Dog Whisperer

Maybe she might need her own family. Have you considered adopting a same breed (or at least the same coat colour) male puppy? Did your neighbours get a new dog recently? My daughter’s St Bernard, Pebbles, nearly moved into the garden when the new dogs moved in with their new owners. What I’ve noticed is that dog’s reaction to other dogs or animals is heavily influenced by coat color and form an instant affinity to similar coat colors. Actually Pebbles was mothered by Anushka, a basset who was on her last days at the time. I think she will feel less lonely and far happier and responsive if presented with her own and like looking furry object of affection.

Big hug to her. :)
 
Just a thought, do you have anything that went to the vet clinic with her, her crate, bedding, leash, toys, etc.
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Yes, her bed went with her. She uses it OK.

I took her to the vet yesterday, mainly about a bleeding tumor, which will be resected soon. He suggested a trial of Valium to see it this would help with her house fear issue. I gave her 20 mg, waited an hour, no help at all.
I carried her inside and tried to distract her in the kitchen with her favorite treat of liverworst (to help get new meds down). She is on an antibiotic and a steroid now for the bleeding skin tumor.
I was able to get her upstairs. Then I put her in the bed beside me. She slept for a few hours. She seemed terrified to leave the bed later. I got her off the bed and she made a mad dash for the front door, so I let her out.
Even with rain last night, I could not get her to come back inside. :(

She did not seem disturbed to be back at the vet office.
 
You could ask the boarding vet clinic if there was something when your dog was there. Did you put something, which went with her to the boarding vet clinic near the door? You could always make / get her an insulated doghouse outside. I hope everything will be fine soon, Yupo.
 
I had no trouble getting her to use the kitchen door or the back door at lunchtime today. She scampered right in. Very strange. Seems to be something about the actual threshold at the front door. She will approach, but not put her nose across it.
 
I`m wondering if the cat was aggressive with the dog in some moment during your absent.Could be a possibility?
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Yes, possible. They chase and torment one another. But at bedtime they seem to get along, so long as I am between them.
 
I've read about success stories using reiki on animals for behavioral problems, anxiety, and so on. Good luck with your furry friend.
 
Here's a good article from Caesar Milan about dealing with a fearful dog. His main points are: don't provide comfort - fearful dogs need strong leadership shown though calm assertiveness to demonstrate that they have nothing to be afraid of.

_https://www.cesarsway.com/cesar-millan/cesars-blog/what-to-do-about-a-fearful-dog

Going off of Caesar's advice, some things to consider could be how you respond to your pup's fear. Are you alarmed, frightened, or uncomfortable because she is fearful? If so, that could reinforce the idea that she has something to be fearful about. Being calm and assertive rather than comforting can provide stability for her. It could be that however you have been responding to her is not what she needs.

I would try to only offer her food insider the door where she is afraid. Be assertive, but calm in telling her to come in. Only place her food down to her once she's come through the door. Show her there is nothing to be afraid of by being confident. If she doesn't respond, close the door. She'll probably scratch again. You might go through the routine again, but I wouldn't do it endlessly. If she refuses and ends up skipping a meal, she'll likely be hungry enough to accept your commands the next day.
 
Renaissance said:
Here's a good article from Caesar Milan about dealing with a fearful dog. His main points are: don't provide comfort - fearful dogs need strong leadership shown though calm assertiveness to demonstrate that they have nothing to be afraid of.

_https://www.cesarsway.com/cesar-millan/cesars-blog/what-to-do-about-a-fearful-dog

Going off of Caesar's advice, some things to consider could be how you respond to your pup's fear. Are you alarmed, frightened, or uncomfortable because she is fearful? If so, that could reinforce the idea that she has something to be fearful about. Being calm and assertive rather than comforting can provide stability for her. It could be that however you have been responding to her is not what she needs.

I would try to only offer her food insider the door where she is afraid. Be assertive, but calm in telling her to come in. Only place her food down to her once she's come through the door. Show her there is nothing to be afraid of by being confident. If she doesn't respond, close the door. She'll probably scratch again. You might go through the routine again, but I wouldn't do it endlessly. If she refuses and ends up skipping a meal, she'll likely be hungry enough to accept your commands the next day.
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I was thinking along the same lines as Renaissance, our 2D companions can be very perceptive of our mental and emotional state. And assertive and calm composure with some repetition can work. If that doesn't work you can also put on her leash and guide her through a few times, with a treat afterwards to reward good behavior once she makes it through, then try to invite her in with food.

Hope this helps
 
Happy to say she came right in the kitchen door this morning, even asking to be let in. Good timing as it is set to get really gold tonight. I'll move her bed and feeding bowls back to this area later today.
As far as only feeding her inside the house, would not work as she easily outsources nutrition in the neighborhood. I have convinced one neighbor to stop feeding and bedding her at night, though.
 
Since you related that the whole thing tracked back to the kennel stay and your daughter leaving, it seems to me that it must be related to that. When our alpha dog, Sebastian, passed away two years ago, my Cherie (collie girl) lost her appetite and began sleeping in his spot and moping about in a very tragic way. She acted odd in a number of ways and we concluded that she was simply depressed. It took almost six months for her to come out of it. And, actually, the rest of us were more or less in mourning for Sebastian that long.

I came across an article a week or so ago:
http://www.iflscience.com/plants-and-animals/dogs-really-can-smell-our-fear-but-it-makes-them-scared-too/

There is an adage that animals can smell our fear: That over-enthusiastic dogs and schadenfreude-loving cats approach people they know are afraid them. A new study has revealed that it’s true – for dogs at least – animals really can smell our fear, and other emotions, and it makes them feel them too.....
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So, since your daughter has left the nest, how do YOU feel???
 
So, since your daughter has left the nest, how do YOU feel???
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Well, it is bittersweet. Very nice to see the children grow and move toward being independent. But things are quiet and lonely now, too. I have the feeling of being in a black hole in the house now. Very unproductive, getting little done. I feel better when I am at work. I work with nice people and my job is mostly enjoyable and satisfying.
The house is now in semi-bad repair, but very livable, after the last hurricane (Matthew) and flood about a year ago. New roof is good, walls are strong. It is kind of depressing as I seldom have people over for this reason. My disposable income is tied up in the girl's education for the next few years. I plan to fix the place, and probably sell it after she finishes school.
 
Yupo said:
So, since your daughter has left the nest, how do YOU feel???
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Well, it is bittersweet. Very nice to see the children grow and move toward being independent. But things are quiet and lonely now, too. I have the feeling of being in a black hole in the house now. Very unproductive, getting little done. I feel better when I am at work. I work with nice people and my job is mostly enjoyable and satisfying.
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Sounds to me like doggums is feeling what you are feeling and reflecting it back to you.
 
Yupo said:
Must work on this. :(
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Well, sometimes you can't help the way you feel. When Cherie was mourning, all of us were mourning and the other doggies too, it just seemed to be much harder on her. All we could do was just keep on keeping on and support each other; so maybe that is all you can do right now? Try to do some nice things for yourself whenever possible. Maybe do a little feng shui in your house? Small things placed here or there?
 
I agree with Laura, be sure of yourself, remember how pleasant and satisfying it is for you that your daughter grow older, grow up, become independent, and create her way. Works to strengthen that thought and not the negative (by the sadness of his absence), that will surely change the energy in the house, and sure the attitude of your puppy.

we are very important for our pets, not only does it matter our attention and affection towards them, but how we feel, that is reflected in them too.


a very strong hug and good luck with your dog
 
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