Increase in nervous behaviour in my dog

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   Naughtybutniceposted 13 years ago

   Hi I'm looking for some advice aboput my dog's behaviour.  We moved house about 6 weeks ago and she got quite anxious.  The vet prescribed a DAP plug in for her which we have been using constantly.  My other dog has settled in just fine but the bitch (4 year old x breed) just will not settle.  Her behaviour is increasingly anxious and nervy.  She is very needy, won't settle when we are in the house, she flinches when we go to stroke her (we don't hit the dogs) and sometimes has run away when we turn around to look at her - literally flown across the room!
   
   She has always been needy and nervy (rescue dog) but never this bad.  We have tried increasing her exercise, using a plug in and also increasing her training but she's showing no signs of improvement.  She absolutely despises going to the vets so if I can avoid it I would prefer to as the stress might just make her pop!
   
   So, what I'm after is some advice...is there anything else I can do?  Has anyone had a similar problem?  Should I just bite the bullet and take her to the vet? Help!

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   1. 78

      nell79posted 13 years agoin reply to this

      From some of the reading I've done, it's suggested that you designate a small space for your pet that has all their old familiar comforts  in it and let them become accustommed their new surroundings a little at a time.
      
      I did find a website that suggested the use of chamomile as a type of aromatherapy for your dog, but you may want to talk to your vet about it.
      
      Another website I found with tips on getting your pet adjusted in a move is:
      http://www.oregonhumane.org/pet_trainin … nt_000.pdf
      
      Some of the suggestions on there will obviously not apply to you, but you may find something useful.
      
      Good luck to you:)

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         yolanda yvetteposted 13 years agoin reply to this

         Thank you, nell79.  I was going to offer a suggestion, but yours is better than mine would have been.
         
         Naughtybutnice, as a pet owner and an animal lover, I hate to see your little one going through this.  And you.  I pray that all will get better for her and all of you.

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2. 68

   motricioposted 13 years ago

   Watch Cesar Millan, Animal Planet
   The best!

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3. 66

   Naughtybutniceposted 13 years ago

   Thanks guys - I will do some more reading.  She's such a nervy little thing and its really embarassing when she flinches in public! Cesar is amazing - wish he could stop my other dog stealing food ;-)

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   ddsurfscaposted 13 years ago

   It sounds like she hasn't found her place in the new home yet, does she have a corner or a box or a blanket that she likes and is used to?  That would be my first suggestion, and maybe let her become used to one room at a time.  Maybe she is having too much space and it is freaking her out.  she sounds scared.  do what you would do to a baby when you bundle them to make them secure, only with the dog it would be a box or kennel or something she is used to, like maybe your car if she likes car rides.(maybe, that was just an afterthought)
   Does she have soft stool, like the runs?

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   1. 66

      Naughtybutniceposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      Yeah she has her bed and box of toys which she always has.  I do wonder if it is because in the last house she could sit and watch out of the window and bark at people where now she can't see anything thats making noise outside!
      
      Her stools are normal, no problems there.

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5. 82

   Whitney05posted 13 years ago

   Don't coddle or baby her, as this says, 'it's ok to act this way, continue to do it.'
   
   Keep her busy.
   
   The plug ins don't work. I've tried them all on a dog with severe separation anxiety.

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6. 61

   couturepopcafeposted 13 years ago

   You may have hit the nail on the head.  The dog is accustomed to seeing the 'noises' outside.  When you say she was a rescue dog, do you mean she was rescued or she used to be a dog who is trained to rescue?  She is very sensitive.  If the house is not a new house, maybe something happened there which she can sense.  If you live in a wooded area, there could be a snake in the house somewhere, under the house, in the walls or floorboards.

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