Yorkshire Terrier Separation Anxiety

Overview

The Yorkshire Terrier, originating as working dogs and evolving into devoted lap dogs, naturally form deep bonds with their owners. These strong relationships, while enriching, also make this breed prone to separation anxiety when they're apart from their humans.

This guide explains how to spot separation anxiety in Yorkies and how prevalent it is. You’ll also find remedies to help your Yorkshire Terrier feel secure and confident when alone, with practical, tailored advice for the unique needs of this toy breed

Signs of Separation Anxiety with Yorkshire Terriers

Signs of separation anxiety in Yorkshire Terriers include:

• Excessive barking 
• Destructive behavior
• Panicked behavior
• Pacing or restlessness
• Accidents indoors
• Escape attempts
• Excessive salivation or drooling
• Excessive self-licking
• Changes in appetite
• Depression or moodiness post-reunion

Identifying these signs early and understanding their significance is essential for proactively addressing your Yorkie's anxiety and promoting a sense of security when they're home alone.

Stats: How Common is Separation Anxiety with Yorkshire Terriers

To understand the prevalence of separation anxiety among Yorkshire Terriers, we here at YorkieInfoCenter conducted an insightful online survey, focusing on the behavior, health, and personality of this breed. A total of 2,146 Yorkie owners responded to the survey. Of these, 72% were from the US, 8% from the UK, 8% from Canada, and the rest were spread across various countries worldwide.

Regarding the dogs themselves, the gender distribution was 56% male and 44% female. The Yorkies' ages ranged as follows: 3% were young puppies (under 6 months old), 10% were puppies (6 to 12 months old), 51% were young adults (1 to 3 years old), 26% were adults (4 to 8 years old), and 10% were seniors (9 years old and above).

Participants were asked about the most significant challenges they faced with their Yorkie. The findings were quite revealing. Separation anxiety was identified as a significant issue, affecting 18% of the Yorkshire Terriers. Another way to look at this is that 386 out of the 2,146 dogs represented in the survey were reported to suffer from this issue. The only challenge reported more frequently was housebreaking, which came in at 22%. 

How to Prevent and Fix Separation Anxiety with Yorkshire Terriers

There are many things you can do to help a Yorkie with separation anxiety. The more steps you implement, the better the results. 

Please note: YorkieInfoCenter is reader-supported. Some links below are affiliate links, meaning we may earn a small commission on products through these, at no extra cost to you.

#1 Create a designated area.

Roaming around an empty house amplifies feelings of isolation, yet being in a small crate often increases stress. The answer is to find a middle ground via a canine indoor playpen. These give a dog enough room to move around, yet keeps all their belongings right near them (many of which will directly help with boredom and loneliness). 

Within the pen, place down pee pads, your Yorkie’s bed, food and water, and toys (more ahead). Keep the pen in a living room or kitchen, not in an isolated area. An indoor playpen that we recommend is the North States Pet Passage Pen; this is a great size for Yorkies, but can be expanded with extension panels, is sturdy yet easy to move to different rooms and has a handy doggie-door.

#2 Provide interactive toys to prevent boredom.

The goal is to offer lots of entertainment via certain toys that encourage a dog to play, either by offering something (like treats) or that make noises or are otherwise engaging. 

One option is a snuffle mat. These are fabric mats that have loops, folds, and other elements where treats are hidden, giving a Yorkshire Terrier a job to do (something this breed loves) as they forage around for the goodies. This can be set up right before you leave. We like the Snuffle Mat by Oliumt, which is a great size for Yorkies and has a fun flower garden design. 

Toys that sing or talk can add some fun interaction and keep a dog busy. One that we like a lot is the Talking Babble Ball by Pet Qwerks; it says 20 different silly things when it’s touched like, ‘Come here puppy!’ and ‘Hot diggity dog!’.

#3 Give your Yorkie a companion toy. 

This type of toy can be incredibly helpful. These are designed to mimic a live animal, giving an isolated dog a friend to cuddle up with. Take note that there are some subpar copycats, but the top-rated, original companion toy, the Smart Pet Love Snuggle Puppy is a quality, durable and fantastic companion toy. This is a special stuffed dog that has a rhythmic, soothing heartbeat. It also emits body warmth thanks to replaceable warming pads. 

#4 Assess and adjust environmental factors.

On a day when you are in the house during the normal hours your Yorkie is alone, take note of where the playpen is set up. Look for any issues that may occur when you’re not there. For example, does the sun shine in brightly at noon causing an uncomfortable glare? Is there a window view of school buses dropping off children that create a trigger for your Yorkie? Adjust your puppy or dog's set-up as needed. 

In addition, be sure to leave on lights, no matter the weather. You never know if clouds will roll in or if an unexpected storm will pass by. 

#5 Promote a calming atmosphere.

A quiet house only emphasizes feelings of isolation. Offer comforting background noise. Some Yorkshire Terriers do well with a white noise machine, as this can block quite a bit of outside trigger noises like wildlife, neighbors, cars and more. 

In addition to the white noise to block trigger sounds, you can add soothing music to help create a peaceful vibe.

One popular option is Music Dogs Love: While You Are Gone, by Bradley Joseph. And another method is to leave on a TV with calm yet interesting shows for canines (DOGTV or certain channels on YouTube designed for this; but be careful because those with ads in the middle can be disruptive or disturbing).

#6 Break up the day if possible.

If you are away for hours, it can help to break up the day. There are three main options, though understandably are not possible for everyone: 

1. If you’re at work and can return during your lunch hour, this can offer a nice break for a brisk walk and interaction. 
2. Not for every budget, is to hire a dog walker. This can be done through an agency or through recommendations from contacts. 
3. Worth noting but not for every budget, are interactive pet cams which allow you to see your dog and interact through treat dispensing, one-way or two-way audio, and even two-way video on some models, all controlled via a smartphone app. One like the Paris Rhone Pet Cam even has a bark alert feature.

#7 Desensitization training for departure cues. 

Some dogs start to feel stressed even before their human leaves. To help counter this, you can desensitize your Yorkie to departure cues. Regularly mimic actions like handling keys or wearing shoes without actually leaving. Occasionally, place your Yorkie into their playpen and step out of sight or briefly leave the house, varying the duration of your absence. These practices can help your little guy or gal learn that such cues don't always signal a prolonged separation. 

#8 Keep home arrivals calm.

Maintain a low-key demeanor when returning home, as overly enthusiastic greetings can reinforce a dog’s worry, implying concern was justified. Instead, enter calmly, engage in routine activities like checking the mail or getting water, and then, after a brief pause, offer a calm greeting. Following their bathroom break, you can then offer all the affection and attention they've been waiting for. 

#9 Consider OTC calming supplements. 

There are several holistic, herbal ingredients that can work to help alleviate anxiety in dogs, with varying degrees of effectiveness. A supplement like this is best for dogs that get riled up when alone (as opposed to sullen) and is not a complete solution by itself; It is most effective when combined with other recommended strategies for separation anxiety.

Herbal remedies include: 

• Melatonin, known for its calming effects, though it may induce drowsiness. It should be given under vet guidance to avoid medication interactions. 
• Valerian Root is also known for its sedative and anti-anxiety properties. With this as well, it should be given under vet guidance to avoid medication interactions.
• Thiamine (Vitamin B1) has been suggested to have a positive effect on the nervous system and help reduce stress without sedating effects.
• L-Tryptophan is an amino acid that supports serotonin production, possibly promoting a sense of calm and well-being.
• Passion Flower is another herb that can aid in reducing anxiety, often used for its calming effects.

One calming supplement to consider is the Natural Dog Company Calming Bites, which has a combination of all the herbal remedies listed above.

#10 Prescribed medications, with extreme caution.

For dogs experiencing severe separation anxiety, veterinarians may prescribe medication designed to alleviate symptoms, but they are not without possible (and sometimes severe) side effects. The two primary categories of prescribed medications for this condition are:

1. Benzodiazepines: These tranquilizers can help calm a dog's anxiety in stressful situations. However, they might lead to side effects such as drowsiness, increased appetite, and in some cases, may paradoxically increase anxiety. There's also evidence suggesting they could affect a dog's memory and learning abilities.
2. Antidepressants: This category encompasses SSRIs and TCAs, with fluoxetine and clomipramine being common choices. Although effective for some dogs, they may cause side effects such as loss of appetite, nausea, and restlessness, with potential for increased aggression. MAO inhibitors require caution, especially post-cheese consumption, due to strict dietary limits and risk of adverse reactions.

A Final Note

It’s never easy leaving the house when you know your Yorkie is going to miss you a lot while you’re gone. But, by implementing the tips of creating a calm and secure environment, providing toys to stay busy and to give companionship, and incorporating breaks in the day, desensitization, or even a pet cam, your Yorkie will be better equipped to handle their time alone until you return. 

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Yorkshire Terrier Exercise Essentials - How to balance physical activity and rest for optimal health. Ensuring all Yorkies stay active and content.