LoveToKnow Dogs:Custom Anxiety Behaviors

From LoveToKnow Dogs

Past Questions

Question: My husband and I have a six-year-old male Golden Retriever. He has always been a good, loving dog. For the past week he has been acting really weird though, super overly loving and very clingy. He has always known to stay off the furniture, but now he is insistent on crawling up into whatever we're siting on! Jumping on the bed, trying to crawl into the computer chair with me, etc. I tried searching online, and all I got was the answer that some dogs get like that when you're pregnant. That is not the case here. What else could it be? Please help. Thank you!! - Posted by: Jo

Answer: Hi Jo,

From what you're describing, this does sound like a big change in your dog's usual behavior. While I can't really tell you what's causing it, let me offer some suggestions.

First, try to go back and pinpoint the very first day your dog began acting so clingy. Did anything else significant happen in your household around the same time? Sometimes a major change of some sort will cause a dog to feel anxious. If you can think of anything, it may help you figure out how to quell your dog's anxiety.

Second, you may not have much control over whatever caused your dog to become so anxious in the first place, but how did you react to his behavior change? Did you still keep the same rules and expectations for his behavior and require that he followed them, or did you allow him to climb up on the furniture and show him extra attention in response to his behavior. If you gave him extra attention thinking that was what he needed (as many people would), you may have inadvertently reinforced his anxious behavior.

So, here's what I suggest. Schedule an appointment for a thorough exam just to make sure your dog's behavior isn't linked to an undiagnosed physical ailment. If you can rule that out, begin treating you dog as you used to before the behavior change. Require him to follow the same rules he used to, and try not to give him attention for the behaviors you don't want. In this way, you may be able to regain control of your dog's behavior and help him regain his confidence and independence once more.

Thanks for your quesion, and I hope this info proves useful. :) - posted by:Kelly

Question: I adopted a dog, Lucy, from the county shelter three weeks ago. Lucy was abused and is approximently three years old. She was sick and today is doing a lot better, but still very calm and a couch potato. This week though, she picked up an odd habit; she moves things to the yard. One day I came home to one of my husband's shoes in the backyard next to the doggie door. The next day it was a pillow from the couch in the same spot. Last night she must have woke up and took a magazine and a can from the recycling bin and moved them to the same spot outside. None of the items have been harmed in anyway, just moved. Any ideas on why she is doing this and how to stop her? She never does anything while we are home or awake. ~ Jennifer - Posted by: Jennifer

Answer: Hi Jennifer, and welcome to the site.

First of all, let me say it was a wonderful thing you did adopting Lucy, and it already looks like you're making significant improvements in her life.

I can't be certain, but I think Lucy's current behavior stems from insecurity. The objects she is collecting and moving outside all have either your or your husband's scent on them, and Lucy has probably considers that comforting. I think she moves them outside while you're either gone or unavailable because she is taking them with her to wait for you. It's really very touching and speaks a lot about the way she feels about her new family. She probably just worries that you may not come back whenever you're "gone". In time, she should eventually learn that you will come back, and when she does, the collecting will probably stop.

In the meantime, let's try giving her a scented object that she's allowed to have such as a doggie stuffed toy or one of your husband's old shirts. Sleep with it a couple of nights so that it has both your scents and then give it to Lucy telling her she's a good girl. Next, secure all loose items in your home out of Lucy's reach. Hopefully this will help her concentrate on the one item she's allowed to have to help her feel secure.

Thanks for sharing your situation, and I hope this suggestion helps. :) - posted by:Kelly

Question: We have a Lab cross that we got from a rescue center five years ago. She has always been very loving to us and would never miss a chance to sit with us in the evenings. About a month ago, her behaviour changed very suddenly for no apparent reason. She will no longer sit with me or my wife for more than a few minutes before walking into the corner of the room where she stares at the wall for hours. She cannot be coaxed away from the corner with food or attention, and she looks fearful. She gets very stressed by fireworks and loud noises, and this corner of the room is where she normally goes when she hears noise. She does not want to go out at night, but then she will not come back in once she's out. We are very worried for her and would be grateful for any help that you can give. ~ Rob - Posted by: Rob Taylor

Answer: Hi Rob, and welcome to the site.

It's difficult to say exactly what's going on here, but let me share a few thoughts in case they might give you some direction to look.

You mentioned your dog is a rescue. Do you know anything about her life before she came to you? Sitting in a corner facing away from everything else and disassociating can be a sign of depression. I wonder if something happened that triggered memories of her past life that is causing her to behavior somewhat antisocially now? Perhaps you were out with her and she saw a person that looked like someone from her past? Maybe she heard a loud noise that brought up memories of a past trauma? It's really difficult to say.

On another train of thought, there's a possibility that your dog's current unusual behavior is being triggered by a medical condition. There's a type of seizure called a psychomotor seizure, and rather than the typical body tremors and convulsions, it produces periods of odd behaviors, often repetitive. Those times where you dog sits staring at the wall and refusing to acknowledge you might be related to a condition like this, although I think that's a long shot.

I really think the best thing you can do is begin to keep track of exactly when she acts unusually and exactly what her behaviors are. Maybe some sort of pattern will emerge to offer some clues. Call your vet to discuss this abrupt behavioral change and schedule an appointment for a full physical. This might reveal more about the situation.

I'm sorry that I can't offer you more than this, but I do hope you are able to help your pet and get her back to being the loving companion she once was. Please let us know what you find out. - posted by:Kelly

Question: What's the matter with my dog when she is really tired and is pacing back and forth whimpering. - Posted by: bob

Answer: Hi Bob, and welcome to the site.

These are fairly general symptoms, so it's difficult to venture a guess about what's really going on. This could be related to an anxiety issue. Perhaps your dog senses something like the presence of a stranger or another animal outside. It's possible she has discovered something unusual inside the house that is making her feel very anxious. I suggest you take a thorough look around the next time your dog begins pacing and whining to see if you can discover what's bothering her. However, it could be as simple as that she is trying to ask you for something, perhaps to go outside or she needs fresh water, etc.

That said, it is possible that this could be related to a health issue. To be on the safe side, I think you should contact your vet to discuss what you've observed. Try to write down the exact times of day these episodes happen and how long they last. Record any other information you think might be useful, such as how long ago she ate and what kind of food. All of this will give your vet a better picture of what's going on, and it could lead to a diagnosis.

Thanks for sharing your situation, and I hope these suggestions lead to a resolution for you. :) - posted by:Kelly

Question: My two-year-old Poodle mix recently began trembling when she eats. She's also drinking very little water. She's always been healthy and has been vaccinated. I can't tell if she's in pain, but she'll take a few bites and then pace back and forth. Afterward, she goes back to eating while trembling. Is she ill? - Posted by: sue

Answer: Hi Sue, and welcome to the site.

A sudden change in behavior or personality is often a sign of an underlying illness or injury. Your observations do indicate something is wrong with your dog. The most prominent concern at this point is the fact that your dog is drinking far less water than normal. Although the other symptoms may seem far more worrisome, dehydration can make the situation much worse, so it's important to keep encouraging your dog to drink. The trembling you've observed could be due to pain, weakness or a combination of both.

At this point, the very best thing you can do is call your vet right away. The vet will give your dog a thorough exam to try to pinpoint the cause of your dog's illness. This is really the only way to figure out the best treatment to help your dog get well again.

Thanks for sharing your situation, and I do hope everything will turn out alright. - posted by:Kelly

Question: Hello, my dog has been acting rather strange the last few days. She has developed an unusual attachment to one of her toys to the point that when taking her out for our daily walk, she refused to part with it and instead carried it in her mouth the whole time. She is also showing unusual attachments to her other toys, which she has always had but never paid this much attention to. I have returned to work after one month at home. Could this explain her strange behaviour? - Posted by: Claudia

Answer: Hi Claudia,

It is possible that your dog's suddenly stronger attachment to her toys is due to the anxiety she feels over your return to work. However, I wanted to ask if she recently had a heat cycle. This kind of attachment to a toy or other objects is typically seen in females who are experiencing a false pregnancy. I have a Jack Russell Terrier that has had a false pregnancy after two of her first three heat cycles. She has never been near a male dog; the behavior is completely based on hormones. If your female did have a cycle within the last two months, this is probably what's going on. If not, I'd attribute the behavior to anxiety. In either case, there's not much you need to do. Just re-establish a normal routine and try to stick with it. Resist the temptation to baby her because that may reinforce her feeling that something is wrong, and that would only prolong the behavior. Your dog will readjust and eventually treat her toys normally again.

Thanks for your question, and I hope this advice proves helpful. :) - posted by:Kelly

Question: At night when everyone is ready to go to sleep, our dog won't leave us alone. He will jump on our beds and not let us lay down. When we're sleeping, he will wake us up and not allow us to go back to sleep. He will also wake us up like he needs to go outside, but when he is put outside he will either just stand there or refuse go out. Is there anything that could be wrong with my dog? - Posted by: Lisa

Answer: Hi Lisa,

It sounds like you have a real problem on your hands. There could be a number of different things going on here. Let me offer a few thoughts and suggestions.

First, it's possible that your dog is experiencing some separation anxiety while you sleep. Second, there's a possibility that another animal is tracking around your property at night, and perhaps your dog senses this and he's trying to tell you something. It's quite common for dogs to get upset by possums, raccoons and the like, and being nocturnal creatures, people often don't realize a wild animal is sharing their property. This might be something worth investigating.

My first recommendation is going to be increasing your dog's daily exercise. If possible, he should be walked twice a day; once early, once again about two hours before bedtime. This will help keep him active and expending energy during the day so he is more likely to sleep at night. If you can also work in a rousing game of fetch or something similar, that's even better.

At bedtime, everyone needs to keep the amount of activity and their own energy levels calm. Excess commotion will only set off your dog's anxieties. Does your dog have a bed of his own to sleep in? If not, it would be a good idea to provide him with one and forbid him to sleep on your beds. Setting boundaries does help. If he continues to wake you up at night, you'll need to ban him from the bedrooms completely.

Right now, your dog has entire control over the situation. You need to reclaim that control. Although this isn't strictly a remedy for your dog's nighttime behavior, I recommend you enroll him in obedience class if you haven't already done so. This will put you back in the pack leader position, and your dog will be more willing to follow your lead - even when it comes time for bedding down for the night. Just imagine being able to put your dog to bed for the night with a down-stay command. I'm sure you'd all get more sleep. Eventually, this will become a habit for your dog and you'll no longer need the command.

Thanks for your question, and I hope these thoughts and suggestions lead you to a resolution of the problem. :) - posted by:Kelly

Question: Kelly, I have a very upsetting situation that has occured with my four-year-old Chihuahua. I have lived in my apartment for the last seven months. The guy who lives beneath me has a habit of letting his front door slam shut when he leaves and when he comes home from work. I never really paid much attention to it until about a month and a half ago, when for some reason it started to get on my nerves. One evening after hearing the bang from his door slamming shut, I got fed up and slammed my foot down on the floor as hard as I could. I did it the next night as well. My Chihuahua never reacted adversely to the door slamming until the second time I slammed my foot on the floor. That night, she started shaking and stood in the middle of the living room looking around. She was very quiet and did not want to play with her toys. Once I saw the reaction I had caused in her by getting upset and slamming my foot on the floor, I stopped. She is okay right when I get home from work at night and feed her, but immediately afterward she sits in the middle of the living room and shakes and walks nervously from room to room. She doesn't want to play. When she hears him pull up from work at night and hears the beep from him locking his car, she immediately starts shaking and scratching the side of the couch to come up next to me. Just seconds later, she wants down again. When my neighbor shuts his front door, my dog runs over to me or sits in the middle of the living room again, petrified and shaking. I have asked him to stop slamming the door, and he said he would try, but now it is not just his door slamming that bothers my dog. Any sound coming from his apartment beneath causes my dog to pant and claw at me. My vet has given me a perscription for Xanax, and I have been giving her one half of a tablet when I get home from work. She still shivers and shakes when she hears noise from downstairs, she just doesn't do it as long. What else can I do? I do not want to keep my dog on Xanax for the next year until either he moves or I move. In the meantime, she is not the same happy-go-lucky little dog I knew a month ago. I almost dread coming home afterwork because I know we will go through the same scenario again each night. She is miserable and I don't know how to help her. I don't have any kids, so she is my kid, and if your kid isn't happy then you're not happy. Did I ruin my dog? Please help me. My vet has not been terribly helpful. - Posted by: monica richards

Answer: Hi Monica,

I'm sorry to hear about your situation, and I agree with you that long term Xanax use isn't a great option.

In many cases, dogs take their behavior cues from us. As long as you tolerated your neighbor's slamming door, your dog didn't seem to mind it. Now that the noise bothers you, your dog senses your anxiety, and she then feels she has something to worry about too. When you began stomping on the floor to let your neighbor know you weren't happy with the slamming, you inadvertently reinforced the notion with your pet that something was wrong.

Now, you anticipate the same situation each day when you arrive home, and you're accidentally telegraphing that anxiety to your pet, and she is responding to it accordingly.

The very best advice I can give you is to hire a canine behaviorist to come to your home to observe the entire situation. You can usually locate one through your local dog training facility. This professional will observe you and your dog together to identify the cues that result in your pet's anxious behavior. The behaviorist will then offer ways to avoid those cues so your dog won't react so strongly. The key here is to help your dog see again that the noise is no big deal. When her anxious behavior begins, you have to remain nonchalant about it, and try to interrupt the cycle right at the beginning. If you offer your dog a lot of cuddling when she becomes anxious, you reinforce the notion that she has something to be frightened of. Instead, try to redirect her attention to something else. For example, walk into a different room, encouraging her to follow in a calm voice, and then offer her a treat or a toy. You might even decide it's time to go out for a walk. Anything that captures her attention and interrupts the anxious behavior will do. This way, you don't allow her to dwell on the noises coming from downstairs. Make this a regular practice, and I think you'll begin to see results.

Although the situation isn't great right now, I do think you'll be able to turn it around. However, it's going to take concerted effort on your part. Best wishes for a happy outcome. :) - posted by:Kelly

Question: I have a two-year-old Mini Dachshund. Lately, she has been holding a stuffed soccer ball in her mouth after playing with it. She just lays there with it clamped in her mouth and sometimes falls asleep that way. We have two theories: either she is choking her prey to death or she has adopted the ball as her pup. What do you think? And should we take the toy away from her? Thank you. - Posted by: Lisa

Answer: Hi Lisa, and welcome to the site.

I don't think you have anything to worry about here. Your dog sounds like she is just very attached to her toy. It's kind of like a child carrying a Teddy bear. As long as your dog doesn't react aggressively to anyone getting near her ball and there's no possibility she can choke on it, there's no reason to take it away from her. That would likely cause unnecessary stress. If this is a symptom of a false pregnancy, she'll eventually grow tired of mothering her ball.

What you might do is try giving her a couple of other toys for additional stimulation. Kong makes great chewing toys that you can stuff with dog treats, and there are a variety of interactive dog toys that would likely capture her interest. Spreading out her interest would help lessen her obsession with the ball.

Thanks for your question, and I hope this information is helpful. :) - posted by:Kelly

Question: Hi, I have 12-year-old Viszla. He is a wonderful dog, but he has developed a severe anxiety to thunderstorms and rain showers. It has gotten worse in the last year. He attacks and destroys furniture, door frames and electrical appliances, including our computer. If left in one room, he will destroy it, including the doors and walls to get out. It has become very expensive. We tried crating him when we were home, but he totally freaked out and was in the process of injuring himself. We went to the vet and got a prescription of clomipramine tabs, 50 mg. I feel bad having to medicate him now, and the problem is that we have rain every two to three days in the summer. It does not seem to make sense drugging him all the time. My husband and I are at our wits end. We are afraid to leave the house because we don't know what to expect when we come home. We need some advice. Thanks. - Posted by: mlegault

Answer: Hi Mlegault,

Wow, it really does sound as though you have a major problem on your hands. In our article Dogs and Thunderstorm Anxiety, we address a number of ways to help block out the storm, although this probably isn't completely possible when the storms are very heavy.

I agree with you, it's probably not a good thing to have to medicate your dog each day during the rainy season. My question is how effective is the medicine when you use it? Does it dull your dog's reactions at all? Perhpas you can save it for days when stronger storms are predicted.

As I see it, there are a few things that need to be tackled. One, your dog needs more help than just the medication. Since your vet doesn't seem to be able to offer any more help, you might consider consulting a canine behaviorist, typically found through local dog training facilities. The behaviorist will come to your home to observe your dog in action, so it would be best to try to schedule for a day when storms are expected. The behaviorist will offer specific suggestions on how you can help your dog feel less anxious. Some of these might be the same suggestions found in the article I referred you to above, but there may be something unique to your home that the behaviorist can use.

It sounds like crating your dog to confine the damage area is out of the question. So, do you have a room you can use to confine your dog? If so, it is possible to install plexiglass panels to protect the walls and the back of the door when it's closed. You might want to consider shutters for the windows to block out the lightening, and install a high shelf for a CD player you can play classical music on to help drown out the thunderstorms and hopefully soothe your dog a bit. Of course, you'll want to remove all furniture from the room and anything else that it's possible to damage.

One final suggestion that would be far easier than dog-proofing a room would be to consider enrolling your dog in doggie day care during your work days. This would give him companionship during storms, and overall, it would be less expensive than covering the cost of the recurring damage.

I hope you find at least some of these suggestions helpful. Best of luck with your situation.

- posted by:Kelly

Question: My 75-pound, two-year-old Golden Retriever hates to ride in our vehicle. We would like to be able to take him in the car, but he gets out of a harness and a barrier is not strong enough to hold him. What can we do? He is quite petrified. Normally, he is an energetic happy dog, but he is a little skittish about new things. - Posted by: Barbara B

Answer: Hi Barbara, and welcome to the site.

Lots of dogs have anxiety episodes over riding in cars. It's not always possible to cure them of their fears, but here are some suggestions you can try.

First, you'll need to accustom your dog to your vehicle gradually. Take him out and let him sit in it with you in the driveway without even turning the ignition on. Pet him, offer him treats and make it a pleasant time. Do this until he gets in the care with you willingly.

When he reaches that stage, you can turn on the ignition to accustom your dog to the noise and vibration of the engine. Don't go anywhere; just make it another pleasant snuggle and treat session. Repeat this activity until your dog no longer fears the engine.

When you reach that stage, you can progress to a short ride around the block. Harness your dog, and take along a helper to keep the dog calm so you can concentrate on driving.

Repeat this stage until your dog is no longer freaking out over the car ride. If you can reach this stage, you can progress to slightly longer journies.

As you can see, it will take time to allay your dog's anxieties, but it just might be possible to accustom him to car rides.

Good luck! - posted by:Kelly

Question: Hi, Sometimes my five-year-old dog starts continually licking the air and sometimes the carpet and floor. When hes doing it he looks like he's gulping as well. Thank you for any insight you can provide. - Posted by: elaine

Answer: Hi Elaine,

I think the best thing you can do is report this behavior to your vet. This could be a compulsive behavior or perhaps some king of throat problem. However, it actually sounds like this could be a kind of psychomotor seizure. Does the behavior happen periodically? Does your dog seem like he's in his own world when it happens? Psychomotor seizures often present with bizzare behavior such as this, but they can often be controlled with phenobarbitol if this is indeed what's happening with your dog.

I recommend you keep a log of when the episodes happen, how long they last and exactly what kind of behaviors your dog displays at the time. This will give you something solid to hand over to your vet when trying to reach a diagnosis.

Thanks for sharing your situation, and I hope the vet can shine some light on what's going on. - posted by:Kelly

Question: My boyfriend and I recently brought home an eight-week-old Lab/Terrier mix, and she seems really scared. Outside, she behaves very well and is compfortable being around other people and dogs, but after we take her inside she hides under furniture and runs away from us whenever we approach her. She also tries to run away when we go to pick her up. If you have any advice on how to show her she's allowed to be in the house, that would be great. - Posted by: Megan

Answer: Hi Megan,

Congratulations on your new puppy!

It sounds as though the breeders did not do any basic socialization of this pup, and this could be why she is having difficulty adjusting right now. The good news is that it's not too late to reverse the situation.

Try to keep the atmosphere in the house comfortable and stress-free. Play the TV and stereo at low volume so your puppy gets used to the noise. Provide her with a few spots that are definitely her own, such as a bed and feeding station, and don't pursue her too much when she retreats. It will take several weeks before she begins to view the house as her territory too, and this will come as she gets to know and trust both of you. Let her explore a little on her own, but make sure she's not getting into anything that can harm her.

I also recommend you enroll your new pet in puppy classes at your local dog training facility as soon as she has had her vaccinations. Puppy class is all about socialization, and this will give your pup a chance to meet and interact with other people and pups in a safe and controlled environment. It should take some of the fear out of the situation for her.

I hope you find all of these suggestions useful, and best wishes for a wonderful life with your new canine companion. - posted by:Kelly

Question: I have a two-year-old Lab that is friendly and well behaved. However, when there are no people in the house, she will shut herself into any room where there is an open door, and then immediately start chewing her way through the door to get out! This has happened four times now and it's very perplexing and expensive. I have another dog, a six-year-old Rhodesian Ridgeback, so it's not like the Lab is ever truly alone. She has access to a doggie door so she can go outside and run whenever she wants to. This is my third Lab, and she is definitely more destructive than the first two. She was spayed long ago and does well with basic commands. She truly is a great dog, but on the rare occasion that someone leaves a door open when leaving the house, you can bet I'll have to play handy ma'am again! Please help us. My husband and I are at our wits end. Thanks! - Posted by: Michelle

Answer: Hi Michelle,

It does sound as though your Lab has an anxiety problem, and it likely extends from boredom. I don't think there is a single remedy for the situation, so let me give you several suggestions about how you can begin to address the problem, and you can use whichever combination you find most useful.

Have practice sessions. Leave just one door open within the house, and pretend to leave. Come back in a few minutes and see if your dog has already shut herself in. If she has, give her a firm "no" command and remove her from the room. Repeat this procedure as many times as necessary to reinforce that you don't want her to do this, as well as the fact that you'll always come back.
Shut all the doors before you leave to pre-empt your dog's behavior.
Screw a sheet of plexiglass to the back of each door to protect it from your dog's clawing and chewing.
Have an assortment of special toys to leave with your dog only when you go away. They should be interactive as well as highly durable in order to keep her occupied as long as possible.

This won't be an easy situation to correct, but I hope you find these suggestion helpful. Thanks for your question. - posted by:Kelly

Question: My three-year-old Border Collie mix has been throwing up what I would describe as large hair balls. She's also been going around licking the floor of my apartment. It seems like very unusual behavior and I'm concerned about her. - Posted by: Barb

Answer: Hi Barb,

This sounds like unusual behavior to be too. I'm not a vet, but it sounds as though your dog might have developed pica. Pica is a condition that causes dogs, and even people, to eat inappropriate things. I think the hairballs you've seen could be coming from your dog licking loose hairs from the floor, and perhaps from also licking her own coat. Does her coat seem a little thinner lately? Does it show red stains anywhere? These could be signs of compulsive grooming.

I think it would be best to take your dog to your vet for an examination and consultation. Hairballs can possibly lead to intestinal blockages if they remain in the digestive tract. If this does turn our to be pica, the vet can prescribe some medicine that should help control your dog's urges.

Thanks for your question, and I hope your vet is able to bring the problem under control. - posted by:Kelly

Question: We just adopted a seven-month-old Shepherd/Collie/Shar Pei cross. He was raised in a doggy foster home. He has not suffered abuse, however, he has only been with serveral other dogs. We are a family of four teenagers and an adult. We also have three cats. We have been trying to engage him in play, but to no avail. I want to understand the dynamics of how he was raised until now and how to teach him to interact with people. He is very low key and does not bark or growl. He respects the cats; as soon as they growl at him, he backs off. He listens well, knows some commands and is motivated by treats. We have tried to wrestle, but he just goes and lays down. We have tried 'fetch', but my youngest just has to go and get the ball. We have tried playing with a ball, but he goes and puts it in his crate. We have tried playing with a stuffed animal, but he just leaves. He looks interested sometimes, but when we try for further play, he lays down or goes to his crate. I get that this may be due to him being in a submissive role at his prior home. We have been walking him a lot, but our weather is -47 right now. Any suggestions or insight into how to get him to play? - Posted by: Gina Johnson

Answer: Hi Gina,

Congratulations on adopting your puppy. He's lucky to have a home to call his own.

I think more than anything, what your puppy needs right now is time to get used to all of you. Shepherds can be a little stand-offish with people they've only recently met. Your puppy has been through a big change, so it's going to take some time for him to adjust. It sounds like right now he's playing it safe.

Since your pup is treat motivated, you might consider purchasing a toy you can load with treats. Classic Kongs are great for this, and you might even be able to work it into a session of fetch.

The important thing is that you don't try to force your dog into play. It should come naturally in time, but you may also have to accept that this particular dog just has a low key personality.

You might also consider enrolling your new pet in a puppy socialization class. The trainer will observe your dog in action, and perhaps offer tips to bring him out of his shell.

Best wishes. - posted by:Kelly

Question: Beagle-Hound Basket Case! I adopted a nine-month-old "pup" from a local shelter. He had been adopted twice and brought back because he is so neurotic. He hid under my bed the first month that I had him. I have gradually earned his trust, but there are residual problems. It is obvious he was very badly abused (used to flinch all the time, will not tolerate men in general, and hides if I happen to have something in my hand when I call him). I'm guessing he was badly abused as a pup by a man. The problems I need help with are: 1. Overcoming his aversion to men. I did get him used to one male friend/neighbor, but it took months of patience. 2. As soon as any dog comes to my house, he poops anywhere, I'm guessing to show his dominance. How to break him of this? 3. Way too much barking if someone walks by outside. Do you recommend a shock collar for this? 4. And last, if I call him, and he doesn't come (frequently), he'll run and hide. If he is cornered, and I go to get him, he will snarl and snap at me, even after all this time. How do I combat this? He can be a very lovable dog at times, and he has made great strides. I just need some help getting him the rest of the way. Thanks much! - Posted by: Sandi

Answer: Hi Sandi,

First let me commend you on staying the course with this dog. He has obviously had a difficult life, and each return to the shelter has probably been devastating. You are a kind soul to try to help him.

I definitely don't recommend using a shock collar in this situation. They should never be used on any dog that has been abused or displays anxiety behaviors. They can be a good training tool when used according to the directions on a healthy dog, but they would only do harm in a case like your dog's.

Since your dog's fears are deep and persistant, I recommend that you get in touch with a canine behaviorist. This professional will come to your home and observe your dog's behavior. Behaviorists are well versed in picking up on cues that cause the kinds of reactions you see in your dog. Based on these observations, the behaviorist will teach you ways to handle each situation to gradually retrain your dog.

Patience is truly the key here. It will take a good deal of time to undo most of the damage that has been done to this poor animal, and he may never be 100 percent. However, with your love and nurturing, I do think you can help him through the worst of his anxieties and make him a good companion.

Thank you for your question, and I wish you great success. - posted by:Kelly

Question: I need information about what to do when I go out and leave my dog alone. I belive she howls a lot. - Posted by: lucy

Answer: Hi Lucy,

It's difficult to keep a dog from howling when you're away from home. Your dog probably does this because she's bored and missing you. What we need are a few things to help distract her from being preoccupied with your return.

There are talking dog toys that you can actually record your own voice on. Each time your dog moves the toy, it will automatically play your recorded message. The sound of your voice may actually comfort your dog and make your absence easier to bear.
There are also treat puzzle toys you can load with healthy dog treats. Your dog has to work to get the treats out, and this could occupy more of her time while you're away.
Videos for dogs may be another solution. Some pet supply stores carry these products, and the videos are designed to capture your dog's attention with images that would naturally stimulate their interest.
Some white noise may also be helpful for drowning out sounds from outside, such as sirens, that would cause your dog to howl along with them. You could try playing a radio set to an easy listening station set on low.

Hopefully one of these suggestions will do the trick and lessen your dog's anxiety while you're away. Thanks for your question. - posted by:Kelly

Question: My Dog is a Jack Russell, Rat Terrier mix and a little over a year old. She is normally very happy, playful and well adjusted. Today, I went in to take a shower, and when I finished I heard her kind of whine or yelp as if scared or in pain or something. I went out to see if she was okay, and she immediately ran and sat on my feet and was trembling. She has been followng me everywhere today, sitting on my feet and not letting me out of her sight. She is trembling constantly. She is not playful, and not eating as much. Her ears are down, and her normally always wagging tail is down. She won't go in her bed, which she normally loves. She trembles all the time. I think something scared her or she got hurt some how when I was in the shower. I don't know how to help her. - Posted by: Donna

Answer: Hi Donna,

How frustrating it is when we know our dogs need our help, but we can't figure out what's going on.

I suggest you take a two-pronged approach to this situation. First, take a really good look around your home to check for signs of anything unusual. Look under the furniture, and take your dog's bed apart and wash it. Really comb through the place for clues as to what might have frightened or injured her.

I would also schedule an appointment with your vet right away. This could be a physical problem of some sort. Your vet will thoroughly examine your dog by hand, and perhaps run some diagnostic tests if they seem warranted.

I truly hope that between these two suggestions you can find out what is wrong and remedy the situation quickly. If neither route leads to a solution, I suggest you hire a canine behaviorist to come to your home and observe your dog in action. This may give valuable clues about what is causing her to be so frightened.

Best wishes. - posted by:Kelly

Question: I have a four-year-old Golden Retriever (female). She has always been fairly obedient, but has changed recently. I am six months pregnant, and she's been very loving and clingy, sleeping by my bed, following me to the bathroom, etc. That seems to be normal. However, lately she's been wanting to go outside and just play around, not "do her business" and come back in. She'll go out and bark, and when we call her in, she sits in the yard and stares at us. Sometimes it takes forever to get her back inside. We put a sleeping bag on the floor for her to sleep by my bed. She's back there all the time now and will be gone for a couple of hours at a time. Whenever we can't find her, we go back in the bedroom and she is laying on her sleeping bag. She's not acting sick, has plenty of energy and a good appetite. Is this another reaction to the pregnancy? Thanks! - Posted by: Amanda Ranck

Answer: Hi Amanda,

I don't think your dog is sick either. I honestly believe that all the behavior changes you are seeing are related to your current pregnancy.

I'd like you to read our article on Dog Behavior and Human Pregnancy. Some dogs seem very affected by the entire ordeal and seem to sense or smell the hormonal changes in their pregnant human. Many react the way your own dog has, hanging close and being very affectionate. Some seem to be a little confused and lost, leading to other behaviors such as house accidents and destructive chewing.

You don't mention that your dog is having accidents even though she appears to be goofing off outside instead of getting her business done, so here's what I'm going to suggest.

Right now, your dog needs consistency, and she needs to sense that you are still in control of the family "pack". Begin taking her out on a more frequent schedule than usual, as if she were in training again. Go back to giving her a command to potty. If she does so, reward her with praise. If she doesn't, go back into the house quietly with no attention reward.

If she persists in playing games when you call her, put a leash on her when you take her outside. When you command her to come, give a quick forward tug on the leash to accentuate the command. You don't want to drag her, just remind her the command is meant to be obeyed immediately.

Keep the rest of your daily routine as normal as possible, and begin letting your dog smell the items you're storing for the new baby. This way the change won't be an absolute shock when you bring your child home.

Thanks for your question, and I hope you find these suggestions helpful in getting your dog back on track.

- posted by:Kelly

Question: I adopted an approximately four-year-old mutt (Terrier/Lhasa?) three days ago. The shelter picked him up off the street so we don't know his history. He was in the shelter for about 10 days. He follows me everywhere around the house, but all he does is follow me and sleep. He needs to be coaxed to go out for walks. He has not eaten anything since I got him, but he will drink water. Could he be depressed? - Posted by: Cheryl

Answer: Hi Cheryl,

I want to commend you for giving that dog a home. You may never know the trauma he suffered, but it's obvious he's feeling lost right now and feels secure around you.

It's going to take some time for him to fully adjust. It may take weeks or a couple of months, but I'm sure he's going to be just fine.

As for his lack of appetite, when a dog goes for several days without eating it can essentially become anorexic. I recommend that you do a little cooking for him to tempt him into eating again. Once he gets his stomach filled again and his digestion is moving, he should get back on a regular feeding schedule. Try some ground beef and brown rice. Most dogs really love this. If he takes it, you can begin mixing in a small amount of dog food. Eventually he should be back on regular kibble.

Thanks for your question, and please let us know how things progress. I just know that dog is going to become very devoted to you. :) - posted by:Kelly

Question: Hi, my question is regarding my one-year-old female Boxer. Frequently throughout the day, she will come and lean on my legs. It doesn't seem to matter if I'm sitting on the couch or standing at the sink. We also have a four-year-old Maltese mix male that has established himself as the alpha. They get along very well and they rarely "get into it". I have a busy, noisy, happy house with five kids, so there is plenty of attention for both of our dogs. If you were able to shine some light on this it would be greatly appreciated. Her behavior doesn't bother me; it's just puzzling. Thank you so much. Heather G. - Posted by: Heather

Answer: Hi Heather,

It sounds to me like your Boxer has chosen you as her "mom". At one year old, she is still very much a puppy because big dogs take longer to mature. I suspect that she comes to you this way for affection and reassurance. You are her touchstone in a happy and sometimes hectic household. Feel honored and enjoy her devotion. You are one lucky dog owner!

Thanks for your question. - posted by:Kelly

Question: I have a nine-month-old Lab mix. When we are getting ready to leave the house, we reach for a treat and she runs into her crate with her tail wagging. We have never had a problem crating her; she is very good about it. All of a sudden today, she refuses to get into the crate, and even when I physically place her into the crate and close the door, she wants nothing to do with the treat. But as soon as I let her out, she will do anything for the treat again. I have checked the crate twice and there is nothing different about the inside, and there is no soiling. I don't understand why she is so upset? - Posted by: Lisa

Answer: Hi Lisa,

This is puzzling behavior since your dog has always been so cooperative about being crated in the past.

Normally, when there is such a big behavioral change such as this, something has happened that makes a dog suddenly have a negative association with a person, place or object.

Do you crate your dog everyday? I have a long shot theory here, but it may not apply to your situation. If you went out for New Years Eve and left your dog crated, she may have been frightened by the sound of the neighborhood hulabaloo at midnight. In my neighborhood, people are very found of shooting off fireworks, and there is quite a raucous from 12-12:30 a.m. Some of my dogs don't like the racket and others could care less. For this theory to hold any water, you would not have crated your dog since New Years Eve, and this would explain her reluctant behavior now. Otherwise, you would have noticed it when crating her between New Years and today.

Whatever the cause, your dog has developed a negative association with the crate, and you're going to have to work to help her overcome it. I recommend offering her treats inside of the crate without closing the door. Just try to get her to associate the crate with something good again. When she's comfortable going in by herself again, you can enclose her for five minute periods while you are home. Hopefully this will lead to being able to easily crate her when you have to leave.

Thanks for your question, and I hope my thoughts have been helpful. - posted by:Kelly

Question: My son's one-year-old Lab went out last night and came back inside with an injury to his right eye. It was scraped and bleeding. He now acts scared, will not come out of his kennel or go outside. He's not his normal playful self. How can we help him? - Posted by: debbie mac

Answer: Hi Debbie,

There are two things I think you should do right away. First, let your vet take a look at that eye. The scratch may not look very serious, but it could quickly become infected, and could lead to an impairment of the dog's vision.

Second, you need to search your yard thoroughly to figure out what happened. My suspicion is that a wild animal may have moved into the yard, and this could be what's scaring your dog, as well as what caused the injury. Raccoons can be downright vicsious when cornered, but opossums and woodchucks can also cause injury. Check around your dog's kennel, dog house, under your porch/deck, etc.

Thanks for your question, and I hope you find these suggestions helpful. Best wishes for your dog's recovery. - posted by:Kelly

Question: My one-year-old Shi-chon loves to be in the car, but in the past two months she's started to hyperventilate, and she can't sit still in the car after a few minutes. I bought a car seat, but did not try it yet. I need her to "relax". I've tried toys, treats, sit, down, stay, rubbing her back, along walk first... Any ideas? Thanks. - Posted by: Jill B

Answer: Hi Jill,

If I understand you correctly, your dog did use to ride quite well, but she only recently began displaying anxiety behaviors in the car. Let's brainstorm for a moment.

Could she have been thrown from the seat to the floor from a sudden stop? It wouldn't have to have been a near accident or anything. A simple stop could have thrown her if she was on the edge of a seat.
Since she's been riding since before she was fully grown, is there a chance that only recently she was large enough to see out of the window and just discovered that the car is actually moving?
Did the anxiety set in after a trip to the vet?

A scenario like any of these could have freaked your dog out a bit, and would account for her nervousness now.

I'd like you to try a few training sessions and see how your dog reacts. Take her in your car with you, but don't actually start driving. You want to see if she becomes anxious when the car isn't in motion. Even if she does, this will give you the opportunity to casually comfort her and assure her that everything is alright. This is something you can't really do while you're driving.

It would also be wise to begin conditioning your dog to use the car seat, but this may better to do in your home before you move on to your vehicle. You can buckle your dog into the seat for a few minutes at a time, and give her some praise and a little treat for sitting in it so well. Gradually increase the time until you have simulated the length of a short drive.

Once she accepts the car seat, you can try it out in the car. If your dog doesn't seem particulary anxious, you can take a test drive around the block.

Try these suggestions, and let your dog's behavior be your guide on how quickly to progress. If need be, you can consult your vet about the situation to see what he/she suggests.

Best of luck. - posted by:Kelly

Question: Hi, I have a 30-month-old Golden Russian male dog and a one-year-old bitch. She is in heat, and they are mating. My question is about my dog; he is shivering all the time and breathing heavily. He almost seems frightened. I am woried about him so kindly advise me about what to do. Thanks. - Posted by: arbaz khan

Answer: Hi Arbaz,

Are you sure what you're interpreting as fright isn't simply anxiety? Some male dogs get extremely keyed up around a bitch in heat, and what you're describing is similar to that kind of behavior.

If they've already mated, I suggest separating your dogs completely to see if your male's symptoms subside. He will have to be far enough away from her that he can't smell her, so you may have to enlist the hospitality of a friend or other family member until your bitch's season ends.

If you truly feel there is something physically wrong with your dog, it would be a good idea to have your vet give him a check up. Breeding is a strenuous activity, and there's a very outside chance that the trembling and panting could be related to an undisclosed heart defect. Hopefully this isn't the case, but it would give you peace of mind to find out for sure.

Thanks for your question, and best of luck with the situation. - posted by:Kelly

Question: Please clear up this ongoing argument I have with my husband and son. They saY THAT DOGS are afraid of black people if they do not grow up around them. I can not believe that an innocent animal would ever know the difference. My daughter is dating a black man now, a good man, I can feel it in my bones why does she act so weird around him - Posted by: jackie

Answer: Hi Jackie,

Dogs are basically colorblind, so your dog isn't reacting because of that. Your daughter's boyfriend's scent is unfamiliar, and this contributes to why your dog to feels unsure around him. Your dog can also sense the negative feelings coming from your husband and son, so since she trusts them, she believes there must be something to worry about. If your husband and son lighten up, I bet she will too.

Best of luck with the situation. - posted by:Kelly

Question: I have a female Feist. She is two-years-old, but I have only had her for six months. She is a very lovable dog, but you can't get near her with a collar because she will try to bite. She seems to trust me, except when I try to put the collar on her. Any ideas what I am doing wrong? - Posted by: diane

Answer: Hi Diane,

It's less a case that you're doing something wrong, and more due to the fact that two years old is a bit late for collar training.

Chances are that your dog never wore a collar as a pup, or she might possibly have suffered some sort of trauma connected with wearing one. You will probably never know what happened.

I would suggest helping your dog become desensitized to the collar for a while before you attempt to put it on her again. If you can, leave the collar on the floor so she can get used to the way it looks and smells. If you get this far, put it in the bed where she sleeps so she can spend some more non-confrontational time with it.

Progress to having the collar in your lap in the evenings while you're watching TV. Encourage your dog to sit in your lap, but don't acknowledge the collar in any way.

Once your dog no longer seems to have a special fear of the collar, slip it over your wrist while you're petting her. This allows it to come in contact with her, and she'll see it doesn't harm her.

Finally, you can attempt to put the collar on your dog. Realize you may need someone to help you, and it would be better to cover her eyes if she resists. Make sure the collar is loose enough so that she doesn't feel restricted and panicky, but also make sure it isn't loose enough for your dog to get her paw caught in it.

This is a slow and steady process, but I think you'll be able to get that collar on her in the end if you're patient and consistent.

Good luck! - posted by:Kelly

Question: Hello, I have a five-year-old Manchester Terrier. He is very well behaved, but he is impossible to travel with. While on a flight, he barks and cries for hours upon hours. He even scratches his crate. Could you please reccomend a tranquilizor that is very strong and safe to use? Regards. - Posted by: Luke Fe

Answer: Hi Luke,

I'm not a vet, so I am not qualified to recommend a sedative for your dog. I think this is a topic best discussed with your veterinarian.

If you decide to take another route rather than medication for your dog, you might want to check out our article on Herbal and Homeopathic Remedies for Canines. You'll find links to suppliers of these natural products, and I know they have calming solutions that you might find beneficial in your dog's situation. If you give one a try and find that it works, please come back and let us know.

Thanks for your question, and good luck. - posted by:Kelly

Question: Hi there, I have a Rough Collie that came to live with us when she was three. She was a little timid, but with positive training she has become a much loved family pet. However, my father who had been away overseas came over. When my dog came up to him to say hello, they both somehow received an electric shock from each other (which startled both of them). Since this time, she will not go anywhere near him, and she'll do anything to get out of the yard if he is anywhere in the vacinity. How can I teach her to not react? Thanks. - Posted by: Amanda

Answer: Hi Amanda,

Talk about instant conditioning! This will not be a quick and easy thing to fix, but if your dad is willing to put in the time, your dog can be reconditioned to trust him.

There are several routes you can take, but whatever you do, move slowly and do not force your dog to be near your dad or she may become frightened enough to bite.

You can try having your dad give your dog her very favorite treats or food. If you can get her to begin taking these things from him, she may begin to associate him with good things again.
You could also try having your dad spend time with the two of you in an enclosed room that your dog cannot leave. The two of you should sit together and carry on a normal conversation, ignoring your dog. The idea is that she will have time to calm down, and will also see that you are comfortable with your dad and trust him. Do this often enough, and your dog may venture forth to check your dad out. Allow her to do this on her own.

Try these first two suggestions and see if they help. If not, come back and we'll try something else.

Thanks for your question, and good luck! - posted by:Kelly