Can someone please help with my dog?

foreign_correspondent

try some sardines - dogs love them and they are much richer in omega oils than tuna and lower in mercury too, so far better for your dog!

eta - for a small dog I would just add a small amount, a spoonful mashed up with his food and mixed in, so a tin of sardines should last several days, refridgerated.

linni

Do you have an old piece of clothing to leave in his bed when you go out (cotton would be best in case it makes him itch) and I also have a Kong which I put peanut butter in, it might help distract him for a while when you go out. I also had a bed with a hood on and also put a cushion under a chair because it might make him feel a bit more secure. Also when you go out, try to make it as happy as possible because they sense when you are nervous (I know, easier said than done). Is there another dog near to you that he likes because if you could let them play and walk together it might give him confidence being with another dog that is not scared.

hethmar

Poor boy - has he always been like this? How long do you leave him for? Did he get any socialisation as a puppy? It must be so sad for you to see him so nervy.

Have you any friends with small friendly happy dogs that he could watch and they could help him realise the world isnt such a scary place?

Re his skin, could be his anxiety causing this - what does the vet give him when you go? I have my boys on Royal Canin skin support dry food and I mix in a bit of left over meat or a couple of spoon fulls of some rather nice canned stuff Im getting from Best Pet which is wild venison and rabbit from Germany.

I wouldnt leave his food hanging about too long as it could get bacteria and upset his tum.

I feel very sad for you both, you should be having fun together - have you spoken to a behaviourist?

I wonder if you contacted Many Tears rescue they would be able to advise. They deal with a lot of young dogs who have been used as studs/breeding !!!!!es on puppy farms and often have the same sort of scared behaviour? I would suggest getting another confident dog to live with him but then there is a risk this wouldnt work and you would have an extra problem.

welsh_cake

My sister had a dog and Charlie (my dog) absolutely loved him and this was the only time when we were out that he would be happy and confident. My sister's husband left her in September last year and he took the dog with him and now Charlie doesn't seem him at all. Charlie does have company in the day. i have 2 Bichons, but the one is now nearly 15 years old and so doesn't go for walks at all now (if he does he can only manage about 5 mins then needs to go back home). He is happy in his bed and watching the world go by through the window.

I leave my dog for 4 hours a day. My mother gets him everyday at 1pm and stays with him until I am home from work.

I can't remember what the vet gives him. Its a pinky coloured liquid and i just have to put it on the cut, but then he gets upset because its stinging him. Vet also gives him injections, which do absolutely nothing for him and costs me a fortune. I don't care about the money, as long as it makes him better, but i have got to the point where I don't take him back to the vet now as nothing ever gets done.

He has the run of the house when I am out, so can go where he wants when he wants.

I have just bought some goats milk to see how he gets on with that.

welsh_cake

Yes he was socialised as a puppy, but maybe not as much as i should have. The dogs he played with when he was little are the ones that he always saw, so he didn't really see any "strange" dogs.

Yes he has always been like this, but lately it has become a lot worse.

hethmar

Have you got pet insurance on him? Does it cover alternative treatments and behaviourists?

When he is with your mum - does she say how he behaves? I really think you need to find some gentle fun companions for him to walk/play with.

welsh_cake

Yes my mother says that he's hard work, but I know he likes going with her. If i go away for the night and she has him for me she always says she didn't get any sleep because he wouldn't settle.

I do have insurance, but I will have to check the terms of what he is covered for.

hethmar

He seems to have become too attached and reliant on you. You do need to seek advice how to introduce him to dog life with other dogs.

1sue23

welsh_cake wrote: »

The problem I have is that he hates even going for a walk. if we go out, his tail goes in between his legs and he is looking around as if he is waiting for someone to come out and grab him and hurt him. With regards to sitting in a busy area, i am too afraid because he will snap at people if they get too close to him.

I have no ideas where these problems came from, as i had him from a puppy and things just seem to be getting worse.

I sometimes look at him when we are in the house and he looks so sad. I hate to think that he isn't enjoying his life, but the fact is that he can't really be happy because he is so attached to me. I think I need to get him back into the training again, but seeing him sitting there shivering and petrified makes me sad.

The border collie I am fostering is the same her tale is between her legs the worse thing you can do is take her to busy areas ,take her to somewhere where you can sit and watch the world go by at a distance ,go with plenty of goodies that she likes ,I keep my collie on a loose lead and allow her to move forward at her own pace ,if you force her into situations she is not happy with you will make her problems worse ,compare your dog to a young child afraid of clowns ,and slowly build up trust as her pack leader it is up to you to protect her and she will look up to you lead ,with the collie I have I know she is afraid of men and so if one approaches I stand in front of her until he has past by always be relaxed yourself and confident it will be a long time until she improves but if you go slowly she will ,don't feel sorry for her and do not reward fearful behavior you will make her worse ,gentle reasurance is fine .

welsh_cake

Oh gosh I don't think I realised how serious this was. Think I am going to try to find someone to help me deal with this. All I want is for him to be happy.