My 2 year old Yorkie is afraid of everything! I have a 2 year old female (Sparkle) and a 3 year old male (Spike) my female is terrified of everything. It gets worse and worse as time goes on. I got her at 16 weeks and she was fine. Than over the course of the next year or so she just started getting fearful of everything. She loves everyone, so fortunately she is not afraid of people, but just about everything else scares her. My dogs have a very good life. They are treated better than most people treat there children. I don't know what to do. As of yesterday she is afraid of the 2 steps she has to go down to go out in the yard. She will run down them as if something is chasing her but she will not come back up them. She is terrified. This is just one of her many fears. This is the newest one. It is making me crazy. I have never raised my voice at her, i love them so much that my life revolves around them. I don't go on vacations unless my dogs are allowed, i never leave them for more than a few hours at a time. Can somebody help me please. :confused::( |
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. |
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I don't mean to sound stupid or anything, but maybe there is a spirit in your house, I have heard stories of this and dogs react this way, just saying. |
Was he ever alone with people maybe children? So many people pretend to be loveable woth your dog in front of you but when they're alone they "abuse" your dog. I've seen this a lot, and then that dog gets scared. Even if someone almost run-walk loud in the dog's direction it can scare them. Try to introduce your dog slowly to the stuff that scares her and comfort her. Maybe you should try looking for a relaxing drink, i massage my dog every week and when he gets scared it seems to really calm him |
Some thoughts- Has the vet checked her hearing and vision? Has your vet suggested any anti anxiety medication? |
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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. |
So sorry this little one is so afraid :(. You could try some aromatherapy sprays and/or a pheromone collar or plug-in....may help. Otherwise, what about trying an obedience class where she could build some confidence...? It may help to explore medication w/ your vet too - meds can do small miracles with certain dogs, I've seen it firsthand. Something to consider... |
From what I've read, it seems like the more you sympathize with dogs when they're afraid, the more you reinforce the behavior. Like it makes them think there actually is something to be afraid of. Not sure I'm putting that very well. Anyone else read anything like that? |
Can you coach her up just one step, sit there with her and maybe give her a treat or something. Just celebrate that one step. Then when she's ready, try the second step. Lots of praise, but I wouldn't give any attention when she doesn't climb up. If she refuses to step up, pick her up very quickly and set her down at top of step. No affection or "its okay" type talk. When she realizes she gets affection and praise for doing it on her own, and none when she doesn't, she's very likely to correlate the petting, hugs etc with the climbing. Once she learns that there is really nothing to be afraid of, her confidence with build. Do on her own timeline, lots of patience, but obviously will be worth it. Even putting a foot on first step and going no further is still progress and worthy of celebration. Who knows why put little ones do some things, but the why isn't as important in some cases as just helping her through it. Hope that might work for you! |
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