Her sitter is a behaviorist? Like for dogs? If so, she should be able to advise you about what to do.

Here are my suggestions:

1. Walk with her daily. Even a short walk.
2. Do not baby her, pity her, or pick her up when she seems nervous or fearful.
3. If Fireworks are a problem, ask a behaviorist about desensitizing her.
4. Has there been a change in her food?
5. Have there been any changes in the home? Work shedules? New people? Less people?
6. Who does her grooming? Any chance there was a traumatic experience there?
7. Is her vet female? Maybe her last exam/vaccine was traumatizing.

There are soooo many things that could have initiated this behavior. It could be one, it could be several in combination.

I absolutely agree with Donna-well said!

I think that it may just take her some time to come around. Both my dogs have funny, explained behaviors like this-It's Milli right now who is flinching at everything, petting and picking up and whatnot. She never did this before. Emma HAS to be with DH at night, but LOVES to be with me in the morning. It's just her "time" with him and she gets grumpy if I interrupt that. Just give her some time, and work with her on walks and obedience to see if you can get her trust in you and her confidence back, and I really think she'll come around. Hang in there, Marci!

Layla...be nice to your mommy. She's worried about you and only wants the best for you. Please let her know you love her and that you trust her and think that she's the best mommy ever so you don't give her a complex ;) Your grandpa's wonderful, but you're mommy's girl, and don't let her think otherwise! :)

I know this sounds weird but my schnauzers are running in and out the doggie door and sometimes they will let a fly in. Kayla doesn't like the outside all that much. She is so little that I really don't care that when she does go out she stays pretty much on the patio. But, she is scared to death of flys. Even my shnauzers act weird if one happens to get in the house because they bite and I'm sure it hurts. Kayla acted so strange a couple of days ago that she would not even come out of her playpen. She didn't want to eat or come to me. The only thing we could think of was a fly got in and scared her, maybe bit her. Could something like that freak your little one out? They are hard to figure out sometimes. Now she is fine, acting like her ole' self. Go figure??

Ya know, that's interesting because my boys are at their most happy and relaxed when my husband and I are both home. They are both total mama's boys, but they still miss their daddy when he's at work during the day. They seem to "look" for him several times throughout the day. They are totally fine with me all day, but they like it best when we're both here. My husband said they are fidgety and kinda sad when I'm at work. But, I've been off work for awhile now, and I can tell that evenings are their favorite time because mom and dad are both home, and we're all together. Same with weekends.

Some dogs are more sensitive than others with any changes, even small ones. Jackson doesn't even like it if I move something to a different place. It's like it "worries" him.

I'm so sorry about Layla. I don't know what it can be. It reminds me a lot of Sophie. Sophie has gotten better but still gets so nervous. I got her when she was 6 mos and she would be very nervous and shaky like all the time, also when me or my bf try to give her a treat she would cower down like if we were going to hit her. It broke my heart. She came like that but i def. don't think the lady that sold her to me hit her or anything, she was just too sweet and seemed like she really cared for her. We still keep in touch. Sometimes that can happen if they are taken away from their mother too soon, or other factors. But anyway we worked with her and never ever hit her and she trusts us now. When we first got her she wouldn't even lay on her back for us to rub her belly, but now she falls down, feet in the air and smiles and begs for us to rub it. She changed so much for the better, she still shakes sometimes and is a little antisocial with some dogs and at dog parks but we are trying to fix that. I am thinking of going to training classes with her. Maybe you can look into something like that or some therapy classes or something for dogs. My friend does it for her dog and she loves it

Thanks so much everyone. Last night Layla was on the bed with Grandpa so my mom and I went over and hung out there.. she was SO happy and so relaxed. The more i think of it, Layla is a girl who is MOST happy when all her family is home. If my parents are gone for the night, she will sit on the stiars all night waiting for them. I think she is upset that our nighttime routine has been changed. There is a TV in my parent's bed room so my mom and i are more than happy to sit in there :)

I was thinking that that could possibly be the problem. She does not know what to do when your family is split up into different roooms. She is a girl, so she may favor your dad who is a boy a tiny bit more, but she also loves you and your mom and to have the 3 of you in seperate rooms may be whats upset her. Im glad that all 3 of you can hang out in one room... I bet Layla feels better in general.

I don't know if this is humanizing her too much, but maybe with your dad being alone in another room she thought that you and your mom were 'mad' at him or kicking him out of the pack and she was taking his side.

I think everyone is correct in that it started with the fireworks and then started feeling insecure...When my husband shoots, it really upsets Bob and he will be upset for a couple of days...Loud noises like fireworks, guns, etc will upset dogs...I think she will be just fine with the comfort you give her.