Do Shih Tzus get separation anxiety

Shih Tzu Separation Anxiety: 9 Signs, Causes & Prevention

Shih Tzu separation anxiety! Are you a Shih Tzu parent looking for help with your pups separation anxiety?

From identifying the signs to understanding the causes and prevention methods, this article covers everything that you need to know about Shih Tzu separation anxiety.

Read on to learn how to make sure your Shih Tzu is happy and healthy when youre apart!

Shih Tzu Separation Anxiety

If youre like most pet owners, you love your Shih Tzu puppy very much, but you also know that there will be times when your little one will have to be left alone. Many Shih Tzu owners find that their dog experiences a lot of separation anxiety when left alone, and there are a few things that you can do to help ease the anxiety.

One of the first things that you can do is to make sure that your puppy has plenty of toys to play with when youre away.

This will help to keep him busy and distracted, and it will also help to reduce the amount of time that he spends.

Here are signs your Shih Tzu is having separation anxiety:

1. Your Shih Tzu is constantly whining or scratching the door or window. Are you worried that your Shih Tzu is having separation anxiety?

Separation anxiety can be a difficult issue to deal with, but its important to recognize the signs so you can take steps to help.

Your Shih Tzu is constantly whining or scratching the door or window.

If your Shih Tzu is constantly whining or scratching the door or window when you leave the house, it could be a sign of separation anxiety.

This behavior can also occur if theyre left alone for too long and become bored or lonely.

2. Your Shih Tzu is avoiding people or other dogs. Separation anxiety is a common issue among dogs, and it can be difficult to tell if your Shih Tzu is struggling with this condition.

Fortunately, there are some signs that can help you determine if your Shih Tzu is having difficulty with being away from you.

If your Shih Tzu is exhibiting any of the following behaviors, it could be a sign that they are struggling with separation anxiety:

Avoiding people or other dogs If your Shih Tzu seems to be avoiding people or other dogs when yourenot around, it could be a sign that they are feeling anxious when youre away.

3. Your Shih Tzu is constantly trying to escape from the house. Separation anxiety can be a difficult issue to deal with, but its important to recognize the signs so that you can take steps to help your Shih Tzu.

When your Shih Tzu is constantly trying to escape from the house, it could be a sign of separation anxiety.

If your Shih Tzu is trying to escape through windows or doors, they may be feeling anxious and overwhelmed when youre not around.

4. Your Shih Tzu is constantly barking or whining. Separation anxiety can be a difficult issue to deal with, but its important to recognize the signs so you can take steps to help your Shih Tzu.

One of the most common signs of separation anxiety in Shih Tzus is excessive barking or whining when you leave the house.

This can be a sign that your Shih Tzu is feeling anxious and stressed about being left alone.

5. Your Shih Tzu is constantly jumping up at people or other animals. Separation anxiety is a common issue among dogs, and it can be difficult to tell if your Shih Tzu is struggling with this condition.

Fortunately, there are some signs that can help you determine if your Shih Tzu is having difficulty.

When our Shih Tzu is constantly jumping up at people or other animals, it can be a sign of separation anxiety.

This behavior is often seen when your Shih Tzu is trying to get attention or comfort from their owner.

If your Shih Tzu seems overly clingy and follows you around everywhere, this could also be an indication that they are struggling with separation anxiety.

6. Your Shih Tzu is constantly chewing on furniture or door frames. Separation anxiety is a common issue among dogs, and it can be difficult to tell if your Shih Tzu is struggling with this condition.

Fortunately, there are some signs that can help you determine if your Shih Tzu is having difficulty.

When your Shih Tzu is constantly chewing on furniture or door frames, it could be a sign of separation anxiety.

Chewing is a common behavior for dogs, but if your Shih Tzu is doing it excessively when youre not around, then this could be an indication that they are feeling anxious and stressed.

7. Your Shih Tzu is constantly staying in one place or pacing back and forth. Are you worried that your Shih Tzu may be suffering from separation anxiety?

Separation anxiety is a common issue among dogs, and it can be difficult to tell if your Shih Tzu is feeling anxious or just being their usual playful self.

Fortunately, there are some signs that can help you determine if your Shih Tzu is having separation anxiety.

When your Shih Tzu is constantly staying in one place or pacing back and forth, it could be a sign that they are feeling anxious.

If your Shih Tzu is exhibiting signs of restlessness or agitation when you leave the house, this could also indicate separation anxiety.

8. Your Shih Tzu is constantly refusing to eat or drink. Separation anxiety can be a difficult issue to deal with, but its important to recognize the signs so you can take steps to help your Shih Tzu.

When your Shih Tzu is constantly refusing to eat or drink, it could be a sign of separation anxiety.

Other signs include excessive barking or whining when you leave the house, destructive behavior such as chewing furniture or digging holes in the yard, and pacing back and forth.

9. Your Shih Tzu is constantly hiding or sleeping in odd places. Separation anxiety can be a difficult issue to deal with, but its important to recognize the signs so you can take steps to help your pup.

When your Shih Tzu is constantly hiding or sleeping in odd places, it could be a sign of separation anxiety.

If your Shih Tzu is exhibiting signs of separation anxiety, there are some things you can do to help them feel more secure and comfortable when theyre alone.

First, make sure that their environment is safe and secure.

Provide plenty of toys and treats to keep them occupied, and make sure they have a comfortable place to sleep.

You can also try leaving the radio or TV on when youre away from home.

This will provide some background noise that may help your Shih Tzu feel less alone.

What Are The Causes Of Shih Tzu Separation Anxiety

The following are possible causes of Shih Tzu separation anxiety you should know:

1. Lack of socialization and human interaction.
2. Lack of exercise and physical activity.
3. Lack of attention and lack of human interaction.
4. Lack of discipline and training.
5. Lack of understanding and proper care.
6. Fear or separation anxiety caused by prior experiences.
7. Genetics may play a role in separation anxiety.
8. Personality may also play a role in separation anxiety.
9. The situation or environment in which the Shih Tzu lives may also contribute to separation anxiety.

Types Of Separation AnxietyIn Shih Tzu

The following are common types of anxiety your Shih Tzu may be experiencing:

1. Separation anxiety is caused by being left alone.
2. Separation anxiety is caused by being moved.
3. Separation anxiety is caused by being walked away from.
4. Separation anxiety is caused by being left out of the family.
5. Separation anxiety is caused by being left in another room.
6. Separation anxiety is caused by being left on a leash.
7. Separation anxiety is caused by being left inside a car.
8. Separation anxiety is caused by being left with a stranger.
9. Separation anxiety is caused by being left home alone.

Treatment Of Shih Tzu Separation Anxiety

Shih Tzus are among the most popular dog breeds in the world, but they can also be among the most anxious.

Separation anxiety is a common problem in these dogs, and there are many ways to treat it.

One of the most common techniques is to use a crate, which is a specially designed enclosure that can help to reduce the dogs anxiety.

There are also various other treatments that can be effective, such as behavior modification and medication.

If youre struggling to deal with your Shih Tzus anxiety, there are many options available to you.

Prevention Of Separation Anxiety In Shih Tzu

Separation anxiety is a common problem in dogs and can be especially problematic in small dogs such as the Shih Tzu.

Its important to do everything you can to prevent your Shih Tzu from becoming anxious in situations where theyll be separated from you.

Here are a few tips to help:

1. Make sure your Shih Tzu is well-socialized from a young age. This means introducing them to a variety of people, animals, and environments, so theyre comfortable with being away from you.

2. Provide plenty of positive reinforcement when your Shih Tzu is spending time alone. This can be things like petting, playing with toys, or giving them a treat.

3. Avoid punishing your Shih Tzu when they start to show signs of anxiety. This will only make the problem worse. Instead, try to calmly and patiently handle the situation.

4. Always keep a close eye on your Shih Tzu while theyre away from you. If you see them start to become anxious or agitated, come right back home as quickly as possible.

Conclusion

Separation anxiety is a common problem in dogs, and it can be especially troubling in dogs like the Shih Tzu, who are prone to being anxious and clingy.

However, there are ways to help your Shih Tzu cope with separation anxiety, and understanding the cause of the problem can help you to address it.

One common cause of separation anxiety in Shih Tzu is a lack of socialization.

These dogs are not used to being away from their families for extended periods of time and may become very anxious when separated from them.

Supplemental socialization can help to alleviate this anxiety, as can frequent trips to the vet or dog park.

Another common cause of separation anxiety in Shih Tzu is fear of abandonment.

These dogs may become very anxious when left alone and may react by chewing things or hiding.

It is important to be patient with your Shih Tzu and provide plenty of reassurance that you are going to be back soon.

If you believe that your Shih Tzu is suffering from separation anxiety, it is important to seek help from a qualified veterinarian.

There are a number of treatments available that can help your Shih Tzu to cope with anxiety, and it is important to find a treatment that is effective for your Shih Tzu.

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Shih Tzu Separation Anxiety (Helpful Tips and Tricks! 2022)

We often choose to get a dog because we desire that unbiased unlimited love and companionship that they offer. Many dog owners love to be with their dogs all the time and if we could choose to we would spend all day with our lovable pets.

Unfortunately, this doesnt usually fit into the reality of our lives. Many of us have to leave our Shih Tzus to work, or at the least to spend time outside of the home taking care of everyday life. When our Shih Tzu reacts very poorly to our absence by having excessive anxiety it can cause heartache for both of us!

Shih Tzus are very loyal and loving. They tend to attach to their owners. Because of this, separation anxiety can be an issue. If while you are away, your Shih Tzu paces,whines,barks, is destructive, defecates or urinates, and is tense for long periods of time they may have separation anxiety!

If you are looking forquick relieffor your dogs anxietyclick here nowto see what has worked for other owners.

Do Shih Tzus Have Separation Anxiety?

Its easy to think that smaller dog breeds generally suffer from anxiety more than other larger breed dogs, but really many dog breeds whether small or large-sized can be at risk for suffering from anxiety. The biggest determining factor is their personality and how they are trained which may contribute to their struggle with anxiety.

Shih Tzus are usually laid back and chill. Of all the small dog breeds they tend to have less problems with separation anxiety, but if they have an extremely tight bond with their owner or are not socialized properly as a puppy they can develop separation anxiety.

What Causes Separation Anxiety?

Puppies are very impressionable they are learning and growing from the moment they take their first breath. In their early weeks of life, they look to their mothers for protection and care.

Its important that Shih Tzu puppies dont leave their mothers before 8 weeks oldand its often much better if they stay with them even longer. Bringing them home around 12 weeks is ideal.

Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links. We only recommend high-quality products that are used and recommended by real owners. If you use these links to buy something we earn a small commission.

This way it has time to learn everything it needs to from its mother and siblings.

Its likely that if you brought your puppy home before 12 weeks oldshe most likely imprinted on you, seeing you as a mother figure.

Puppies who imprint on you will most likely be very clingy and follow you around. They do this to learn from you and because you offer protection and guidance in new situations.

Youve also most likely trainedyour puppytolook at you, sit, stay, lay down, and all the other commands that you want your dog to learn. This reinforces that bond even more. Partly because you are giving them praise and rewards which they like a lot, and partly becauseyou are helping to teach them and instill confidence in themthat they can learn new things and understand and communicate with you.

These are good things to teach your dog, but if its not balanced out with time spent alone and a lot of socialization with other people and animals it could make them rely on and cling to you excessively.

How to Tell if Your Shih Tzu has Separation Anxiety.

Separation anxiety is more than your dog just not liking it or being unhappy when you leave. There are different levels in the severity of anxiety but for it to be considered anxiety there are signs that you will want to watch for. This includes but is not limited to any of the following behaviors happening when you leave your dog alone.

Your Shih Tzu doesnt need to be displaying all of these for it to be considered anxiety. Even just a few of these behaviors if extreme enough to cause you or your dog distress.

Some dogs will start to get agitated if they realize that their owners are about to leave. If your dog starts to get agitated when he can tell you are getting ready to leave that could be the start of anxiety.

There can be a concern of your dog developing anxiety if your Shih Tzu is following you around relentlessly.

How to Help Your Shih Tzu Overcome Separation Anxiety

If your dogs separation anxiety is mild then there are some things that you can do to help them become more confident and independent.

If your Shih Tzu has moderate tosevere separation anxiety it is recommended that you get help from a professionaldog behaviorist. If you try and push your anxious dog too hard or in the wrong way even with the best of intentions it could make the situation worse.

Here are some tactics you can try if you would like to help Shih Tzu be more independent and overcome their mild separation anxiety.

Start by working on basic commands and then level it up.

Sit and Stay

Sit may seem like a very basic command, butif you can master the stayit will help your Shih Tzu gain more confidence and independence. Working towards training your Shih Tzu the sit and stay command will also help them learn a pattern of being left alone.

1. Start with teaching them to sit and stay on the floor just a very small distance away from you, maybe just 1 foot.
2. Gradually increase the distance and time. Make sure to reward them with ahigh-value treatlike this one(Amazon Affiliate link)and reward liberally.
3. Keep working on it 3 times a day for 5 minutes at a time.
4. Help your Shih Tzu get so good at staying thatyou can leave their sightjust for a few seconds and they hold the sit.
5. Continue working on it until you can go in another room and they still stay in their spot.
6. Work on the same process with the go to bed command. See the description below.

Slowly work to increase the distance and time throughout a few weeks.Make it fun and rewarding for your dogand give them lots of praise.

Eventually, if you are consistent with this process you will be able to start spending small amounts of time in another room alone. Bepatientas it could take several weeks to several months of consistent practice.

Go to Bed Command

Getting asoft bed like this oneon Amazon(affiliate link)and teaching your Shih Tzu to go to their bed is another way to teach them to stay in a place that they can relax in instead of being with you or in your lap all the time.

The process for teaching them this is very similar to sit and stay, except that you will add in showing them where to go when you say the word bed. You can do this by luring them with a treat to their bed and rewarding them when they go and lay down in it.

Desensitize your Shih Tzu

If your Shih Tzu is in the habit of getting up every time you do then you can make the action no longer meaningful to your dog by getting up, sit back down, get up, sit back down, over and over again.

It sounds like a lot of work, and it is in the beginning, but I promise it works!

This process will tire your dog out and teaches them that you getting up doesnt mean anything, and they might as well stay put. This is much more effective if you try this tactic after your dog has had a good play session with plenty of exercise.

Its a lot easier and quicker to wear them out that way, otherwise, if they have pent-up energy they may think that you are trying to play a game with them.

I know that some people with high-energy dogs will say that this process will wear themselves out before they ever wear their dogs out, but even then,if you repeatedly do this every day many many times a day then eventually it will start to work.

Once he stops getting up when you get up, then try walking away. If he starts to follow you, you can walk aimlessly around or go in circles or go back to your original spot until your dog gets tired of it and gives up.

Set a Schedule

If you are able tocreate a consistent schedule or routinethat your Shih Tzu can follow, in which you include plenty of playtime and snuggles, but also set aside a few times a day when he practices being alone. This can help your dog learn what to expect.

Dogs are creatures of habit and once taught to do something either good or bad it can be hard to change or break that habit. This is both great news and not so great.

Its great to know that once you get them in the routine that you want youll be golden and wont have to deal with it again, but its bad because when they do form a not-so-loveable habit, it can be a long process to break it.

Starting with 5 minutes of alone time reinforced by lots of distractions rewards and praise for any amount of time that is quietcan help your Shih Tzu get the idea of what you expect.

Now I know that some of you would say, but my Shih Tzu will never be quite. Thats ok. start with two 5 minute sessions a day, if he cries the whole time when the 5 minutes is up go and get him, let him get back to following you, but completely ignore him, dont talk to him, dont reassure him that hes ok. You are a stone-cold wall!! You dont want to reward him with any attention whatsoever for hiscrying behavior.

When he starts acting less stressed, calmer, and quiet, then reward him and praise him. If you do this consistently then he will start to get the idea that you want him to be quiet during that 5-minute practice session. Once hes done that consistently for a week start adding 1 minute every day or so until you work up the desired amount of time.

The other challenge you might have is your Shih Tzu barking a lot! You may need to work on solving the barking issue as much as you can before implementing the above tactics. You can learn more about Shih Tzu Barkinghere.

Shih Tzu Barking Complete Guide? (Tips from Owners)

Restrict Their Access

This can be very difficult to do especially if your sweet Shih Tzu is used to having the run of the house, but it can be very important in setting up boundaries and helping them to see you as the leader in their pack.

Baby gates(affiliate link)work great for smaller Shih Tzu. It can help them have some space, but also keep them from following you. Keeping a bed in their space for them as well as akongorother toys(Amazon affiliate links) that can help to distract them and keep them entertained for the 5-minute practice sessions that you will start with.It also can help to make the experience a rewarding one.

Larger gates can work well for bigger dogs who need a bit more of a barrier between them. You can check the price on a great gatehere.

This can always be used as a temporary solution while your dog gains more confidence with other training.

To prevent him from getting into distress, every time you must leave the room, toss a stuffed Kong or some treats right after closing the gate behind you. You want your dog to learn that great things happen when you leave.

Quality Playtime, Exercise and Mental Stimulation

My favorite thing to tell my students is (check out my classes for kids!)A Tired Dog is a Good Dog!

All of the steps we have discussed work so much better if you are able to set aside some good quality time with your pooch to play, teach, and exercise with your dog.

Shih Tzu even though mostly calm and chill should get at least 1 hour of exercise a day.

Trying out a fun training program together likethis widely popular programBrain Training for Dogs can help unlock your dogs hidden potential and help them learn how to avoid problem behaviors.

You can also teach your Shih Tzu to play games that require a bit more distance from you than normal.This can make learning to trust that you will still be there, more fun and exciting.Hide and Seek is a fun game that we taught our kids to play with our dog Bear. It didnt take long for them to learn how to do it.

Just remember to start out slow by hiding in simple places first such as behind the sofa or door, in a different room in plain sight, or just behind the other side of a wall or chair.

Working towards helping your Shih Tzu become more confident and independent is great, but be mindful to not do the things that are going to encourage them to follow you everywhere. These things can also help your dog to overcome their separation anxiety.

Dont Do These Things

Dont let your Shih Tzu sleep with you.This is a hard habit to break if you have already been doing this, but if you teach your dog to go to his special spot when hes alone having him sleep there at night will also help to encourage his independence.

How Much Do Shih Tzus Sleep? (Inside Info From Owners)

Dont let your Shih Tzu have access to the entire house. This will help your dog learn boundaries and he will realize that when you go to his off-limit areas that means its time to stop following. This may be the best solution for bathroom privacy because lets face it if you have probably had your dog follow you to the bathroom more than once!

Bathrooms have all sorts of exciting noises and smells, as well as textures such as tissue and other things in the trash can that your Shih Tzu would love to chew. Teaching your dog that bathrooms are off-limits is a great idea for so many reasons!

Dont yell at or scold your dog!Yelling at or getting frustrated with an anxious dog will only make him more fearful. Anxiety is usually based on fear of being alone or something bad happening so increasing these feelings by yelling will be counterproductive to what you are trying to accomplish.

Dont Let your Shih Tzu Sleepat your Feet or on your lap.Now to some of us (me included), this sounds like cruel and unusual punishment!

I LOVE to have my little dog sleep on my lap or near me, as do most owners, but if your Shih Tzu has anxiety orjealousy issuesthen this behavior might need to be tabled for the time being.

Teaching your Shih Tzu about their own space can be hard, and sometimes unpleasant. For now, you should try not to overdo it on thecuddles all day. Hopefully, after you get their separation anxiety under control you can start to allow this more often.

With patience and consistency, your Shih Tzu will become the independent and confident dogs that you want him to be!

Do Shih Tzus Get Depressed?

Shih Tzus though a generally happy dog can get depressed similar to how humans experience depression. They may lose interest in things they once loved, they may be extra sleepy and lethargic, have a change in sleeping oreating habits. Anxiety and depression can look very similar in your Shih Tzu.

Some of the same symptoms of anxiety-like whining, howling, and aggression may also be signs of depression. Your Shih Tzu could have a mixture of anxiety and depression.

The most common cause of depression in a Shih Tzu is the loss of a companion pet or loved one. Being rehomed can also be traumatic and cause depression and anxiety.

Some owners report their Shih Tzu acting depressed after getting groomed. If your dog gets a drastic change in their hairstyle or cut it may feel very different to them and they may seem to sulk for a few days. This is generally normal and they should snap out of it after a few days.

Your Shih Tzu can overcome depression. Make sure to get your dog outside for fresh air and exercise including walks and playtime.

Try spending more time with your Shih Tzu and reward him for happy behavior such as tail wagging or showing interest in you or a toy.

Consider getting a companion for your Shih Tzu, but be sure to readthis article first.

While we strive to give the most accurate and helpful information about your pets health that we can, this article is meant to be informational only and not medical advice. Never disregard, avoid or delay in obtaining medical advice from your veterinarian or other qualified veterinary health care provider regardless of what you have read on this site or elsewhere.