Charlie's Thread

[HuffleClaw]

How's Charlie doing?

He’s doing great!

 

[Iluveggers]

He’s doing great! View attachment 3034322

He is so adorable!

 

[HuffleClaw]

He is so adorable!

Thank you!

 

[HuffleClaw]

I need help. It’s like over the last week or two his anxiety and shut downs are the worst they’ve ever been. The wind blew a tarp and it made a noise… he took off running with his tail tucked in. The tarp noise has never bothered him before. And he shuts down.. won’t take food, or toys, and when I speak to him to reassure him it’s like it makes it worse Im not sure what I can even do but it’s breaking my heart.

 

[NatJ]

I need help. It’s like over the last week or two his anxiety and shut downs are the worst they’ve ever been. The wind blew a tarp and it made a noise… he took off running with his tail tucked in. The tarp noise has never bothered him before. And he shuts down.. won’t take food, or toys, and when I speak to him to reassure him it’s like it makes it worse Im not sure what I can even do but it’s breaking my heart.

Just to check the obvious: does he have any physical problems? Maybe take him to a vet for a checkup? Anything that hurts can make a person or animal act differently than usual.

Have there been any big changes in his life lately? New schedule? Different people or animals around? Someone new next door? Different food? If he is upset because of something that changed, he may got back to normal as he gets used to it (or if it goes away again, if the change is temporary.)

If speaking to reassure him seems to make it worse, maybe you could try ignoring both him and whatever caused it. (Unless you already tried that, in which case you know what happens then.)

 

[Iluveggers]

Just to check the obvious: does he have any physical problems? Maybe take him to a vet for a checkup? Anything that hurts can make a person or animal act differently than usual.

Have there been any big changes in his life lately? New schedule? Different people or animals around? Someone new next door? Different food? If he is upset because of something that changed, he may got back to normal as he gets used to it (or if it goes away again, if the change is temporary.)

If speaking to reassure him seems to make it worse, maybe you could try ignoring both him and whatever caused it. (Unless you already tried that, in which case you know what happens then.)

Agree with this post. You could also try distraction with small bits of meat when you know it’s windy and the tarp will be moving. Try to desensitize him with something more fun, treats, fetch, a loud squeaky toy etc.

I remember reading somewhere that when you talk sweet to a dog you reinforce their behavior, so it’s like praising him for being scared. If the distraction doesn’t work ignoring is a good choice too.

 

[HuffleClaw]

Just to check the obvious: does he have any physical problems? Maybe take him to a vet for a checkup? Anything that hurts can make a person or animal act differently than usual.

Have there been any big changes in his life lately? New schedule? Different people or animals around? Someone new next door? Different food? If he is upset because of something that changed, he may got back to normal as he gets used to it (or if it goes away again, if the change is temporary.)

If speaking to reassure him seems to make it worse, maybe you could try ignoring both him and whatever caused it. (Unless you already tried that, in which case you know what happens then.)

No physical issues. He has an appointment next week at the vet for vaccine updates. I’ll see if I can talk to my vet then. He’s a VERY old school vet, so I’m not sure he would understand. If he has no advice, I will find another vet or specialist that will. It hurts me to see him like this. No, nothing new. I will try ignoring him and see if that works.

 

[HuffleClaw]

Agree with this post. You could also try distraction with small bits of meat when you know it’s windy and the tarp will be moving. Try to desensitize him with something more fun, treats, fetch, a loud squeaky toy etc.

I remember reading somewhere that when you talk sweet to a dog you reinforce their behavior, so it’s like praising him for being scared. If the distraction doesn’t work ignoring is a good choice too.

We went to Petsense for the first time ever yesterday. He’s only ever been in “public” for outdoorsy events. So I’ve made it my goal to take him to a pet friendly location every Friday. He hates car rides, and hates walking on pavement. Once he’s in the store he is mostly ok. He will take food, and listens to all commands. We even saw an aggressive dog lunging at us. He looked, and walked away. So I was proud of him for that. I think maybe I haven’t been doing enough desensitization or socialization with him. But that doesn’t explain his recent fear of things at home. Hmm.

 

[HuffleClaw]

Got him stuff today

 

[HuffleClaw]

Happy Easter friends I love his new outfit haha. They had a bunch more cute little outfits but I didn’t know which size to get. They must run smaller because this was a large! It fit perfectly though