Doodle Anxiety, Fear , and Mental Health Issues

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Comment by Esther and Joey on January 8, 2012 at 7:46pm

Thanks for the advice Christine. I think you're totally right. I started doing this new thing a couple of weeks ago where I'll talk to Joey and act like we know the stranger that has approached us by saying stuff like "who is it? you know who this is". Joey then wags her tail and is open to the stranger. This has worked about 50% of the time. And I'm planning on enrolling her in a CGC training class as soon as one is available in my area.

Also, what does kelp do?

Comment by F, Calla & Luca on January 8, 2012 at 1:57pm

I can't imagine why kelp would help anxiety.

Comment by Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie on January 8, 2012 at 1:31pm

At Christine's suggestion I began giving our Springer kelp.  He still chews on his side and paws but he doesn't have dandruff at this time. It hasn't helped his anxiety at all. :-(

Comment by Lauria Orr on January 8, 2012 at 9:34am

Kelp?  Does that help, and if so, do you know how? Melody still has anxiety as well, although the thundershirt, or any type wrap/vest seems to help her feel swaddled and more secure. It is not a cure-all by any means. She had a traumatic incident as well, with a vacuum cleaner and our house cleaner. I am still very upset about that. I think she was just fearful to begin with and we got her at almost 6 months of age.

Comment by Christine & Camus on January 7, 2012 at 7:07pm

I adopted Camus at ~ 12 months old.  Long story shortened -- he was afraid of all people, worse with men.  When walking him noises, shadows and sudden moves would startle him and he was fearful at the dog parks.  I did two things that have helped, 1) he goes to work with me and when he backed away and hid from anyone I went and got him had  him sit and asked the person to pet him on his neck (not his head since he was very head shy).  I also taught him to shake so he also had to give his paw to shake as well.  This was a slow process since I did not want to exacerbate the problem. 2) I added kelp to his diet.  He is at least 80% improved, but will slide on occasion.  He is 100% with other dogs.  Every situation is unique, given every animal is unique, but there is hope.  And I think the opportunity I had to expose Camus on a regular basis to a consistent group of people at work was a tremendous help.

Comment by shelly on January 7, 2012 at 3:11pm

Ginny - do you think this is something in-born or they learn it from situations in their life?  I have been writing about Tori's "issues" practically since we started here.  And although she has gotten better, she is FAR from how I would have liked her to be.  Like every "good mom" - I blame myself for not exposing her to things earlier -( I was afraid she would 'catch' something from the outside world).  BUT I still have in my mind - clear as day - the very first time I brought her anywhere - she was only with us about 3 days and I brought her to my parents' for Memorial Day BBQ... My sister even commented on how 'odd' she was always shaking and hiding... of course I was really mad at her, but more recently, I realize that - perhaps she was on to something. We took her to classes and she just froze and wouldn't move, trainers here and there...  She came on the plane to us from Canada, and I always wondered if something or someone spooked her then.... I never met the parents of Tori, but heard from others that the mom was not the friendliest (where the 'in-born may come in, but Lyric has had wonderful puppies..)....it really doesn't matter why, we LOVE her to pieces, but it just puzzles me.  and next time, we will do everything right - hey - I have all these experts to help me along now!  :o)

Comment by Ginny Nightingale on January 7, 2012 at 7:57am

I got Lyric from my breeder at the age of 8 months. Due to circumstances beyond her control, Lyric had not been socialized much and had many fears. I started exposing her to new stuff as much as I could and found that speaking confidently to her and trying not to anticipate her fears was a big help. Dogs can sense when you get nervous about them getting fearful--it is kind of a vicious cycle. She has come a long way, even though she will never be fear-free. I found that the therapy dog class was a big help--she did pass the TDI course, but I think it would be too stressful to take her on TD visits. However, being in the class week after week exposed her to a lot and helped her overcome an awful lot of fears. So, even if you never use her for Therapy, the class might be helpful--just a suggestion.

Comment by Jane, Guinness and Murphy on January 7, 2012 at 6:50am

Esther, I'm really sorry t hear about Joey's fear issues.  Does your Vet have a Behaviorist associated with the practice?  I'm thinking that talking with a professional about her issues might give you some helpful insight.  She is just a puppy and so I'm thinking there's lots of room for hope that with the right "program" she'll be able to move beyond her current state, or at least you'll know how to deal with it.  Best of luck.

Comment by Esther and Joey on January 7, 2012 at 6:41am

Ladies, I am so sad :( 

Joey is 8.5 months. When we picked her up from the breeder, she wasn't afraid of us at all. In fact, the day that we brought her home, she met 2 of our friends and till this day those 2 people are her favorite. The next, after her first sleep in our NYC apt, the AC repair men came and accidently kicked her crate. Not sure if it's them or the city, but since then she is TERRIFIED of people. We have worked REALLY hard with her so she's less frightened around women but still scared of men. She's GREAT with children. We had such high hopes for a doodle that would go on to be a therapy dog.

It pains me to hear of your fearful dogs in adulthood. I've been torn on my outlook - some days I'm optimistic that Joey won't be so scared as she grows with more confidence through training etc. Other days I feel that she's damaged for life and that it's only going to get worst.

Is there any advice for me looking back on what you would have done to help her fearful doodle? 

Comment by Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie on January 6, 2012 at 8:04pm

Patti, I am sorry you are dealing with this when you should be able to travel, etc.  Our Springer has developed anxiety when left - we can leave him at home with the doodles or a human or we can take him in the RV and leave him with the doodles for short periods.  He howls his anxiety which is both soooo very sad for his 'pain' but totally annoying for those hearing it.  He is eight now and has gotten much worse in the year and a half since our alpha dog (his mentor/guardian) passed away.  We thought we would be footloose and fancy free to travel since we just retired.

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