New here but I used to be a member - anxious dog

Mica · 10-06-2011, 06:19 PM

Hello. My last dog was a GSD, but she has passed on. I remember getting and reading up on extremely useful information here so I came back.

After being dogless for over a year (went to school and didn't have a permanent home), I have adopted a young adult, maybe just over a year, from the SPCA. She is most likely border collie with either boxer or lab mixed in as she has a very short coat. Extremely smart and sensitive however, so that is why we are thinking border collie.

I've been looking up threads on separation anxiety and can see that Mica is only mildly affected. I have her with me at work, out in the car in a crate, so I can bond with her and take her for many small walks in a day. She has tried to urinate/defecate in the house but I have been close enough to catch her at it and accompany her outside. The yard is fenced but I don't leave her alone as she has a history of escaping. The SPCA figures she was trying to find her people as she seems to attach herself to people pretty quick. She had been turned in a few times before her people just stopped coming in to pick her up again and the SPCA claimed her.

When I walk away from the car she yelps and barks, but I don't go back to soothe her. I stop inside the door at work and she stops completely after about 5 minutes, and lies down.

Yesterday my Mom and brother came to visit and we had a bark fest in the house for about 15 minutes. She is happy and wagging her tail, but visibly agitated and growling/barking at the same time. As soon as she settles down she is body wagging and happy enough to lay in her bed and relax. I get the impression that she gets over-stimulated and doesn't know what to do but bark. We tried to borrow from Cesar Milan and remain calm to allow her to lower her own anxiety level. She has already bonded to me, and leans against me or tucks her body behind me to bark at new people.

I had her near a dog park today at lunch and she was like a fish on a line, wiggling and barking to go play. The SPCA ladies told me that she is great with new dogs once they have been together a while, but she is not great with initial socialization. She is too much altogether, either too submissive or too dominant and subtle is not in her dictionary.

I guess I am just wondering if taking things slow and helping her gain confidence will help her. I'd love to be able to go to dog parks and to let her loose in the house without worrying about accidents. For now I block her in whatever room I am in and she has 'her' bed which she is using as a toy box. She gathers up her and the cat's toys and deposits them in her bed to play with at her leisure. By the way, she is awesome with my cats, but will follow a bit too aggressively if they run. For now they are never left unattended together but my youngest cat is fascinated by her.

**MaggieRoseLee** · 10-06-2011, 11:07 PM

She's just too cute!

Are there any dog classes available in your area? I know they are always a huge help to me in training my dogs. Safe environment that gives me the skills I need to guide and be the best leader for my dogs.

Mica · 10-07-2011, 11:26 AM

Yes actually. A lady I used to take my GSD to agility classes with also does obedience I found out. Mica has very little drive, but is very active so I will be talking to Margaret about trying agility after we get the basics down. Mica chases balls, but just kind of pounces on them when she reaches them, she shows no interest in bringing them back

Rott-n-GSDs · 10-07-2011, 12:05 PM

Sounds like things are going really well, actually. How long have you had her? It takes awhile to build that bond/trust.

Mica · 10-07-2011, 01:09 PM

Yes, it will take time. I just want to make sure I am doing the right things. Last night I had some friends over for a Tupperware party and allowed Mica to mingle with everyone. I had a plan to crate her in a quiet room if it was too much for her. Strangely, the only person she reacted to was Veronica who is a woman now but was born as a man. Apparently men set Mica on edge and she recognized that Veronica was not quite 'normal' according to her doggie senses. She only barked a few minutes and then relaxed and was obviously enjoying herself with all the new company.

We'll attend obedience classes as soon as she is settled in and I can get it going.

Thanks for the comments, just want to make her adjustment go well as I have never adopted an adult dog (with possible issues) before.

10-06-2011, 06:19 PM	#1 (permalink)
Mica New Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Posts: 4	New here but I used to be a member - anxious dog Hello. My last dog was a GSD, but she has passed on. I remember getting and reading up on extremely useful information here so I came back. After being dogless for over a year (went to school and didn't have a permanent home), I have adopted a young adult, maybe just over a year, from the SPCA. She is most likely border collie with either boxer or lab mixed in as she has a very short coat. Extremely smart and sensitive however, so that is why we are thinking border collie. I've been looking up threads on separation anxiety and can see that Mica is only mildly affected. I have her with me at work, out in the car in a crate, so I can bond with her and take her for many small walks in a day. She has tried to urinate/defecate in the house but I have been close enough to catch her at it and accompany her outside. The yard is fenced but I don't leave her alone as she has a history of escaping. The SPCA figures she was trying to find her people as she seems to attach herself to people pretty quick. She had been turned in a few times before her people just stopped coming in to pick her up again and the SPCA claimed her. When I walk away from the car she yelps and barks, but I don't go back to soothe her. I stop inside the door at work and she stops completely after about 5 minutes, and lies down. Yesterday my Mom and brother came to visit and we had a bark fest in the house for about 15 minutes. She is happy and wagging her tail, but visibly agitated and growling/barking at the same time. As soon as she settles down she is body wagging and happy enough to lay in her bed and relax. I get the impression that she gets over-stimulated and doesn't know what to do but bark. We tried to borrow from Cesar Milan and remain calm to allow her to lower her own anxiety level. She has already bonded to me, and leans against me or tucks her body behind me to bark at new people. I had her near a dog park today at lunch and she was like a fish on a line, wiggling and barking to go play. The SPCA ladies told me that she is great with new dogs once they have been together a while, but she is not great with initial socialization. She is too much altogether, either too submissive or too dominant and subtle is not in her dictionary. I guess I am just wondering if taking things slow and helping her gain confidence will help her. I'd love to be able to go to dog parks and to let her loose in the house without worrying about accidents. For now I block her in whatever room I am in and she has 'her' bed which she is using as a toy box. She gathers up her and the cat's toys and deposits them in her bed to play with at her leisure. By the way, she is awesome with my cats, but will follow a bit too aggressively if they run. For now they are never left unattended together but my youngest cat is fascinated by her.

10-06-2011, 11:07 PM	#2 (permalink)
MaggieRoseLee The Agility Rocks! Moderator Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Bushkill, PA (The Poconos!) Posts: 22,215	She's just too cute! Are there any dog classes available in your area? I know they are always a huge help to me in training my dogs. Safe environment that gives me the skills I need to guide and be the best leader for my dogs. __________________ MACH2 Bretta Lee Wildhaus CGC TC TQX Glory B Wildhaus NA, NJ, NF + LOL (still) "*Always forgive your enemies; nothing annoys them so much." - Oscar Wilde*

10-07-2011, 12:05 PM	#4 (permalink)
Rott-n-GSDs Master Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: South Range, WI Posts: 999	Sounds like things are going really well, actually. How long have you had her? It takes awhile to build that bond/trust. __________________ Luna, GSD (11/22/08) Nova, GSD (07/01/07) Apollo, Rottweiler (06/28/08)

10-07-2011, 11:26 AM	#3 (permalink)
Mica New Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Posts: 4	Yes actually. A lady I used to take my GSD to agility classes with also does obedience I found out. Mica has very little drive, but is very active so I will be talking to Margaret about trying agility after we get the basics down. Mica chases balls, but just kind of pounces on them when she reaches them, she shows no interest in bringing them back

10-07-2011, 01:09 PM	#5 (permalink)
Mica New Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Posts: 4	Yes, it will take time. I just want to make sure I am doing the right things. Last night I had some friends over for a Tupperware party and allowed Mica to mingle with everyone. I had a plan to crate her in a quiet room if it was too much for her. Strangely, the only person she reacted to was Veronica who is a woman now but was born as a man. Apparently men set Mica on edge and she recognized that Veronica was not quite 'normal' according to her doggie senses. She only barked a few minutes and then relaxed and was obviously enjoying herself with all the new company. We'll attend obedience classes as soon as she is settled in and I can get it going. Thanks for the comments, just want to make her adjustment go well as I have never adopted an adult dog (with possible issues) before.

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