Dog really on edge with new home and new baby
Discussion
Hi everyone,
Last week we moved house and had a baby. Moved on the 19th and baby on the 21st. Ever since, our lovely dog had been fully on edge. Never settled and very protective of us, her 1 year old sister and brand new brother.
Is there anything we can do to calm her down? Strokes, cuddles and lots of attention with calm talking isn't working. We're getting a bit worried about her, she's not really eating either.
PFA...
Last week we moved house and had a baby. Moved on the 19th and baby on the 21st. Ever since, our lovely dog had been fully on edge. Never settled and very protective of us, her 1 year old sister and brand new brother.
Is there anything we can do to calm her down? Strokes, cuddles and lots of attention with calm talking isn't working. We're getting a bit worried about her, she's not really eating either.
PFA...
That's a lot of changes all at once, so not really surprising she is struggling.
Time and routine will be the key (which is probably not as easy as it sounds at the moment, I know).
But in the meantime, it may be worth trying DAP products. I've had some success with them in the past when I've been introducing new dogs. I've used plug-in adaptors and collars. Adaptil is the best known make.
Does she have a crate or 'safe space' - or could you create one for her?
Rescue Remedy is another possibility but I've not used that myself.
Hope things get better.
Time and routine will be the key (which is probably not as easy as it sounds at the moment, I know).
But in the meantime, it may be worth trying DAP products. I've had some success with them in the past when I've been introducing new dogs. I've used plug-in adaptors and collars. Adaptil is the best known make.
Does she have a crate or 'safe space' - or could you create one for her?
Rescue Remedy is another possibility but I've not used that myself.
Hope things get better.
Edited by moorx on Monday 30th December 22:32
Extra strokes, cuddles and attention are just confirming to the dog that there's something to be stressed about. Same with fear of fireworks and other anxiety, being super "nice" is often exactly the wrong thing to do.
Keep to a routine, make sure the dog gets plenty of training and exercise and then just behave normally. The dog will feed off you guys. Reward the times when they seem calm and ignore the anxious moments.
Keep to a routine, make sure the dog gets plenty of training and exercise and then just behave normally. The dog will feed off you guys. Reward the times when they seem calm and ignore the anxious moments.
Thank you for the replies everyone. We've tried a few things including relaxation spray on her bed... She now just avoids her bed! Haha.
She's a bit better, not fully back to normal though. It doesn't help that our 12 month old is beginning to become obsessed with the dog so won't leave her alone. She's also entering the 'start petting then start hitting ' phase so we're trying to keep them separate. It doesn't help that bonnie insists on sitting with the obsessed 12 month old despite not enjoying it. I really feel sorry for Bonnie as it's all come at once.
There have been a few days without walks too which won't help. Once we get settled into a routine it will get better. I go back to work next week so that will probably be more normal.
She's a bit better, not fully back to normal though. It doesn't help that our 12 month old is beginning to become obsessed with the dog so won't leave her alone. She's also entering the 'start petting then start hitting ' phase so we're trying to keep them separate. It doesn't help that bonnie insists on sitting with the obsessed 12 month old despite not enjoying it. I really feel sorry for Bonnie as it's all come at once.
There have been a few days without walks too which won't help. Once we get settled into a routine it will get better. I go back to work next week so that will probably be more normal.
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