This is Sophie my poor pathetic Wire Fox Terrier. I love her dearly, really I do. I can't imagine life without her. With that said, I'm at my wits end what to do. She has separation anxiety, most likely brought on by the flight over her. She freaks when left alone, itches and licks her skin until raw and bloody. At first we thought it was allergies, but after many test and being observed by our Vet, he says it's anxiety and the itching has become a habit. She wears the cone all day everyday plus booties on her hind legs. Even with the booties she can itch and do damage.When I'm home with her she is my shadow and usually only itches when we are gone. Today while I was here having my German lesson she ran around the house from door to door, room to room crying and panting as if I was gone. I tried to calm her and nothing would work she kept doing it until she exhausted herself.
I'm beside myself, I think her quality of life is going down hill. Other than sedating her the Vet hasn't given us much advice. Wondering if anyone has had a similar problem with their dog and any advice you can give? Thanks!!!
31 comments:
Hey Frau, I am so sorry Sophie is suffering like this. :( I have a friend who I call my dog whisperer. I have forwarded this blog post to her. I hope she has some words of wisdom for you.
I have heard that there is a type of doggie "prozac"
Is she getting plenty of exercise? What type behaviours has her breed been bred to do? Could you do more of whatever that is?
Maybe get another dog to keep her company? I'm serious.
Just found this online...
Temperament
The Wirehaired Fox Terrier is a bold and energetic terrier. They are enthusiastically playful especially with children. Affectionate with the family. Cheerful and brave. This lovable dynamo is great at learning tricks. Amazing stories are told of the animal's loyalty and devotion. This dog enjoys being part of the family, and will become destructive without enough exercise and leadership. Because of their strong hunting instincts, the Fox Terrier will also hunt and possibly kill other none K-9 animals, such as birds, if given the chance. Keep this breed properly leashed or in a completely enclosed area, because the Fox Terrier likes to go off and explore. If the Fox Terrier is properly socialized and introduced they can get along just fine with other dogs. It is paramount, you are this dogs 100%, firm, consistent, pack leader. If the dog has meek owners, and they allow this terrier to take over the home, developing Small Dog Syndrome, human induced behaviors, where the dog believes he is pack leader, the dog will develop varying degrees of behavior issues. The issues include, but are not limited to, dominance challenges, guarding objects, places and their own food from the owner, excessive barking, jealousy, separation anxiety, dog aggressive, willfulness, growling, snapping, biting, untrustworthy with kids and sometimes adults. They may become ready to charge at all times, scrappy and impulsive, as they attempt to defend THEIR top position in the alpha order. These are not Fox Terrier traits, but rather behaviors brought on by the way the dog is treated by the people around him. These behaviors can be corrected as soon as the dog's instincts are met. Stable, firm, consistent rules to follow, limits to what they are and are not allowed to do, along with a daily pack walk.
Kathy, we had the same problem when we moved up here to Seattle. Everyone thought he had allergies but it ended up being anxiety, I thought I was going to die trying to care for him. Over time he has stopped licking but we find if we leave him too long he freaks out.
Our vet told us we should get another dog for him to have company, maybe that would help.
I hope that Sophie gets better.
Hi Kathy, I'm not a dog expert, but what I can share what I remember from our trainer who specializes in terriers and helped us with Kelly when she came to us at 5 years old she had major AS. It is hard habit to break, but with work it can be done. We would get meds from vet during storms because Kelly was a total mess the meds never worked ONLY after the storm passed is when she would pass out!!
One thing Pat (trainer) would tell us was not to coddle her, because this would only intense her aniexty, since there is a language barrier. We kept saying "you're fine".
If you want I can get you Pat's website or email. I know there are peep even in europe that have contacted her. Email me if you want it OK. joy2282003 at yahoo. com
Everyone has their way of doing things, you just have to find which way works for you and that you like.
Poor Sophie, my heart goes out to her (and you). xoxo
Kathy I just read PP temperament on fox they are similiar to lakelands. It makes me laugh because Pat would always tell me I don't have a terrier personality, more of a Maltese and she is so right. lol...
Poor Sophie. I don't have any kind of advice as I know nothing about dogs but I hope she finds some relief soon. I also have to say that your photos are great - love the red rug as a background for her!
It's so sad when a pet is uncomfortable. They just cannot talk to explain it to us, and we can't express ourselves to them in a way that fixes it. I feel for you. I've had four dogs, and for three of them, I've used a crate. Not as punishment, but as a place of comfort for them. They each loved their crates and went to them willingly when it was time for us to leave. In fact, they each began to sense our "routine" for leaving, and our current dog goes to the crate on her own whenever we put on our shoes and grab our keys.
Keep us posted to let us know how things work out...
Poor pup and poor you! Here are some web sites that might help:
http://www.wagntrain.com/SeparationAnx.htm
and
http://www.metpet.com/Reference/Dogs/Training/separation_anxiety_in_dogs.htm
No easy fix I am afraid. Good luck!
My sister's dog has the itching thing on his hind quarters and the vets keep calling them hot spots. Maybe it's anxiety after all. He has SO got small dog syndrome, howls and guards my sister's house as if it were Fort Knox. When I go to her place, I take over as pack leader and he will spend inordinate amounts of time sitting and looking at me, as if waiting for orders!
I speak to him in a gruffer voice than my sister, so he knows not to fuck with me. Then he just sits there and gives my sister this baleful look like "Who's this bitch?"
I say go with the doggie meds. And if there's extra, send them to me.
I wish I had some advice! All I can offer you and Sophie is my best wishes!
So sorry!
So sorry about Sophie! We had a Westie (West Highland TERRIER) that would get under the beds and scratch every hair off of his back until he was completely raw and bloody. I remember being so frustrated with that little guy, I wanted to pull MY hair out. It must be something with the Terriers!
I listen to the Martha Stewart channel on SIRIUS satellite radio and there is an all natural vet that does a show and answers questions. There is always a question about anxiety and itching. Here is his web address:
http://www.petcarenaturally.com/ask-dr-shawn/anxiety.php
Hope it helps!
Poor Sophie. Sitka has been in an Elizabethan collar all weekend, too. He has a hot spot on his ear and will not stop scratching it. He is on antibiotics, etc. and yes, he has allergies and separation anxiety.
Hope Sophie is much better soon.
Blessings, andrea
My daughter uses Quiet Moments (totally homeopathic) and found at Petsmart to quiet her baby named Sofie' too. This may help your baby as well.
Have you tried one of the teddy bears with the womb sound or heart beating sounds? Sometimes, that can be calming too.
I hope that she finds a sense of home before too long. Poor baby girl.
Poor pup...when you figure out the answer tell me- I'm still not over all those times my mom left me to my own devices while i was 7 ;)
ew- word verification is herps
Oh no, I'm so sorry. I hope you find something that helps her. Poor thing.
oh my, and i thought my dog was bad! she just gets very angry when she knows i'm leaving the house, but she's a little pomeranian, so no damage done!
good luck with your little one!
xox
I know someone with a dog that takes Xanax for anxiety prescribed by the wet! Who knew?!?!?
I hope your sweet pooch can mellow out soon.
Poor Sophie!
I don't have any ideas other than another dog for company.
ah this makes my heart hurt for sweet Sophie and for you! My friend's dog here is having the SAME issues and it's so sad. I'm hoping things start looking up for her. Love from me and Burks! xx
Lots of good advice here Kathy. I don't know what I'd do without my little sweeties. They get as attached to us as we to them.
Please keep us up on how she's doing. And I would LOVE that white chili recipe... please and thank-you!
Poor Sophie and poor you. This is so hard. Jack bites his foot but we think it's the allergies combined with habit. Different chew treats don't help I'm sure? Maybe a stuffed frozen kong treat in a comfy crate with a special toy with your scent? You may have to retrain Sophie to me away from you even when you are around. This is so tough on all of you. Please keep us posted.
Our dog went through an anxiety stage after I moved into my husbands house with my cats. We did the anti anxiety medication for a while and then were able to stop. It worked well. Good luck!!
Oh poor Sophie. I'm sorry I don't have words of wisdom since I am only the owner of two stand offish cats, but I'll send some postive thoughts her way.
Good luck.
oooh all the best with this little darling...so sorry to hear that, I'm sure the experts will find the solution for this...
xo*
Poor Soph! Osc has anxiety too! It's so sad if i could take them with me everywhere I would!
Poor Sophie...... I will talk to her when we get there! Love ya hang in there
Oh no I'm sorry.
I really wish I had some advice but I don't..
I'm sorry to hear that! It's so hard to see your poor doggie suffer. I've never had that problem, but it sounds like you have lots of good suggestions, keep us posted.
She is adorable!!!
That makes me sad for Sophie. It amkes it hard when you wish they could just tell you what is wrong.
Oh no! That does indeed suck. Poor Sophie! I'm usually not a fan of meds, but have you given it a shot?? You just hate to see dogs suffer and unfortunately they can't make "decisions" for themselves (though my dog is known to have a mind of her own. :-) It's interesting reading through the comments here...sounds like this is somewhat typical of terriers? So weird! I wish I could be of help to you...and Sophie.
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