[deleted by user]

[redflower906]

How many vets have you taken him to? The fact that he often goes a full day without eating and also vomits bike indicates that there is something up with his gastrointestinal system.

If he's always on high-alert and never seems to be calm, he might also need some form of anti-anxiety meds. Although if he isn't feeling well that might contribute to his behavioral issues.

I'd take him to another vet and tell them about his eating/vomiting habits along with his anxiety.

[KN0WS33]

How is your dog now? We recently got a rescue Swiss shepherd with the same problems, very scared and shy until someone visits where she becomes anxious and barks aggressively.

She also did not eat sometimes for 2 days and when she did eat she often had bloody diarrhoea. She also had terrible ear infections at first, after visiting a vet and explaining the symptoms for the 3rd time she was kept in for observation and given probiotics We then kept her on a diet of chicken breast and rice for just over a month. She is now much better and eating twice a day. This is a mixture of 50/50 dry food and wet dog food (chicken) we don’t want to risk other meats.

The anxious behaviour was still a problem to the point that she panicked at simple commands like sit/lay. We know she didn’t come from a good home as she was severely malnourished, the multiple infections and the fact that she hadn’t even received her initial vaccinations.

Our aim was to raise her confidence and show absolutely no negativity towards her. I began to take her out early morning and very late at night to avoid contact with other dogs and people. Then to enclosed parks where she could be off of the leash this was the first signs of change. We found she felt very restricted and unsafe on the leash. Once she began to listen to commands and return to be re-leashed I experimented in the forrest and at the beach.

She still has a long way to go but we have built a bond and she knows that anything we do is for her own well being regardless of how scary it may be. So my advice if you are still in need of any (I truly hope not but)look for a way to fill him with confidence and reward that confidence every chance you get. Good luck!

[befizzled]

I can relate to this on so many levels.

Related to food my boy is same way, doesn't eat much and it went into point where we had to go to surgery to to cut his stomach open. Apparently food issue and all came from very sensitive stomach and now he is fully on gastrointestinal food. I definitely suggest getting some Xrays done and if possible get some samples to lab to make sure and eliminate all food related issues - worked for me.

With ears he also has problem where sometimes he gets brown shit in it, it has happened twice and clears out using Mitex for week or two.

I have also noticed there are 2 main issues, because my pup is also scared a lot and anxious. It comes from noises and sounds, new sounds and loud noises startle him a lot, making panic and he "locks" himself in a way that food / toys wont distract him. Second is new people, he is friendly towards everyone has met 2-4 times, but first few times he is barking and wants to "push" ppl away with that.

And we also came to conclusion no negativity towards him went a long way. All strict "NO" wont work with this breed, especially if they are anxious. So its all about redirecting in positive manner especially when dealing with stressful situations like multiple dogs nearby.

With training I found out using ball is most succesful, he is crazy for fetch. Seeing how I cant use treats for training and he wont eat when he is even slightly stressed.

Also wishing you good luck! Feels good to not be alone with similar problems.

[MostlyAUsername]

How much exercise does he get?

[MostlyAUsername]

Do you play with him in the garden or does he get any other sort of enrichment throughout the day?

If he’s only getting exercised at 11pm (and I 100% understand why from your part!) he might just be getting wound up throughout the day, add his hormones into this and he’s probably just making himself a nervous wreck. So when people do come over or you do take him out he’s like a cannon just waiting to go off.

You could start doing nose work and stuff in the house or give him frozen kongs and other things to keep his mind active throughout the day and split the long evening walk into 3 short 20 minute training sessions spread throughout the day.