What to do about Separation Anxiety?
 

I am struggling with what to do about our Tigger's separation anxiety issues. He loves when we are all home and will always bark when we have to leave to go to work for the day.

We put him in his crate and then leave without making a big deal like the dog trainers say to do. When we get home he is usually sleepy in his crate, but when he comes out he is excited to see us. Lots of licks and kisses.

When we left for a few hours today to do some errands, our neighbors (good friends who have his littermate) told us that Tigger barked for over 20 minutes before he stopped. I know that this could get progressively worse if we don't find a way to help him overcome this while he is still young. Tigger will be 5 1/2 months on 11/16.

Do your Yorkies have any separation anxiety issues? What have you been able to do to reduce these issues?

I am also thinking about getting another puppy, but the hubby is not having it. I really think this could help Tigger with the separation anxiety. Will getting a second Yorkie help with such issues? What are your experiences with getting a second Yorkie?

Your help is appreciated.

(FYI - We are gone for 7 hrs each day. I typically work 4 days in the office and one day from home.)

Hey, I've personally never dealt with separation anxiety but I have a few helpful tips you could try out:

- Exercise! Before leaving your house, I highly suggest a long, brisk walk or some form of exercise to totally tire him out. If you can't do physical exercise routines, even mental exercise would help, i.e.: trick and obedience training. Any kind of stimulation for his mind or body.

- You could leave a Kong toy filled with treats inside of it so that he keeps busy with those while you are gone. They have all sorts of toys now that are meant to be like puzzles for the dog to figure out.

- Practice while your at home leaving the room w/o him for 2 minutes, coming back, then increase the time to 5 minutes, etc. Only come back once he's quiet and reward him. He will learn you are coming back. Take things that he may associate you with leaving such as picking up purse, or keys, and carry them around at random times of the day and then just don't go anywhere. Then he will not associate such things as you leaving and maybe not be so stressed.

- Are you making the crate a pleasant place and experience for him? I would practice with throwing treat in there, making him go in it by HIMSELF, and then just leaving the door open so he knows he's not always going to be "trapped" in there. It should be a safe haven to him and a good place to go. Wait until he is completely calm, sitting or laying down in the crate to allow him out of it.

- Have you thought about an exercise pen? I used one of these while Jackson was a puppy so that he was still contained but had a bigger space.

- I have been contemplating very much so to get a 2nd puppy for Jackson, who is now 1 year old, as a companion since my mother's dog died and he's been lonely. But I do know dogs are very social creatures and I think it is better for them to have another of their "kind" living with them. However, you have to think about bringing a 2nd dog in when your first already has some "issues" because the 2nd puppy could begin having those too and copying the behavior, and then you have 2 dogs w/ issues on your hands. But I think overall, yes, I think two is better than one.

- If it got bad enough, I have heard of Rescue Remedy, it's a natural "medication" to give them and I've heard it works wonders.

This is such a good idea. I should start doing this. As soon as I touch my purse, even if to get something inside of it, Uni gets up and looks around like "so where WE going???" The keys especially! :rolleyes:

Thanks for the Advise...
 

Thanks Britster for the great information.

I am going to see what I can do about the X-Pen Idea since we have one but haven't used it for him during the day when we are gone. I will get him all comfy in a new set-up gradually and then try your other ideas leaving the house for short periods of time. Tigger definitely knows when Mama is dressed up with high heels that he is not coming along.

Thanks again.

TiggerBug :animal-pa

the Xpen and treat-filled Kongs really do help. Moses used to freak out too but he eventually just got used to me leaving for work each day. we had a routine. i'd take him outside for potty, put him in his pen, give him a treat & then say the same phrase everytime "See ya Later, Moses." His barking eventually turned into him just quietly looking at me as i walked out the door. TO THIS DAY (he's 2yrs old now), i still get attacked with licks when I come home, though. lol.