New Undesirable Behavior

Dear pola, Thank you very much. There are some very good tips there that I have overlooked. Leaving a piece of my clothing is something I used to do but have failed to recently. This should help and will do. I like the idea of the treat before and after. I shall try that as well. When I get in from being away from her, I say hello as she circles around me with her toy in her mouth and her tail going in circles, like a propeller. Once she calms a bit, I get to her level and say hello, pat her and play with her. Then I pick her up and hug her, kiss her and tell her she's been a good girl while I was away, as I carry her to her table to get her harness and coat on to go out for a walk. Every time I get in from being away, this has been the routine. Note: she has only just started this barking as soon as I leave. Just before Christmas, I was out. Roxy was home, alone. When I got home, I notice someone had been in my house, yet I am the only one with access. Apparently. I am not sure if anything happened to her when I was away and someone entered unlawfully. I am just glad she was still there!! I am wondering if this has anything to do with this new behavior as she never used to do this before. I have since changed the locks and has not been another incident as such since. Yes, she is a yorkie, shitz tzu and maltese. Roxy is so very social and does best in an enviroment where there are more people than just myself, coming and going. She still gets bent when I have to go to work though. Not eating breakfast really bothers me since I have noticed that when I am gone she isn't drinking or eating her kibble either. So that's all day without food or drink and isn't because it isn't provided for her. She just gets so upset. When I am out of town at our second home there are other adults in and out. This does seem to help a bit but I have been told that she just lays by the door waiting. When she hears what sounds like my car she runs to the couch and jumps up, looking out the window. (choking back tears here) - She likes kitties although she gets bored with them fast. I am afraid that if I got another dog, even if it were an option (I wish it were) that she would get so jealous that she would get an attitude that would last the rest of her life. I am wondering what you think of the response before yours? Thank you for the tip on the cat and separation. I am a bit leery of getting a cat unless it was so docile I would never have to worry as I realize a cat could do serious damage with their claws if the dog were to get the cat mad. Roxy is only small. I talked to the vet about it and they advised me to go for a big orange male cat as they are most docile. Your thoughts appreciated. I am, for now going to try the separation anxiety training again and see where that takes her. In her past home, when she was just a baby still, would leave her in daycare for weeks at a time, in fact the day I met her, she had just been picked up from daycare after being there for over one week! She was in tough shape. It was really sad. Especially because she is so beautiful, inside and out. I have been told about an awesome daycare nearby. Where they actually do hands on activities with the dogs. Apparently a fun place to be for the dogs. When I took Roxy home, I promised her that she would never again ever go to daycare and would never ever have to be in a crate for any reason but .. I have actually been wondering if that might be a better way to go, for her sake. Maybe she would have fun. I hear some dogs do and look forward to going. Not even noticing that their handler has left the building once the dog is let loose with the others. I am just not sure if that would be the right thing to do for her. I have also heard of soothing music, CD's that can be played for the dog while you are out. I suppose it would be alright if I could have it play continuous. As most CD's last what? 45 minutes. Sometimes I have to be gone for hours. I will do the separation anxiety training again but I feel that there has to be something more. I can not have another dog at this point and a cat would be a bit of a problem since I have to go out of town a lot. I don't think that would be fair to a cat. Sometimes I am gone for a month or more. Taking Roxy with me is a big enough handful as it is than to have a cat in tow too. Lol. Although a good one, for now, there must be another answer. Should we reside permanently at our second home, where there is a big front and back yard and more adults around, then a cat could easily be a viable option. Just not right now. I will be implementing your treat and clothing tips. Thank you very much for your advice.

PS:, Roxy always is left in a warm place, plus she has her favorite blanket that is very warm. She is never left in an area where there may be a draft either. She can get cold easy. Although she has access to a cooler room should she feel too warm at any given time.

how about toys and some chew? maybe you can record your voice that can be part of music you play? I have my music 24/7 at home, so my dogs have very calming music when I am away. Some people call home and are talking to answering machine, so pets can hear their voice. I wouldn't trust daycare. She is to small to be with bigger dogs. If you can have recording done while you are away. Any recording camera set for the hours when you are gone will help you to understand Roxy better. The other option is dog sitting. Maybe retired person who whould agree to do pet sitting in exchange to services you can provide for her. I used to have lady for 3 hours a day in exchange for house cleaning and doing shopping for her.

Hi and yes! it is heartbreaking to hear her high pitched 'please don't leave me behind, by myself' barks as I am walking away. Truth is when I am away from her, I miss her so much. I have spoke with the vet but may do so again. I have brought this up twice now and they have advised to get a big orange male cat as they are apparently most docile. My brothers two cats are mousers and well, when they see my dog they stalk her. I have to be very careful when we visit my brother as a cat can do serious damage to a small dog if it wanted to. Their cats are bigger than my dog too. It is strange that this behavior has just began. I am thinking and come up with a couple possible reasons. One that I failed to mention is that there has been some stress in the immediate family. With members that she regularly visits. The ambiance is not as it used to be and could be a contributing factor. Additionally, Our routine, as far as time goes, has changed from regular, same time every day to not as regular. Our hours have changed when we changed the clocks at daylight savings.. I try to keep her on a regular exercise and feeding times. We have morning and night the same it is through out the day that has changed. Money is not the issue about getting another dog. One is my own dog would get a major attitude. She gets jealous, easily. I pet and talk to all dogs I see when we are out walking. Some she is okay with but with others, her ears and tail goes down and she gives me a real look! That is the first and biggest issue. I wouldn't want to be in a position where we get another dog and then Roxy gets super upset. Then what do I do with the other dog? This is Roxy's forever home. It would be great to meet up with and even borrow another dog for a week and see how my dog reacts. I just about did get another Yorkie before Christmas but my parents, who I am in regular contact with expressed that I don't need another dog. My brother who is familiar with my dog and myself, including lifestyle etc, commented that Roxy would not like it if we got another dog. I wish there were a way we could test her. I believe it is a great idea and I am all for it. It is the circumstances that has me hesitant. Perhaps my dog is lonely but she is very well cared for, much loved and is exercised well regularly. She goes for a minimum of three walks a day. One of which is always an adventure, in the woods, along the river or to a new doggie park she hasn't been to yet and is always a longer outing than the other two. Sometimes we are out walking more than three times a day. Depends on my schedule. One last thing is that Roxy is changing from puppy to dog right now. She is two and will be three in may. Three years old is technically not a puppy anymore. She is spayed as well but am wondering if maybe she is going through some kind of harmonal changes.. Can that still happen if she has been spayed? maybe I have been spending too much time with her. She usually comes everywhere with me, including shopping and visiting. Maybe I need to consult a dog specialist, as in a senior trainer. I am very protective of my dog. There are some trainers I wouldn't want any where my dog so is why I have trained her myself, since I have years experience training horses, dogs I find are different but the ideas are still the same. Honestly, I just don't know what to do but the separation anxiety training seems to be the best way to go. Yet, I have never heard of people having to go through that more than once with their dog. Leaving her with people that she knows and likes doesn't work, I've tried. Your comments are most welcome. Thank you for your response.

Thank you MsTickle. She is doing better. Obviously it wasn't something that was to be ongoing or else she got over it pretty quick. She understands that her barking when I leave is not acceptable and has toned down quite a bit. We are still practicing. Overall she is a really good girl. I am blessed. Terriers are hard to train. The Yorkies because they have a stubborn streak. Try treats with your puppy to get her walk while on a lead. I know with my pup she wont walk with a leash if I am using a collar. It has to be a full body harness. Comfortable and no strain, whatsoever on her tiny trachea. There are some good training videos on you tube. I used one for stop pulling on the leash and Roxy is much better now. I hope to see a picture of your new puppy. So Cute that you named her Roxy!

Hi savypat; Thank you for your response. There have been some changes, unfortunately beyond my control but stress related within the family. That which undeniably trickles off to other members, even though we do not all reside together. Roxy could be getting more exercise although she does walk three to four times per day, with one longer one and usually an adventure, like someplace she hasn't been before or off to the trails in the woods which she loves. I rack my brains trying to think what changed. The stress. That is new. I am trying to recall if she began doing this barking before that.. You have certainly left me something to think about. Our schedule has been out of wack lately too. My schedule is all screwed up. My poor pup. We need a retreat to regroup I think. I will be focusing more on the separation training but after reading your response I am thinking that it is me that has to change back to the way we were (somehow) and that she will naturally go back to normal as well. Thanks again for your response savypat, I appreciate your thoughts, thanks.

Hello and thank you for your response. I do sometimes go through the normal routine of walk, discipline,breakfast,groom and then leave her alone. I will try this with short absences. Thank you for the idea. Her training is ongoing. Re: "To much luv can be painful to both of u.." Please elaborate. I am not sure I understand the point being made. I agree that love can sometimes be painful when we must say good bye for a time. I also understand that sometimes we can loves so much that we are doing more harm than good. What was your meaning in that statement please? There is nothing more that I love than my dog and she is very well cared for. People that met her when I first got her and the vet all claim that I am doing the right things, that she is doing awesome. This new behavior is for reasons that I am still trying to decipher. I will correct whatever it is that is causing it. I do not want my dog to have issues that leave her uncomfortable. Savypat responded with words of much interest. Perhaps it is to do with something I have done or rather am not doing that has caused my dog to become stressed out when I leave. Thanks again for your kind response.

Great answer bad; I totally understand what you mean. We do switch up our walk spots several times a day. I think it is important however to keep the same schedule, as in time. Feeding, exercise, potty, sleep and wake times, the same so the dog knows what to expect, even if the walk is in a different area, the meal switches up some but timing always the same. I have read that it makes for a more content dog. Lots of exercise of all sorts. Thank you kindly for your comment. I shall keep this in mind.

By doing the same routine all the time, this is to much luv, I know it sounds silly. When dogs/ pets r used to the the same thing all the time they /we get complacant and fallin luv with it. To much luv, by changing things around it sturs up the imagination and bingo, things change. Attitude play all things keep them on their toes.

Dear veingogh, Thank you for your thoughtful kind response. I am thinking the same. She did it again today but didn't bark for as long. I feel that by going through the separation anxiety course again would be to her advantage. She is such a social pup, loves people. Dislikes being all alone so it seems. Yet when we are home together she will go sit by herself, no problem. Sometimes in a completely different room. I will try the training again and see how she is afterward. Thank you for your response. I found it interesting about the resurfacing syptoms. I never thought of that so much but I do notice some things about her that I feel are a reflection of her past. Thanks again.