General Information About Shih Tzu Yorkie Mix
Shih Tzu Yorkie mix is a mixed breed. As a result of the mix from Yorkie, they have a personality that loves to work for the owner, make new friends, and are very keen on their surroundings.
Shih Tzu Yorkie is an alert, brave, and bubbly tiny dog. Due to the mix of two species, this dog has traits from the Shih Tzu side that were named lion dogs by royalty and the Chinese emperors due to their intelligence.
The Shiz Tzu Yorkie mix dog can fit on the owner's lap at maturity, which is 10 inches, and grow to about 9 to 16 pounds which is 4 to 7 kilograms, and can live up to 10 to 16 years. In addition, they are friendly and behave just like their owners. They are also quite lovely to strangers and loyal to their owners.
The Shih Tzu is 2000 years old and over, making it one of the ancient dogs that originated from ancient China or Tibet, and the Chinese royals were fond of this breed. The Shi Tzu Yorkie is a small dog but matches the bravery and alertness of a Yorkie.
This dog can grow to about 8 to 9 inches in height and 2 to 3 kilograms in weight. However, the Shih Tzu Yorkie mix can keep you on your toes due to its bubbly personality. The dog is well-suited for older kids who can be gentle with pets. The owner can train the Shih Tzu Yorkie to combat aggressive behavior just like a puppy. It is ranked as the 20th most liked dog from 192 breeds according to the AKC list of most popular dogs in 2018.
The Shih Tzu Yorkie mix, commonly called Shorkie, can obtain its coat color from the father or mother's coat color. Interestingly, the Shih Tzu comes in a wide range of colors, while the Yorkie colors are only tan, black, and gold. Thus, the combination of the Yorkie and Shih Tzu gives the Shih Tzu Yorkie mix a high probability of obtaining a variety of colors.
The Shih Tzu Yorkie mix can have two different coats and are famous for their fur. The topcoat feels like silk and flows over the Shih Tzu Yorkie mix. Therefore, due to the nature of the hair, the dog needs to be brushed often. Preferably every week, but if possible, brushing the fur every day is ideal. This routine will help reduce the chances of matting and alleviate the need to groom the Shih Tzu Yorkie mix.
The Shih Tzu and Yorkie mix dog can be small in size even when fully grown. When your Shih Tzu Yorkie mix comes home between eight and ten weeks, these dogs weigh only two pounds. However, by the time they mature, they can weigh seven pounds or up to 15 to 16 pounds. The size will be dependent on its genetics and specific origin.
As the Shih Tzu Yorkie is a mixed breed, the health condition or issues that might affect the dog can be due to the dog's parents. The Shih Tzu Yorkie mix has a life expectancy of 15 years. Yorkie and Shih Tzu have excellent immune systems, which, when blended, boosts the Shih Tzu Yorkie mix vitality and makes it less susceptible to health problems.
Does the Shih Tzu Yorkie Mix Experience Separation Anxiety?
Like a regular dog, the Shih Tzu Yorkie mix suffers from anxiety when the owners leave the house without them. Dogs usually express signs of stress and anxiety, particularly when the owner is about to leave. Therefore, the owners must help the dog handle their departure.
What Causes Separation Anxiety in Shiz Tzu Yorkie Mix?
Being Alone for Long Hours
Separation anxiety entails an overwhelming response to isolation, and dogs can express it in a wide range of behaviors. Leaving a Yorkie home alone can be stressful due to their close attachment to the owners, which triggers separation anxiety. Shih Tzu Yorkie breed excels in interacting with its owners. However, even strangers leaving them alone for long hours can trigger separation anxiety. Sometimes this breed gets used to being away from you, but it can become too much for the dog to handle and lead to separation anxiety if it gets too long.
Adopted Too Young
A Shih Tzu Yorkie adopted too early is likely to suffer separation anxiety due to the initial separation from their parents. Most dogs from the store arrive at eight weeks and are confined in glass boxes for some months before their owners adopt them. In addition, lack of socialization and early weaning from its mother often lead to anxiety and stress.
Deep Attachment Bond
The Shih Tzu Yorkie is quite clingy to the owners and loves pleasing them. They like to be part of the family, and if you happen to leave them behind when going places, they tend to be sad. On the other hand, they are incredibly bubbly and jovial when with their owners. They can even sleep on the owner's feet all night because of the comfort of having the owner near. That is how deeply attached they are to their humans, making them prone to separation anxiety when you leave them behind at home.
Lack of Interaction
The Shih Tzu Yorkie loves being in the company of their owners since they need affection and human company. However, separation anxiety can occur if the owner works long hours, thus failing to interact with the pet.
Household Changes
Stress and anxiety may result from small changes in the household. For instance, the addition of a new family member or another pet can spike anxiety in the puppy. Additionally, when they detect a reduction of attention from the owner and other family members, there is a high possibility of experiencing stress.
Change in Routines
Shorkies are adorable dogs, and when in good health, they enjoy exercising alongside family members or their owner. Training a dog can be challenging but using the right approach helps make the training fun for the Shih Tzu Yorkie mix. Introduce rewards when the dog performs as expected. Simple actions like verbal praise make the activity easier. Ensure you have the same routine for every task to avoid triggering anxiety and stress in your dog. However, using traditional training methods on the Shih Tzu Yorkie mix might not be the ideal strategy. Even the slightest changes in household routines can trigger separation anxiety.
Active Personality
Shih Tzu Yorkie mix puppies learn and follow guidelines easily. Hence, the breed requires frequent exercise or activities for about 30 minutes to an hour daily. This breed enjoys taking a walk every day since they are very active, but they also love to lie on the sofa or in a safe zone if there is a comfortable bed, food, and drinks. Lack of water can create anxiety in this active pup. The Calming Fountain Plus ensures your dog has fresh water throughout the day even when you are not in the house to help your Shih Tzu Yorkie curb anxiety.
Old Age
Some Shih Tzu Yorkie mixes can develop separation anxiety as puppies. Still, this breed might exhibit stress in old age since they only become more sensitive and fond of their owners with time.
What Are the Signs Your Shih Tzu Yorkie Mix Is Experiencing Separation Anxiety?
Barking Uncontrollably
A Shih Tzu Yorkie with separation anxiety will exhibit the symptoms in various ways. Barking uncontrollably is one of the most obvious signs of separation anxiety. When the owner leaves, the dog has no idea how many days or hours have passed since the owner left or when they will return. Since they can't communicate with humans, barking is their only way to alert you that something is not right. Unfortunately, the barking can be aggressive.
Destructive Behavior
A dog with separation anxiety might start to ruin furniture, turn down cuddles and even relieve themselves in any part of the house regardless of any training they might have received earlier on. A Shih Tzu Yorkie mix might even escape the home to look for its owner. The dog can scratch windows or dig at doors to try to get out in search of their owners. This destructive and aggressive behavior can last even after the owner returns home.
Lack of Control
When the pet experiences separation anxiety, it might panic and start pacing around walking in a particular pattern forward and backward. Separation anxiety can result in a lack of control in your Shih Tzu Yorkie, and they will bark intensively, refuse to eat or drink, remain quiet, or even lick their feces. If you see this kind of behavior, the dog might have separation anxiety. Additionally, they might chew items in the house or harm themselves by chewing or licking the skin in rare cases.
How Do You Help Relieve Shih Tzu Yorkie Mix From Their Separation Anxiety?
It is vital to understand that the behavior displayed results from distress, panic, and anger towards the owner. Therefore, there are different measures to help the Shih Tzu Yorkie cope with the absence of its owner when they leave or any factor that might trigger separation anxiety.
Calming Dog is a company based in the USA dedicated to providing premium quality products that will improve the life of your Shih Tzu Yorkie. To help your dog get relief from separation anxiety, you need quality products that are scientifically approved to enhance your dog's welfare. Here are some of the ways you can help your pet deal with separation anxiety:
Avoid Separation Anxiety Triggers
Other natural measures you can incorporate to relieve your Yorkie from separation anxiety include ignoring the Yorkie and leaving without saying goodbye. Also, avoid picking the dog up for cuddles before getting out of the house. When you know which signs the dog picks up on, do these actions throughout the day without actually leaving the house. This way, it will be calm and unconcerned when you do these actions before leaving the house which, in turn, reduces separation anxiety.
Beds
When we're stressed out, all we wish for is to get home and jump straight into our beds. The dogs’ bed provides a place for your pet to sleep or relax when at home alone. Some of the best dog beds, like the Calming Cuddle Bed, help your dog deal with separation anxiety when you're away. The beds have a unique design that gives your Shih Tzu Yorkie mix the warm feeling you give when cuddling.
Avoid Altering Routine
Dogs are naturally habitual creatures. Therefore, a change in their day-to-day activities affects them negatively, even if the changes are for their benefit. Always avoid unnecessary modifications or skipping of activities such as eating, sleep, and exercise.
Provide Adequate Water
Like other animals, your pet requires adequate hydration. Therefore, you should leave them with plenty of water to drink anytime they're thirsty. However, some water containers are too big that your puppies could drown. Moreover, others are too small to hold enough water to sustain your pets. Buy the Calming Fountain plus online and help prevent your dog's distress from thirst while you're out attending to other tasks.
Offer Training
Train your Shih Tzu Yorkie mix with specific commands like sitting, which can aid in calming the puppy, especially before leaving. You can also try engaging the Shih Tzu in a game where you reward them before you go out. This way, the dog will associate your departure with a rather pleasurable event and not cause a fuss, reducing their separation anxiety.
Music Therapy
We all have a taste for music. Music therapy also calms anxious dogs. Find out the melodies your Shih Tzu Yorkie mix loves, so you can play them whenever they are tense. However, keep the volume at a comfortable limit because too much noise increases stress levels.
Create a Safe Zone
Keeping the dog entertained by either placing the pet near a window, sliding glass door, or a position they can view the TV will aid in engaging their stimuli, thus them not even noticing your absence. In addition, some dogs find relief from boredom by sitting and watching their surroundings. Provide comfort by keeping the dog covered in a Calming Cuddle Blanket Plus to increase their sense of security and relaxation and reduce stress while watching a film. Combining various stimuli distracts the pup and helps reduce the chances of separation anxiety occurring.
Take a walk
Before leaving the house, take the dog for a walk for at least ten to twenty minutes. Not only will this improve their general health, but it will also aid in using up the excess energy the Shih Tzu has, and by the time you leave, they can have a peaceful sleep the duration you are away. It will also present an opportunity for them to use the bathroom. Hence, the likelihood of any lack of control behavior when away is minimal.
Spend Time With Your Dog
Dogs love being around their owners, and prolonged loneliness makes them feel insecure. You need to spend more time with your Shih Tzu Yorkie mix when you're at home. Playing puzzle games together increases your bond with them. Alternatively, you can massage your dog and help them calm down. Sprays also are effective in relaxing your dog. The Calming Spray has essential oils and natural components that calm nerves.
Groom Your Dog
Shorkies can have either a wavy coat or straight coat since they are a mixed breed. Keeping the body short reduces the mats and knots, and trimming their face in a round shape enhances their appearance. Additionally, clean the dog's eyes and teeth often. Shih Tzu Yorkie mix rarely shed. However, they have long hair, which requires maintenance regularly. Grooming the dog should be done between 4 to 6 weeks. However, it depends on how fast the hair grows to enhance the overall dog's health and reduce stress caused by physical discomfort. Reducing their level of physical discomfort helps reduce their stress and anxiety.
Conclusion
Numerous reasons may cause separation anxiety in Shih Tzu Yorkie. Anxiety can cause the breed to manifest aggressive and destructive behavior because of their close interaction with humans. Separation anxiety can begin when the pet is young or in old age, but, regardless, it is always best as a dog owner to understand the key elements of separation anxiety in the Shih Tzu Yorkie breed. Learning about the causes of separation anxiety along with solutions and great products like those from Calming Dog will equip you to help your Shih Tzu Yorkie live a life free of separation anxiety.