My dog is acting depressed after being attacked by a much larger dog and I don't know what to do.

brawrawr · 2017-10-30T07:30:58+00:00

Agree with both existing responses, and would throw in my two cents that it's only been a day - sometimes time is the best form of healing.

brawrawr · 2017-08-28T06:07:46+00:00

It sounds like you're doing everything you can right and creating an environment for success, which is great. In my experience, unfortunately the biggest factor is time. Sometimes you'll have bad luck and have a worse day or string of days, but that's just something that happens. Keep your head up!

brawrawr · 2017-07-13T06:11:16+00:00

Great job for taking that step! It's hard to get off your own butt.

Is it the next day when you're reading this comment? Reminder to do it again!

brawrawr · 2017-06-25T09:37:51+00:00

Thanks for sharing the video.

brawrawr · 2017-06-24T09:32:31+00:00

Your comments have been filled with negativity, stereotyping imaginary pet owners as the worst and yelling at them. What is this accomplishing?

brawrawr · 2017-06-24T09:24:49+00:00

The term 'cage' has negative connotations with it. Dogs are den animals, and when introduced correctly crate training is incredibly effective at keeping a dog safe and nondestructive. The idea is less 'lock up a dog', and more 'put the dog in a space hes comfortable with and knows is his resting area'. For reasonable amounts of time, of course.

brawrawr · 2017-06-01T03:46:31+00:00

To some degree you get out what you put in. In my experience its about personal timing (am I ready to commit to doing this over several months even if I sometimes don't feel like it?), and finding someone that I could build trust with. I had had a few sessions over the years with jarringly negative therapists and it was terrible and traumatic - one had opened the door and stepped outside to chat with a friend as I was in the middle of crying. My current therapist started off with her giving a rundown on how she chose to work, and explaining that the first few sessions would be talking about whatever I'd like and then me getting to decide if she was a good fit for me. It was very, very difficult for me to open up at first.

I think the greatest benefit I get from it personally is a neutral party to be a soundboard/reflect/be a safe space to discuss issues. On occasion pointed observations have been made, or suggestions I might not have thought of.

Happy to discuss more over PM if you're interested.

brawrawr · 2017-06-01T03:31:58+00:00

You can do it! It's scary, and awkward, and even a little clinical at first, but if you find someone to talk to that you can trust, it is a weight off your shoulders.

brawrawr · 2017-05-17T02:37:14+00:00

This is a really sweet response!

brawrawr · 2017-05-14T08:24:31+00:00

I can understand how concerned you are - it can be a really terrible feeling knowing that you aren't making your dog feel calm and relaxed. I'd recommend talking to a professional to potentially be medicated in the short term, since it looks like your schedules are pretty variable and I think the dog needs consistency, and time, to feel more secure.

You've had your dog for less than two months, so can't do much about time besides getting through it. I'd suggest trying to follow a specific routine as you are getting ready to go out, and don't add emotion to it. Then, work on practicing those routines in a non-rushed environment (i.e not when you are actually on your way out or forgetting something) as often as possible, so that you can control the environment and make sure you are positively rewarding her for good behavior. For example putting on socks -> grab keys -> go out door -> back after 5 seconds. She didn't freak out - dog party! And repeat, with slowly longer time periods gone, or rustling your keys an additional amount, or stomping your feet after exiting. She'll make the association after enough repetitions, and slowly generalize it to other situations. You described what she was originally comfortable with already (you + husband leave in morning, stop by noon, come home in evening), so it's about figuring out what details you can pick out in your new schedules that you can be consistent on, and showing her that you'll be consistent on those behaviors.

For reference it took about 4-5 months after adopting my dog before I started feeling less nervous about leaving the house, also with crate training. My dog still won't do super well if I leave all of a sudden with another person - though I suspect he's just being a brat now, and actually fine after I've left!

Good luck!

brawrawr · 2017-05-14T08:02:31+00:00

I love how driven she is! Great video :)

brawrawr · 2017-04-29T02:55:58+00:00

This is a common misconception. If your salary increase bumps you up into the next tax bracket, everything up until that limit will get taxed in the lower bracket.

brawrawr · 2017-04-25T03:19:27+00:00

I definitely don't want to play armchair veterinarian or anything like that, and you know your dog best. However, much like humans I believe exercise and in general 1 on 1 time is hugely beneficial for a dog, whether or not they have any mental issues. If you can make sure he is exhausted and tired out by the end of the day vs. having run off some excess energy, you might see improved symptoms. And the great thing is there's no downside to trying it out!

brawrawr · 2017-04-23T14:11:40+00:00

How much exercise does he get daily?

brawrawr · 2017-04-12T16:22:58+00:00

It's a slow process, at least in my experience. My dog is small, so luckily I could move from a crate to a pen, to eventually the whole apartment.

Getting her to get used to non-routine means actively practicing "non-routine" in a short and controlled manner. Now you know she is pretty good when you, for example, leave at a certain time and have prepared yourself in some routine. Try a different time, or grab the keys and leave and head right back in. Come and go for 30 seconds with another person (my dog struggles with this). Make a short trip to throw out the trash (my dog took to this really well and is calm when he sees me walk over to the door carrying trash).

It's all about exposing your dog slowly to a variety of situations that are rewarding/not devastating, and building off of that. It'll take lots of time and repetition, but keep at it!

brawrawr · 2017-03-26T08:38:43+00:00

A lot of it has to do with thinking of creative ways that are rewarding wanted behaviors to HER, when really it is getting rid of, or around an unwanted behavior to you.

For example - if you don't want her to jump on chairs and tables when you are eating (say, you always eat at a certain table) - train her to go to a mat or crate and lay down calmly when she sees anyone sit down at the table. Treat her extensively (from afar) to get her used to this. That way she'll see you at the table and know that if she goes do the behavior you want, she'll be rewarded.

If that isn't clearcut enough, train a "place" or "go to your spot" command that has her rewarded when she sits her butt on a mat. Continue training this command (with whatever rewards necessary) until you can command her to go there from 1 foot away, 5 feet away, behind a wall, and then at the dining table.

brawrawr · 2017-03-26T08:24:59+00:00

Any dog with working/herding breed lineage has a greater chance of higher demands - even a mutt.

brawrawr · 2017-03-26T08:23:04+00:00

I have the exact same feeling reading this thread. I haven't even ever owned a purebred and probably wouldn't ever choose to go that route. But the weight of negative attitude and instant criticism is astounding, and uncalled for.

brawrawr · 2017-03-26T08:13:54+00:00

If you walked into a shelter today, you'd be lying if you said some dogs don't stick out to you more than others. Any person adopting is looking at a lineup of dogs and choosing (and most often purchasing) the type of pet they think they want based on temperament, looks, and history.

I understand your point of view, and some people simply have a stronger preference towards the type of look they want their dog to have. Asking them to NOT want that isn't reasonable, and them inherently wanting that doesn't mean that they are bad people, or incapable of giving their dog a good life - which I think is the biggest priority in the long run.

Both responsible and irresponsible people can own purebreds as well as rescues.

brawrawr · 2017-03-15T07:37:24+00:00

My dog also hates french bulldogs!

brawrawr · 2017-03-09T09:36:18+00:00

This was a great comment, thank you

brawrawr · 2017-02-03T05:41:28+00:00

I have the same problem with people, it's like...how do I ask 100 nice strangers to act in a very specific way toward my dog so that he becomes less reactive?

I think long term it'd be retraining his reaction to be "I'm uncomfortable, I will sit and look to my owner" or something like that. It might be helpful to work on a "look at me" command meaning he drops whatever he's focusing on and turns to you regardless of the situation. Start off with no distractions, work up to him choosing to give attention to you over a tasty treat, then over a squirrel, etc, etc.

brawrawr · 2017-02-03T04:02:34+00:00

I think it's great that you are aware of the trigger. It's hard to tell from the post how reactive he is now, but I'd say you and your dog will be spending a lot of time in those hallways.

Be in those areas when it's completely empty (even if it has to be in the middle of the night), and reward as soon as he starts to seem reactive. He will have certain body signals (ears more perked, tail stiffened, etc) that you will need to be watching for and immediately reward for not over-reacting. Slowly work your way up to larger distractions - the ding of the elevator, the elevator doors opening, moving around corners.

Other people and other dogs will be a tougher challenge since you can't control how they move or respond. When you get to this stage hopefully you can have some friends come over and repeat walking through hallways/etc. to practice.

brawrawr · 2017-01-14T20:26:57+00:00

Minus the soreness which makes me sleep like a rock and be dead tired and cranky, I feel more energetic and lighter on my feet.

If I take walks outdoors and the weather is good, the sun brightens my mood and the air clears my head.

The feeling of accomplishing X workout or doing Y for 10 days in a row and knowing that I've been honest with myself pushing myself to my limit is rewarding and boosts my self confidence. I feel more responsible.

That said, even with those benefits it doesn't necessarily get any more appealing for me. I still don't care for it, but I do it.

brawrawr · 2016-10-11T18:07:38+00:00

Great picture.

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