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Panting I was wondering if i should be concerned about my Alice. She is 5 years old and a bit over weight..(8lbs) and is in very good health.. My concern is that every time, now that it is winter, when we light a fire in our homes fireplace, she starts to pant..I am not sure if it is anxiety or what. The minute we move the screens open, and the fire isn't even lit yet, she starts to pant. We tried putting her in her dog pen and even cover the side of it so she can't see us light it, but no matter how quite we are, she still starts to pant..that is the only time she pants, besides on hot summer walks or in car rides..she has never done this before..This is the first year she has done this. We have always lit a fire in the winter months and it never bothered her before. Just this year..any suggestions? Theresa :confused: |
Did something maybe happen at the end of last Winter that you were unaware of? Maybe a spark - or a sharp, crackly noise that might have frightened her...either in your home, or someone that you visited? :confused: |
No, not that i can think of..Unless it was the crackling noise. The weird thing is she did have her litter of pups 2 summers ago in front of it, maybe it's something psychological. :hmmm33: |
It sounds like a fear reaction. Obviously something she didn't like happened when the fire was being lit or burning and she is now associating all fires in the fireplace with that scary or anxious time. Can someone try treating her with fresh, warm, boiled chicken as the other lights the fire or try distracting her - toss her ball or something else she just loves while the fire is being lit so she doesn't get so stressed as she focuses in on the other, pleasant stimulant - her ball or toys or chew bones? Perhaps you can even take her to the other room while you light the fire for a while and allow her to follow a trail of treats into the room with the fireplace, where she gets more treats or a special play session with you before the fireplace. A few things to help her associate the fire with new, pleasant, fun, happy experiences will help displace that anxious memory one day if you keep at it until she is okay with the fire. |
Thank you for the awesome advise. I will try anything..Didn't think about the chicken, but that is a good idea, she does love boiled chicken.. :chicken::biewer: |
probably fear, my last yorkie was very afraid of the fireplace, and I think it was the crackling I used to try to get him to sit with us but each time he would hear the fire crack he would tremble harder. He would head upstairs and go to the other end of the house. But LOL he was the smart one since my husband builds such a big fire we have had logs roll out through the screen. |
you could try a thunder shirt, Lola is afraid of fireworks and this has made a huge difference, put it on before you begin to start the fire. I did not know about the shirts when I had my last yorkie |
Sounds like shes afraid of it. Poor baby. Id try having it already lit then bring her into room and hold her and let her see its ok. Waffles is afraid of my sons basketball. LOL |
I agree with the above posts.. Charlie pants when he's hot and when he's scared. He may be scared for some reason. Does he act any different. Like running next to you and not wanting to leave your side while the fire is running or anything like that? |
Thank you everyone for the advice. Alice is doing much better. I put her next to me when i am getting the fire ready so she can see what i am doing, then i light it and hold her for awhile while it starts going and she doesn't seem to let it bother her anymore..I also changed the logs to non crackling sound ones, i think that also seems to help. Panting is definitely has calmed down.. :yorkietal |
Yorkie profile What does it mean when a buying a dog and the breeder telling me that she is not square. What does this mean? Also would like to know where to get a mild sedative for working on doggie teeth. |
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