How can i help my dogs?
I have been avoiding posting recently because I am very embarrassed by all the drama in my life recently. :-\ but I kinda need your help, guys... For those of you who didn't hear, my dogs were impounded by animal control on Thursday because of a broken window they thought was a danger to my pooches. http://vegweb.com/index.php?topic=19996.0
I bailed them out that very night. The two five-year-old foster dogs are seemingly back to normal, more or less. However, something seems to be very wrong with Guinevere and D'Artagnon (who will be two in February.). For one thing, they wont leave my side, not even to go outside and use the bathroom. At night, I'm used to all four dogs sleeping in my bed but normal one or two of them will hop out when we get crowded.the last several nights they remain in constant physical contact with me while we are sleeping. Its really making it hard to sleep. :( The smallest sound makes tthem starteled. They have also both lost their appetite. They eat a few kibbles but thats it. The worst thing is that they have started yelping and whining again like they were little puppies. We will all be sitting in the livingroom and they will just start to cry (they are wide awake, not drifting off to sleep) its heart breaking, they have never done this before.
I know that dogs are highly intuitive and that they respond to the way we feel (Guinevere is perhaps one of the most sensitive dogs Ive ever known...) So I have tried especially hard to be upbeat and peppy with them. I even put on some country music and tried dancing with them. They normals LOVE dancing with me...but they are just sad and scared seeming. I have given them lots of loves to try to reassure them they are safe. Ive tried forcing them to do things independently that they were just fine doing a week ago.. I have tried playing confidence building games with them. Ive tried to whet heir appetites with tasty treats and even some Chinese, human foods ::) and though they eat some of it...they don't seem overly interested like they would normally be.
I know they are probally just needing reassurance that they re safe in their home, but honestly...shouldn't they be over this by now? I mean they were there for all of, what...3 or 4 hors...i don't mean anthropomorphize my animals...but they kinda are acting like some people I have know with post traumatic stress disorder or something....
It doesn't help that my family is not really being "supportive" of me right now...they all think I should have left the dogs at the pound because they are "destroying" my life...they re mad that i chose to get veteranairy care for the chicken and bail the dogs out of the pound rather than paying my electric bill, for example... :( hopefully my electricity wont get shut off until after liberty chicken is done with her antibiotic...this is all making me feel terrible but Ive run out of ideas to help my puppies...I was even thinking about getting an RX from eh vet for anti-anxiety meds for them until they get over this...are there and doggie-safe herbal remedies for anxiety? I know the best thing is time...everyday that passes when they stay safe they will feel more seccure, but what can I do for them now? It doesn't help that Ive been having to lock them in the bathroom while I'm gone during the day. the windowe has been repaired but I'm so afraid of anything happening...advice? ???
What a horrible situation. I am so sorry this has happened to you and your dogs.
I would get Bach's 'Rescue Remedy'. Homeopathic and works wonders.
http://www.bachflower.com/Pets.htm
http://www.bachflower.com/Rescue_Remedy.htm
I wouldn't put them on actual drugs for anxiety.
Good luck!
hugs
Di
(((Zelia)))
I can only offer a little re-affirmation. I think that it is best for all to return to "normal" as quickly and efficiently as possible (which it sounds like you are trying to do). I would keep doing what you are doing and try not to let yourself get worked up. They'll calm down; I'm sure it was a scary event, but I'd wager it was WAY worse for you.
I'm sending you lots of peaceful thoughts.
i can't give you any advice, as i have never owned a dog, but i'm sending positive thought to you (and your doggies)!
I'm sorry to hear about all that! I wouldn't underestimate animal control, though. My neighbor's dog was taken to the pound for running loose (he got out of the yard), his owner picked him up, literally, a few hours later. When he came home, he was shaking like crazy and was not himself for week.
I don't want to say anything bad about animal control ... because, well, they're not the cause of the problem. They're trying to keep it under control. But, honestly, they're the last people to whom I would ever surrender a homeless animal. I'd try everywhere else first.
Just keep to the same routine you had with the dogs before. Make sure you're not accidentally praising them for their needy behaviour. As that just reinforces it. I know the first reaction to a whining dog who wants to be near you all the time is to say "it's ok" in a nice voice, and even give a treat. But, that just reinforces the behaviour. Just tell them to calm down in a firm tone, and go about your day as you normally would.
(((((zealia and doggies)))))b :-*
i agree w/ ecstatic though, about being aware of reinforcing the unwanted behavior through kindness. it might feel cruel for a bit, but try not to indulge that behavior.
is there anywhere else you can leave them besides the bathroom?
My suggestion is to "act normal" as if nothing was different. Your dogs are probably dismayed because they were removed from their familiar surroundings. Dogs are creatures of habit (just like us) and trauma can result from any upset in routine. To return home and find you acting differently - even if it means more treats for them! - may only reinforce the feeling of displacement. They probably just want everything to be back to normal.
Good luck, and I'm sorry to hear about your troubles! I certainly hope your family one day comes to respect how important your animals are to you...
That sounds exactly how my dogs act whenever we move...for up to two weeks they act very strangely, crying all of the time and hiding. In one instance our dog, Jingle, made a break for it (we think she was headed for our old house) and was hit by a car.
We were never able to really help them, just gave it time for them to re-adjust :-\
is there anywhere else you can leave them besides the bathroom?
I agree. How long are they locked in there everyday? I know you're going through a lot with your neighbor, but I have to say that unlike a crate that can feel like a dogs private den to them (if set up dark and with lots of dogs beds, etc....a small room can feel like a prison cell to a dog. Ever see dogs at the shelter go around and around in circles? They do that because of boredom and stress.
I know you're going through a lot right now, and I know you're having financial decisions to make that are obviously tough (like paying the electric bill vs. a vet. bill). Is there anyone that can watch them or give you a hand with them until you get that in order?
With animals, when we take them in, they depend on us to do everything we can for them. We make the decision to take them and provide a home for them. One that is safe, one that feels like a home for us. VZ you've got to be able to provide for them. Until you can get some things in order (like paying your bills so you have electricity, your neighbors, AC showing up, etc.)....is there someone that can take them in and provide a temporary home for them until you get those things in order?
Sometimes in life we are forced to make very tough difficult decisions...ones that seem so over whelming that we do not think nor can not think straight. I think that the stress you are under...that constant constant stress...is what the dogs are now picking up on. You can't be "at peace" inside yourself when you are worrying about so much at once. I do believe this is what your dogs are now picking up on. Everyone of my dogs can tell if I'm sad, happy, mad, etc. So can yours.
We're here to listen, help if we can, and give advice if you want or need some. I do hope things settle down there. I also do think it would great if they could get out of that stressful situation (bathroom, AC/police, your personal stress, maybe living in a house with no working utilities...)..... You may not agree with me, and many here may not and may want to come lash out at me for seeming cruel. It's just what I see when I look at the big picture.
Remember....You need to take care of yourself first...always. That is most important, your own well being and your own physical and mental health.
-d
*EDIT* PS: VZ....didn't you mention recently that the two fosters you have were about to be placed in another foster home? I do hope you can get them into one ASAP. With so much on your plate at the moment, it really would be best if they were elsewhere. Also was thinking that since they are fosters...are they up for adoption? You've had them for quite some time. Are they listed with a rescue group/groups? Are they on petfinder? Do they go out to adoption days on weekends?
is there anywhere else you can leave them besides the bathroom?
I agree. How long are they locked in there everyday? I know you're going through a lot with your neighbor, but I have to say that unlike a crate that can feel like a dogs private den to them (if set up dark and with lots of dogs beds, etc....a small room can feel like a prison cell to a dog. Ever see dogs at the shelter go around and around in circles? They do that because of boredom and stress.
I know you're going through a lot right now, and I know you're having financial decisions to make that are obviously tough (like paying the electric bill vs. a vet. bill). Is there anyone that can watch them or give you a hand with them until you get that in order?
With animals, when we take them in, they depend on us to do everything we can for them. We make the decision to take them and provide a home for them. One that is safe, one that feels like a home for us. VZ you've got to be able to provide for them. Until you can get some things in order (like paying your bills so you have electricity, your neighbors, AC showing up, etc.)....is there someone that can take them in and provide a temporary home for them until you get those things in order?
Sometimes in life we are forced to make very tough difficult decisions...ones that seem so over whelming that we do not think nor can not think straight. I think that the stress you are under...that constant constant stress...is what the dogs are now picking up on. You can't be "at peace" inside yourself when you are worrying about so much at once. I do believe this is what your dogs are now picking up on. Everyone of my dogs can tell if I'm sad, happy, mad, etc. So can yours.
We're here to listen, help if we can, and give advice if you want or need some. I do hope things settle down there. I also do think it would great if they could get out of that stressful situation (bathroom, AC/police, your personal stress, maybe living in a house with no working utilities...)..... You may not agree with me, and many here may not and may want to come lash out at me for seeming cruel. It's just what I see when I look at the big picture.
Remember....You need to take care of yourself first...always. That is most important, your own well being and your own physical and mental health.
-d
*EDIT* PS: VZ....didn't you mention recently that the two fosters you have were about to be placed in another foster home? I do hope you can get them into one ASAP. With so much on your plate at the moment, it really would be best if they were elsewhere. Also was thinking that since they are fosters...are they up for adoption? You've had them for quite some time. Are they listed with a rescue group/groups? Are they on petfinder? Do they go out to adoption days on weekends?
Very good advice. You have to take care of yourself vegheadzealia or your animals will not be able to depend on you. (((hugs)))
Well, they are in the bathroom, inside of their crates. They have a dog bedroom, but they were in there the day all this stuff with animal control happened, So it seems thats not working very well r0 leave them there....I will not put them int eh back yard without suppervision because of the neighbors and because I cant control the elements out there.... :-\
The fosters HAVE been with me a very long time. Its driving me nuts. They were the ones, you may remember, who were abandoned at my house by a friend of a friend of a fiend...They did not come to me through a rescue group. I have contacted several rescue groups but none of them will take them in. I posted them on Craigslist. I agree that my life would be a little calmer without the added burden of the fosters. I still don't have a lot of connections here in Tucson, so I'm not able to get people to help me out with things...like taking them to adoption days or using their digital camera to post pictures...I don't think what you are suggesting, Dave, is cruel, but it is kinda unfeasible right now. They need to go and I need to figure out how to make that happen- short of putting them in a sheller (its PACKED right now)
I'll check out that rescue remedy...it looks like they sell it at my local HFS....
Zealia, the Rescue Remedy would be good for you, too, when you get so stressed.