Anxiety issues

[hlkwd1]

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Hey,

​

My dog​ is a 9 yr old Cocker Spaniel. She has always been as good as gold, even as a pup but is a bit nervy in certain situations. She doesn't like workmen (particularly window cleaners), loud noises, large groups of people and children. When she feels uncomfortable, she will often take herself to bed or a sheltered corner where she feels safe. If her bed isn't nearby or she is especially stressed, she will hide behind her human. As she has gotten older, she has gotten worse and often likes to hide in one of our bedrooms, despite never being allowed upstairs. She has also taken to barking throughout the night, usually starting around 1am and continuing throughout the night until she wears herself out. After trying everything under the sun to calm her down, including hormone diffusers, bark collars, music, etc., we have discovered the only way to calm her is to allow her up to our rooms where she sleeps like a baby every time. If she is left downstairs to cry it out, she will often wee on the floor (out of fear, old age or protest, I'm unsure). We are very reluctant to keep allowing her to come upstairs but have ran out of ideas which may help. She has also become nervous in everyday situations and will often hide under desks, tables and in boxes for seemingly no reason at all. She has always been a dog who likes her own privacy so this sudden obsession with being near to us is out of character. We have mentioned it to the vet a few times and they have said it could be a variety of different things but so long as she's eating and drinking normally, it wont be anything medical. I can only presume it is a combination of separation anxiety and nervousness but I've run out of ideas on how to fix it!

Please tell me someone has a miracle cure to calm my dog down?! We don't want her to get in the habit of coming upstairs all the time but we need sleep!

 

[sher142]

This sudden worsening of behaviour could be medical - I would ask vet to run bloods to check thyroid function etc. If nothing shows up then ask your vet to refer you to a behaviourist (hopefully a member of APBC) - this should be covered by your insurance.

 

[gypsysmum]

I agree with the above.

In the meantime I would let her be with you but do not make a big deal out of it.

 

[Sandrale21]

Had a similar issue with an American eskimo. Similar to your dog he would bark through out the night until he tires himself out. If we won't let him sleep in our room he would pee under our kitchen table to get our attention. Since my wife is a clean freak this had let to many arguments. We went to the vet and it wasn't anything medical, it had something to do with our dog.

Our vet bought up the idea that it might be an training issue and our dog is acting this way just to get our attention or what he wants. Turns out she was right, we adopted our dog when he was 2 years old so he never had any proper training. My vet recommend us to try out "doggy Dans online training" and assured us this will teach us how to deal with his behavior.. Here is a really good review on doggy dan you should check out reviewyu.com/doggy-dan.html. We tried it suggested dog techniques and to our surprise our dog never displayed this type of behavior again, it was almost like instantly. Turns out our dog saw himself as the so called "pack leader" and just didn't respect us enough to stop this behavior. We corrected his behavior and he is a good dog now.

As for the hiding and the fear that is probably pure psychological, how is your dog now?

 

[gypsysmum]

If DoggyDan thinks dogs are trying to be pack leader then he is well out of date! This theory came from some studies on captive wolves and has been disproved so many times since. They have now done many studies on wild wolves who all live together in harmony and would rather not be the leader if they can possibly avoid it. Much easier to let someone else do all that hard work! It suits our human temperament to think that dogs want to be in charge. They just want a quiet life in a secure environment with regular walks and food and nice soft bed.

If you have ruled out medical issues then your next step should be a behaviourist from COAPE or APBC

 

[Shewbert]

[SIZE=larger]It is now widely recognised by animal behavioural specialists that dogs that use aggression towards humans or other dogs are not trying to be ‘dominant’. Rather, the aggression is usually the result of social confusion, frustration, fear, anxiety or learning. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=larger]Dogs may use aggression as a means to control situations in which they feel frustrated, fearful or anxious. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=larger]Some dogs are unable to navigate certain social and interactive demands placed upon them without showing aggression or reactivity. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=larger]With repeated exposure to such situations dogs can learn that aggression ‘works’ and are more likely to use aggression to control similar situations in the future. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=larger]If your dog is showing aggression, we suggest that you seek help from a credited veterinary behavioural specialist.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=larger]The pack theory was discredited years ago, A dog is not a wolf.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=larger]But I do think where 2 or more animals are in the same home there is a pecking order (not dominence) it is where the dog will do things to other dogs so that he can gain your attention and be first in line for treats, praise etc. (common scenario, you come home, are greeted by the dogs, 1 will fight to get to you first) because he does this it does not mean he is the dominant dog. It means there is something lacking in your training of the dogs,[/SIZE]

[SIZE=larger]Shewy[/SIZE]

 

[Shewbert]

My above post was explaining the pack leader synopsis, but sory it does not help in your situation.

Get your dog checked by the vet as said above, if all clear, then we have to find out why the dog has fairly recently started this behaviour.

She is definitely not a happy dog at the moment, she feels fine sleeping in your bedroom because you are close to her, dont stress her out by putting her into a place that she does not like, you did say that you used a bark collar to stop her barking downstairs, she is a smallish dog, these collars do not always work,,, the dog may think "I go in their, I am punished"

Whether it is the vibrating, or shock collars I personally am adverse towards them.

Every time she hides etc, coax her out with a treat and a friendly scratch behind the ear, if workmen call let her out in the rear garden to play whilst they are in the house, ask the workmen if they do not mind giving the dog a treat, have the dog in your arms while they do this.

If there is not a medical problem, you may never find out why the dog has suddenly changed,

there are no miracle cures except for patience, love and vigilance.

No matter where you are in the house, let her be with you, gain her confidence all over again, when out for a walk try and choose a quietish place first, slowly building up until she walks happily where lots of people and dogs are,

if one of your neighbors or friends have a dog, call them round for a cup of tea and let the dogs run wild in the garden.

This will take time,,,if ever,,, to get better.

Ask the advice of a local trainer, or training school, but I think your dog needs one on one training first as a school situation with lots of dogs and owners might not help a nervy dog.

Patience, lots of love,

Please keep us informed on her progress.

Shewy