[Lovetodream88]

Originally Posted by Nancy1999

If she isn't underweight, I would stop the hand feeding, unless I was training. I think you may have made her too dependent on you, and this doesn't do anything for her confidence. No matter what you think, she will not starve herself; you just have to be more stubborn than her. Bugs sprays with Deet are really effective in keeping mosquitos away. Or perhaps you can get someone else to walk her. I hate to think of you cooping yourself up all summer long, that in itself would be depressing. I really think she is picking up on your anxiety, are you talking to anyone about this? My little rescue Ralphie suffered from severe panic attacks when I got him, his owner also hand fed. Ralphie is a totally different dog a year later, and while Ralphie previous owner loved him completely, she couldn’t give him the independence and the confidence he needed. She too would baby him and try to protect him against the world, and this just made him more scared. I know babying her makes you feel better, but it’s really not good for her. You have to ask yourself, do you really want her dependent on independent? You are training her to be dependent and this doesn't make a healthy dog.

I have tried many bug sprays and actually had one with deet in it when I got bit over 20 times. I also don't do well in massive heat like the summer so I am use to not going out much in the summer. I am on a daily medicine for my anxiety as well as an emergency fast acting medicine to take when needed. Callie doesn't seem to have anxiety and problems other then I guess now with the new house and it seems to be mostly better but she is very out going with people and other dogs never seems anxious or anything. I don't think me had feeding her makes her unhealthy. I think her needing me like that helps my depression (I am on medicine for that too) it gives me a reason to pull myself out of bed on days when I don't think I can because Callie needs to eat. I think if anything I am dependent on her.