anxiety and guarding toys

[cchloevalentine]

Help, my little sweet Yorkie is acting very strange lately.
She started to guard certain toys and bones and it now happens frequently, where she decides she wants you to try and get her toy and she guards it and growls at you if you go near her.
She has actually nipped at my mother already!
She is also showing signs of anxiety in the morning before I leave for work. She is scratching at my leg while I am at the sink and scratching the bathtub while I am in the shower and crying. What do I do?

[BabyElephant]

Hi, and welcome to the forum. How old is your yorkie? Has something happened to make her like this - has somebody done something to her or is she in heat or coming in to heat? It depends on quite a lot of things as to why this behaviour has started and consequently how you deal with it.

As for the separation aniexty, I've been told that you should not have the same routine, that way they can't get worked up that you're leaving. Give her something to keep her occupied (a kong with treats and peanut butter go down well) and also don't make a big fuss when you leave. If you can try to leave by different doors - again so they don't get used to your "going out routine". You could also try leaving the radio or TV on - even in another room - that way they may think that somebody is in the house. Does anybody look after her when you are out?

There are other members on here who have dealt with stuff like this firsthand - I'm only relaying the advice I've been given - as fortunately for me, I've never had to put it in to practice. I'm sure the others will be online later to give you more advice.

[Dax]

To me it sounds like she's reacting to a change like going back to school. Baby is right about making your comings & goings routine. Remember you have to do this and you have nothing to feel quilty about (they pick that up too). When you come home - ignore her for at least 5 minutes.

When she growls or guards a toy - a firm NO and call her to you. Ignore what she was guarding and praise for her compliance to your command. Never grab the toy away while she is obeying your command. Also use a DROP IT or LEAVE IT command to get the toy away. Give a treat & the toy back right away - you are teaching her to obey not to get the toy.

Nipping at this stage should also be immediately & swifting punished. A time out area or being sent to bed works well without getting physical.

[AlphaMale]

Would a change in food lead to anxiety? For example digestion problems that maybe caused by dairy products like milk.

do not qoute me, I am just brain storming.

[LeeLee]

Well idk since when my dogs get like that with toys it's more like I go to grab and they take it and run around the table which is Cinco's form of play.

Dahlila scratches when she wants something like to petted.