|
Welcome to the YorkieTalk.com Forums Community - the community for Yorkshire Terriers. You are currently viewing our boards as a guest which gives you limited access to view most discussions and access our other features. By joining our free community you will have access to post topics, communicate privately with other members (PM), respond to polls, upload content and access many other special features. You will be able to chat with over 35,000 YorkieTalk members, read over 2,000,000 posted discussions, and view more than 15,000 Yorkie photos in the YorkieTalk Photo Gallery after you register. We would love to have you as a member! Registration is fast, simple and absolutely free so please, join our community today! If you have any problems with the registration process or your account login, please click here to contact us. |
|
| LinkBack | Thread Tools |
11-08-2010, 12:41 PM | #1 |
Snick&Viv= BFF Donating Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Michigan
Posts: 1,755
| Adding another pup to cure Sep. Anxiety?? Many of you know my lil Snickers. I went back to teaching again in Sept after the summer and since then his Separation Anxiety has returned. Snickers will poop and pee in the house b/c he is so stressed. We have tried many things but have come to the realization that we need to contain him again. So the baby playpen will be coming out again so he can be in a space and hopefully will not go potty. I just hate going backward...but I know I have to. I almost feel sometimes the playpen is worse b/c he knows once we put him in, we are leaving (he knows even if we leave in there while we are home, he knows our clothing, movements etc) I wanted to ask if any of you with multiples have cured your pup with Sep Anxiety when adding another to the family. I have always wanted 2 dogs but have also heard that Snickers needs to be trained properly b/c the new doggy will take after Snick. Many people have told me a brother for Snick would/could help him a lot. Snickers is AMAZING at his dog nanny's home. When she leaves him home alone at her home with her dogs, he never pees or poops. He is such a lover and just always wants to be with other people/dogs. Any suggestions are welcome... Thanks- Snick & Viv
__________________ -Vivian Mommy to my cuddlebug baby boys-Snickers & Reesie |
Welcome Guest! | |
11-08-2010, 03:19 PM | #2 | |
Action Jackson ♥ Donating Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Maryland
Posts: 17,814
| Quote:
Jackson, for example, is extremely nervous driving in my Jeep Patriot since we got into an accident in June where my car was totaled. I got a new Jeep Patriot in replacement but it's basically the same car. But I have a rental car for this past week and he got into it excitedly and acted like it was fun and something new.... so sometimes they make an association with one specific thing or place and they only act that way there. But anyways, I DO tend to think a second dog would help in your situation. Dogs are naturally pack animals and DO tend to do better in pairs. Jackson became an only dog last summer after my moms dog (who lived with us) died and there was a definite change in his demeanor and still is. I'd love to add a second when the time and money situation is right because I love the way he lights up at my dads house when we stay for a few nights with their dogs. Anyways I'm sorry; I'm kind of rambling! But I think you should go for it! I think Snick will be a happier dog for it. I wanted to add-have you tried a few techniques to help ease the SA? Like picking up your keys randomly throughout the day, or putting your shoes on, or picking up your purse, yet NOT leaving? So he gets used to these things that could make him anxious before you leave. I know you say when you put him in his pen, he KNOWS your leaving. Put him his pen for 5-10 minutes one night when you're home and then just take him. So he's randomly seeing these things and it doesn't automatically mean you are leaving.
__________________ ~ Brit & Lights! Camera! Jackson! CGC ETD TKP ~ Follow Jackson on Instagram: https://instagram.com/jacksontheterrier | |
11-08-2010, 03:27 PM | #3 |
Donating YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: In my house :)
Posts: 5,219
| Hi Viv...did you try my suggestion about bringing a friend's dog into your home with Snickers to see how he would do? That might give you a good indication of how he would react to a sibling and if it would help him relax while you're gone. |
11-08-2010, 04:00 PM | #4 |
No Longer a Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Maryland
Posts: 2,410
| We have always had 3-5 pups at our house with the exclusion of now, as only two are permitted. I have found that a triad or more always helps with seperation anxiety as well as the loss of one of the group. When you only have one or two, when you lose one, it not only affects the family but the other pup as well. Sometimes causing great depression in the other pup. By having 3 or more, the loss of the one is absorbed by the many. As soon as we can, I plan on adopting more specifically for this reason. As last season we lost my oldest pup, and it was heartwrenching for not only the family, but for his life mate as well. But I would also listen to the others here about bringing into your home another pup as a loaner from a friend for a day to see how he behaves while you and the other pup are both there. This way you can see if he will be territorial or easy going with the other pup. As far as I am concerned the more the merrier! However, it does take up more time, more money, and more diligence with training and upkeep. |
11-08-2010, 04:06 PM | #5 |
Donating YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Northern New York
Posts: 1,307
| We had the very same situation with our Snickers...extreme separation anxiety. I would put him in the crate for only an hour while I ran errands, and come home to a huge mess. He would lose all control and he'd be in such a terrible state when I got home. All other times, he was fine. He was potty trained at 6 mos., except when he was in the pen or crate, when we left him alone. We finally got Baxter when Snickers was about 10 mos. old. The change in him was night and day. All of a sudden, he became the 'big brother' and we'd trust him out of the crate, while the new puppy was crated. When we came home, all was well. He didn't stress out when he saw us getting ready to go out, and sat there calmly. Now 5 years later, his separation anxiety never returned. He and Baxter are brothers and are always together. So I do recommend getting a puppy to help with Snickers' anxiety, because it worked so well for us. The two of them bring so much joy to our lives, that I can't imagine life without two (or more!) yorkies. Of course, getting another puppy is a big decision, and only you know if it's right for you. Good luck!
__________________ Snickers & Baxter Until one has loved an animal, part of their soul remains unawakened. |
11-08-2010, 04:53 PM | #6 |
♥ Chip ♥ Smokey ♥ Donating Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Leesburg
Posts: 3,835
| I'll try to keep this short because it is a long story. Smokey came to us at 6 months old and had really bad separation anxiety. We tried a crate when we'd leave or even go to sleep in the same room and as soon as we'd go to bed, you'd hear him pacing then the whole room would stink... he would get bad diarrhea. So then we tried baby gating him in the bathroom. The bathroom was directly in front of our bed, so he could get a clear view that we were right there and Chip was in his crate near by. Again, pacing, whining, diarrhea. He was so bad he quite literally was 7 lbs... today he's between 15-18 and he has not grown in height or length. After about two weeks it hit me that he had separation anxiety and let him and Chip free roam together in the master bedroom... problem solved. Smokey cannot be alone or he will have an anxiety attack. One time we were dog sitting for my MIL and I figured it would be easier on all 3 dogs if I still kept Chip and Smokey up in our master bedroom and my MIL's dog downstairs in a separate crate while we were gone for dinner. Smokey had a severe attack and was freaking out. The next time we left, I put my MIL's dog in a crate in our bedroom and Smokey was fine. So in conclusion, it could help, but it could also hurt in some ways too. For example, God forbid, something happens to Chip, Smokey would have a cow. I would have to get another dog immediately or Smokey would freak out or someone would have to be with him at all times. If I have to take Chip to the vet, Smokey has to come too. The good part is that as long as Chip is with Smokey, Smokey is content and perfectly fine. I suggest talking to would talk to Snicker's vet and maybe a qualified dog trainer and get suggestions.
__________________ ~*~ Chip ~*~ Smokey ~*~ My heart is wrapped around their little paws Karley Marissa born 1/20/12 weighing 8 lbs 11 oz and 21.5 inches long |
11-09-2010, 06:30 AM | #7 |
Snick&Viv= BFF Donating Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Michigan
Posts: 1,755
| Thank you all so much, I have MUCH to think about!! My husband is out of town right now and Snick is so depressed with him gone, he is so attached to us, almost in an unhealthy way. I'm worried. We have been thinking about adding another pup for Snick to have a brother for SO LONG, it's just that we are out of town alot and our dog nanny would get very EXPENSIVE for 2 dogs being watched. And my dog nanny is INCREDIBLE!! I don't think I ever want anyone else to keep Snick unless we move. Thankfully while I work and my babe is out of town, my dad watches Snick (they are BFF, so cute!) but I could never ask my dad to watch Snick, let alone 2 dogs while we are on vaca. The suggestion of bringing a friend's dog over to see how Snick does is a great idea, just don't have a friend to do this with and also I want the dog to be a male Yorkie. Snick does not get along with female Yorkies (I know for sure of this after many encounters....he does fine with other female breeds-but is threatened particularly w/ gal yorkies.) HHHHMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM....:confus ed: Snick & Viv
__________________ -Vivian Mommy to my cuddlebug baby boys-Snickers & Reesie |
11-09-2010, 06:40 AM | #8 |
Donating YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: In my house :)
Posts: 5,219
| If you were closer I would say come on over and spend the day with Peanut to see how they get along...but...that would be a long drive for a playdate! |
11-09-2010, 08:03 AM | #9 |
Snick&Viv= BFF Donating Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Michigan
Posts: 1,755
| <<<If you were closer I would say come on over and spend the day with Peanut to see how they get along...but...that would be a long drive for a playdate! >>>> Oh that would simply be my dream come true!!!!!!! Snick & Viv
__________________ -Vivian Mommy to my cuddlebug baby boys-Snickers & Reesie |
11-09-2010, 10:19 PM | #10 |
Donating YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Charlotte, NC
Posts: 2,359
| I am so sorry to hear about Snickers' separation anxiety. I know that is a tough thing to deal with. My brother's dog Dallas has horrible separation anxiety. He is the sweetest, calmest dog if there are people around, but poops and pees and destroys everything in sight if he is left alone at home (he once even chewed a hole in my brothers box spring)! So Dallas is crated in my brother's room with the door shut if there are no humans at home. Anyway, my brother and I have been sharing an apartment for a few months now. I thought that living with Levi would really help the separation anxiety. Levi is extremely well-behaved when he is home alone (I'm pretty sure he just sleeps all day, ha). They get along wonderfully, they play constantly, follow each other around, nap together...but the few times we have left Dallas out with Levi, his separation anxiety is definitely still there. It may be a bit lessened for him, but definitely not to the point that we could leave him out with Levi for more than 15 minutes without worrying that he would completely soil the carpet or break/chew something. Something about the lack of humans just completely stresses him out. I'm sure it is different with every individual dog, but Dallas just seems to be the kind of dog that needs humans around at all times to feel comfortable. He adores Levi, but that presence unfortunately isn't enough to comfort him while we are gone.
__________________ katy&levi Last edited by kdhawks; 11-09-2010 at 10:21 PM. |
11-10-2010, 10:49 AM | #11 |
Snick&Viv= BFF Donating Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Michigan
Posts: 1,755
| Katy thank you so much for sharing your story with me. Thankfully Snick is not a destroyer when he is anxious, he just pees and poops. We are on the hunt for a brother!!! Might be awhile before we find the perfect match!! Smiles- Snick & Viv
__________________ -Vivian Mommy to my cuddlebug baby boys-Snickers & Reesie |
11-10-2010, 06:41 PM | #12 |
Donating YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Charlotte, NC
Posts: 2,359
| You will find the perfect brother for Snickers! I hope it helps ease his anxiety. It's so hard to leave them when you know it stresses them out so badly! Levi and Dallas are much happier living together than they were as only dogs. I hope Snickers adores his new brother!
__________________ katy&levi |
Bookmarks |
|
|
Thread Tools | |
| |
|
|
SHOP NOW: Amazon :: eBay :: Buy.com :: Newegg :: PetStore :: Petco :: PetSmart