separation anxiety problem! help!

[BlaZinbritt1158]

Hello. I currently own a yorkie (milo) that is just turned 7 months old....me and my family are having a really hard time with his separation anxiety....we can't leave him alone for even 5 minutes. If we do, we are greeted with pee and poop everywhere, scratched up cabinets, and, the worst of them all, holes in the walls. He also doesn't eat when we are not in the same room, he just sits by the gate and mopes. What can we do to fix this problem? We really don't want to give our baby away, but we can't keep paying people for fixing our walls every day!

[Lou]

Has he ever been crate trained? If not you might want to start that. There is no harm in keeping him crated when you are gone. as long as it isn't for long periods of time. You can also purchase an X-Pen to keep him in while you is gone. You could also check into a doggie daycare - that would probably cost you less than all of the home repairs. Do you have any neighbors that would like to babysit him?

It might not be separation anxiety but boredom. I suggest that you take him for a long tiring walk before you leave and leave him interesting things to play with. I'm sure others will also have ideas for you too, but if you decide to get rid of him, send him my way!


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[Ladylavender]

Are you keeping him gated in a specific area when you are away from home or while you are there? If you are keeping him gated while you are there, I would:

1. buy an x-pen and keep him contained in that and then have him x-pened in the same room as you or where the family hangs out where he can see everyone and everything.
a) an x-pen will also keep him away from walls and things that he can tear into.
2. Buy a plastic tarp or shower curtain to put under the x-pen to avoid damaging your carpet and floors if he poos and pees.
3. Put his bed, toys, food dish and peepad in the x-pen.

If you are gating him while you are away:

1. I might try a crate, 1st and then move into the x-pen.
a) a crate might comfort him, because it's small and is an enclosed area and he will feel safer in there alone and by himself.
2. Put something in there for him to chew on and keep him busy while you are away. (no food or water)

Personally, I would use both, until he learns the appropriate things he can chew on. The crate will provide security and a means to learn to hold his potty and the x-pen will keep him away from walls and cabinets and all things inappropriate to chew on.

[chachi]

I agree get an xpen

[2Parises]

I think Lou is right on here... crate training and keeping his mind occupied so he doesn't get bored.

If he has a favorite toy, perhaps you could try giving him his favorite toy to play with when you leave. I know frozen treats in a Kong worked great when we first got Paris. Now she is fine when we go (but she also has a companion...the other Paris for company.)

~Lorene

[Anna Banana]

Originally Posted by Ladylavender

Are you keeping him gated in a specific area when you are away from home or while you are there? If you are keeping him gated while you are there, I would:

1. buy an x-pen and keep him contained in that and then have him x-pened in the same room as you or where the family hangs out where he can see everyone and everything.
a) an x-pen will also keep him away from walls and things that he can tear into.
2. Buy a plastic tarp or shower curtain to put under the x-pen to avoid damaging your carpet and floors if he poos and pees.
3. Put his bed, toys, food dish and peepad in the x-pen.

If you are gating him while you are away:

1. I might try a crate, 1st and then move into the x-pen.
a) a crate might comfort him, because it's small and is an enclosed area and he will feel safer in there alone and by himself.
2. Put something in there for him to chew on and keep him busy while you are away. (no food or water)

Personally, I would use both, until he learns the appropriate things he can chew on. The crate will provide security and a means to learn to hold his potty and the x-pen will keep him away from walls and cabinets and all things inappropriate to chew on.

[BlaZinbritt1158]

ok, i def. tell my mom about these ideas. Thanx a lot guys!!