What to do for anxiety - YorkieTalk.com Forums

lilgidget · 04-21-2016, 06:36 AM

My 3 mo old Gidget is having some anxiety issues. I bought a dog carrier but she barks and tries to get out. If I open one end, she can stick her head out but she still tries to jump out. I bought a dog stroller but when I put her in, she tries to climb the mess sides in an attempt to get out. So, I opened it up completely, no top at all. She barks and tries to climb out. I bought carrier that goes around my neck and she faces away from me. She hasn't seemed to mind that so far. I'm going on vacation with her next month and need ways to transport her while sightseeing. The stroller would be perfect for walking places and for her staying in while we eat lunch. The front carrier is also good for sightseeing and shopping. I took her for a walk in the stroller a little while ago and am thinking about taking her out in it several times a day. I only go for about 10 minutes at a time. We just got back from a stroller walk and she's in my lap asleep. Is the anything I can give her for this anxiety or should I just continue to take her out several times a day. HELP

Magnus · 04-21-2016, 07:20 AM

Is she treat driven? If so, you can try giving her her favorite treat along the way to help understand that being in the stroller is a good thing.

lilgidget · 04-21-2016, 07:53 AM

Thanks. I haven't been giving her treats but will get some. Think I'll go to PetSmart and get some small training treats. Will try using them when she's in the stroller and in her shoulder carrier. Will let you know how she does.

pstinard · 04-21-2016, 08:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lilgidget

Thanks. I haven't been giving her treats but will get some. Think I'll go to PetSmart and get some small training treats. Will try using them when she's in the stroller and in her shoulder carrier. Will let you know how she does.

We used the Pet Botanics mini training rewards from Petsmart (beef flavor). They are low calorie, tasty, and Pet Botanics has a good track record. They smell so good that I actually tasted one. It tasted like liver jello to me, but I'm sure that my Bella loves them

.

Jkpal · 04-21-2016, 08:59 AM

Amazing the effort, time, and expense in trying to make things right for our little ones--I'm right with ya on that! Sounds to me like you're already making progress in finding a carrier that works and the stroller 10 minutes, several time a day, seems already to be helping her adjust. I think it may just take more time and repetitions, but you certainly are on the right track.

Jellymint · 04-21-2016, 10:06 AM

When I was introducing the pet palace carrier for my motorcycle to Monty I brought it into the kitchen and put it on the counter. He hung out in there while I cooked and got used to being inside it. Mind you he was tethered inside so he couldn't just jump out (which he would have.) I find normalizing something "scary" in a total chill space helps them know that they are safe when they are out in the world.

Perhaps feed a couple of her meals or give her favourite toys? I stayed with Monty and focused on him the first couple times I put him in it.

lilgidget · 04-21-2016, 10:28 AM

Went to PetSmart & found the Pet Botanics. No beef but I got the bacon. Smells good! Think I'll use this for a week (several times a day) taking her out in the stroller. The treats are small enough that I can get 4 treats out of each one. Then the next week, I'll introduce the shoulder bag for a week. Then, the next week I'll introduce a leather pet carrier. I really like it because it has an outside pocket for an drivers license, credit card, cash, etc. The second week, I'll alternate taking her out in the stroller and shoulder carrier. Then the 3rd week, I'll alternate using all three. It should work. I'm training her to use the wee wee pad inside since she hasn't had her 4 mo shots. She has caught on really well. Uses it probably 98% of the time. LUV HER SO MUCH.

pstinard · 04-21-2016, 10:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lilgidget

Went to PetSmart & found the Pet Botanics. No beef but I got the bacon. Smells good! Think I'll use this for a week (several times a day) taking her out in the stroller. The treats are small enough that I can get 4 treats out of each one. Then the next week, I'll introduce the shoulder bag for a week. Then, the next week I'll introduce a leather pet carrier. I really like it because it has an outside pocket for an drivers license, credit card, cash, etc. The second week, I'll alternate taking her out in the stroller and shoulder carrier. Then the 3rd week, I'll alternate using all three. It should work. I'm training her to use the wee wee pad inside since she hasn't had her 4 mo shots. She has caught on really well. Uses it probably 98% of the time. LUV HER SO MUCH.

Sounds like a great plan! Keep us posted on her progress!

Wylie's Mom · 04-22-2016, 03:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lilgidget

Went to PetSmart & found the Pet Botanics. No beef but I got the bacon. Smells good! Think I'll use this for a week (several times a day) taking her out in the stroller. The treats are small enough that I can get 4 treats out of each one. Then the next week, I'll introduce the shoulder bag for a week. Then, the next week I'll introduce a leather pet carrier. I really like it because it has an outside pocket for an drivers license, credit card, cash, etc. The second week, I'll alternate taking her out in the stroller and shoulder carrier. Then the 3rd week, I'll alternate using all three. It should work. I'm training her to use the wee wee pad inside since she hasn't had her 4 mo shots. She has caught on really well. Uses it probably 98% of the time. LUV HER SO MUCH.

I think you're on the right track...hang in there. Some dogs just really, really hate close confinement and she may be one of them. You can try to just continue to work w/ her and hopefully it'll get better.

lilgidget · 04-22-2016, 05:45 AM

I took her out yesterday afternoon with some treats on hands. I took the top enclosure off the stroller. It's open just like a baby buggy would be. When she tried to climb out the sides, I gave her a treat and told her to stay. She started laying down some but would get up and look at me for a treat. Would give her one. It's not going to take her long to get the hang of things. I'm going go take her out 3 times day for the next week (weather permitting). I've also set her leather carrier out on the living room floor (open top and side) and throw a few pieces of treat in side. At first she didn't want to go inside (put 1 just inside and another just little further into the carrier) and let her go at her own pace to see that it wasn't scary. What we won't do for our babies!!!

Ingridrose · 04-22-2016, 12:29 PM

I have a little dog trolly that goes behind my bike, you may want to invest in one of those....My two love it

Ingridrose · 04-22-2016, 12:30 PM

Oh and one more thing I forgot to mention. You are not giving her wangin train treats are? they have been recalled....and a big law suit...

lilgidget · 04-22-2016, 01:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ingridrose

I have a little dog trolly that goes behind my bike, you may want to invest in one of those....My two love it

I need for her to ride in the pet stroller because my sister and I are taking a trip next month and Gidget won't get able to walk as much as we can.

lilgidget · 04-22-2016, 01:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ingridrose

Oh and one more thing I forgot to mention. You are not giving her wangin train treats are? they have been recalled....and a big law suit...

No, I'm giving her bacon flavored Pet Botanics. But thanks for the warning.

JennaPenny · 04-23-2016, 06:26 AM

Chewie is very anxious. I do a few things; but the one that works the best is lots of praise and stop to do some treats- crumbling the treat gives us that special closeness. I learned to do it during training, but it absolutely works for that, too. She'll calm down while searching my hands for the crumbs. She'll put both paws on my hands and 9 times out of 10 cuddle up on my lap, or jump up for a "hug."

She also has a few receiving blankets and an old stained shirt of mine. I lay those down in the carrier, when she's in it. I WAS doing it at the store if she'd freak out, but I was told to not do that, and I've seen a vast improvement since I've stopped "protecting" her.

I hope things are better and the treats work!

04-21-2016, 06:36 AM	#1
lilgidget YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: stanley nc Posts: 1,152	What to do for anxiety My 3 mo old Gidget is having some anxiety issues. I bought a dog carrier but she barks and tries to get out. If I open one end, she can stick her head out but she still tries to jump out. I bought a dog stroller but when I put her in, she tries to climb the mess sides in an attempt to get out. So, I opened it up completely, no top at all. She barks and tries to climb out. I bought carrier that goes around my neck and she faces away from me. She hasn't seemed to mind that so far. I'm going on vacation with her next month and need ways to transport her while sightseeing. The stroller would be perfect for walking places and for her staying in while we eat lunch. The front carrier is also good for sightseeing and shopping. I took her for a walk in the stroller a little while ago and am thinking about taking her out in it several times a day. I only go for about 10 minutes at a time. We just got back from a stroller walk and she's in my lap asleep. Is the anything I can give her for this anxiety or should I just continue to take her out several times a day. HELP

04-22-2016, 12:29 PM	#11
Ingridrose Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: medicine hat, alberta, Canada Posts: 117	I have a little dog trolly that goes behind my bike, you may want to invest in one of those....My two love it __________________ The Canadian Gang

04-22-2016, 12:30 PM	#12
Ingridrose Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: medicine hat, alberta, Canada Posts: 117	Oh and one more thing I forgot to mention. You are not giving her wangin train treats are? they have been recalled....and a big law suit... __________________ The Canadian Gang

04-21-2016, 07:20 AM	#2
Magnus Donating YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Northern VA Posts: 3,192	Is she treat driven? If so, you can try giving her her favorite treat along the way to help understand that being in the stroller is a good thing.

04-21-2016, 07:53 AM	#3
lilgidget YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: stanley nc Posts: 1,152	Thanks. I haven't been giving her treats but will get some. Think I'll go to PetSmart and get some small training treats. Will try using them when she's in the stroller and in her shoulder carrier. Will let you know how she does.

04-21-2016, 08:59 AM	#5
Jkpal YT 2000 Club Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Lake Geneva, WI Posts: 2,776	Amazing the effort, time, and expense in trying to make things right for our little ones--I'm right with ya on that! Sounds to me like you're already making progress in finding a carrier that works and the stroller 10 minutes, several time a day, seems already to be helping her adjust. I think it may just take more time and repetitions, but you certainly are on the right track.

04-21-2016, 10:06 AM	#6
Jellymint Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: surrey, bc, canada Posts: 117	When I was introducing the pet palace carrier for my motorcycle to Monty I brought it into the kitchen and put it on the counter. He hung out in there while I cooked and got used to being inside it. Mind you he was tethered inside so he couldn't just jump out (which he would have.) I find normalizing something "scary" in a total chill space helps them know that they are safe when they are out in the world. Perhaps feed a couple of her meals or give her favourite toys? I stayed with Monty and focused on him the first couple times I put him in it.

04-21-2016, 10:28 AM	#7
lilgidget YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: stanley nc Posts: 1,152	Went to PetSmart & found the Pet Botanics. No beef but I got the bacon. Smells good! Think I'll use this for a week (several times a day) taking her out in the stroller. The treats are small enough that I can get 4 treats out of each one. Then the next week, I'll introduce the shoulder bag for a week. Then, the next week I'll introduce a leather pet carrier. I really like it because it has an outside pocket for an drivers license, credit card, cash, etc. The second week, I'll alternate taking her out in the stroller and shoulder carrier. Then the 3rd week, I'll alternate using all three. It should work. I'm training her to use the wee wee pad inside since she hasn't had her 4 mo shots. She has caught on really well. Uses it probably 98% of the time. LUV HER SO MUCH.

04-22-2016, 05:45 AM	#10
lilgidget YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: stanley nc Posts: 1,152	I took her out yesterday afternoon with some treats on hands. I took the top enclosure off the stroller. It's open just like a baby buggy would be. When she tried to climb out the sides, I gave her a treat and told her to stay. She started laying down some but would get up and look at me for a treat. Would give her one. It's not going to take her long to get the hang of things. I'm going go take her out 3 times day for the next week (weather permitting). I've also set her leather carrier out on the living room floor (open top and side) and throw a few pieces of treat in side. At first she didn't want to go inside (put 1 just inside and another just little further into the carrier) and let her go at her own pace to see that it wasn't scary. What we won't do for our babies!!!

04-23-2016, 06:26 AM	#15
JennaPenny YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: Mesa, az Posts: 970	Chewie is very anxious. I do a few things; but the one that works the best is lots of praise and stop to do some treats- crumbling the treat gives us that special closeness. I learned to do it during training, but it absolutely works for that, too. She'll calm down while searching my hands for the crumbs. She'll put both paws on my hands and 9 times out of 10 cuddle up on my lap, or jump up for a "hug." She also has a few receiving blankets and an old stained shirt of mine. I lay those down in the carrier, when she's in it. I WAS doing it at the store if she'd freak out, but I was told to not do that, and I've seen a vast improvement since I've stopped "protecting" her. I hope things are better and the treats work!