I have a Chiweenie; he will be 3 in February. I got him when he was 7 or 8 months. He used to be an outside dog before I got him. He would escape and come running with his tail wagging to whomever as long as it was children or women, but wouldn't run up all the way to you, he would get scared and run from you, but stay near by.
Once I got him, he still did that at first and also was peeing when he got excited or scared. He became an inside dog spoiled like crazy. I had finally got both those things to go away. I have trained him to do many tricks. We go on exciting walks often (it use to be every day). He loves me so much, he acts lovesick when I'm gone. He doesn't do anything with others if I'm not around. He just lays around til I get home. When I get back with him he is extremely excited to see me and goes back to normal, playing, eating, etc.
About 5 months ago, I had my dog outside with me and he had his leash on him, but it was just dragging behind him for a few minutes. I dropped the leash when I was getting groceries out of my car. So I placed a bottle of wine on the trunk, had my other hand full, shut the door, went to grab his leash and that bottle rolled off onto the ground. It made a loud shattering noise, my dog took off running so fast up the stairs, the leash got stuck on the rails. I called him and went over to him, untangled the leash and he wanted to bolt up the stairs to our home. I live in an apartment bldg. and needed to clean up my mess from the glass and wine. So I couldn't go upstairs yet nor would he have been OK if I left him up there. A neighbor had come up and held his leash for a few, so I could clean it up really quick. I tried to take him outside several times after and didn't really want to, especially not in that area of the lot. Now he will go outside without hesitation, but now he is scared of his own shadow at times. He's dramatic at times and then other times he's nervous, or shy, or scared. This was completely an accident and I feel so horrible. I'm scared I have made him this way and feel so bad. I need to help him, fix him. What can I do?
Please help.
stacye
Add your voice! Click below to answer. ThriftyFun is powered by your wisdom!
It really sounds like he was abused from before and you helped him overcome his fears and showed him love. It appears the bottle breaking triggered this abuse and has driven him backwards into himself again. You may need to start over again and train him again that nobody will ever hurt him. He is so attached to you and your neighboring holding his leash made him fear he would be alone all over again. You just need to show him a lot of love like you always do and encourage him to go out side with you for walks. It will take time but he will come around again.
Dogs do have memories (in my opinion) and it does sound like this triggered something.
I suggest talking to the vet about a quick course or an anti depressant and/or anti anxiety treatment (either medical or pheromone).
My sister dog had to go through a brief treatment like this. I can't remember now, it may have been a 6 month course, but the behavior started to improve after a week or so. Once she stopped the meds, she (knock on wood) has not relapsed.
The vet can also give the pup a quick check to make sure something else isn't going on. Like maybe there was a strain or tweak to something when the leash got caught when he bolted and that is causing the behavior change.
Please be easy on yourself! It was an accident and hopefully the vet can help you fix this!
Post back with an update! Prayers for healing solutions!
Add your voice! Click below to answer. ThriftyFun is powered by your wisdom!
