Yorkie's Sad Howls After Being Dropped Off With Babysitter Tug At The Heartstrings
For our beloved dogs, howling has a fascinating range of uses. It can mean a pup simply responding to its surroundings, expressing emotion, or (arguably), even singing. Unfortunately, though, howling can also be one of those telltale signs your dog has separation anxiety, and it's absolutely heart-wrenching. In fact, in one popular TikTok, a darling Yorkie's sad howls after her parents drop her off are so distressing, we're heartbroken ourselves!
@jordanhill1026 Had to baby sit
Oh, the trials of an abandoned Yorkshire Terrier — or so this Yorkie seems to feel. The reality? This Yorkie's parents have temporarily dropped her off at her babysitter's place and will most definitely return. But how is she supposed to know that! So, she cries and cries for them with the sweetest and saddest howl you ever did hear. In between wails, though, this adorable Yorkie gently snuggles her sitter for comfort as if to say, "I know it's not your fault!"
The little Yorkie's plight surely tugged at both her babysitter and many viewers' heartstrings. Hundreds of them shared concerns in the comments. One responded to the softness of her howls with, "At least she's using her inside voice." Another spoke as if in the Yorkie's voice, saying, "They've abandoned me!" We all agree that we can't wait for this girl to be reunited with her family.
Can pups overcome separation anxiety?
Our dear Yorkie in question surely had the case of the sads when her parents left, but she's not alone. Separation anxiety is a behavioral condition that happens when a dog is triggered by the absence of the person (or people) they're attached to, and it's pretty common. But can pups like her ever overcome it?
Howling when a dog parent leaves is just one of the ways that show a dog has separation anxiety. Other signs might include urinating or defecating in the house, destroying household items while you're gone, and clinginess when you return. Recognizing and responding to these actions early on with counterconditioning and desensitization is proven to help dogs tremendously.
Desensitization is the process of slowly exposing pups to negative stimuli, and counterconditioning is what helps shift their association of that stimulus to something positive. Since separation anxiety can range from subtle to severe, it can be helpful to opt for a professional trainer to help your fur baby adjust. Then over time, with patience and care, you'll likely see a much calmer pup — and fewer sad howls!