Two Easy Ways to Start Earning Rewards!
Become a member today!
Members-only pricing and offers, personalized care notifications, Vital Care points back on every purchase and more!
Already a member? Sign in
Become a credit card member today!
Earn 2X Pals Rewards points at Petco
when you use Petco Pay!
APPLY NOW
Learn More About Petco Pay Benefits

My chihuahua is clingy & barking in new apartment. How to help?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Chihuahua | Male | 1 year and 1 month old | 2.7 lbs

My chihuahua Dallas is very clingy, he wants me to hold him all day, and he never stops trying to jump in my lap, and he walks around doing little barks all day should I hold him, or tell him no, and we r living in a new apartment, so this has been going on for weeks .

3 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Answered By Mara Howard, DVM

Veterinarian

Published on June 15th, 2018

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! I'm sorry to hear Dallas is suffering from anxiety. Dogs can become anxious when separated from their owner (even if it's a quick trip to the store!) or when moving into a new place. I would recommend encouraging independent play by offering Dallas a kong filled with frozen peanut butter or another toy/treat that encourages him to play by himself. I would also look into a pheromone collar and thundershirt to see if that can help him as well. If these suggestions are not enough or you have further concerns, I would recommend either setting up a consult or reaching out to your regular veterinarian for further advice. Good luck!

1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS
Veterinarian
Published on July 22nd, 2018
It sounds like Tucker is experiencing some separation anxiety when you leave the house. It's good that he's crate trained, and I would try some puzzle toys in there wit him. Puzzle toys have treats in it that he has to figure out how to get the treats out, and that will occupy his attention. You can put a tablespoon of peanut butter in a Kong toy and freeze it in the freezer overnight, then give it to him in the crate. That will keep him occupied for a while. Finally, you can get a pheromone diffuser called DAP that helps dogs with anxiety and pair that will a DAP pheromone collar that releases pheromones when in contact with his skin. I also recommend having him seen by a vet to discuss the use of anti-anxiety medications. It sounds like his separation anxiety is severe, and medication may be helpful for him. I hope this helps!
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Lauren Jones VMD
Veterinarian
Published on May 5th, 2017
Moving can certainly be stressful for our four legged friends, just as they can be for us! You're doing the right thing by first confining Benji to a smaller area with his bed, food, toys and treats. If he is a food motivated dog, you can try keeping him busy by filling a Kong toy with a bit of canned dog food or moistened kibble, then putting it in the freezer overnight. Sometimes I top this frozen Kong concoction with a bit of peanut butter, but be sure that it does not contain xylitol (this is toxic to dogs). One other thing that you could try would be a calming pheromone diffuser or collar (Adaptil is one brand). For some dogs, this can be hugely beneficial, but other dogs seem less effected. If Benji's anxiety still seems to escalate, you may need to take him to the vet to discuss a short course of anxiety medication (such as alprazolam) to help him to adjust to his new home. I hope that all goes well!
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Smart Picks for Smart Questions

Related Questions

Training & Behavior

My chihuahua screams when I leave. What helps separation anxiety?

Poor pup! Barking and vocalizing while you're gone is usually a sign of separation anxiety - this is similar to a panic attack that occurs every day when you leave the house. Shock collars should never be used to treat this problem, as this will only increase his anxiety and make things worse. I would strongly recommend consulting with your veterinarian about this problem, as most dogs with significant separation anxiety issues will need prescription medication in order to make any headway with treatment. If your regular vet isn't well-versed in behavior, you could also consider making an appointment with a veterinary behaviorist for a full evaluation and treatment plan - you can search for one in your area here: www.dacvb.org In the meantime, you could try a DAP pheromone diffuser as well as a natural calming supplement like Zylkene or Composure to help with his anxiety. These will not be as effective as prescription meds, but may help to take the edge off a bit until you are able to see the vet.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Health & Wellness

Is my dog's barking, peeing, pooping in new home separation anxiety?

Hello. Yes, it is possible that Chico suffered some anxiety while you were gone. I would try & have your Mom become a little more involved in Chico's care by taking him for walks & administering some meals & treats while you are there & while you are away. You can also start him on a very mild antianxiety product called Zylkene. It can take several weeks to reach full effect, but over time it can make him calmer. You can purchase this online, or check to see if your PetCo carries it. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Training & Behavior

My dog howls when I leave. How can I stop his separation anxiety?

Hi and thanks for posting on Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Don't worry- you are not alone in this separation anxiety issue Oren seems to be having. This is very common but can be very frustrating for everyone involved- including Oren! Anxiety can be very energy draining, so I am not surprised to hear about the exhaustion experienced when you get home. A few tips, though, can help with this. Keep the crate area very comfortable and inviting with lots of soft blankets. Spray a bit of Adaptil Spray (pheromone spray) you can purchase at your local pet supplies store around the crate area and blankets 15 mins before you leave. Take a kong toy and stuff it with low fat peanut butter or low fat plain yogurt and freeze it overnight. Take it out 10 mins before you leave and offer it to Oren to keep him entertained and busy while you are in the process of leaving and while you are away. Playing music or the radio can help as well. Claiming chewables with L-theanine in them daily can help lower anxiety levels naturally. SSRIs prescribed to Oren by his veterinarian can help with cases that do not improve even with behavioral modifications if Oren continues to have trouble with separation anxiety. I hope this helps and best of luck!

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Training & Behavior

How to stop my rescue chihuahua from barking protectively at people?

Hi there. It sounds like Dinky is protective of you which is normal given his history. You are the most safe and stable thing he's had, so he's going to bond strongly as you described. It would be good to try and get Dinky to detach from you a little which is difficult. I would not let him sleep on the bed, and try and encourage independence. I would also get a canine behaviorist involved to help. There is a natural anxiety medicine called Solliquin which can help dogs a lot. I'd ask you vet about that as well. Best to you and Dinky.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Health & Wellness

My dog chews due to separation anxiety. How can I help her stay alone?

Hi there and thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to address your concern. Separation anxiety can be difficult to address but with patience and persistence training can help. Rather than starting on anti-anxiety medications right away, I typically recommend trying products such as NaturVet Quiet Moments Calm Chews with Melatonin and an Adaptil collar, which can both be found online or at your local pet store quite easily. I would also recommend using a Thundershirt, which can be found online or at the pet store. It would also help if you began feeding Sienna breakfast and dinner in the kennel so that she becomes used to being inside the cage for positive things. I would move all of her toys to the inside of the kennel and whenever she goes inside the kennel, reward her with her favorite treat. If this does not help, I would recommend speaking with her veterinarian and discuss anti-anxiety medications as these may be beneficial in deterring this separation anxiety she suffers from. I hope this helps! Please let me know if you have any other questions or concerns and I would be more than happy to help you further!

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Training & Behavior

My new rescue dog barks non-stop. How do I calm her anxiety?

Many dogs bark at sounds or unfamiliar objects or people, especially when they are first getting used to a new environment. If she is barking all the time, I suspect that she is somewhat anxious and "on-edge" about lots of different things - she may have been poorly socialized as a puppy, which often leads to excessive anxiety about new things and lots of barking as a result. If you think this might be the case, there are a few things you can do to help. A DAP pheromone collar along with a natural calming supplement like Zylkene or Composure can help to relieve some of her anxiety - these can be purchased online with out a prescription, and are helpful for many dogs with this issue. Inside the house, you can also use a white noise machine or some other type of background noise to help block out sounds from outside that may trigger the barking. Outside, I would carry treats with you when you take Mitsu for walks. Anytime she sees something and starts to bark, call her back to you and give her a treat. Over time, she will learn to look at you for her treat when she sees something that startles her, rather than barking and lunging. If you need help with this, I would suggest getting in touch with a good reward-based trainer who can work with you in person. You can search for a qualified trainer in your area here: www.ccpdt.org

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Training & Behavior

How to calm an anxious new dog pacing and crying in his new home?

Poor Jasper! It sounds like he's quite stressed and anxious at the moment. Without more information, it's hard to say if this is simply due to all of the changes he's experienced recently (new home, new owner, etc.) or if he has some generalized anxiety issues. I would recommend giving him some time to settle in - this behavior may resolve over the next several days once he has a chance to adjust to his new living situation. You can help by giving him some tasty things to chew on (large rawhide chews, bully sticks, etc.) as chewing is a relaxing activity for dogs - just make sure to give him his own space while he chews, and don't allow your other dog to bother him. You may also want to try a DAP pheromone collar along with a natural calming supplement like Zylkene or Composure. If there is no improvement in his anxiety within the next week or so, it would be best to consult with a veterinary behaviorist who can evaluate him in person and help you put together a detailed plan to work on his issues. He may also need prescription medication to help reduce his anxiety, at least for a while. You can search for a board-certified veterinary behaviorist in your area here: www.dacvb.org

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Have A Vet Question?

Book an appointment with the pros – our expert vets are here to help.

Share