Anyone else have a shih tzu? Separation anxiety

[cheeseisthebest]

Any other shih tzu owners? Love my funny beautiful, 6 month old boy, he follows me everyone and is such a darling! Can't leave him though, have tried a few times but he just barks. Really want to be able to leave him and him be happy about it.

I do!
He’s still a baby. How long do you leave him for?
I dont think any dog is going to be ‘happy’ about being away from their owners, but try for short periods of time. I find putting the radio on in the background, making sure they’ve got a comfortable and cosy bed and have expelled excess energy beforehand helps.
Mine used to be quite barky until she was about 18 months old.

It's only been about 15 to 20 mins on 4 occasions but he's barked continuously and scrabbled at the door.
Poor boy, if he dozed thar would be brilliant! I've left radio on and lickimat with chicken paste which he loves!

Yes he can be very barky!

If he's barking then he's already distressed and continuing to leave him while he's in that state will only make his anxiety worse.

You need to start by literally leaving him for two seconds and build it up from there. If he cries, barks or howls you've left him too long and you need to go back a stage.

My beagle has separation anxiety and I do get how tough it is, but if you leave him and he gets upset, all he learns is that he's right to be upset when you leave.

Yep. I'm not leaving him at all at the moment cos of the reasons you've said. So should I do two seconds and try and build it up? As soon as any doors are shut he gets upset.

Definitely.

So if closing a door upsets him, try just going out of of his sight or using a babygate so he can see you but not get to you.

I really sympathise - separation anxiety is so so hard to deal with

I'm having the same problem with my shih tzu x bichon. I've been recommended the book be right back by Julie naismith a few times now. A couple of friends have had success with it so I've just ordered a copy. I imagine it will be a slow process but I need to get to the point were I can leave him for at least an hour here and there. Luckily I work from home and have family & friends nearby who will have him and a fantastic boarder so it hasn't been much of a problem up till now but I do need to start work on it now with him

Also, shih tzus are companion dogs, so it really is ingrained in them to be with their people, which may add to the likelihood of separation anxiety

I have a Shih Tzu and I find this works - for an hour.

Get a kong toy, fill it with their favourite food, cover it with peanut butter.

ONLY ever give it to the dog when you are going somewhere - it is a special treat and they do not get it except when you want to go out. Mine keeps busy for an hour and she happily sees me off in order to get the treat.

A dog trainer told me this tip and it works for us. But the trick is to only use the kong for this, not to use it as a toy during the day when you are there.

My Shih Tzu is 15 months.

Second the recommendation for Be Right Back - saved my sanity!

@Annasgirl

I have a Shih Tzu and I find this works - for an hour.

Get a kong toy, fill it with their favourite food, cover it with peanut butter.

ONLY ever give it to the dog when you are going somewhere - it is a special treat and they do not get it except when you want to go out. Mine keeps busy for an hour and she happily sees me off in order to get the treat.

A dog trainer told me this tip and it works for us. But the trick is to only use the kong for this, not to use it as a toy during the day when you are there.

My Shih Tzu is 15 months.

This just doesn't work with mine. He's not very interested in food anyway and even giving him his fave food (pizzle stick) doesn't distract him from the distress of us leaving. He just cries and barks at the door. I'm definitely going to try the book though