so...With this said, Schatzie and I both share that bond and I guess relate, *giggle*

I've done the crate training, try to go places without her, etc...Oh and we even have other pets too. Nope, she is always my shadow.

I guess I just tell myself that Schatzie and I have a bond that can't be broke and accept it.

I hope you find a solution to fit both your needs and find comfort...

[LvMyYorki]

My yorkies don't have separation anxiety, but Tino is very frightened of fireworks and thunderstorms and I have spoken with my vet about it since its that time of the year. He suggested D.A.P. (dog appeasing pheromone). It is also used to treat separation anxiety. Here is an article I found if you are interested. BTW... getting our second yorkie had everything to do with Tino being lonely when we are gone during the day. At about 8-10 months, I could really tell he was hating being alone. The article is really great bc if talks about the fact that its just not natural for a dog to be alone since their instinct is to be with the "pack" whether you are their pack or if your family is. So, like everyone said... a second yorkie is a great idea, if its feasable for you, in the meantime, you could try the pheromones. If they don't work, there is an ssri aka puppy prozac that is used to treat separation anxiety. I know it sounds horrible to medicate your baby, but if its really making stressed, at least its an alternative that you could try. Hope this info is helpful!

Canine Behavior Spotlight
From Janet Tobiassen Crosby, DVM,
Your Guide to Veterinary Medicine.

Behavior Problems and D.A.P
Courtesy of Veterinary Products Laboratories

What causes dogs to bark excessively, whine and tear up the house when left alone?
Dogs are social animals and can act out destructive behaviors due to separation anxiety. Dogs that suffer from separation anxiety exhibit undesirable behaviors associated with stress, fear and anxiety, such as restlessness, excessive whining and barking, and adult destructive chewing and house soiling.

What types of situations can cause a dog stress?


Separation Anxiety: physical separation from the owner/pet guardian to whom it is attached.
New People/Things: moving or major changes in the household, remodeling or redecorating, new pieces of furniture.
Fear/Phobias: thunderstorms, lightening, fireworks.
Temporary changes: being transported, hospitalized or boarded.
What is D.A.P.™?
Developed for pet owners by veterinarians, D.A.P.™ (Dog Appeasing Pheromone) mimics the properties of the natural pheromones of the lactating female. Within three to five days after giving birth, the female generates pheromones that give their puppies a sense of well-being and reassurance, known as appeasing pheromones.

How is D.A.P.™ used?
D.A.P.™ is an easy-to-use "plug-in" diffuser that consists of an electrical plug-in unit and disposable (30-day) bottle that will deliver the pheromone 24 hours a day. It continuously releases the active ingredient into the dog's environment and allows trouble-free treatment in a 650-square-foot area for approximately four weeks.

How can D.A.P.™ calm dogs in stressful situations?
Pheromones are picked up and detected by an animal's sense of smell producing specific responses. By replicating this signal of comfort, D.A.P.™ helps alleviate fear and stress related signs in the puppy and adult dog.

How long should D.A.P.™ be used?
To address behavior caused by temporary events, plug the diffuser in for 30 days. Each vial attached to a diffuser lasts approximately four weeks. Repeat as necessary.

How well does D.A.P.™ work?
In clinical trials with D.A.P.™, destructive behavior and vocalization (excessive barking and whining) were improved or resolved by 72 percent and 85 percent respectively. (Clinical trials were conducted by Ceva Sante Animale between November 1999 and November 2000, and were under the specific direction of Dr. Patrick Pageat.)

Does D.A.P.™ have any effect on cats?
D.A.P.™ is a chemical copy of the canine appeasing pheromones in lactating females. The pheromones are species-specific and should not have any effect on cats. The product has not been tested on cats.

What does it smell like?
D.A.P.™ has no smell and is odorless to humans when dry.

Is it a sedative?
No, D.A.P.™ is a solution that helps calm and reassure puppies and adult dogs.

Should any precautions be taken with pets and children?
Proper product use will not harm children, adults or pets. Plug diffusers into electric sockets in an open area most frequented by the dog. Do not place behind furniture.

Where do I get D.A.P.™?
The D.A.P.™ plug-in is marketed through veterinarians by Veterinary Products Laboratories and specialty pet retailers by Farnam Pet Products under the brand name Comfort Zone with D.A.P.™ MSRP: Electric Diffuser with 48 ml vial/$39.25; 48 ml Refill Vial/$21.98.

D.A.P.™ is a trademark of Ceva Sante Animale.

Fast Facts About Canines and D.A.P.™
(D.A.P. = Dog Appeasing Pheromone)

About Canine Behavior

There is a strong bond between a puppy and its mother. When you acquire the puppy, you provide protection and become the new attachment link. As the dog matures, some degree of separation must occur. If this does not happen, the dog may become over-attached to you and exhibit signs associated with separation anxiety.
Dogs that suffer from separation anxiety may exhibit undesirable behaviors associated with stress, fear and anxiety, such as restlessness, excessive whining and barking, and adult destructive chewing and house soiling.
Anxiety and stress can start at any time in a dog's life. Common factors leading to stress and anxiety include moving, major changes in the household, noise phobias and physical separation from the owner/pet guardian to whom it is attached.
Appeasing pheromones have a calming effect on puppies and adult dogs.
About D.A.P.™


D.A.P. is a synthetic copy of a dog's naturally occurring appeasing pheromones from the lactating female.
Developed for pet owners by veterinarians, D.A.P. controls/addresses attachment problems, and provides reassurance and comfort to the dog, discouraging stress related destructive behavior.
Clinical studies show a 72 percent reduction in anxiety related destructive behavior over a four week-use. D.A.P. can be used in stressful situations, such as separation and adjusting to new homes, pets and people.
Plug D.A.P. into an electric outlet in the room most frequented by the dog. The diffuser is reusable and vials may be replaced as needed. Each vial lasts approximately four weeks and covers up to 650-square-feet.

[fasteddie]

What you can perhaps try is one of those pillows with a simulated heartbeat, it's used for newborn pups that are just separated from their mothers, but it can be used effectively for Yorkies with separation anxiety. Also, you may try leaving a TV or radio on when you leave as well as leave a heating blanket for them to lay on when you are gone. My Yoda had horrible separation anxiety at first too, he would chew up the wallpaper or anything he could get his teeth on (we quarantined him in the kichen area with all his necessary stuff, pee bin, water/food, some toys, pillows, and the above mentioned items). It just took a while, but he did get over it....

Good luck!