Advice needed

han2505

Also,

Just wondering if my dog being so nervous would affect the other dog? or do you think it would help her?

Thanks

oystercatcher

Hello again,

I'm not an expert but think it wouldn't really matter what breed you just need to find a dog that your existing dog will get on with. I've seen all sorts of unlikely matches in the dogs we meet when out and about. If existing doggy is nervous then you need to make sure that new dog isn't too bouncy and dominant. They will work out between themselves who is Boss Dog you just need to make sure that the nervous dog doesn't feel overwhelmed. When I'm out and about with my two there are some dogs they obviously feel a complete rapport with and they all want to rush round playing and other dogs they are just not interested or are very nervous of. So the only way to find out would be to take Collie along to Dogs Trust to meet and decide.

Dogs are pack animals and enjoy company so I'm sure Collie would love a friend if you can find the right one. It may help him become less nervous but wouldn't have thought there would be a huge personality change, like us I think they are just made to be a certain way !

Be prepared to wait a while until the right dog turns up it may take a few visits .

Enjoy choosing. My trouble would be I would want to take everyone home from a rescue centre, I think I'm too much of a softy!!

Oystercatcher

foreign_correspondent

How does your dogs nervousness display itself - does she bark, chew etc when left alone?

han2505

She is very playful and friendly with us and people, but she hates being left alone, wont come to you will sit on her bed and just look depressed lol!!

She is worse when trying to dry her, she hates towels, backs into a corner, (doesnt bite or bark) just tries to get away and then will avoid you for as long as possible.

As proven last night, she went to the Vets to have her booster and the Vet wasnt able to get anything done, so were having to go back another couple of times for nothing to be done so she gets used to it, as she wouldnt even let her near her to hear her heartbeat, she was (literally) sat on my head trying to get away.

She seems to be so scared of everything. It's strange as we have had her over a year now and although she has improved, she doesnt act like this in the house, well she does when we have to dry her........

She doesnt chew, bite etc which is good I suppose but we have taken her to classes and she is great with other dogs if not a little boistorious and acts like a child.

We dont know what happened to her previous to us having her so its hard but it makes us feel useless even though were doing as much as we can.

Hope that all makes sense x

oystercatcher

If she gets on with other dogs then I'm sure she would love a friend.
It sounds like something horrible must have happened to her at one time.

My Beryl loves going to the vets as she went to their 'Puppy Parties' when she was tiny and she always thinks she's going along to have some fun! Dennis went to the same classes the following year but wasn't impressed and he remembers the Vets can mean nasty experiences so he sits and trembles in the waiting room!

Oyster

foreign_correspondent

If you do go for another one, you need a laid back dog with her - two nervous ones together could wind each other up. Ask the DT for advice, explain your dogs behaviour, observe her with other dogs and think carefully beofore you do anything.

Is your dog left all day whilst you are at work? Does anyone walk her at lunchtime?

han2505

We walk her in the morning before work and my partner comes home at lunch to see her, and we also Pay someone to walk her as well.

I think we may as well go to Dogs Trust and have a look and see what they have there, then let them know how Holly is and see if that dog would suit her or not. Think we need one to calm her down a bit.

Really want to get a puppy but think it would be cruel to leave it all day and would get nowhere with training. Will see what they say though x

foreign_correspondent

If you leave a puppy in with your nervous dog, the up will be a nightmare, it will pick up on the other dogs anxiety and may well become very destructive/loud/nervy - which will add to the stress of your dog.

Also as you say a full time working home just is not suitable for a pup and its less than ideal for most dogs.

Personally, I think your expecation of another dog is far too high 'we need another one to calm her down' - it may well not calm her down, it may add to her anxiety. Two nervous problematic dogs would be a nightmare to deal with.

I think you need to be addressing some of the anxiety stuff first - for example, if she does not like being towelled dry you need to work out a way to get her over that.

Start of by regularly introducing her to the towel, perhaps stroking her gently with a corner of it for a moment, whilst praising her and giving her a treat, making the towel something that she associates with fun and postive things, and gradually buidling up her exposure to it. Perhaps start by touching her with a corner for a few seconds, then a little longer, then draping it iver her back for a moment - do this on a regular basis till she is happy being patted and rubbed gently with the towel (whilst dry) then try gently drying her with it.

Do this over a period of time though and be gentle, positive, and full of praise and treats!!

Collies do tend to be intelligent and highly strung and need a lot of exercise to feel chilled and calm. We think my mums dog is a collie lurcher and she needs a minimum of an hours fast, intense running (after a tennis ball generally) before she is anywhere near chilled!!

han2505

I know I think I have only ever seen Holly tired once.

Believe me Holly is a LOT better than she was when we got her, now I can dry her for a few seconds which is miles off her not going near it. Part of me thinks that she isnt frightened of the towel but of being touched when she is wet.

I dont want to make her more nervous and so until we are sure that we have found the right companion for her we wouldnt even consider it. I dont want to make her worse but at the same time if it will help even just a little then i am willing to try.

Holly gets so much attention and praise when she is with us, you might even say she is spoilt, but we are firm with her as when she had conjunctivitus trying to get the eye drops in was a nightmare.

foreign_correspondent

Good, I a glad you will not be rushing into anything here - sometimes two dogs can be less trouble than one - but not always. The general advice is that dogs that are very different are less likely to fight - so male and female, different sizes etc. However, you will not know the dynamics until you see two dogs together.

My small dog bosses my mums large, young dog about, and although they generally get along very well they have to be watched around food as squabbles have broken out in the past!

However, I would probably be thinking about looking for a very stable, chilled out dog so as not to escalate your dogs anxiety.