Hello it is me Denny and today is all about MEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!! I am all grown up now and becoming quite the educated doggie .....like Weilly...... but for some reason this big old world REALLY scares me! It doesn't scare at Weilly at all and I am trying to be just like him, but for some reason it just isn't working. I see monsters and scary things EVERYWHERE!!!!! Mommy has tried soooooo hard to help me, she takes me with her when ever she can, she introduces me to new people and new things all the time (which I don't like at all but that she says is good for me) and she has been trying really hard to teach me all the things Weilly knows BUT I am so scared of EVERYTHING ALL THE TIME that I can't even focus on mommy enough for a few seconds to learn what I need to learn. She says I am constantly looking around and worrying and even a treat won't hold my focus - no matter how yummy it is.
Mommy says she KNOWS I am smart and could easily learn all the stuff Weilly knows but we just have to figure out a was to get past all my scarries. So mom is wondering what others have tried? We don't have any holistic vets here so mom is thinking about talking to Dr. W (my dogtor) and seeing if some relaxant medication would help. Mom is a bit worried as she doesn't want me snoozing all the time or 'zonked' out as she calls it....but we don't know what else to try.
We have tried the calm collars, aroma therapy and natural medications but in all honesty they didn't make the SLIGHTEST difference. We have tried some different foods, vitamins etc......but nothing. Mommy is getting very upset and worried because she says it just isn't right that I can't enjoy life .....yes, even going for a walk in the park with all the wonderful smells scares me. Mom has even tried taking me on paths where there are no peoples or other doggies...but even a twig snapping or leafs rustling have me so scared that I am constantly looking around all worried.
We have tried the calm collars, aroma therapy and natural medications but in all honesty they didn't make the SLIGHTEST difference. We have tried some different foods, vitamins etc......but nothing. Mommy is getting very upset and worried because she says it just isn't right that I can't enjoy life .....yes, even going for a walk in the park with all the wonderful smells scares me. Mom has even tried taking me on paths where there are no peoples or other doggies...but even a twig snapping or leafs rustling have me so scared that I am constantly looking around all worried.
(Note from mom) I am taking Denny to to dogtor today to see if what is happening is a follow on from the neurological reaction he had to the Certifect. Many of you may remember how we called Denny "the honey badger" when we first bought him home as he was fearless and would take on anything. These days he is the total opposite and it is so heart wrenching to see my little boy living a life of fear.
If you have any suggestion we would love to hear them as Denny is just the sweetest little boy and we want him to love and enjoy his life - not be afraid of it.
I don't know what to suggest. Looks like you have tried many things. I hope to vet can help out.
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
goose
We sympathize with you as Lightning also has a lot of fears. He is slowly improving. You are doing all the right things. The one thing Mom wonders about is his hearing - could he have super sensitive hearing? Maybe it is some sort of problem from the Certifect affecting the nerves in his ears?
ReplyDeleteWoos - Phantom, Thunder, Ciara, and Lightning
I have medication for Koira to help her out when she is going to be in a situation with a lot of large trucks, traffic, etc. I even wrote a post about it a while back. http://mylifewithflyballdogs.blogspot.com/2012/04/working-through-fear.html
ReplyDeleteHowever, Koira's fear is very specific, and it doesn't affect her entire life. So instead of getting a long term, daily medication for her, we just found one that would work long enough for training sessions to train through the fear.
For Denny, it sounds like that long-term daily medication would be the right choice. Hopefully the vet agrees and can set you guys up with something that will help. Of course there are possible side effects to any medication, but I think they would be worth the risk to save your pup from living in fear.
Good luck.
Our second Sheltie, Tess, was the dearest of poochies to me. She followed me EVERYWHERE. But she was skittish and nervous. On walks she was fine and I would take our other Sheltie Heidi using a coupler lead. They seemed to both have the need of each other on walks.
ReplyDeleteAnyway...We accepted the fact that she was a nervous dog. Around just her family all was well but bring an outsider in (young or old) she would pace the house, back and forth constantly. She would yip or bark and pace.
On the plus side she was my companion like no other. Licking my hand, always by my side and very smart. I miss my little Tess who passed away much to soon at 7 1/2 years of age......many years ago but always in my heart.
Gosh, we don't know what to suggest, Denny. We just hope your vet can help you out. Being scared is no fun!
ReplyDeleteLove ya lots,
Mitch and Molly
Oh boy, can I relate. Denny sounds so much like Oreo.
ReplyDeleteOur behaviorist tried putting Oreo on prozac, but it elevated his liver values, so we had to stop the meds. I do give him xanax for times when I know he will be unusually stressed (vistors over, etc.). However, that does make him a little bit clumsy.
I hope your vet can help you fins a med that works for Denny.
I highly recommend reading Debbie Jacobs' book, "A guide to living with and training a fearful dog". She also has a website and a blog. She really helps put things in perspective for me.
http://fearfuldogs.com/books-consultations/
She also recommends trying medication sooner rather than later.
Oreo, like Denny, has global fears (fearful of everything), which makes behavior modification very difficult. If he was only afraid of men with beards, that would be easier to desensitize. Therefore, I simply try and micromanage his environment as much as possible. I've learned to never force him to do anything, or put him in a position where he will be uncomfortable. Letting him make choices about things really has helped, i.e. he can stay in the car while Chewy goes out to play with his friends. Minimizing as much daily stress as possible enables Oreo to cope with unavoidable stress (trips to the vet), much better, because he's less "on edge". We do a lot of work on giving him tools to cope as well, so he knows what to do when he starts to feel scared.
It sounds like you are doing a great job with Denny, and I hope you can find a way to help him realize that the world doesn't have to seem so scary. Hang in there, I know how tough it can be to see a dog stress out when you are simply trying to do something most dogs would find fun.
My second Sheltie was very nervous, not of new places or sounds though but people. I just kept taking him to the same places and he learned to relax as long as I didn't let people crowd him he was fine.
ReplyDeleteplease dont be angry
ReplyDeletebut we have seen mr cesar milan do miracles on doggies.
i think he could help little danny to uderstand that his family will always protect him and that nothing can harm him.
so,perhaps you could ask him for help?
anni,the foxbrothermomma
Denny, I hope the dogters can help you stop worrying so much. Leave the worrying to the humans! Us dogs got to live life to the fullest!
ReplyDeleteOh wow, I really learned a lot reading this post and others suggestions. Hopefully the vet will give you some answers.
ReplyDeletePoor Denny! I sure hope the vet can suggest something. Gloria is fearful of loud noises or quick movement. I hope you get your little guy sorted out! :)
ReplyDelete