Separation anxiety - YorkieTalk.com Forums

DiChloe · 12-29-2010, 03:28 PM

My baby Chloe is having horrible separation anxiety, every morning when i leave home for work she can't stop whinning and crying and scratching the door... (I leave her in the bathroom, which is pretty big, w all of her toys, plenty of food and water, and i blanket the smells like me)... i work really close from home, so i check on her during my lunch, but still, it breaks my heart in tiny little pieces to hear her cry every morning.. what can i do??? please help me!!! i feel like a horrible mommy, and i am afraid she is gonna start hating me!!

yorkieusa · 12-29-2010, 05:07 PM

It's really hard to see them going through that. It's so pitiful.

There are a few things you can do to help her. Do you leave a tv on for her? There are little heartbeat pillows you can buy that they can snuggle with to help comfort them, too.

Sometimes it helps, when you are home to pick up your handbag and keys, leave and stay gone for like five minutes and come back. Later, do the same and stay gone 10 minutes. Later, do the same and stay gone 15 minutes, etc. The purpose is to show her that you will always come home. Don't make a big deal of it when you leave. Don't make a big deal of it when you come back in, either. In fact, wait a few minutes until she calms down, to greet her.

AprilLove · 12-29-2010, 05:15 PM

Staying in a bathroom with the door closed can seem really lonely.
How old is your baby?

Have you thought about an expen and putting everything in there? You can leave a radio on with a nice easy listening station on. It is good that you are checking on her, but when you leave, try not to make a big deal of it, or it can make her more stressed. If she is just a puppy, it should get better as she gets used to the fact that you will always come back. She is in a whole new world away from her mommy and littermates, it can take a while

You can post this in the training section and probably get more advice and opinions.

viviansnickers · 12-30-2010, 07:59 AM

All of the above is good advise. I tried using the bathroom once, and Snickers HATED it, it's too enclosed. I think crates are terrible, so I agree fully with the ex-pen. I think it's b/c in a pen, the top is open and the pup does not feel so crowded. Also, leave the radio on for her so there is some noise. Snick has severe sep anxiety and is doing MUCH better now and wants to go in his pen all the time on his own.

Good luck!!
Snick & Viv

DiChloe · 12-30-2010, 12:47 PM

i dont want to use a crate i hate those as well... i was looking into buying an ex-pen, but i live in an apartament and i dont have a place to put it... i am still trying to come up with a solution, thank you so much for all of your advise, i really appreciate it...

DvlshAngel985 · 12-30-2010, 01:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DiChloe

i dont want to use a crate i hate those as well... i was looking into buying an ex-pen, but i live in an apartament and i dont have a place to put it... i am still trying to come up with a solution, thank you so much for all of your advise, i really appreciate it...

How about a baby gate at the door? That way she can still see out, hear all the normal house noises, and even get a sneak peek of you walking in and out. I agree with not making a big deal of your coming and going. That usually makes things worse.

yorkieusa · 12-30-2010, 02:19 PM

I didn't catch that the bathroom door was closed. They don't like being isolated. It's scares them more, I believe. I would really urge trying to find room for an x-pen, put a sheet of vinyl under it, or even a vinyl shower curtain. Otherwise, a baby gate would be good - preferrably one that she can't climb up over and fall and hurt herself. If you don't change something there, the bathroom door is going to be destroyed and you're renting an apt, so you would be responsible for the damage.

Teegy · 12-30-2010, 02:28 PM

I have an apartment and just had to move around some furnishings to make space for it.
I left it open during the day with all his toys inside and he learned to jump in and out and it became part of his normal routine. Then when I went back to work (was on vacation when I got him) it was just a matter of saying in you go and locking it. Now Teegy has fully access to the apartment but the area where the expen was is where is blanket and toys are and he always goes there with chews or toys to play.
I would recommend that.

salazark · 12-30-2010, 02:34 PM

I agree with the other posters. I think a bathroom seems so segregated from the house. I use a playpen (for dogs). It folds up - we even take it with us when we travel. Something like that might work. Actually since I have two yorkies I have two playpens pushed together so they can go from one to the other. One is their living area and the other is their bathroom. When I just had one dog I just used one though. I got a "Nanny Cam" for Christmas. It helped show me that my one that gets upset settles down pretty quickly after I leave. Just yesterday I made a discovery about how to leave without Beemer getting crazy. We are staying in a hotel this week and I didn't want him barking. I use Red Barn dog food for training treats. Right before I left I sprinkled some treats around the living area of their playpen - in and around their bed and just kind of random. While he was running around checking out the treats, we left. No barking - no fuss. It was great!!

I'm enclosing a picture my Nanny Cam took that shows my playpen setup.

Chrissybear · 12-30-2010, 02:52 PM

What kind of nanny cam do you have? i was thinking about getting one even though my husband thinks im nuts

DiChloe · 12-30-2010, 02:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Teegy

I have an apartment and just had to move around some furnishings to make space for it.
I left it open during the day with all his toys inside and he learned to jump in and out and it became part of his normal routine. Then when I went back to work (was on vacation when I got him) it was just a matter of saying in you go and locking it. Now Teegy has fully access to the apartment but the area where the expen was is where is blanket and toys are and he always goes there with chews or toys to play.
I would recommend that.

Thanks for the idea!! i think i may have to shop around for a playpen for Chloe.... i dont have too much space, but is her house as well, and she has the right of a little place of her own

....

DiChloe · 12-30-2010, 02:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by salazark

I agree with the other posters. I think a bathroom seems so segregated from the house. I use a playpen (for dogs). It folds up - we even take it with us when we travel. Something like that might work. Actually since I have two yorkies I have two playpens pushed together so they can go from one to the other. One is their living area and the other is their bathroom. When I just had one dog I just used one though. I got a "Nanny Cam" for Christmas. It helped show me that my one that gets upset settles down pretty quickly after I leave. Just yesterday I made a discovery about how to leave without Beemer getting crazy. We are staying in a hotel this week and I didn't want him barking. I use Red Barn dog food for training treats. Right before I left I sprinkled some treats around the living area of their playpen - in and around their bed and just kind of random. While he was running around checking out the treats, we left. No barking - no fuss. It was great!!

I'm enclosing a picture my Nanny Cam took that shows my playpen setup.

LOVED IT!! where did you get those play pens?? they are small enough for my apt.. i was looking online and everything seemed so big!!

DvlshAngel985 · 12-30-2010, 03:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DiChloe

LOVED IT!! where did you get those play pens?? they are small enough for my apt.. i was looking online and everything seemed so big!!

I'm liking it too. I hope she posts where she got that from.

Teegy · 12-30-2010, 03:16 PM

Folding Soft Sided Dog Exercise Pen

this is one they sell at my local doggie shop
I also found something called the "home 'n' go" play pen

salazark · 12-30-2010, 06:18 PM

Sorry!!!! I'm out of town because my mother in law had surgery and they called us back for visiting hours.

I got mine on Amazon.com. I just looked and it looks like this one might have been discontinued. This is the same one except in blue.

Amazon.com: Portable Pet Pen (Navy Blue) (36" x...
They also have a new one that looks nice. This one has a removable top.

Amazon.com: Pet Gear Home 'N Go Pet Pen with...
These are the same size as mine. 36x36. It is small enough that we take it with us when we travel. I have one in our hotel room right now for mine.

If you do shop Amazon - go to Yorkie Haven Rescue Yorkie Haven Rescue

click on the Amazon Icon on the left side of the page and they will get a portion of the sale.

12-29-2010, 03:28 PM	#1
DiChloe Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Texas, USA Posts: 136	Separation anxiety My baby Chloe is having horrible separation anxiety, every morning when i leave home for work she can't stop whinning and crying and scratching the door... (I leave her in the bathroom, which is pretty big, w all of her toys, plenty of food and water, and i blanket the smells like me)... i work really close from home, so i check on her during my lunch, but still, it breaks my heart in tiny little pieces to hear her cry every morning.. what can i do??? please help me!!! i feel like a horrible mommy, and i am afraid she is gonna start hating me!! __________________ *Chloe's and Melody's mommy...* My babies are the best thing that ever happened to my life...

12-29-2010, 05:07 PM	#2
yorkieusa Crazy about Kacee! Donating Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Kansas Posts: 21,173	It's really hard to see them going through that. It's so pitiful. There are a few things you can do to help her. Do you leave a tv on for her? There are little heartbeat pillows you can buy that they can snuggle with to help comfort them, too. Sometimes it helps, when you are home to pick up your handbag and keys, leave and stay gone for like five minutes and come back. Later, do the same and stay gone 10 minutes. Later, do the same and stay gone 15 minutes, etc. The purpose is to show her that you will always come home. Don't make a big deal of it when you leave. Don't make a big deal of it when you come back in, either. In fact, wait a few minutes until she calms down, to greet her. __________________ Karen Kacee Muffin 1991-2005 Rest in Peace My Little Angel

12-29-2010, 05:15 PM	#3
AprilLove My Three Hearts Donating Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Wrapped around their paws :-) Posts: 7,190	Staying in a bathroom with the door closed can seem really lonely. How old is your baby? Have you thought about an expen and putting everything in there? You can leave a radio on with a nice easy listening station on. It is good that you are checking on her, but when you leave, try not to make a big deal of it, or it can make her more stressed. If she is just a puppy, it should get better as she gets used to the fact that you will always come back. She is in a whole new world away from her mommy and littermates, it can take a while You can post this in the training section and probably get more advice and opinions. __________________ MaryKay AprilLove Wubs Moosie R.I.P. Bailey & BitsyRoo

12-30-2010, 07:59 AM	#4
viviansnickers Snick&Viv= BFF Donating Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Michigan Posts: 1,755	All of the above is good advise. I tried using the bathroom once, and Snickers HATED it, it's too enclosed. I think crates are terrible, so I agree fully with the ex-pen. I think it's b/c in a pen, the top is open and the pup does not feel so crowded. Also, leave the radio on for her so there is some noise. Snick has severe sep anxiety and is doing MUCH better now and wants to go in his pen all the time on his own. Good luck!! Snick & Viv __________________ -Vivian Mommy to my cuddlebug baby boys-Snickers & Reesie

12-30-2010, 12:47 PM	#5
DiChloe Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Texas, USA Posts: 136	i dont want to use a crate i hate those as well... i was looking into buying an ex-pen, but i live in an apartament and i dont have a place to put it... i am still trying to come up with a solution, thank you so much for all of your advise, i really appreciate it... __________________ *Chloe's and Melody's mommy...* My babies are the best thing that ever happened to my life...

12-30-2010, 02:19 PM	#7
yorkieusa Crazy about Kacee! Donating Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Kansas Posts: 21,173	I didn't catch that the bathroom door was closed. They don't like being isolated. It's scares them more, I believe. I would really urge trying to find room for an x-pen, put a sheet of vinyl under it, or even a vinyl shower curtain. Otherwise, a baby gate would be good - preferrably one that she can't climb up over and fall and hurt herself. If you don't change something there, the bathroom door is going to be destroyed and you're renting an apt, so you would be responsible for the damage. __________________ Karen Kacee Muffin 1991-2005 Rest in Peace My Little Angel

12-30-2010, 02:28 PM	#8
Teegy Donating YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 2,631	I have an apartment and just had to move around some furnishings to make space for it. I left it open during the day with all his toys inside and he learned to jump in and out and it became part of his normal routine. Then when I went back to work (was on vacation when I got him) it was just a matter of saying in you go and locking it. Now Teegy has fully access to the apartment but the area where the expen was is where is blanket and toys are and he always goes there with chews or toys to play. I would recommend that.

12-30-2010, 02:34 PM	#9
salazark Donating YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Alabama Posts: 941	I agree with the other posters. I think a bathroom seems so segregated from the house. I use a playpen (for dogs). It folds up - we even take it with us when we travel. Something like that might work. Actually since I have two yorkies I have two playpens pushed together so they can go from one to the other. One is their living area and the other is their bathroom. When I just had one dog I just used one though. I got a "Nanny Cam" for Christmas. It helped show me that my one that gets upset settles down pretty quickly after I leave. Just yesterday I made a discovery about how to leave without Beemer getting crazy. We are staying in a hotel this week and I didn't want him barking. I use Red Barn dog food for training treats. Right before I left I sprinkled some treats around the living area of their playpen - in and around their bed and just kind of random. While he was running around checking out the treats, we left. No barking - no fuss. It was great!! I'm enclosing a picture my Nanny Cam took that shows my playpen setup. Attached Thumbnails __________________ *Karen and the Kids* Sadie and Beemer

12-30-2010, 02:52 PM	#10
Chrissybear Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Valencia, Ca Posts: 196	What kind of nanny cam do you have? i was thinking about getting one even though my husband thinks im nuts

12-30-2010, 03:16 PM	#14
Teegy Donating YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 2,631	Folding Soft Sided Dog Exercise Pen this is one they sell at my local doggie shop I also found something called the "home 'n' go" play pen

12-30-2010, 06:18 PM	#15
salazark Donating YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Alabama Posts: 941	Sorry!!!! I'm out of town because my mother in law had surgery and they called us back for visiting hours. I got mine on Amazon.com. I just looked and it looks like this one might have been discontinued. This is the same one except in blue. Amazon.com: Portable Pet Pen (Navy Blue) (36" x... They also have a new one that looks nice. This one has a removable top. Amazon.com: Pet Gear Home 'N Go Pet Pen with... These are the same size as mine. 36x36. It is small enough that we take it with us when we travel. I have one in our hotel room right now for mine. If you do shop Amazon - go to Yorkie Haven Rescue Yorkie Haven Rescue click on the Amazon Icon on the left side of the page and they will get a portion of the sale. __________________ *Karen and the Kids* Sadie and Beemer