Anxiety/barking

[joeyandtanksmom]

So I figure that health means mental health too, so hopefully this is going in the right place...

I am extremely worried/frustrated about Joey and his anxiety issues. He has super severe separation anxiety, and I'm pretty sure he has behavioral issues partly because I think he was a mill puppy. I will explain what happens with him:

Whenever I leave the house, or my husband leaves the house, he gets very anxious and barks. If he is being left all alone, he barks like he's being tortured. He will also pee all over the place sometimes. It's very annoying, and I'm sure that eventually our neighbors will hear him and either call animal control to check on us or complain about the noise. Joey is going to be 2 on friday, and Tank (who isn't nearly as bad as Joey) is 18 months old. Tank has begun barking, but I'm thinking it's only because Joey does.

We have tried those calming chews, a bark collar, making things no big deal when we come/leave, the stress relieving liquid stuff, yelling at him, putting him in the kennel, distracting with toys, distracting with food, working on training (leave for 5 seconds, come in and treat if no barking, etc...), giving him full run of the house, locking him in a smaller space, giving him blankets, and probably stuff that I don't even remember.

My husband and I just don't know what to do anymore. Our next step is going to be one of those DAP collars, but at this point, I really don't know if that's going to help. Does anyone have any advice, suggestions, or experiences with this? We are beginning to near the end of our patience with this, we just don't even know what to do anymore! Please help!!!!

ps - I do realize that his anxiety is probably partly my fault, so please don't rehash that 5 million times...I just need to know what to do to help him. I want him to know that he won't be abandoned, and I want the barking to stop.

[laci32]

Originally Posted by joeyandtanksmom

So I figure that health means mental health too, so hopefully this is going in the right place...

I am extremely worried/frustrated about Joey and his anxiety issues. He has super severe separation anxiety, and I'm pretty sure he has behavioral issues partly because I think he was a mill puppy. I will explain what happens with him:

Whenever I leave the house, or my husband leaves the house, he gets very anxious and barks. If he is being left all alone, he barks like he's being tortured. He will also pee all over the place sometimes. It's very annoying, and I'm sure that eventually our neighbors will hear him and either call animal control to check on us or complain about the noise. Joey is going to be 2 on friday, and Tank (who isn't nearly as bad as Joey) is 18 months old. Tank has begun barking, but I'm thinking it's only because Joey does.

We have tried those calming chews, a bark collar, making things no big deal when we come/leave, the stress relieving liquid stuff, yelling at him, putting him in the kennel, distracting with toys, distracting with food, working on training (leave for 5 seconds, come in and treat if no barking, etc...), giving him full run of the house, locking him in a smaller space, giving him blankets, and probably stuff that I don't even remember.

My husband and I just don't know what to do anymore. Our next step is going to be one of those DAP collars, but at this point, I really don't know if that's going to help. Does anyone have any advice, suggestions, or experiences with this? We are beginning to near the end of our patience with this, we just don't even know what to do anymore! Please help!!!!

ps - I do realize that his anxiety is probably partly my fault, so please don't rehash that 5 million times...I just need to know what to do to help him. I want him to know that he won't be abandoned, and I want the barking to stop.

I have to say finding a trick that works can be tricky If the leave for 5 minute thing looked like it may work stick with it .Persistants and patiance as it will take time .Going from one thing jumping to another idea and another I don't I am thinking maybe it is confusing to him as well . I do wish you lots of luck as I know it can be frustrating .

[joeyandtanksmom]

Thank you for the reply All the stuff we've done hasn't just taken a week...this has been over the past year and a half...he's had the anxiety and barking issue since he was about 6 months old - we got him at 12 weeks. I'm gonna stick with working on it with him, but I would love to find a way to let him know that he's never gonna be abandoned, you know? I'm definitely gonna continue the training with him though.

[laci32]

Originally Posted by joeyandtanksmom

Thank you for the reply All the stuff we've done hasn't just taken a week...this has been over the past year and a half...he's had the anxiety and barking issue since he was about 6 months old - we got him at 12 weeks. I'm gonna stick with working on it with him, but I would love to find a way to let him know that he's never gonna be abandoned, you know? I'm definitely gonna continue the training with him though.

I understand what you are going through Andy has Anxiety in a car , I feel helpless as to what to do other than drug him which I don't want to do that either . Even small trips to the store and it's his favorite store because he gets to go shopping same thing all the way there and back . We try small ones just around the block to try and ease his anxiety that doesn't work so far either . We will be flying Aug to Florida .I'm taking the flight that I can take Him and my parrot on board with me .That should be fun lol

[joeyandtanksmom]

haha, parrot and anxious yorkie? Yes...that will be an adventure for you I try with the short trips, and today I got to the point that I could leave for a whole 30 seconds without him barking! I'm just gonna have to do this every day for a LONG time I bet...hopefully soon he will realize that he's not being abandoned. Actually, I'm hoping to turn it into a game. I think I need to find a different treat, though, because the cookies I was using today just weren't tempting enough. He was so upset the first 20 tries that he wouldn't even take the cookie till he thought for sure I was coming all the way in the house. Poor guy...I need to get him figured out and helped!

[laci32]

Originally Posted by joeyandtanksmom

haha, parrot and anxious yorkie? Yes...that will be an adventure for you I try with the short trips, and today I got to the point that I could leave for a whole 30 seconds without him barking! I'm just gonna have to do this every day for a LONG time I bet...hopefully soon he will realize that he's not being abandoned. Actually, I'm hoping to turn it into a game. I think I need to find a different treat, though, because the cookies I was using today just weren't tempting enough. He was so upset the first 20 tries that he wouldn't even take the cookie till he thought for sure I was coming all the way in the house. Poor guy...I need to get him figured out and helped!

It's good that you are looking at it positive and with some humor . Eventualy I hope both of ours will be comfortable

[Maximo]

Originally Posted by joeyandtanksmom

Thank you for the reply All the stuff we've done hasn't just taken a week...this has been over the past year and a half...he's had the anxiety and barking issue since he was about 6 months old - we got him at 12 weeks. I'm gonna stick with working on it with him, but I would love to find a way to let him know that he's never gonna be abandoned, you know? I'm definitely gonna continue the training with him though.

If you haven't already, try these suggestions:

1) Make sure your dogs get plenty of exercise, including at least one daily walk (ideally in the morning and at least 30 minutes, more if your dogs are high energy)

2) Give your dogs structure: try to stick closely to a schedule for mealtimes, exercise, waking up and bed time, etc

3) Give your dogs a little massage therapy once a day (there are teaching resources out there for how to give a dog a massage; I give my brats a massage every day)

4) Try yoga-like deep breathing exercises while you are with your dogs (this has made a world of difference for my oldest boy in the car and on our walks)

5) Do 5-10 minutes daily trick training with your dogs to challenge their minds and exhaust them mentally; they will love the structured interaction with you and appreciate the praise and treats

6) Always praise when they do things right, like pottying where they are supposed to, etc

7) Refrain from yelling; this will only get your dogs more worked up and excited and prone to bad behavior

Hope some of this helps with your Joey.

[Maximo]

I thought of one more that I need to remind myself to do: challenge your dogs with new experiences.

We often fall into a rut and life, especially for our dogs, becomes very predictable. Structure and predictability are good for trust and combating anxiety, but Yorkies also need exposure to new experiences.

I have noted with my older boy that if I take him somewhere new at least once a week, the outing has huge positive effect on his overall behavior.

[CVC]

you also might try aromatherpy...lavender oil is very relaxing. place a bit of oil in a burner or cotton ball in the area of your home he spends the most time in...just remember never on your pet!

[joeyandtanksmom]

haha, I try to find humor in everything...sometimes I succeed, sometimes I fail... Thank you for the suggestions!!! I will for sure be trying them out. We have routine wakeup/bed times, they get lots of exercise, but maybe not for their minds...I will need to challenge them mentally some more. With the yelling, I have in the past, but it really did no good whatsoever, so I kinda stopped that...besides, the look I got when i would yell would just break my heart. Lavender oil, huh? I'm going grocery shopping tonight, maybe I will take a looksie. Actually, I'll be looking at the dog toys, too...see if I can find some puzzles or something for them. Has anyone ever had an extremely anxious dog like this and gotten them to a point that they weren't anxious? To me it really seems like Joey feels like he's being abandoned - does this sound like the case? Today I played outside with their soccer ball for over an hour. We play by me kicking the ball, they chase it across the yard, then push it around for a minute or two until I can get to them to kick it (workout for mommy too!). They were SO tired when we came inside, and were asleep when I started getting ready to leave for work. I calmly put them in their area, gave them their chewies, and walked towards the garage, and my once exhausted Joey started barking like he was being tortured...When I leave they have toys, water, and chewies (sometimes), so it's not like their locked up with nothing to do...I will try some of the things you guys have suggested, but I would love to hear more - my little boy needs serious help!

[joeyandtanksmom]

oh, and I am SO trying the massage!!!

[Maximo]

Your soccer game sounds like a lot of fun. I understand it's frustrating to have Joey then bark when you leave to go to work.

Have you had any indication from neighbors about how much Joey barks while you are gone? Is it possible that he barks for a bit when you leave and then maybe settles down until he anticipates your return? If you haven't already, test him on a day off from work.

Do all the things you would do before leaving for work and stand outside your home for up to 30 minutes to see if he is still barking or if he settles down. You may have to go to great lengths to make him think it is a work day and that you aren't just hanging out in the yard.

You mentioned that you have tried coming and going in a calm manner, like it is no big deal. That is good. Have you also tried the method where you leave for 5 minutes, come back, and leave again, gradually increasing the time away each time you leave?

If all else fails, you may want to turn to a professional trainer.

[joeyandtanksmom]

Originally Posted by Maximo

Do all the things you would do before leaving for work and stand outside your home for up to 30 minutes to see if he is still barking or if he settles down. You may have to go to great lengths to make him think it is a work day and that you aren't just hanging out in the yard.

You mentioned that you have tried coming and going in a calm manner, like it is no big deal. That is good. Have you also tried the method where you leave for 5 minutes, come back, and leave again, gradually increasing the time away each time you leave?

If all else fails, you may want to turn to a professional trainer.

My goodness, they LOVE their soccer game...
I'm not sure exactly how long he barks for, but it's at least 2 minutes. The other day I left out through the garage (the way I go every day), and just stood in the garage. I was there for 2 minutes, and he continued barking the entire time. I was baking something and the timer went off so I needed to go inside, but I should try a 30 minute deal.

I haven't tried the leave for 5 minutes and come back, but I have left, and if I go back in and he didn't bark he gets a treat...but we don't really get far with that. I will start just leaving for a few minutes and coming back.

Today I tried a little mind game, and he really seemed to enjoy it. I put a treat under a plastic cup, and he had to get the treat by himself. Yes, I stole it from tv, but it totally entertained him! Hopefully I can start playing little mind games with him - I sure liked watching him figure it out!

Thanks for all the suggestions - I'm hoping to at least make some progress soon!

[Maximo]

Originally Posted by joeyandtanksmom

I haven't tried the leave for 5 minutes and come back, but I have left, and if I go back in and he didn't bark he gets a treat...but we don't really get far with that. I will start just leaving for a few minutes and coming back.

Today I tried a little mind game, and he really seemed to enjoy it. I put a treat under a plastic cup, and he had to get the treat by himself. Yes, I stole it from tv, but it totally entertained him! Hopefully I can start playing little mind games with him - I sure liked watching him figure it out!

Thanks for all the suggestions - I'm hoping to at least make some progress soon!

I like the plastic cup game and I'm definitely going to try that out with my boys. Great job!

When you do the "leaving" training, use keywords or phrases. My boys know "I'll be right back" and "I'll be back in a bit." They know the difference between 'bathroom', 'store', 'outside' and about how long I will be gone.

Of course, you don't want to train Joey to understand, "I'm going to work" as meaning that you will be gone for hours and hours. A simple "I'll be back" might work to reassure him that you are going to come back.

Continue to be optimistic, confident, and patient and your Joey will respond to that too. Good luck and post updates!

[joeyandtanksmom]

Thanks again The cup game is fun. The massage works - it puts him right to sleep....until I walk towards the door. Then he begins the barking again. whenever I leave, I say "mommy loves you" in a happy voice. Should I stop that? It's whether I leave for 30 seconds or 8 hours...so I don't think they're tying it to me being gone all day. I just don't know. It makes me almost cry whenever I hear it. It's frustrating, it's sad, and I just hate it..you know? I wish I didn't have to leave him, but that wouldn't be fixing anything.