Tuesday, June 12, 2012

My HAPPY boy

Blog from Mom today

I am amazed! That is the only way to describe the difference in my little Denny since we started him on Clomicalm. For the first time EVER he actually came to me by himself wanting a cuddle! He no longer backs away when you reach out to pat him, he no longer barks like crazy at every new or different thing. I can take him for a walk without him looking around terrified the whole time and he is starting to focus more when we do some training routines. He is also eating less now that he doesn't have all that nervous energy to feed. He just IS a much happier more relaxed little guy now.

I know I have mentioned how he was scared of everything but I really can not begin to describe how bad it was - he reacted for all the world like he was abused dog - fearful, scared, terrified at times, timid, worried all the time - it was like he was constantly looking over his shoulder because 'something' was going to get him and he was always on edge. Now, we got Denny at 10 weeks of age so I KNOW for certain he was never abused - a few stern warnings is the most he has ever received - so why he was behaving this way was such a mystery.

YES - shelties can be hyper and shy and timid - in fact one of my previous shelties was that way so I knew there was a difference here.....but this was definitely beyond that. It was breaking my heart to see my little guy so fearful of living and although it seemed extreme we had to try something - so after much discussion with the vet we decided to try this anxiety medication as he thought Denny's problem definitely seemed to be more a chemical imbalance. I should mention though that the 'normal' things lots of dogs get scared of - like storms, thunder, sirens as such - they don't bother Denny at all. We had a huge thunderstorm last night with thunder clapping right overhead and lightening flashing at every window.....and all the doggies just slept through it!!!!!

Clomicalm is actually one of the few anxiety medications made specifically for dogs and cats and has worked wonders for Denny. It hasn't made him sleepy or drowsy in ANY way, he still plays like crazy with Jackson and I actually see him taking time to sniff at scents now - something he has never shown any interest in previously. All round - he is just a much happier and normal doggie now.

20 comments:

  1. Oh Little Denny!! We are so happy you are feeling more like a happy-go-lucky little guy!! Life can be so much FUN!!

    -Bart and Ruby

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  2. That's wonderful to hear! I hope that Denny continues to improve with time.

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  3. Understand that feeling, being abused myself, terrible, but with great peeps all will get well. Hope the meds do the job.

    Your buddies, Susie & Bites

    Pees, please check out our latest postie

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  4. Awesome that you found something to make everyone - and especially Denny - a whole lot happier! Anxiety, for dogs or peeps - is more common than we think.

    Enjoy life Denny!

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  5. So glad Denny will be able to relax and enjoy the world. Get out and sniff, sniff, sniff, Denny.

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  6. That is just so wonderful. I t sounds like chlomicalm was just what he needed. Big smiles all around.

    Woos - Phantom, Thunder, Ciara, and Lightning

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  7. That is incredible good news! So happy that Denny is more relaxed and less fearful. Keep on sniffing Denny.

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  8. What a wonderful post to read! We are so very happy for you, Denny!

    Love ya lots,
    Mitch and Molly

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  9. So glad to hear Denny is doing so well now!

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  10. I am glad it worked for you and him!

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  11. Oh, I am so happy that the new medication is working for Denny and he is a happy little guy! :)

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  12. That is just wonderful. I am happy that you found something that helps him.
    Blessings,
    Goose

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  13. He certainly looks happy in that picture! Hmmm...we had a thunderstorm too..and Katie and I were up for 2 hours at 2:30 a.m. because she needed to bark at it to MAKE IT GO AWAY! I don't know if that is anxiety or just her taking charge...because you know, eventually with her barking it DOES go away! Maybe I should look into this. For all our sakes! :)

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  14. Great news -- glad Denny is feeling better!

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  15. So happy for you and Denny! He looks so relaxed in the pictures .

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  16. Hi, I had a sheltie brother (Jetta) and a bossy sister sheltie named Tuvia. Actually, Jetta and Tuvia are real brother and sister. Tuvia has always been self-assured, confident, assertive while Jetta who joined our family some 5 months after Tuvia showed up was anxious, timid and fearful outside in the real world so my dad spent alot of time with him, walking him around busy malls, getting him to sit stay until he finally got over his fear of the world.

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  17. Wow, that is just so wonderful. I'm so happy for you all.

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  18. Pawsome. We are so happy that he is feeling better.

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  19. I am so glad you have found something for Denny. I am in a similar situation with my sheltie, Romeo. It has been a struggle his whole life and it's frustrating because I love him so much! I have recently started him on clomicalm, how long did it take before you noticed improvement?

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