Calm a Doodle

[Cindy Jacques]

Hello out there in Doodle Land,  In the last 6 months or so our two year old Doodle has become anxious.  When we do therapy he shakes and does not want to leave car.  When he does not know where we are going he does not want to go into 'unchartered' waters either.  His training has been extensive but looks like we need some more CALM down training.  Any Ideas?  Thanks Cindy and Yankee Doodle

[Ginny Nightingale]

A lot of people have noted personality changes at around 11/2 to 2 years--it is as if they have suddenly matured enough to be aware that things could be scary--while a puppy will just go head first into new situations--there is a group her for people who have dealt with or are dealing with anxiety issues--find it and check out their advice!

[Cindy Jacques]

Thank you Ginny!

[Ginny Nightingale]

This link takes you to the main page and then you can join the group.

http://www.doodlekisses.com/group/mentalhealth?commentId=2065244%3A...

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

As Ginny said, there is a maturity that takes place around 2.  I would continue to take him places, but perhaps to watch rather than 'perform' i.e. drive and park places and stay in the car with him for a bit, then leave.

[Cindy Jacques]

Great Idea! Thanks N, N, and C!

[Maryann,Roo and Tigger]

I would have him checked for Addison's disease.  This is the first sign that Roo showed before he was diagnosed.

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

Murphy is often "stressed" by lots of different things.  Here's what helps him...

-I try very hard never to actually show "sympathy" so he would think that I'm actually "agreeing" with the stressed behavior. I always act very "matter of fact" and praise when I see him calm down.

-Getting him into a sit or a down always helps....especially laying down on his side.

-Massaging him around his upper body, neck and head very gently and talking to him is a really soft voice (almost a whisper) helps.  If I kind of "massage" his ears back very gently he almost always calms.

-If he's standing (on walks) and I wrap my arms around him and gently hold...that is calming for him.  It's kind of like wearing the thunder shirt.

For now if it was me, I would take a little break from the therapy work and try to work him through this phase.  Good luck...I know this must tug at your heart.  I know I found some things online when we were working through this with Murph....let me go see if I can find them again.

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

I can't find the videos...sorry.

[Cindy Jacques]

Thank you Jane, this may help