10 month old has become very edgy...

BGSD · 10-29-2011, 08:08 PM

So for the past 2 months, my now 10 month old has become really edgy. Places where he has always gone, now make him feel nervous (he will whine and drag me all over the place). He's always just happy to get back home.

He seems to have lost his confidence and other dogs generally seem to make him feel nervous and scared. He's also started to bark at people occasionally when they try to touch him.

Is this an age related thing? Seems like he's doing a completely 180 in terms of behavior. He used to be fairly confident and stable, but now he seems nervous, unsure, and scared when outside and around others.

robk · 10-29-2011, 08:16 PM

It could be an age thing.

sparra · 10-29-2011, 08:24 PM

In your thread where you said he "bullies" you is that getting any better?
Do you think he respects and sees you as the leader?
Maybe if he thinks he is the boss when you go out he is nervous as he doesn't see you as the leader in control and he feels he needs to control situations? Setting some firm boundaries at home around his toys etc so he recognizes that you are the leader might help him relax when he is out as he doesn't feel like he is in control. I know you said a trainer is a little hard at the moment but it might be time to consider one before things get worse.
Good luck.

I just read your signature.....how true....I have never thought of it like that b4!!!

BGSD · 10-29-2011, 09:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sparra

In your thread where you said he "bullies" you is that getting any better?

Working on it, but yes, I think we are slowly seeing some progress.

Quote:

Originally Posted by sparra

Do you think he respects and sees you as the leader?

Yeah, I think so.

Quote:

Maybe if he thinks he is the boss when you go out he is nervous as he doesn't see you as the leader in control and he feels he needs to control situations? Setting some firm boundaries at home around his toys etc so he recognizes that you are the leader might help him relax when he is out as he doesn't feel like he is in control. I know you said a trainer is a little hard at the moment but it might be time to consider one before things get worse.
Good luck.

I just read your signature.....how true....I have never thought of it like that b4!!!

He has plenty of boundaries. Again, the nervousness and fearfulness towards outdoor and strangers is a new thing. It's like he did a 180 behavior wise. I'm hoping it's age-related and will subside.

BGSD · 10-30-2011, 03:41 PM

bump..

chelle · 10-30-2011, 04:33 PM

I found this link and if you page down, there's a part on the "second fear period."

Developmental Stages

Sounds sort of like what you're saying? Just throwing it out there, I haven't come up against this (yet)

BGSD · 10-30-2011, 06:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chelle

I found this link and if you page down, there's a part on the "second fear period."

Developmental Stages

Sounds sort of like what you're saying? Just throwing it out there, I haven't come up against this (yet)

Hmm...sounds familiar. I am hoping that it's just a temporary stage.

10-29-2011, 08:08 PM	#1 (permalink)
BGSD Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Posts: 450	10 month old has become very edgy... So for the past 2 months, my now 10 month old has become really edgy. Places where he has always gone, now make him feel nervous (he will whine and drag me all over the place). He's always just happy to get back home. He seems to have lost his confidence and other dogs generally seem to make him feel nervous and scared. He's also started to bark at people occasionally when they try to touch him. Is this an age related thing? Seems like he's doing a completely 180 in terms of behavior. He used to be fairly confident and stable, but now he seems nervous, unsure, and scared when outside and around others. __________________ The misery of keeping a dog is his dying so soon. But, to be sure, if he lived for fifty years and then died, what would become of me? - Sir Walter Scott

10-29-2011, 08:24 PM	#3 (permalink)
sparra Master Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Australia Posts: 525	In your thread where you said he "bullies" you is that getting any better? Do you think he respects and sees you as the leader? Maybe if he thinks he is the boss when you go out he is nervous as he doesn't see you as the leader in control and he feels he needs to control situations? Setting some firm boundaries at home around his toys etc so he recognizes that you are the leader might help him relax when he is out as he doesn't feel like he is in control. I know you said a trainer is a little hard at the moment but it might be time to consider one before things get worse. Good luck. I just read your signature.....how true....I have never thought of it like that b4!!! Last edited by sparra; 10-29-2011 at 08:28 PM.

10-30-2011, 03:41 PM	#5 (permalink)
BGSD Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Posts: 450	bump.. __________________ The misery of keeping a dog is his dying so soon. But, to be sure, if he lived for fifty years and then died, what would become of me? - Sir Walter Scott

10-30-2011, 04:33 PM	#6 (permalink)
chelle Knighted Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Des Moines, IA Posts: 2,863	I found this link and if you page down, there's a part on the "second fear period." Developmental Stages Sounds sort of like what you're saying? Just throwing it out there, I haven't come up against this (yet) __________________ Dolly Eskie 6/03 Suri Shiba 10/07 Bailey WGSD/Husky x 5/11 CGC Bailey's brother Tucker (rescue/foster dude) Tiger kitty '96 Information is power

10-29-2011, 08:16 PM	#2 (permalink)
robk Master Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Fayetteville, NC Posts: 572	It could be an age thing.

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