Change in behavior

[MissMary]

Most of you already know Sadie's story. Sadie lived on a chain and in 4 years I only heard her growl a couple times, at Dozer and nothing that souned serious. I knew there could be changes in her when we got her off her chain but I am confused by the changes. Sadie has taken to barking and growling alot as well as whining. She barks and growls at cars going by, the other family pets and some times I really don't know what she is growling at as she'll be outside and I see nothing or anyone around. She will be laying on her couch and if she isn't whining then she is growling? She doesn't do any of this when someone is with her, I mean she is not growling at us. She is all kisses and butt wagging with us but I am wondering way she is barking, growling and whining so much. Any ideas?? Am I just worring to much??

Forgot - Also as soon as she comes inside now she pees on the floor which she hardly ever did before- only had like 2x's in over 4 years.

[KathyB777]

Have you been taking her walking daily?

[Tywaknya'sBABY]

So she's growling and whining at what seems like nothing?
Maybe you should take her to the vet to be sure

[spidey]

I also want to know how much exercise she is getting, and I agree that a vet trip is probably a good idea (any change in behaviour, especially a sudden one, warrants a vet visit). That said, it's entirely possible that she's just adjusting to life off the chain, and it's a little stressful for her. I'd be sure to give her lots of exercise and lots of regular, fun training to keep her body and mind worked out enough that it takes her attention off making herself anxious.

[observer]

What Amanda says makes a lot of sense. She's got a whole new perspective on the world coming from the chain in the back yard to her new front porch, and a lot to think about and adjust to. Take her for lots of walks, and keep her busy with training activities, spending a lot of time out there with her. If she doesn't start calming down, then a vet visit is a good idea.

[MissMary]

It started right after Dozer was gone and got worse since she was off the chain. I figured she would go threw changes but I just worry a lot. I try to keep her busy and active but she doesn't like to play or anything. She likes to walk and she loves to cuddle on the couch with me but that seems about it.
The puppies outdoor run is attached to hers, she is fine with the beagle, she'll come over to greet him but she remains relaxed other than her butt wagging all over the place but when the chihuahua is out Sadie gets real hyper and fixed on her.
I keep trying to find things to interest Sadie to keep her active but haven't had any luck yet, she just doesn't seem to enjoy much. I guess I worry to much.

[fostermom]

I'm wondering if some of this is stress behavior....so much has changed in her life. Losing Dozer certainly might be a factor. Dogs under stress exhibit a number of behaviors...many of my fosters have peed in the house, panting is another stress behavior, excessive whining, pacing. She might also be depressed...when my son moved out with his golden, our rotti became very depressed and wouldn't do anything but lay around....people started asking what was wrong with him...we ended up adopting another dog to keep him company. Dozer probably provided Sadie some kind of emotional support...without him she may be more nervous, hence barking more, etc. I'm not saying any of this to make you feel worse....I am so sorry about what had to be done and how difficult it was for you...just random thoughts on why her behavior might have changed. Of course any time a dog who is housebroken starts peeing in the house, medical issues MAY be the cause, although my old lab pees in the house for a few days after one of my fosters adopts...so again, I tend to think it's a stress behavior. Think I'd give her some time to adjust to all the changes....don't coddle her when she's whiney, nervous....praise appropriate behaviors. Good luck with her.

[SABELLESMOM]

She needs to build confidence. Having been on a chain, for 4 years could made the "territory" she needed to keep track of rather small. Now she's off that horrible chain, But look what's happened? Her territory is no longer small, it's considerably bigger.

She needs time to 1) get used to it and 2) realise there is no eminent danger, which is where you come in. When she barks at a passing car there are 2 choices: You can ignore it, or you can casually glance up and say, "It's only a car, girl." "You're being silly." "It's ok." Say it in a joking manner, so she'll begin to understand there's nothing to fear. A third, more difficult, yet additional, alternative would be to reward the quiet times when she seems to be making a tour of the house and finds nothing to bark at.

[MissMary]

fostermom, I know you aren't saying any thing to try and make me feel worse. Sadie has never been fully house trained but never had to many accidents. I agree it is most likey stress but I don't know what to do for her or if I should do anything other than give her time.

[MissMary]

Originally Posted by SABELLESMOM

She needs time to 1) get used to it and 2) realise there is no eminent danger, which is where you come in. When she barks at a passing car there are 2 choices: You can ignore it, or you can casually glance up and say, "It's only a car, girl." "You're being silly." "It's ok." Say it in a joking manner, so she'll begin to understand there's nothing to fear. A third, more difficult, yet additional, alternative would be to reward the quiet times when she seems to be making a tour of the house and finds nothing to bark at.

That is kind of what I've been doing just telling her she a silly girl in a joking way but I just didn't know if I was doing things right. I am not sure how to handle her reaction to the chihuahua, right now I tell her no and try to redirect her attion to me by getting her to sit or lay but it hasn't been working to well. Any advice?

[AngelBunny]

Sadie's world has certainly turned upside down and perhaps our experience with settling new foster dogs into our home might be helpful.

I'm a big proponent of physical and mental exercise--wearing out dogs with the goal of making them so tired all they want to do is snooze and nap, not engage in behavior of which I don't approve.

I try to have a new foster arrive on Fri nite or early Sat. That gives me a couple of full days. Foster Boy, the girls, and I start taking looong, frequent walks all over our property. This isn't hard to do since we own almost 80 acres. Many of the dogs we've fostered were pulled from city shelters and have had little or no experience with country things. They can't believe the beaver ponds. Or the streams. Or the swamps. Or the herons, duck, frogs, and fish in the pond. Or much of anything they see. They're so boggled by what they're hearing, seeing, smelling, and feeling it's a snap to wear them out!

If the dog fetches, DH and I also put FB into the pen (fenced 1-1/2 acres of our backyard) and wear him out by throwing a ball.

My advice would be to take Sadie for many long walks to help distract her. And, run thru her obed routine. The object is to give her new things to think about and wear her out with exercise.

[Gunsey'sMom]

She also had no physical barrier before, now she does. Gunner seemed to depsise his dog run when we put it up, he was raised on a tie out around a clothes line. Pulling on the chain or cable might actually be self satisfying to them in some way. Now she sees there is no actuall way she can reach that car in the distance there is a wall in between. I agree with the vet check as well.

It might take her some time to adjust. Feed her yummy treats in her run as soon as you put her in there. And maybe try to stay in there with her after you put her in there. That is how I got Gunner better adjusted. He saw that he could have toys in there (that are indestructable), mommy would stay with him, and he got yummy treats too!

[MissMary]

She won't play with toys, but she loves to bury any treats we give her.

[Gunsey'sMom]

LOL, sounds like Gunner-saving them for later!! Maybe spending time in her run would help-you could brush her in there. Do something she likes with her in there. (Gunner likes brushing-dont know about Sadie) Sometimes I would just sit there with him-keep in mind they love company-any kind! you could even do some simple training UP/DOWNS....

[newbrunswick]

MissMary, Maggie was the opposite of Sadie - she was kept in a pen with little space she could see out of if she tilted her head a certain way - she knew she was a throw away and it showed in her body language. When we brought her home, she was fairly quiet, as if "I know, i'm going to be sent back - I'm always sent back" - after about 2-3 weeks, its like Wham - she woke up and hasn't looked back. She now knows her perimiter of the land she is allowed to go on - she understands the routine now - she loves her job watching the chickens and you would never notice she was the same dog we got 4 months ago. She doesn't bark when outside if someone comes to the house, but if she is inside and someone comes in, and she can't go see them, she will bark - like hey, I'm over here, come pat me. She does whine sometimes, and will run around if she is inside and hears something outside that isn't there. I think Sadie is missing Dozer, getting used to the routine and needs to learn housebreaking. Bump up the excercise and training to tire her out - all it took with Maggie was some marathon walks - she was dragging her heals on the way home. Study up on housebreaking too - I tied Maggie to my hip when I first brought her in as she had never been inside at her last home. She still is learning things like vacuum cleaners, couple time (very jealous ) and other stuff - she is getting her sea legs and will come through with love and encouragement. Oh, Maggie buries any toy I buy, but loves sticks and this crazy elbow tensor bandage the appliance guy must have dropped.