Cain's still "off"

Cain is still not himself. I've been back home for around five days now, and he's really not right.

Firstly his toileting is still all over the place. He doesn't seem keen to go in the garden and when he does he appears to be deliberately avoiding the toilet area I am currently escorting him and click/treat/praise when he does toilet in the right spot. But he's holding himself for long periods and looks uncomfortable if I tell him to go and do a wee He seems to have these occasional blips every few months and for no obvious reason.

Since starting the Zylkene, he seems calmer around the house. He's only been on it two days but he does seem to be sleeping a lot more, no idea if it is too early to have an effect or not?

But he seems withdrawn. He doesn't really want to play with his toys much. He's coming over for some attention, but ist half as annoying as usual. At first it was a relief, but now it's worrying me as it's unusual.

He isn't getting much attention. We haven't done much training in the last few weeks and he hasn't been to agility class. My bf has walked him a lot more than me over the last week as I've had 1001 admin appointments. I know his routine is all over the place. He's stealing items from my mum's room which isn't like him. I think he misses her

I really don't have the time to give him extra attention right now. I know it sounds terrible, but I've had to meet with funeral directors, registrars, banks, crematorium, solicitors etc, it's crazy here and things are only half sorted. He's getting his meals, his walk and a bit of fuss but not much else. Hopefully this will only last for another week or so, then his routine should go back to normal.

Do you think he's just reacting to all the changes and will be ok when things settle down a bit? Or should I be more worried?

What good will worrying more do?

I don't mean I want to worry as such. I just mean should his behaviour be considered as reasonable in these circumstances and likely to settle down when consistency returns? Or should I be thinking there may be mire to it and considering a vet check or something? Although vets freak him out, and I don't think he's ill, he's eating just fine. It just makes me sad to see him like this anyone who has met Cain knows that a quiet Cain is not normal

Amanda - I think give him and yourself some time. It's not an easy time on either of you.. You both need to adjust and I reckon Cain will take a bit longer - just let him adjust in his own way and own time.

Sorry - don't have much to say but that, but I hope it helps. x x x

he is picking up on what is around him. It happens and he will get back to his own self in time as things straighten out more.

TBH mine are having the same sort of issues at the moment, they haven't been trained for a few days and they are having to fit around my life big time. They'll cope and so will he.

Don't worry about it.

rune

I am sure he is just picking up on everyones stress
He is being a good boy and keeping calm and not bugging people also the meds might be zonking him out a bit till he gets used to them
I put some lavider oil on a infection on Bens belly one time and he was soooo chilled and sleepy for a day I worried

Cain's world has been turned upside down. He will miss your mum, but he'll also be missing you and your normal routines as well.

All around him is sadness and he's coping with that the best way he knows how.

When the world is uncertain, normal things become uncertain too, ie toileting.

As things slowly get back to a more normal routine and he gets used to not having your mum around (don't forget, he needs time to grieve too), he should start getting back to normal himself.

Obviously, illness can't be ruled out, but it does sound as though he's reacting to current circumstances rather than anything else. Do keep an eye on him though and if at all worried, consult your vet

Amanda, ive not been on here as much lately, im really sorry for you loss x

I think Brierley's post says it all really. He just knows your busy and hes missing your mum and knows things are "diffferent" maybe he senses you need time and space too. Im sure Cain will be fine x

I agree, I think he is most likely responding to what is going on around him and picking up on stress levels etc ....

If he's eating, that's a good sign. Keep an eye on him, you will do that anyway

Wys
x

You know how 'normal' I think Kiki is, but I was really caught by surprise with how long it took her to adjust to the housemove. In a way, she lost two people in the house too, my brother and his girlfriend didn't visit much as the girlfriend wasn't well for a while after the house move.
There have been several big changes in Cain's life, look at them seperately. 1, you've been around less, that's a big change for any dog. 2, Liam has been around more, yes Cain knows him, but if Liam's been his main carer and been walking him without you and so on, it's a different dynamic to their relationship. 3, your mum has been ill - you hear of dogs sensing cancers so that in itself may have upset Cain. 4, he's lost your mum too, she may not have walked him but I know Kiki misses my brother's girlfriend a lot, as she was often planted in front of the TV cuddling Kiki, it may not have been major interaction but it was constant. 5, your emotional state will rub off on him, he will pick up on your feelings. 6, his schedule has likely changed, walks and dinners to suit your schedule. 7, he's had lots of strangers in and out of his 'sanctuary', with the carers etc. visiting your mum. And I'm sure there's 8, 9, even 10. Even a normal dog would probably struggle with all that, let alone Cain. You said that he has blips every so often anyway so it's not completely out of character, just probably amplified by everything going on.
As everyone says - keep an eye on him incase there is an underlying medical cause but you've not long had him to the vets. There are plenty of emotional causes for his behaviour so I would feel happy assuming that they are the cause and would just give him time.
Is he still wearing pheromone collars, could it be coming to an end and in your business you've not realised?