Our lovely dog is rather old and every once and awhile if something is a little bit different than normal (she doesn't like change) she gets really nervous. She trots around the house and turns around really quickly and refuses to lie down and stuff. What can we do to reassure her?
2006-08-26 03:20:29 · 16 answers · asked by ChaChaChingThing 2 in Pets ➔ Dogs
Your dog may be starting to go a bit deaf, her eyesight is most likely not as good as it once was, so change will naturally be upsetting to her. If it's her eyes (does she have cataracts?) try not to move major pieces of furniture around, keep doors closed that are supposed to be closed, things like that.
Other than that all you can do is talk to her a lot, your voice will reassure her, sit with her and just spend time with her. Older dogs also tend to want to be alone more than they used to, so if she does, make sure she has a secure place she likes to go to.
2006-08-26 03:30:18 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Most older dogs will get nervous or upset around anything they're not used to. A lot of the time it's due to diminishing eyesight or hearing. My parents 12 year old mutt started to lose his sight and everytime someone wearing a large hat came in the house he would either bark and get mean or wet the floor. Since no one knows your dog better than you do, pay attention to what sets her off and if possible, try to avoid those situations. If you just can't anticipate what alarms her and she's crate trained, put her in her crate with a blanket over the door, or if not, put her in a quiet comfortable room. Pet her and tell her what a great dog she is and I know she'll feel better. Good luck!
2006-08-26 10:56:28 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Dont pet, baby or talk to her when she does this (i know it sounds mean and maybe hard but it does more damage than good). She is conditioned to get nervous when there is change, you have to break this habit.) When you see her getting ready to do this behavior put her on a leash. When she starts to get nervous tell her no or shh nothing else, and pull the leash a little bit. Make her sit down and when she starts to whine shh her again..u have to force her to get over this, its the only way. Dogs behaviors can be changed easily and they forget the previous behavior quickly. You just have to show them u are in charge..Babying them when they whine, act nervous, or are scared intensives the problem...THIS IS A PROVEN FACT....Check out the Dog Whisperer on National Geographic, he will give u some great info..
The dog also maybe going blind like someone else said...So u dont want to make to many furniture changes...
2006-08-26 10:32:50 · answer #3 · answered by misstikal311 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have a couple of twelve pound terrors that think they can solve every problem in the world with a bark.
When I get home from work I walk them for 45 minutes. I also walk them for fifteen minutes when I get up in the morning.
They stop barking and calm down after that.
This is not just my point of view. Cesar Milan from the dog whisperer show on the National Geographic channel says the same thing.
2006-08-26 10:29:00 · answer #4 · answered by eric l 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
One of mine gets like this during thunderstorms an whnever he's in a new situation he's unsure of.
I hold him and talk to him and then go grab a toy and try to take his mind off it by playing until the storm passes.If it's something else making him anxious and we're away from home I just keep him close to me and put my hand on him every chance I can to reassure him.If he's really frightened I bend down and hold him as close to me as I can while petting and talking to him until he's calmed down a bit.
This is also a real good time to break out the peanut butter and cheese crackers or the beef jerky to take his mind off whatever has him spooked.
2006-08-26 13:14:49 · answer #5 · answered by misbehavin165 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yo i am laurens sis and i am a vet so the answer is take off everything ur holding and then keep ur distance then sit or crouch and baby talk then walk a little closer then wen ur dog comes a little close then come to her slowly and after that u should pet ur pet like nothing is wrong this helps ur pet u r the boss and part of ur pets family it is like u r sharing a special secret together
dr. diega( candy diega )
2006-08-26 16:49:51 · answer #6 · answered by lauren d 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It may sound silly but I talk to my dog (and cat) a lot and I think that is what you should do for your dog.. talk to her and hug her, pet her while you are talking to her and brush her also and talk to her.. My dog usually calms down..
Bu the this URL below is GREAT for dog lovers and particularly for problems that develop with OLDER dogs.. If you want it, print it out and if not.. no problem.. I found it VERY useful for my nearly 17-year old dog.
http://www.srdogs.com/Pages/care.gt.html
2006-08-26 10:32:53 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hold her in your arms, pet her, talk to her in a soothing voice and reassure her that every thing is okay or gonna be
2006-08-26 10:49:37 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Try to pet the chest. The the best body part to build up the relationship.
2006-08-26 11:49:41 · answer #9 · answered by blackdog 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Pet her, talk to her, let her follow you around.....
My dog does that every once in a while too:)
2006-08-26 10:24:06 · answer #10 · answered by nurseratchet23@sbcglobal.net 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋