I have a miniature poodle who I just adore. I say he's my baby, I have no children and am not married. The thing is he's really concerning me. I need advice on how to get him to gain some weight. I took him to the vet and everything checks out but his weight. He needs to gain around at least 5 pounds they said. He only weighs 8 pounds which is less than the 8 1/2 he weighed in February. I'm looking for any suggestions here. I'm trying really hard to monitor exactally what he's eating and he gets extra treats and all but he just won't gain!! Any help is welcomed!!

Also, does anyone have advice on dogs anxiety? It drives me nuts because I leave him and have to put him in the bathroom with a shock collar because he will go to the bathroom everywhere (the bathroom makes it easier to clean up) and barks like mad when I leave! I can't put him in a kennel because I tried that once and he will end up hurting himself with how nuts he goes!

If he is extremely anxious and nervous, he won't put on weight. The shock collar is doing nothing but making him more nervous and upset causing him to lose weight and respond negatively to being confined.

What exactly did you think the shock collar would do to correct his behavior?

How old is he? What are you feeding him and how much? Does he get plenty of exercise from walks as well as play? Is he getting mental stimulation from obedience training and interactive toys? How long is he left alone at a time?

It sounds like he may be bored or suffering from separation anxiety or both.

First thing is to supply him with what he needs in the way of exercise and stimulation. Poodles were originally bred as hunting dogs and even the smaller breeds still retain the need to do something. Training is very good mental stimulation, both obedience and tricks. Toys like the ones you can put treats in are great puzzles to them with a reward that helps with the issue of needing to gain weight.

See how much that does to alleviate his anxiety.

If you can, do you have a place where you could block off or put up a pen to get him out of the bathroom? I am sure by now he associates the bathroom with pain, confusion, and fear. Trying to calm his anxiety while putting him back in what is causing part of the anxiety does not help.

Then you can work on showing him that when you leave you are coming back. It will take time, patience and consistency, but he can learn to relax when you aren't home if you set him up for success.

Do not make a big fuss about leaving the house. Stay as calm about it as you would moving from one room to another inside.

Make sure that he has interactive toys and chew toys to keep him from being bored while you aren't there.

Some people have good luck with essential oils like lavender helping calm down overly anxious dogs. It is something for you to look into.

You have a nervous dog and that may be the reason he doesn't gain weight since the vet says he's healthy. I assume the vet did blood work including thyroid tests and cancer markers, urinalysis including specific gravity and sugar.
Assuming it isn't physical, there are a number of things you can do. First, check the kind of food you're feeding him. Make sure it's a premium brand that has at least 28% protein and feed him three times a day, taking the food up after 30 minutes. Do not feed table food.
Second, you need to take that shock collar off him immediately. That will make a nervous dog psychotic in short order. Imagine living in terror all the time because you don't know when you will receive and electric shock to your NECK!
Nervous dogs are usually nervous because they don't feel that they have a strong pack leader to watch out for them. Owners who think of their dogs as babies tend to hold them and pet them way too much, thus giving the dog the impression that the owner is lower in the pack hierarchy than the dog. That creates a nervous, anxious dog. I know that's hard to deal with because you want to keep comforting a scared dog, but that only makes it worse. You dog will be calmer and less fearful if you stop paying so much attention to him.
You need to find a good animal behaviorist in your area and get on a "Nothing in Life is Free" program for starters. You really need a good behaviorist, because it's hard to see what you're doing without an observer to help you.
Try totally ignoring your dog for 24 hours, by not touching him, not looking at him, nothing. You feed him without making eye contact, without speaking. Let him out or take him out without talking, making eye contact or touching him and bring him directly back in without playing. Meet his physical needs without paying any attention to him. When he begs for attention, turn your head away from him and do not speak. This isn't easy for you, but you are trying to save your dog's life.
At the end of 24 hours of being ignored, you will notice that your dog is resting or sleeping more. That is because his tension is receding. Being anxious is exhausting.
Next you begin giving him minor attention making him earn everything by obeying a command before you look at him or touch him. You need a trainer/behaviorist to help you with this.

Everything has pretty well been covered but I'll just add my 2c worth.

Throw away the shock collar. You obviously don't know how they are used correctly. The dog should never be left alone with the collar on, it is for training purposes, not a magic fix.

One thing you don't say is how old he is?

I have a miniature poodle as well and mine is 17 pounds. He was about half that before he turned 18 months old, he was skin and bones, then once he hit a year and a half and fully matured he stacked on the weight.

Don't know if this will help but my sisters dog had separation anxiety. She got help from a dog whisperer and he said to start by tieing her in the lounge room for half an hour in the corner away from where you sit so she can see you but can't go to you. Shows her that your there but she doesn't have to be with you.

Also take her to the park and tie her to a tree. Take a few steps away then come back. DO it again and take more steps away. Keep doing it and getting further away. Shows the dog that no matter how far away I go from you I will always come back.

I agree with everything except the a portion of the comment made by nb34728. A dog responds well to love and attentio, this does not make their human caregiver less in the canine's eyes... I do rescues and you need to learn something about a dog's emotions before you emote incorrectly...

Poodles do have a tendency to be nervous (but not as bad as other smaller breeds... And they do have a habit of being barkers... So, if you are willing to be content with that and give this dog more attention than he's getting (going out for long walks together after you get home from work is good for both of you)he should become less problematic...

ANF FOR CRIPES SAKE, SHAME ON YOU FOR BUYING AND USING A SHOCK COLLAR... THAT DOES NOTHING EXCEPT MAKE THINGS WORSE, ESPECIALLY IF YOU DO NOT WHY THEY ARE USED OR HOW TO USE THEM...

To all about the shock collar, I hate it and would love to leave it off. The only reason I have it is because he's barking or will start to bark when he hears something and I'm not home. The place I live at has threatened to evict me or make me get rid of him if he keeps barking while I'm gone. I can't lose him but I can't be home 24/7. I thought of doing doggy daycare but just can't afford it.

Do you have a neighbor or relative that would keep him during the day, so you do not have to use such a cruel devise? I understand about not wanting to get evicted, but if this landlord would threaten that, who says they would not call the Animal Control anyway? Or raise your rent? I would be looking elswhere to live to be on the safe side for both you and your dog...

He misses you, so your best option, even if unaffordable, is a pet sitter... Leave music on, so he hears noise... If you have an answering machine (not voicemail that cannot be heard in the house once it picks up) on your phone, call your house a few times a day when you are not there and he will hear your voice... I've done that and the music...

Give him chew toys and stuffed animals to soothe him also and occupy him during your time away...