Behavioral consult & neuter

[Jess & Stewart]

Stew & I had the behavioral consult yesterday. The trainer is the same woman who was our instructor in puppy class. She said he definitely has some mild separation anxiety, but she thinks it was worse from the confinement in the crate, since I said he barely noticed when I left, when he had room to roam. She suggested trying a DAP collar & some calming natural remedies first. If it doesn't get better, we'll try a Thundershirt before moving to meds, if they're even needed.

I also need to start making the crate the best option for him to lay down on & start making him earn time on the couch & bed. I don't need to make him begin using the crate again, but she suggested working on desensitizing him to going in, until he gets at least comfortable with it if I need to use in emergencies, the vet, the car etc. She suggested getting mats used to deter cats from scratching furniture & putting them on my couch & bed. I could try tethering him in my bedroom so he gets out of the habit of sleeping with me, but I'm afraid of him barking at night again, so I may just keep telling him off until he's conditioned to stay on the floor.

We worked on the guarding. She said he's not at all an aggressive dog & is pretty "soft" but isn't confident because I don't assert myself enough, so he's guarding his resources. We worked on greetings & she said she couldn't believe that after a few repetitions that he started looking around for people walking around & sitting by himself! That's our doodle smarts! She loved that he does high five, right/left paws, sit pretty, bow, among others. She said I've definitely kept up training since the class ended, as he has an impressive sit & down stay. She said he should start the next round of classes for distractions even though it may be too easy for him!!

As for the neuter, I attached the before & after pictures. He even gave me a smile before going in. I think the couch picture is just adorable & could even be a CP (at least to me!) He seems to be saying "I don't even want to look at you because you did this to me". although I think the background could be more interesting & you can't see his other eye well. I'm hoping he heals quickly, as I have a party Saturday & one Sunday for my sister's wedding.

[Rosemary (Ro) and Enzo]

Such sad eyes! :(. Glad to hear you got some answers from the consult and a plan to go with it!

[jenn D]

Hugs to Stewart in his cone of shame. I hope things start getting better. Do you have toys that exercise the mind like treat feeding balls or frozen stuffed kongs you can give him when you leave?

[Jess & Stewart]

Yes, now I've started making the Kongs harder & dividing his breakfast between a treat ball & a large frozen kong. It's seemed to help. On Tuesday, when I came home for lunch he still had some food stuck in the bottom of the kong, so hopefully it lasted a long time!

He looks so sad in the cone. It's actually a size too big as the small was too small. Unfortunately he can't eat or drink with it on so everytime I give him water I have to take it off.

[jenn D]

Let me know if you need other suggestions for toys while you are gone. Also has the trainer mentioned leaving a radio or tv on for some noise? Some of our guys are sensitive to a silent house. :)

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

He is just the cutest pup!   I think you are getting the advice you need to help Stew become an awesome doodle.  Good for you being open to change and trying things for him. 

[Julie and Max]

Ro I love the shirt!

[Rosemary (Ro) and Enzo]

LOL...thanks!

[Julie and Max]

Jess I think that you are doing the kongs and treat balls is really great. It really does help to keep them occupied so they don't get bored and lonely. 

[F, Calla & Luca]

I'm glad the consult and neuter went well.

[Barbara B., Sasha & Oliver]

Feel better Stewart !!!

[Lori, Quincy & Frankie]

Such a cutie!  The consult sounded very positive-it will work out,I am sure.  Feel better soon, Stew! 

[Jess & Stewart]

Stew is back to his normal self this morning. He has not tried to lick his incision, probably because he is wearing a medium cone instead of a small, which was too small. I wish it hadn't been as he could have eaten, drank and chewed bones with still wearing it. He's chewing a bully stick now without it on, but it'll go back on when he's done. He's been jumpy this morning, I've carried him up and down steps & tried to barely walk him.

I think he's so uncomfortable. I just tried to put the cone back on because he started licking and I couldn't even approach him without him snapping and growling. I tried to distract him with food, but he snapped and bit me. I have 3 small nicks on my hand, they're barely bleeding but it definitely hurt. My dad had to hold him between his legs and held his mouth closed while I put the cone back on. My dad is now holding him down on the couch while I try to get a paper done for school. I'm going to get some Benadryl later and see if that mellows him out. I wish vets would give more than just pain medication, they should know that they bounce back so quickly and are hard to handle!