Seperation Anxiety? - YorkieTalk.com Forums

speck103 · 07-31-2005, 09:58 AM

This morning I left my precious Merlot and once again he threw a fit. I work from 3-5 days a week and everytime I leave my 2 yr old Merlot, he throws a fit. I have had him since he was 2 months old and he never seems to get used to me leaving. I even have a pet sitter come when I'm gone to walk him and play with him for a bit. Even if there is someone else home, he will get upset. It breaks my heart everytime, but I don't know what else to do. Any suggestions as to how I can help him deal with me leaving?

jennifermcb · 07-31-2005, 10:09 AM

How many hours are you gone at a time? Where is he kept? Is your schedule erratic or can he anticipate when you will be gone? Some Yorkies crave routine and any thing out of routine throws them off.

When I leave home, I make little fanfare about leaving. I'm really matter-of-fact about it. That way, the girls don't get hyped up. I leave a tv on for noise, throw in their food/water/toys and special treats.

I wish I had a magical answer for you!

speck103 · 07-31-2005, 10:24 AM

I don't have a set schedule which probably doesn't help at all. I also leave the t.v on for background noise and he has all his fav toys and stuff out too. I leave all the doors closed, so that he can't get into anything, but he's free to roam around the living room while I'm away. He's never home more than 3 hours without family or the dog sitter there. When someone else is there with him, they tell me that he barks like crazy and scratches at the door after I'm gone.

stac4614 · 11-17-2005, 08:00 AM

My little guy goes crazy when I leave too...it breaks my heart. He runs from me when he knows I have to leave for work and shakes uncontrollably. I absolutely hate leaving him... He used to bark and cry so much that his entire mouth would be soaking wet...I have no idea after I left (almost in tears) how long he did that for before he calmed himself down. He only does this in the morning when I leave for work and at lunch when I go home to take him out and have to leave for work again. He is in a crate - for his own safety, but I hate doing it to him! I've read that his crate is supposed to be his "safe-haven"...however, he dreads it! I, too, wish there was a magic answer....any thoughts? Does your little one shake too?

Lexi Rae · 11-17-2005, 08:30 AM

im gone for 10 hrs a day, sometimes my mom stops in, but in any case,lexi
is home alone most of the time..in the morning before i leave, i feed her first,
and just before i leave, i throw her a litte treat and i throw her a kong with frozen peanut butter inside it..she runs to the gate so i can put her over it
where she stays all day and i run the hell out of the house and tell her be a good girl, i will see you later...and thats it until i get home...there is nothing else i can do.. i have to work..

toninm · 11-17-2005, 08:49 AM

OMG! I hate leaving DOllar, but gotta make the money...he probably settles down once you have gone, but Dollar will cry until we leave and it breaks my heart.

chachi · 11-17-2005, 09:16 AM

Maybe you should consider getting another yorkie. Mine went through separation anxiety when they were little and I kept them in the xpens. Now that they are older and I keep them out they keep each other company.

TLC · 11-17-2005, 09:44 AM

I agree, I think you should really consider getting a playmate!
I got TJ and Roxy at the same time for this reason. I work 5 days a week and am gone anywhere from 10 -12 hours. They are gated in a spare room that I have puppy proofed (BIG TIME!), they have their food/water/bed/crate/litter boxes and LOTS of toys. I leave the radio on for them (Jazz) and just before I leave I give them a treat to occupy me running down the stairs.

Everyone needs a friend....Seriously think about it, this way he will not be sooooooooooooo attached to you - and you will feel relieved too! He will still love you to death, but he'll have a friend to buddy around with when you are gone or busy!

sylvan · 11-17-2005, 11:02 AM

The best method of dealing with this is to keep your entrances and exits as low key as possible. I will send you my separation info sheet if you'd like sylvanyorkies@yahoo.com

stac4614 · 11-17-2005, 11:06 AM

I personally would LOVE to get another, however, I also have an 11 year old cat that is barely tolerable of McGraw!!! I can't imagine what another little puppy would do to her! He loves the cat and would play with her all day, however, she will tolerate him for a little while, then she runs from him! He's the most lovable little puppy ever....I've tried to give him treats and a kong to keep him busy...but he won't even eat them while I'm gone. He waits until I get home...then he eats all the treats I left in his crate. It's as though he thinks I'm never coming home, so he saves them!

stac4614 · 11-17-2005, 11:09 AM

I am trying to get better at keeping both entrances and exits low key...however, I must say, I have my own separation anxiety...and I get so excited to see him when I get home...I can't help but to give him so much attention. I know it's my own fault, and I've created this. He was sick for the first month I had him, which of course made me baby him...and now this is what I've done. I feel just awful! I would love to read the sheet you have...thank you ALL so much for the advice!!!! This is the best website to learn/share/and talk with other Yorkie parents!!!

07-31-2005, 09:58 AM	#1
speck103 Donating Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Long Beach, CA Posts: 255	Seperation Anxiety? This morning I left my precious Merlot and once again he threw a fit. I work from 3-5 days a week and everytime I leave my 2 yr old Merlot, he throws a fit. I have had him since he was 2 months old and he never seems to get used to me leaving. I even have a pet sitter come when I'm gone to walk him and play with him for a bit. Even if there is someone else home, he will get upset. It breaks my heart everytime, but I don't know what else to do. Any suggestions as to how I can help him deal with me leaving?

11-17-2005, 08:30 AM	#5
Lexi Rae Gina, (Lexi's Mommy) Donating Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: LONG ISLAND,NY Posts: 10,455	im gone for 10 hrs a day, sometimes my mom stops in, but in any case,lexi is home alone most of the time..in the morning before i leave, i feed her first, and just before i leave, i throw her a litte treat and i throw her a kong with frozen peanut butter inside it..she runs to the gate so i can put her over it where she stays all day and i run the hell out of the house and tell her be a good girl, i will see you later...and thats it until i get home...there is nothing else i can do.. i have to work.. __________________ Gina & Lexi CLICK HERE for our Photo Album ...

11-17-2005, 08:49 AM	#6
toninm My Yorkie is my life Donating Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Houston, Texas Posts: 1,187	OMG! I hate leaving DOllar, but gotta make the money...he probably settles down once you have gone, but Dollar will cry until we leave and it breaks my heart. __________________ Toni & Dollar http://www.dogster.com/pet_page.php?i=212581

11-17-2005, 09:16 AM	#7
chachi I Love My Yorkies Donating Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Indianapolis, Indiana Posts: 37,147	Maybe you should consider getting another yorkie. Mine went through separation anxiety when they were little and I kept them in the xpens. Now that they are older and I keep them out they keep each other company. __________________ Chachi's & Jewels Mom Jewels http://www.dogster.com/?132431 Chachi http://www.dogster.com/?132427

11-17-2005, 09:44 AM	#8
TLC Slave to My Rug-Rats Donating Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Long Island Posts: 7,247	I agree, I think you should really consider getting a playmate! I got TJ and Roxy at the same time for this reason. I work 5 days a week and am gone anywhere from 10 -12 hours. They are gated in a spare room that I have puppy proofed (BIG TIME!), they have their food/water/bed/crate/litter boxes and LOTS of toys. I leave the radio on for them (Jazz) and just before I leave I give them a treat to occupy me running down the stairs. Everyone needs a friend....Seriously think about it, this way he will not be sooooooooooooo attached to you - and you will feel relieved too! He will still love you to death, but he'll have a friend to buddy around with when you are gone or busy! __________________ Adopt Donate Foster www.yorkie911rescue.com

07-31-2005, 10:09 AM	#2
jennifermcb Charmed by Sophie & Daisy Donating Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: North Alabama Posts: 593	How many hours are you gone at a time? Where is he kept? Is your schedule erratic or can he anticipate when you will be gone? Some Yorkies crave routine and any thing out of routine throws them off. When I leave home, I make little fanfare about leaving. I'm really matter-of-fact about it. That way, the girls don't get hyped up. I leave a tv on for noise, throw in their food/water/toys and special treats. I wish I had a magical answer for you!

07-31-2005, 10:24 AM	#3
speck103 Donating Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Long Beach, CA Posts: 255	I don't have a set schedule which probably doesn't help at all. I also leave the t.v on for background noise and he has all his fav toys and stuff out too. I leave all the doors closed, so that he can't get into anything, but he's free to roam around the living room while I'm away. He's never home more than 3 hours without family or the dog sitter there. When someone else is there with him, they tell me that he barks like crazy and scratches at the door after I'm gone.

11-17-2005, 08:00 AM	#4
stac4614 YorkieTalk Newbie! Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Rhode Island Posts: 3	My little guy goes crazy when I leave too...it breaks my heart. He runs from me when he knows I have to leave for work and shakes uncontrollably. I absolutely hate leaving him... He used to bark and cry so much that his entire mouth would be soaking wet...I have no idea after I left (almost in tears) how long he did that for before he calmed himself down. He only does this in the morning when I leave for work and at lunch when I go home to take him out and have to leave for work again. He is in a crate - for his own safety, but I hate doing it to him! I've read that his crate is supposed to be his "safe-haven"...however, he dreads it! I, too, wish there was a magic answer....any thoughts? Does your little one shake too?

11-17-2005, 11:02 AM	#9
sylvan YT 2000 Club Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Eastern PA Posts: 2,484	The best method of dealing with this is to keep your entrances and exits as low key as possible. I will send you my separation info sheet if you'd like sylvanyorkies@yahoo.com

11-17-2005, 11:06 AM	#10
stac4614 YorkieTalk Newbie! Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Rhode Island Posts: 3	I personally would LOVE to get another, however, I also have an 11 year old cat that is barely tolerable of McGraw!!! I can't imagine what another little puppy would do to her! He loves the cat and would play with her all day, however, she will tolerate him for a little while, then she runs from him! He's the most lovable little puppy ever....I've tried to give him treats and a kong to keep him busy...but he won't even eat them while I'm gone. He waits until I get home...then he eats all the treats I left in his crate. It's as though he thinks I'm never coming home, so he saves them!

11-17-2005, 11:09 AM	#11
stac4614 YorkieTalk Newbie! Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Rhode Island Posts: 3	I am trying to get better at keeping both entrances and exits low key...however, I must say, I have my own separation anxiety...and I get so excited to see him when I get home...I can't help but to give him so much attention. I know it's my own fault, and I've created this. He was sick for the first month I had him, which of course made me baby him...and now this is what I've done. I feel just awful! I would love to read the sheet you have...thank you ALL so much for the advice!!!! This is the best website to learn/share/and talk with other Yorkie parents!!!