About Beth Adams Expertise I have 10+ yrs rescuing Cairn terriers. Ask me about rescue work and re-homing rescued terriers. I am also proudly owned by a Jack Russell Terrier rescue. I am also keenly aware that terriers are significantly different from other kinds of dogs, and often not the best choice for some owners.
HOWEVER I AM NOT A VET! PLEASE DO NOT ASK ME IN-DEPTH MEDICAL QUESTIONS THAT SHOULD BE DIRECTED ONLY TOWARDS MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS. I WILL BE HAPPY TO ASSIST WITH BASIC MEDICAL QUESTIONS/NEEDS THAT I CAN OFFER MY PERSONAL OPINION ON. If you ask me questions about breeding, please expect me to be direct about my opinion on this topic.
Experience 10+ yrs owning and rescuing cairn terriers. Proudly owned by a Jack Russell Terrier rescue. My JRT is active in being a foster brother, and earthdog and agility events and we're having a blast
Question Our Yorkshire Terrier has horrible behavior when left alone for more than an
hour. If we leave him free reign of the house, he'll pee and poop (in the same
spot) and in worst-case scenarios, opens the folding door of the pantry and
tears open food containers. If we enclose him, he scratches at the door
excessively. When we kennel him, he drools horribly. I've recently read
online about separation anxiety. Knowing this, I think he'd be better in a
different home but he was a gift from a friend of ours. Is there anything we
can do so that we can train him well enough to train him?
Answer Your little man definately has a case of separation anxiety.
The problem is that even rehoming him will probably not help since no one is home 24-7, and not many folks are home all day either.
I have 2 suggestions for you to try, and one, or both of them together, may help some.
There is an herbal tincture you can try. It's made by Bach and is called Rescue Remedy. It is designed to reduce stress. Some dogs get a great amount of relief, but there are those who don't respond. You would drip 2-3 drops right into his mouth a couple of minutes before you leave (and yes, I recommend crating him). This product is readily available in many drug stores and here in my area Wally-World even carries it.
The second recommendation is to put some peanut butter or cream cheese into a small kong toy and freeze it. You would give it to him in his crate when you leave.
If these do not work, please speak to your vet about medication. They make several different medications that are anti-anxiety drugs and may well help your little man.
I'm sorry I don't have any guaranteed answers - If I did, I'd be famous since this is a pretty common problem.
