Screaming & crying

[Shicks]

Is it normal for a 14 week old male Yorkie to cry, scream, run, jump for an hour or so after you leave the house? I have recorded my little one and for a full hour he does this. My recorder only goes for an hour. I know he hasn't slept when I'm gone because as soon as I let him out he instantly goes to sleep. His treats are all scattered so I know he doesn't eat please help with separation anxiety.
Thanks
Shicks

[KazzyK810]

I remember ZoE crying when I would leave the house, when she was a young puppy. She would cry the whole time I was in the shower, and she couldn't see me, also.

Then somewhere a few months in, she seemed to understand that I left, but I always come back.

I usually sleep in a tank top, and each morning before leaving I would drop the tank you on her bed in her xpen, when she was little and she would snuggle in it. Now I toss it on my bed (where she sleeps while I'm hone) and she still snuggles in it. In fact, if my aim isnt good and it doesn't land at the top of the bed, she walks and grabs the tank in her mouth and drags it up my my pillows to lay on it.

Try leaving a shirt you've worn for him to snuggle with. It will smell like you and offer some reassurance, while you're gone.

[barneysmommmy]

Barney did this too. I started pretending to leave. I would go out and come back in 5, 10, or 15 minute intervals. I wouldn't make eye contact or talk to him until he calmed down. My husband thought I was cruel. (I did too). But it really helped. I have read that when you make a big deal about leaving and coming back that they can develop separation anxiety. Now that he is older, I hug and kiss him when I come in. But when he was little I just played it cool so he wouldn't think it was a big deal.

[Wylie's Mom]

Originally Posted by barneysmommmy

Barney did this too. I started pretending to leave. I would go out and come back in 5, 10, or 15 minute intervals. I wouldn't make eye contact or talk to him until he calmed down. My husband thought I was cruel. (I did too). But it really helped. I have read that when you make a big deal about leaving and coming back that they can develop separation anxiety. Now that he is older, I hug and kiss him when I come in. But when he was little I just played it cool so he wouldn't think it was a big deal.

Great advice.

[JadeD]

Originally Posted by KazzyK810

I remember ZoE crying when I would leave the house, when she was a young puppy. She would cry the whole time I was in the shower, and she couldn't see me, also.

Then somewhere a few months in, she seemed to understand that I left, but I always come back.

I usually sleep in a tank top, and each morning before leaving I would drop the tank you on her bed in her xpen, when she was little and she would snuggle in it. Now I toss it on my bed (where she sleeps while I'm hone) and she still snuggles in it. In fact, if my aim isnt good and it doesn't land at the top of the bed, she walks and grabs the tank in her mouth and drags it up my my pillows to lay on it.

Try leaving a shirt you've worn for him to snuggle with. It will smell like you and offer some reassurance, while you're gone.

That is so cute that she would grab it and pull it where she wanted it!

I don't make a big deal about me leaving. I tell the dogs I will be back in a few minutes (even if it will be several hours) and I tell them to be good and I leave. Sometimes I am gone 10 minutes and rarely I am gone 4 hours. They can't tell time anyway, so then I come back and just talk to them, I don't make a big deal about me being gone.

[Jkpal]

I was told that a dog will behave in the same manner when you leave as when you arrive home...i.e. If you act all excited with him when first arriving home, that's how he'll behave when you leave. I don't know whether or not that's true because every time I return (whether it's 10 minutes or a 9 hours), Piper and I pretty much have a celebration! She does not, however, get crazy when I leave...Who knows!?! I completely agree with the "ain't no big thing" attitude when leaving and really think that an air of nonchalance when doing so helps our little ones to better cope, accept, and know we'll be back.

[dinkster]

I agree about being matter of fact. I also think that it takes time for them to learn that we do come back.
It does help to toss a treat into the crate before you leave. Dinky expects this and looks forward to it. He won't do a kong toy, but I have a friend whose dog loves his kong with treats inside so much that she believes he could care less when she leaves.
I think a shirt is a comfort too!
Good luck.

[Shicks]

Originally Posted by dinkster

I agree about being matter of fact. I also think that it takes time for them to learn that we do come back.
It does help to toss a treat into the crate before you leave. Dinky expects this and looks forward to it. He won't do a kong toy, but I have a friend whose dog loves his kong with treats inside so much that she believes he could care less when she leaves.
I think a shirt is a comfort too!
Good luck.

Thanks to all for great advice. I also stay calm when I put him in his "tent" I don't say a word and go out the door. This door is in his sight. I put a frozen banana yogurt kong. I also start my recorder. He is terrible while I'm gone. The knog is melted, water spilled everywhere no food being eaten.
I haven't put my shirt in yet, will next time I leave
His screaming & howling is so heartbreaking. I'm not gone very long. 2 - 4 hours
Anything else you guys can think of please let me know.

[JadeD]

Maybe he needs a routine? Maybe you need to give him a hug, but don't be emotional. Just a hug and a kiss on the top of the head and tell him you have to go to work (or wherever you go) and tell him you will be back in a bit and to be a good boy.

I start mine out by putting them in the crate and then leave for 2 minutes and come back in. I may do that 6-8 times in a day. I don't make a big deal when I get them back out, I just say hi and let them out. The next few days I leave them for 5 minutes, then 10 minutes and 20-30 minutes until I am up to an hour then 2.

I would try a routine and when you come home, just open the crate or whatever you have him in and don't make a big deal about being home. I hope you can get it worked out. No one wants their fur baby upset while they are gone.

Good luck.