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Post by puppypal on May 8, 2013 20:27:36 GMT
I have noticed that recently barley has been spooking a lot more on walks, he is spooking at almost everything, bikes people, cars, other dogs, he never used to be like this, he is especially unhappy if someone is walking behind us they will be about 10-20m's behind us and he gets really nervous and anxious until they pass us. This is not like him and he has been getting very dominate with other dogs he sees, and has been growling and lunging at them more often. Dont really know what to do with him, as he is not being aggressive but is very scared and nervous, if you try to stroke him ion this state he will freak out, some advice would be helpful.
Thanks in advance
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Post by cazypops on May 8, 2013 20:36:02 GMT
Don't want to pry, but are you ok in your self? Only if you're feeling upset about something then maybe Barley is picking up on this and it is making him worried.
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Post by AnnaAmber on May 8, 2013 21:43:49 GMT
A while back Amber did a similar thing, spooking over pretty much nothing! We took her to the vets to get her checked over and she actually had a health issue, which once treated, all the spooking behavior stopped. Although this isn't necessarily the problem with Barley, it may be worth getting him checked by a vet on the off chance? A few other things I found helped Amber - a tight fitting t-shirt can make them feel more secure. And you can get some herbal stuff that apparently helps calm them. And I tried out this music on her too, seemed to help! See here I hope that is of some use to you!?! and that Barley is back to his normal self again soon.  |
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Post by CollieSlave on May 9, 2013 10:46:56 GMT
Don't want to pry, but are you ok in your self? Only if you're feeling upset about something then maybe Barley is picking up on this and it is making him worried. Puppypal, this suggestion from Cazypops is worth thinking about. This could be a vicious circle - Barley shows symptoms of fear/nervousness and you will pick up this and be stressed yourself, Barley will then pick up on your body language and subtle signs that YOU are worried about his behaviour, and so things get worse! If this is really a sudden change then perhaps a check with the vet might be in order, but could it be something that has built up with time? Try to keep him on a loose lead, smile at him a lot, talk cheerfully to him - try to show happy friendly behaviour to him, try NOT to let him know that YOU are worried about his behaviour as this will only make matters worse - see if this helps. |
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Post by charlottte on May 9, 2013 12:04:49 GMT
How old is he (I want to say 4?)?
Just as dogs get older they go through cognitive changes and start to slow up.
Alternatively, could this not be linked to him drinking more and the problem with his leg?
Seems a bit of an odd coincidence.
Health problems may make dogs feel more vulnerable and if he's in pain, he will not want people stroking him.
Jasper is a bit more unsure when he has a limp or if he's not feeling 100% but he's never been reactive.
The sudden lunging or growling at other dogs is a cause for concern if he hasn't had any bad experiences with other dogs.
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Post by BorderTerrier on May 10, 2013 17:20:44 GMT
How old is he (I want to say 4?)? Just as dogs get older they go through cognitive changes and start to slow up. Alternatively, could this not be linked to him drinking more and the problem with his leg? Seems a bit of an odd coincidence. Health problems may make dogs feel more vulnerable and if he's in pain, he will not want people stroking him. Jasper is a bit more unsure when he has a limp or if he's not feeling 100% but he's never been reactive. The sudden lunging or growling at other dogs is a cause for concern if he hasn't had any bad experiences with other dogs.Earl had a bad experience in the past and not lunges at dominant dogs. The calm dogs, he's ok with. PP I definately agree that it could be if your feeling down, Barley, at the end of that lead your holding, could sense it and get upset by it. He may be in slight pain because of something - have you checked him over fully to make sure he feels fit? You could ask your vet, trainer, or a professionalist for help if it continues. Where do you leave him when everyone's out puppypal? Could anything have happened to make him scared while he's alone and lasted? I really don't want to get personal, but if I were you I would consider the atmosphere in your home. I am not going to ask questions, but just quietly consider things like this without anyone having to post on the forum about anything like this. I am not saying your home atmosphere is the cause; I would suggest thinking about this to anyone, its not personal, I would say this to anyone with a similar problem, PP. Also consider wheather or not Barley is a sensitive dog all round. You need to consider everything people have commented on this thread; please get back with how things are improving/worsening/same staying |
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Post by charlottte on May 10, 2013 17:59:25 GMT
I don't understand why what I said was highlighted?
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Post by bextull on May 10, 2013 18:19:06 GMT
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Post by BorderTerrier on May 10, 2013 19:15:08 GMT
I don't understand why what I said was highlighted? Because I said about Earl lunging at other dogs because of bad past experience... thats what you were talking about in the highlighted part |
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Post by charlottte on May 10, 2013 20:02:08 GMT
Oh right my bad! I didn't mean that to sound snarky either, I haven't quite got the hang of typing on a touch screen so try and make it as quick as possible  I didn't know Earl had a bad experience! Poor laddie  |
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Post by charlottte on May 10, 2013 20:04:02 GMT
Bextull, nice link to BAT, I love that book!
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Post by CurlyCub on May 10, 2013 20:11:12 GMT
puppypal about the being nervous when people are a few metres behind, are you sure he's not just being cautious? Only Jess gets very nervous and often stops until the person behind gets in front, when they've passed she'll pick up the pace again and try to sniff them. Like others said it may just be as you've been feeling down? I've been feeling down lately and Jess has been sticking closer to me than usual. Just suggestions, I may be incorrect 
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Post by puppypal on May 10, 2013 21:31:05 GMT
AnnaAmber - we have a t-shirt for him and he usually wears it around firework season as he hates fireworks. CollieSlave - i am not worried about his behavior as in the past year or so it has improved dramatically and he is a lot better but this change is very sudden. charlottte - I was thinking it could be along the lines of his legs, they seemed worse today, no he has only had one bad experience and that was with a dalmatian but he is over his fear of them now. BorderTerrier - he is a very sensitive dog, his back legs are still not right but he is not in very obvious pain he should hopefully if i can persuade dad be going to the vet next week as his legs seem to have got worse. bextull - that is a good point, but he should (fingers crossed) be going to vets next week to have his legs looked at and a general checkup CurlyCub - i am at my happiest when on walks with him, i use a 'happy' voice when we meet people/dogs and use a slack lead but held close to him His back legs seem to have got worse today as he is not sitting right and he keeps being reluctant to stand square and will stand with one leg resting
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Post by charlottte on May 11, 2013 7:00:27 GMT
Dogs -and other animals- are very good at masking pain (unless its excruciating) so he might have some pain in his legs but not just show it. It might not be pain, or even linked to his legs but it is a bit coincidental. Hope he picks up soon |
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Post by puppypal on May 11, 2013 7:18:20 GMT
He is very good at concealing pain, he does not even yelp if he steps on broken glass, so we don't know he has hurt himself until we see blood or he starts licking it. when he got bitten he never yelped and we did not know he was bitten until we noticed that he had blood on his fur and was limping
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