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Post by belladad on Nov 17, 2015 17:51:19 GMT
Last night, whilst my 3 year old Goldie, Bella, was deep, deep asleep on her mattress, I tripped and stumbled into her. She shot out of her bed and into the garden. It took ages for me to get her to come in. This morning, she refused to get into the car to go to her favourite Play Date with her pals, eventually, using various treats, I got her in (never a problem before). All went well at the play date, she showed no signs of pain or injury etc and we returned home ok. However, she won't now come near me, doesn't run away, just keeps her distance, so much so that she refused to come in the house all afternoon, just sat in the garden looking towards the house. Finally, I coaxed her in, but although I can approach her, she now is very hesitant to come into the living room. This loving and sociable girl, who usually just has to be in the same room as you, is keeping clear lying in another room rather than with us. Apart from acting normal, I am worried she associates me with that fright she had. Any thoughts?
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Post by caz2golden on Nov 17, 2015 19:03:31 GMT
Is she a typical Golden? Life is run by her tummy? Get some really high value treats and sit in living room, then say something that usually means you have something she wants i.e Look what I have or whats this, show treats and see what happens, if she stands there and refuses toss a treat across the floor and wait, toss at shorter distance till she is eating out of your hand. You might have to repeat over a few days but worth a shot. Alternatively what about exciting games, chucking and squeaking her favorite toy, perhaps playing find it around the house. What about feeding her dinner in living room? Golden's can be sensitive souls so patience is probably the key. You will win her over. The more you worry the more she will sense it and so that could be counterproductive. Hope something I have put will give you some ideas. Good luck
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Post by cazypops on Nov 17, 2015 19:11:13 GMT
I was going to put exactly the same, but caz2golden beat me to it. Hope it works. Let us know how you get on.
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Post by belladad on Nov 17, 2015 19:30:21 GMT
Thanks caz2golden and cazypops, we're trying to have a 'normal' evening, we've got her 3/4 into the living room, at least she looks as if she's resting. I am now going into worry mode about whether I can let her go off-lead if she is this "skittish", up to now not a problem with excellent recall - I don't want to transfer my anxieties to her! One calm day at a time (not too calm or she'll get suspicious
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Post by orpheous87 on Nov 17, 2015 20:49:37 GMT
Have you got a long line belladad? That could give you peace of mind while letting Bella have her usual freedom on walks.
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Post by belladad on Nov 18, 2015 8:45:37 GMT
Hi orpheous87 yes still have her long line...she's been out for a short lead walk as usual with her mum. But, now back home, she's lying in the kitchen and seems to prefer there rather being with me. I can approach her, even sit beside her and stroke her, but she is not coming close any time soon. This is breaking my heart; my girl who'd usually lie near me keeping her distance. Although her appetite seems ok, and she's peeing and pooing fine, and she ran around at yesterday's play date, I wonder if perhaps she is in physical pain?
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Post by lotsofcats on Nov 18, 2015 10:21:15 GMT
Poor Bella - obviously she was really frightened - I think she will come round but in her own time. Upsetting for you though - just tell her you love her lots and giver her little treats.
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Post by orpheous87 on Nov 18, 2015 19:36:15 GMT
Oh, bless her. She must have been out for the count when you caught her. I'm sure she'll come round too, I just think you're going to have to be patient with her and let her come to you in her own time - as hard as that is! I think if you keep trying to get her to come round, you might prolong the issue. caz2golden has probably given the best advice to follow but if she's still seeming reluctant, maybe try going about your day as normal and semi ignoring her? I've never had any experience with an issue like this, I'll admit, but trying to think of what I'd do in your situation. Hope she's back to her old self soon!
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Post by caz2golden on Nov 18, 2015 19:40:22 GMT
If you honestly think she hurts is it worth getting her checked over by vet?
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Post by smilesbetter on Nov 18, 2015 19:41:02 GMT
Sorry to read this, it must be heartbreaking for you. I was worried this would happen with my Rosa when I broke my ankle while holding her and was screaming to my man as I slid down against the wall to put her down. Thankfully she didn't seem to mind though miraculously. However this did happen to my mum as she stood on my cats tail once by mistake and the cat was very wary of her afterwards, but as mum feeds her every night the cat gradually got less frightened of mum walking around and seems to now get in the way of her feet just as much if not more than ever before. So I agree with what everyone else says, you should be the one feeding her, and make sure to give her lots of high value treats and play her favourite games etc with her. She will be cautious at first as she doesn't know why you hurt her (obviously unintentionally but she won't know that) and she maybe thinks she has done something wrong, but if you continuously invite her to join you, play with her and provide her with the love and care you always have, she will eventually realise that it was a once off.
Personally I wouldn't try to go on as normal to begin with, I'd make a big fuss over her and give her plenty rewards, especially when she is in her bed as she may associate that with the accident and be particularly worried there.
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Post by migsy on Nov 18, 2015 20:00:00 GMT
My late F.C.R. was taken out with our other B.C.and family members dog. The two bitches had an altercation over a ball,which can happen some times.The heavy handed family member shouted,but I suspect he hit her,which she had never experienced from anyone before.I knew there was more to it as she wouldn't go near him,and refused to even look at him.She looked away each time he tried to make amends or speak to her.She really made him feel like s***e which I was pleased about as I was very angry he had hit my dog. When I have accidentally trodden on Skips foot,I have apologised profusely and cuddled him to let him know it was an accident,sadly you didn't get the chance to do that as Bella shot off.Just be very kind and gentle with her,and you have to gain her trust again,all she knows is she was shocked and hurt when you fell on her,but she doesn't understand why.
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candy
Settling in well!
Posts: 62
Animals I love: ALL ANIMALS...
Pets I own: CANDY ....MY FLATCOAT RETRIEVER....MY BABY.... x x
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Post by candy on Nov 21, 2015 14:09:11 GMT
HI how is Bella with you now... ? i have a retriever too... my girl gets upset if someone even talks loud indoors... so i see that your girl must be a little confused and upset with you right now... bless her.. bet she is longing for a cuddle with you right now.... .... The one thing i can think of that i do when we are on beach and she sits down and refuse to move when its home time... is i sit down on sand too... start to get treats out of my bag.. and i dont even look at her... she then comes flying over to me... tail going licking me as if she hasnt seen me for hours..... ... i roll round with her then give her treat... works every time lol.. .. maybe if she see you sitting on floor down in her space with her she may come see whats going on.... .. plus you will have all the lovely high value treats.... you could watch t.v on floor for a time if she doesnt come over at first... if shes a real cuddle bunny sure she come over to you.... hope she does... i understand how upset you must be.... let us know how she is...
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Post by scallywag on Nov 21, 2015 16:04:40 GMT
Maybe its not so much you but the room she now associates with the shock she got ? Just a thought. Perhaps sit on the floor where it happened and do what others sugested, ignore her but bring out some tasty treats see if she comes to you and sits with you, if she does then spend time stroking her .
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Post by belladad on Dec 12, 2015 11:11:43 GMT
Apologies big time for not replying to you all sooner..."life" sort of got in the way. Anyhoo, update: Had Bella at our weekly class, and she still wasn't dropping into the 'down' position. Our trainer suggested a highly regarded holistic vet. So we saw him and he did his McTimoney manipulation magic and identified a pulled muscle in her lumbar spine region, then showed me how to do a massage down the length of her spine, which I do every day. Suffice to say that my girl is back, following me round the house as usual and is back on her memory foam mattress.
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Post by scallywag on Dec 12, 2015 11:33:00 GMT
Ohhh poor Bella do you think she pulled it when she pulled away from you when you tripped? Bless her she must have been in discomfort ? Can you come and massage my neck/ sholder area for me ? Mines really giving me gyp LOL Glad you got to the bottom of it all {{{HUGS}}} belladad
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