Originally Posted by Nancy1999 (Post 4042206)

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.

Originally Posted by Nancy1999 (Post 4042206)

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.

Originally Posted by Lovetodream88 (Post 4042555)

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.

Originally Posted by Nancy1999 (Post 4042704)

I'm sorry your having such a hard time of it. We can't walk much in the summer here either, because the weather is just to hot, I try to make up for it the rest of the year. There are some places like Home Depot and Lowes that still allow dogs to walk in them. There are many many studies that show that exercise helps with anxiety and depression, walking would be good for both of you as soon as you can get out. Hope you are both doing better soon.