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Luke
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11-12-2011, 09:57 AM

Rather sudden change of behaviour and personality

It's rather sudden, yet has been noticeable in coming alone if that makes sense, "Dulcie" is about 6 and a half months now and has always been a typical and fiesty terrier pup, too much trouble and thinking she's considerably larger than she is. She's intact, but hasn't had her first season. And she has always been just a happy go lucky little thing.
Around the time that Ronnie the pom was pts, she began to began to act differently (obviously) as they were infact quite close, and since around this time on she just seems to have withdrawn back into herself at times. She can be very merry and happy and confident, yet at times she can be very cautious, quite shy of things, take lots of coaxing to do things, she seems to be overly cautious of everyone else but me too, spends a lot of her time dosing around as opposed to tearing around the place etc, can just have times where she's very very shy.
Obviously i've had her too the vets who said there's nothing medically and physically wrong with her, she just seems a bit "depressed".
She was sociallised correctly when tiny, as all other pups, and was a true brilliant dog. But lately she just seems so wary of everything, almost skittish at times, and just a bit down in herself.
She has days where she is fine, back to her old self i.e the other day getting stuck down a hole for some hours, or days where she's happy just being with you and going with the flow, but then there are other times where she just doesn't want to know, and when she does has to be coaxed and reassured of just about everything. I'm trying everything, extra walks,e xtra attention with games, doing lots too keep her busy and she'll pick up but then seems to slope backwards again.
It's all a bit concerning as she seems so "sad" at times, not to put human emotions to a dog but she does. She was a very timid puppy when we first got her, had been raised outside and I don't fully buy that she'd been fully socialised with anything other than the bitch and littermates before she was given too us, but then she seemed to come around with more socialisation, training etc, yet since Ronnie was pts it seems like she's gone backwards. I can't quite figure out if she's pining for him or it's something else. We obviously still have Flo, but she's seven in a few weeks time and I think she's had her fill of all the "childrens games". But I'm still not entirely sure whether that would set off such a down spell in a dog, she's just not very confident, happy, and there are times where she doesn't seem convinced with being involved in things and just sits back and watches.
I could quite buy that naturally she's quite a reserved soul, as she always has been, but not too this extent. She just seems very wary and concerned by everything, and moping about the place. I thought it was just a phase but it seems to be lasting quite a bit.
Unsure if I've explained enough in this post, I'm not entirely sure how to explain things as it's not all the time, only some times, but she just seems not quite right? The vet has assure dme there isn't anything medically wrong so I'm at a slight loss...
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ClaireandDaisy
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11-12-2011, 10:34 AM
Originally Posted by Luke View Post
Around the time that Ronnie the pom was pts, she began to began to act differently (obviously) as they were infact quite close, and since around this time on she just seems to have withdrawn back into herself at times.
I had a bitch who changed totally when her friend was killed. When I got another dog she perked up again.
I would imagine your girl is lonely since she is used to the company of other dogs
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Chris
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11-12-2011, 12:20 PM
There is a second fear stage that hits anywhere from 6 to 16 months (much depends on breed, but seems to hit on the younger side in smaller dogs). During this time, a dog that has been totally outgoing can suddenly start to be wary of things that it was previously totally confident with. Guide her through this by doing exactly as you did when the first fear/socialisation period hit by re-introducing her to things in a positive and jolly way and she'll regain her confidence.

With your little one, it sounds as though there has been a double, or maybe even triple whammy. Bless her, she has that to cope with coupled with the loss of a dear friend and is possible on the run up to one of her first big milestones in life, her first season.

Take it calmly. Don't over-react. Guide her positively and make life as fun as you can for her and she'll come out the other side all the stronger (if a little calmer) for it.
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Deb/Pugglepup
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11-12-2011, 01:14 PM
Agree with both Brierley and Claire. She is at the growing up stage now, and with losing her buddy she has a little more to contend with.
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Luke
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12-12-2011, 08:38 AM
Thanks folks, I think I just needed a bit of re-assurance that my gut instinct was perhaps right. Keeping her extra busy and occupied and we shall see if it begins to help bring her back to herself again! Thanks once more
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