|
Post by jerryrig on Oct 12, 2007 14:59:21 GMT -5
Have you considered another grey? It may be the ticket, our Fern was having major issues. It took another dog to help her out.
|
|
greytluck
Grey Addicted
Hobbes- Always loved, never forgotten.
Posts: 2,335
|
Post by greytluck on Oct 12, 2007 15:28:30 GMT -5
Have you considered another grey? It may be the ticket, our Fern was having major issues. It took another dog to help her out. I have considered another one, but right now I have a one bedroom condo with a husband, a large greyhound, and three cats. The inn is full. We have been wanting to move, and when we do GRA will be my first stop. Until then I need another solution.
|
|
|
Post by morristahlgreys on Oct 12, 2007 17:36:11 GMT -5
Hello: Our Eddie was extremely shy and easily scared. A bird squacked in a tree and sent him in a panic! Everything that moved scared him. It sounds like you have been working hard to help him. Here is what I did for Eddie. Maybe something in there will help. The first 4 days that he was with us I took off work and Larry and I walked him with the other 2 dogs. When I went back to work Larry said that he was harder to handle with every walk. My first day off I just watched them and could see that he was really almost regressing unless I came too. I guess he didn't want any more change. I asked my vet for a low dose of valium -enough for 5 days and with a reducing dosage the last 2 days to wean him off. I don 't normally recommend medication because it can be hard to get off of, but this was something that my vet was comfortable with as well, and it got us over the hump. We offered short walks for pee breaks during the day. If we saw someone come out of their house, we stopped and just watched them get into their cars and drive away. He learned they weren't going to bother him. If someone approached us on the sidewalk, if they had time I would ask them to stop a moment about 10 feet away and talk to us. (Never a problem - people were interested in greys) Then we would walk past them with Eddie on a short leash while they waited for us to pass. If they didn't have time I would ask them to stand still while we passed. when we were past I wsould praise him, but until then I ignored him - no petting or reassuring him - only praise when he was calm. I never went around people because I didn't want him to learn that people had to be avoided. For longer walks I did what you do - I took him out when it is dark out. There are fewer people about and less sensory stimuli to worry them. When he was calm when walking with the girls - and even now he looks to see where they are- I started to take him out at quiet times with just one of the girls and then alone. He still doesn't like it, but he tolerates it. We also had a setback after about 3 months. Someone had their dog off leash during our late night walk and refused to call it back because "he's friendly." He went straight for Eddie who bolted and slipped his collar. There was no catching him. Fortunately we had been taking the exact same route every night for 3 months and it led us straight home. I wasn't far behind and I found him waiting for me on the porch to let him into the house where he felt safe. I now take other routes for variety, but we still do the same old safe route every so often. Going places he likes has helped to build his confidence. We walk around the Dorchester Pond where the trail is narrow but he rarely gets nervous when we have to pass people (and maybe dogs) coming the other way. Hobbes is lucky to have you. Keep on trying. I agree with the others that it should be easier to reestablish his confidence. Keep in mind though, that some things make such a deep impression that they never get over them. My Cassidy was spooked when someone threw a firecracker at her from across the street. That was years ago, and she is still panicked beyond reasoning by noises like firecrackers (even far away), cars backfiring, gunfire, etc. Hobbes may have trouble for a long time with people arguing or the sounds of fighting. And he may not, as he regains his confidence. I tried desensitization with Cassidy. It didn't work - just made her throw up, so I stopped. I try as much as I can to avoid fireworks. The other noises - I tell her calmly there is nothing to worry about and continue walking. She wears a harness because she sometimes resists and I don't want to hurt her. When she stops pulling and calms down she gets praised. Actually, she has improved some. Good luck.
|
|
greytluck
Grey Addicted
Hobbes- Always loved, never forgotten.
Posts: 2,335
|
Post by greytluck on Oct 18, 2007 20:41:42 GMT -5
Today was such a good day for Hobbes. This evening I called him from the hall door. He got up off the bed(which he does sometimes so he can move further into the corner) and actually came to me. He still seemed a bit nervous but he came under his own power. He got lottsa loving and treats for it. I don't want to jinx it but I was so proud.
|
|
|
Post by tara on Oct 19, 2007 9:01:57 GMT -5
Congrats Hobbes! Keep working the destination is well worth the journey! Tara
|
|
|
Post by kpparker on Oct 19, 2007 12:29:27 GMT -5
Today was such a good day for Hobbes. This evening I called him from the hall door. He got up off the bed(which he does sometimes so he can move further into the corner) and actually came to me. He still seemed a bit nervous but he came under his own power. He got lottsa loving and treats for it. I don't want to jinx it but I was so proud. Woohoo!! Awesome.. a little bit at a time.. he'll get over it See you guys tomorrow!
|
|
kwarner
Junior Grey Lover
Posts: 139
|
Post by kwarner on Jan 11, 2008 16:42:16 GMT -5
I may be a bit late with this subject but I do have what may sound like a strange suggestion. You may want to try having accupuncture treatments done on him. Do some research on the subject if you are not familiar with it and see if there are any vets in your area that provide this service. I had it done on my one timid boy and whether it was coincidence or not but just after the treatment we made quite a few advances in his timidness. Apparently there are some accupuncture points that can help and surprisingly my dog did not object in any way to getting it done. The vet came to my house which may have helped him make it a better experience for him. At the same time have his spine checked by a chiropractor.
|
|
greytluck
Grey Addicted
Hobbes- Always loved, never forgotten.
Posts: 2,335
|
Post by greytluck on Jan 11, 2008 17:15:34 GMT -5
Thanks for the suggestion.
I'm happy to say Hobbes has completely gotten over this issue. Other then the fact he is quite a lazy bum he does now enjoy his walks.
|
|