Quote:
Originally Posted by Kerryn915  My boy is also just over 2 years old. I got him at 10 months old and he's a nervous wreck too....I used to think maybe he was treated badly before I got him but seriously he jumps in fear of the smallest things.... I feel like years and years of abuse would result in this type of behavior... Not 10 months! He's getting better with some noises but then at time she's scared of the strangest things... Out of the blue... I joke that he has OCD and everyday a new issue arises....lol... Poor thing... If there were meds for anxiety he would be first in line! But we just stick to the same routines and never yell... If he has a flare up as I call it... Fear of stairs or something else random out of the blue I just pick him up and do t force the issue... He gets over it after a while and then it's onto the next phobia...lol... I don't compare him to my "normal" Yorkie bc he's def not a "normal" dog.... He has very unique emotions and very real fears and I just love him for his extra needy, over reacting, paranoid little self. I think he will always be a scaredy cat. |
Not forcing my expectations on my dog has made me much more compassionate and patient. My dog is scared of everything and I tried to 'desensitize' him as per the 'professionals' advice and it made it worse. The specialists I have seen regarding this said I should accept my dog as he is and not force things on him which cause high anxiety in the same way we'd treat human beings.
All three specialists refused anti-anxiety meds because they are often unsuccessful in small dogs, can escalate behavioral issues and cause irreversible personality changes. BUT, I would highly recommend speaking to your vet and/or a behaviorist. There may be things you are doing, that you are unaware of, which is reinforcing unwanted behavior and so may not be anxiety at all. Good luck.