Separation anxiety in dogs can be stressful not just for the dogs themselves, but also for their owners. I have dogs at home myself, two lovely chiweenies, so I have decided to do some research about chiweenies and their tendency to have separation anxiety.
So, do chiweenies have separation anxiety? Yes, chiweenies have the tendency to have separation anxiety. This is because they are a kind of crossbreed that always wants to be with their owners. Chiweenies are a combination of dachshunds and chihuahuas. And they mostly get the tendency to have separation anxiety from their chihuahua parents.
There are three major reasons why chiweenies get separation anxiety – they have favorites in the household, they like to cuddle, and they are energetic. Continue reading to know more about my research and personal experience with these crossbreeds.
Why chiweenies are prone to have separation anxiety
Chihuahuas are prone to have separation anxiety too, so it’s not surprising that chiweenies, a combination of dachshunds and chihuahuas, are prone to the same thing.
They are loyal dogs who sometimes have favorite owners
Chiweenies are extremely loyal dogs. They will do anything for their owners. They will even defend their owners from possible threats. This temperament makes them good watch dogs. They will surely bark at and intimidate intruders.
But this temperament gives them the tendency to have favorite owners. They tend to cling more on a particular owner in a household with multiple members. Unfortunately, this increases their chances of getting separation anxiety. They don’t want to be separated from their favorites and become anxious when they are.
They like to cuddle
Indeed, chiweenies are great watch dogs. They can be very fierce to strangers and threats. But this doesn’t mean that these crossbreeds are all bark and bite. They are brave little souls, but they are also very sweet.
Chiweenies like to cuddle, mostly because they simply want to be with their owners at all times. Because they like to cuddle, they can be the ideal dogs for those living in apartments. But this fondness of cuddles also makes them prone to separation anxiety. When they are not physically with their owners, they can get anxious.
They are energetic dogs
Chiweenies are small dogs, but their size can be very deceptive. Many dog owners are surprised at how energetic chiweenies are. They can play with you and your kids for a long time, making these crossbreeds great choices for family dogs too.
As with many energetic dogs, chiweenies get easily bored when they have nothing to do. They become anxious when they are separated with their owners because they have no stimuli to keep them occupied.
How to prevent or heal separation anxiety in chiweenies
Yes, chiweenies are prone to have separation anxiety. But this doesn’t mean that you can just live with it and stress yourself out. There are things you can do to prevent separation anxiety in chiweenies or heal it.
Train them while they are still puppies
Chiweenies can be very hard to train. This is because they can be very stubborn, just like their chihuahua side of the family. They can become uncooperative in training sessions, especially if they don’t see the benefit of these sessions for themselves.
In training chiweenies, it’s best to start young, whether it is about potty, socialization, or separation anxiety. If you start training them young, you can immediately assert your authority and command your expectations of them. You also reduce the risk of them forming bad habits that may be hard to let go when they are already matured.
Avoid making arriving and leaving a big deal
A common error among dog owners in general is that they tend to make a big deal out of arriving and leaving the house. When they leave the house, they pet their dogs and reassure them that they will be back in a few hours. When they arrive at the house, they greet their dogs with so much enthusiasm that their dogs will show the same enthusiasm too.
These practices make dogs think that you arriving and leaving the house is a big deal and something they should be particularly invested in. Let your dogs think that arriving and leaving the house is something very normal. Don’t make a big deal out of these things. Leave the house and arrive as if nothing has happened. There is no need to say goodbye or greet dogs enthusiastically every time.
Provide a calm and comfortable environment
Chiweenies are small dogs, so it’s easy to imagine how they can be afraid of so many things. As small dogs, many things are potential threats. They can become more afraid in general if they get separated from their owners, because it means they would have to deal with the potential threats alone.
Give your chiweenies a calm and comfortable environment. Because of their size, your whole house may seem overwhelming when they are alone. It’s best to designate an area for your chiweenies – an area they can call their own and where they can feel that they are safe. Put them in a gated part of the house or in a playpen.
Avoid crates because these are too small, even for the small chiweenies. Crates can make them claustrophobic and stressed.
Keep them occupied with toys
Chiweenies are energetic dogs. If you leave them, they may get anxious because nothing keeps them busy to burn all their excess energy. They may even bark a lot just to burn all their excess energy.
Keep your chiweenies occupied by giving them toys to play with while you are away. There are three kinds of toys chiweenies can enjoy – companion toys, interactive toys, and toys that release treats.
Companion toys are those that serve as your dogs’ friends while you are out of the house. They usually mimic living creatures, such as dogs. Interactive toys are those that react whenever they are stimulated by your pets. They can light up or make noises when played with. Toys that release treats are exactly that – toys that occupy your dogs and at the same time feed them.
Leave them alone from time to time
Some dog owners think that it’s okay to be with their pets at all times, even when they are in the bathroom. This may seem cute, but it can be a problem. They are basically reinforcing their dogs’ separation anxiety.
Desensitize your chiweenies of your absence. Leave them alone and let them be independent from time to time, even for just five minutes. If they show signs of anxiety upon separation, just ignore them to make them realize that separation is something normal.
Once your chiweenies become used to being alone and independent, they are less likely to become anxious when they are separated from you.
Common signs of separation anxiety in chiweenies
Here are the four common signs that your chiweenies are experiencing separation anxiety. To avoid these from happening, use the methods above to prevent or heal separation anxiety in your chiweenies.
· Destroying objects. Chiweenies with separation anxiety can chew random objects, dig up soil, or basically destroy stuff around your house. This is a clear sign of separation anxiety, especially if they don’t have this destructive behavior when you are around.
· Excessive barking. There are a lot of reasons for excessive barking, such as your dogs trying to get attention or if they are not feeling well. But excessive barking can also be a sign of separation anxiety, especially if they don’t have a reason to bark. If your neighbor complains that your chiweenies bark or howl whenever you are away, your dogs may have separation anxiety.
· Unusual pacing. Do you have some CCTV’s in your house? Check the footage if your chiweenies are pacing unusually whenever you are away. They may be walking or running continuously in circles or in straight lines. This is a common sign that they are anxious.
· Urinating or pooping. Chiweenies with separation anxiety are more likely to urinate or poop whenever they are anxious. If you notice that they urinate or poop more than usual whenever you are away, they may have separation anxiety.
Summary
Chiweenies have the tendency to have separation anxiety. They are clingy and loyal dogs. They also get bored fast. Prevent or heal separation anxiety in chiweenies by making them accustomed to being alone and independent. Also provide a comfortable and safe environment so they don’t get anxious while you are away.